Iraqi Blocs Choose New PM-Designate After Weeks of Jockeying

QASSIM ABDUL-ZAHRA and SAMYA KULLAB / The Associated Press Feb 1, 2020 Former communications minister Mohammed Allawi is selected to replace outgoing Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

19 Killed in Protests in Iraq Despite Calls for Calm

QASSIM ABDUL-ZAHRA / The Associated Press Oct 5, 2019 Anti-government demonstrators rally and set offices on fire as they press for reforms in the nation's most serious challenge in two years. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

In About-Face, Iraq’s Muqtada al-Sadr Moves Closer to Iran

QASSIM ABDUL-ZAHRA and SINAN SALAHEDDIN / The Associated Press Jun 24, 2018 The maverick Shiite cleric, the main winner in Iraq’s parliamentary elections, ran on a platform of putting Iraqis first. Instead, he has forged a postelection coalition with a rival Shiite bloc. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

The Tragic Record of American Regime Change

Maj. Danny Sjursen / Truthdig May 22, 2018 Let us remember the last three failed efforts perpetrated by Washington and think long and hard before sleepwalking into the next catastrophe. Dig deeper ( 5 Min. Read )

Disillusionment Appears to Help Shiite Cleric in Iraq Vote

PHILIP ISSA / The Associated Press May 14, 2018 Widespread disappointment with Iraq’s current political class appears to have helped Muqtada al-Sadr become the early front-runner in national elections marked by record low turnout. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

The 5 Most Alarming Developments in Iraq

Juan Cole / Truthdig Jul 7, 2014 To begin with, airstrikes killed seven and wounded 30 in Mosul on Sunday. But it isn’t clear who was flying the planes. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

No, Thank You — Don’t Come Again

Staff / Truthdig Sep 12, 2011 Moqtada al-Sadr, who is either the sharpest thorn in the side of US forces in Iraq or the linchpin of an Iraqi parliament frequently on the verge of coming apart -- or both -- has ordered his followers not to attack U troops in order to make sure the occupiers leave as quickly as possible. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

He’s Back

Staff / Truthdig Jan 9, 2011 Anti-US cleric Moqtada al-Sadr has returned home to Iraq from his self-imposed exile in Iran, delivering a speech urging support for the new Maliki government and resistance against the U -- but not necessarily through armed struggle. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Beyond Kingmaker: Moqtada al-Sadr and the Future of Iraq

Scott Ritter / Truthdig Oct 25, 2010 Moqtada al-Sadr's ability to influence Iraq's political affairs has earned him the title "kingmaker," but his true aspiration is to be king He stands a reasonable chance of succeeding. Dig deeper ( 19 Min. Read )

Iraq’s PM Heads to Iran for Advice

Staff / Truthdig Oct 18, 2010 Nouri al-Maliki is more than influenced by the Shiite clerics in Iran who have done so much for the troubled Iraqi prime minister. Maliki just schlepped over the border for a powwow with Iranian bigwigs. Tehran's spokesman said the PM was in town to exchange views, but for all we know he just needed a hug. (continued) Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Thousands Protest U.S. Pact

Staff / Truthdig Nov 21, 2008 Nothing says "go home" like 10,000 people yelling at you in a language you don't quite understand. And nothing says "go home" with more irony than an effigy of your president hanging at the very spot where a statue of Saddam was famously toppled after the fall of Baghdad in 2003. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Thousands of Iraqis Protest U.S. Occupation

Staff / Truthdig Oct 19, 2008 Tens of thousands of Iraqis, with remote guidance from Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, joined in a demonstration in Baghdad on Saturday to implore the Iraqi parliament to reject a security pact with the U.S. before the year's end. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )