Bush Optimistic in the Face of Iraqi Resistance

Staff / Truthdig Jun 14, 2008 Despite two major challenges to the US from Iraq on Friday -- in the form of a breakdown in negotiations between the two nations over long-term plans for U involvement there and Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr's renewed call to arms against U forces in Iraq -- President Bush maintained a positive tone while discussing American-Iraqi relations on the Parisian leg of his current European tour . Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Geoffrey Wheatcroft on ‘Muqtada’

BLANK May 9, 2008 In this first-ever biography of the religious leader many predict will take over Iraq after the Americans leave, Patrick Cockburn, one of the most respected correspondents in the Middle East, provides a dramatic look at a man Paul Bremer denounced as a "Bolshevik Islamist." Dig deeper ( 9 Min. Read )

Preparations Made for Sadr City Assault

Staff / Truthdig May 7, 2008 After a seven week surge in violent street clashes and an estimated 1,000 civilian deaths in the Sadr City neighborhood of Baghdad alone, U.S. and Iraqi forces are now preparing an overwhelming military offensive they hope will completely annihilate active Shia resistance movements and pacify the area, making it safe for occupation. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Iraq Death Toll Spikes in April

Staff / Truthdig May 2, 2008 April was the cruelest month in seven months in terms of the numbers of both civilians and US troops who lost their lives in Iraq A spate of deadly bombings on Wednesday killed four U soldiers, bringing the monthlong total of American dead to 50, and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's crackdown on Shiite followers of Moqtada al-Sadr made for more intense violence, particularly in Basra and Sadr City, which contributed to a reported 969 Iraqi civilian deaths. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Sadr’s Dark Warning

Patrick Cockburn / Truthdig Apr 22, 2008 The militia leader's threat of an "open war" between his supporters and the U.S.-backed Iraqi government has ratcheted up tensions in Basra and Baghdad. [In this analysis, columnist Patrick Cockburn of The Independent looks into the current situation in light of Sadr's history with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.] Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Sadr Warns of ‘Open War’

Staff / Truthdig Apr 20, 2008 Muslim cleric Moqtada al-Sadr issued a strong warning to the Iraqi government Saturday, claiming that he and his supporters will "declare a war until liberation" if a crackdown against his Mahdi Army continues. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Sadr: U.S. Will Always Be Enemy

Staff / Truthdig Apr 13, 2008 Iraqi cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintained his defiant stance against the U.S. as intense fighting in Sadr City and Najaf claimed more lives this weekend, including that of a Sadr relative and supporter, Riyad al-Nuri. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Everything His President Wants to Hear

Robert Scheer / Truthdig Apr 9, 2008 General Betray Us? Of course he has. MoveOn.org can hardly be expected to recycle its slogan from last September, when Gen. David Petraeus testified in support of escalating the U.S. war in Iraq, given the hysterical denunciations that worthy group received at the time. But it was right then -- as it would be to repeat the charge now. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Maliki Gives Up the Fight

Staff / Truthdig Apr 5, 2008 Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, just a day after some tough talk, has caved on his promise to disarm militant Iraqis. The news that the Iraqi government would no longer pursue "people who carry weapons" comes on the heels of an Iran-backed truce with rival Shiite leader Moqtada al-Sadr. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

More Trouble for Iraq’s PM

Staff / Truthdig Apr 4, 2008 Iraq's Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki faced a crisis last week when 1,000 to 1,500 of his troops, including from several dozen to more than 100 officers, refused to fight in the battle against Shiite militia members in Basra, raising questions about Iraqi security force readiness. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Consider Iraq Defined

Eugene Robinson / Truthdig Apr 1, 2008 Quite a "defining moment" in Iraq, wasn't it? At this rate, John McCain is going to be proved right: The war will last a century. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Sadr Cuts a Deal

Staff / Truthdig Mar 31, 2008 Moqtada al-Sadr, after reaching an agreement with several Iraqi officials, has ordered his followers to stop fighting. Basra has reportedly quieted, but fighting continued in Baghdad despite the announcement. Underscoring Iran's influence over the affairs of its neighbor, the deal was apparently brokered by the head of Iran's Quds force, which the U.S. Congress has branded a terrorist organization. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )