Gourt > Regional > Middle East > Iraq (49)
Iraq (Arabic: العراق () al-‘Irāq, Kurdish: عيَراق), officially the Republic of Iraq, is a Middle Eastern country in southwestern Asia encompassing most of Mesopotamia as well as the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range and the eastern part of the Syrian Desert. It shares a border with Kuwait and Saudi Arabia to the south, Jordan to the west, Syria to the northwest, Turkey to the north, and Iran (Persia) to the east. It has a very narrow section of coastline at Umm Qasr on the Persian Gulf. It is considered the place where a settled society to have manifested all the features needed to qualify fully as a "civilization" first appeared in the world - the civilization known as Sumeria.
Name
There are several suggestions for the origin of the name of Iraq; one dates back to the Sumerian city of Uruk (or Erech). Another suggestion is that Iraq comes from the Aramaic language, meaning "the land along the banks of the southern rivers."
Under the Sassanid dynasty, there was a region called "Iraq Arabi" which referred to the southern part of modern Iraq. Al-Iraq was the name used by the Arabs themselves for the land since the 6th century.
More on [ Iraq ]
Asia
Iraq :: Specific Conflicts
Arabic
The Economist: Iraq's troubles
Iraq's oil: Crude calculations
Sat, 12 Dec 2009 06:03:41 -0000
Will a new auction of fields to foreign firms get Iraq’s oil flowing freely?A COUNTRY with a shaky economy that sits on huge oil reserves would usually be reckoned wise to pump as much as possible out of the ground as quickly as it can. Western oil companies, desperate for crude that is cheap to produce and refine, should be ready and waiting to help. But arranging such a deal in Iraq is no easy matter. Iraq’s second round of auctions for the rights to develop it oil fields concluded on Saturday December 12th. The first round in June, a televised extravaganza, resulted in the embarrassing outcome that just one of the eight contracts on the block found a taker. By the middle of the day on Friday two big oil fields had attracted winning bids from foreign companies.On Friday Royal Dutch Shell, in partnership with Malaysia’s Petronas, won the right to develop Majnoon, one of the world’s biggest untapped oilfields. CNPC, China's largest oil and gas producer, with Petronas and France’s Total were also awarded a contract to extract oil from Halfaya beating off competition from other European, American and Asian oil companies. On Saturday Russia's Lukoil and Norway's Statoil got their hands on the biggest prize on offer, West Qurna-2. Although several of the fields under the hammer on Friday and Saturday failed to find buyers this latest auction of Iraq’s oil is already more successful than the previous effort. ...
Iraqi bombings: What difference do they make?
Thu, 10 Dec 2009 10:59:12 -0000
A new pattern of violence is emerging in the run-up to next year’s electionsBAD news from Baghdad inevitably seems to follow the good. Earlier this month the mood brightened when it was announced that fewer Iraqis had been killed in violent deaths in November than in any previous month since America invaded in 2003. (The toll was a still far-from-negligible 88, but a lot less than the 3,000 a month who were dying at the height of the sectarian bloodbath three years ago.) And then, after months of wrangling, an electoral law was finally ratified on December 6th, enabling a general election to be held early next year, probably on March 7th. But just as the prospect of normality seemed at last to beckon, Baghdad was shaken by one of the year’s bloodiest bunch of bombings. On December 8th five almost simultaneous explosions killed at least 120 civilians. Among the targets was a court complex near the fortified Green Zone, where the prime minister and parliament reside. Many young lawyers queuing for job interviews to be clerks were killed outside. Dozens of cars caught fire, causing a string of secondary explosions. Four other car-bombs went off elsewhere in Baghdad, hitting an interior-ministry compound, a law academy, some buildings used by the finance ministry since its old home was bombed in August and some buildings near Baghdad’s big oil refinery. ...
Iraq: Blown apart
Tue, 08 Dec 2009 11:56:24 -0000
Bloody car-bomb attacks in Baghdad bode ill for next year's electionTHE political point being made by insurgents with their latest attack in Baghdad is unmistakable. Five bombs went off killing at least 112 people on Tuesday December 8th, the same day that the Iraqi government announced the date of the next parliamentary poll. The election campaign leading up to a poll now set for March 7th 2010 is likely to be bloody.Shortly after 10am a series of loud explosions across the city shook buildings many miles away. The biggest target was a court complex near the west side of the Green Zone, where the prime minister and parliament reside. Eye-witnesses saw a blue van barging through a checkpoint on the main road. It carried on despite coming under fire by a security guard, forcing its way through a second barrier before exploding in the parking lot of the Karkh court, responsible for hearing half the city's civil and criminal cases. ...
Iraq and the Kirkuk conundrum: A hint of harmony, at last
Thu, 03 Dec 2009 10:55:30 -0000
In the run-up to the election, could Iraqi minds be concentrated strongly enough to find at least a temporary solution to an age-old and dangerous conundrum?IT SOUNDS far-fetched but it may be true. A group of Irish peacemongers, from both sides of their long-divided island, claims to have made rare progress last month towards getting Arab and Kurdish Iraqis to settle their differences, which have been threatening to drag the country back to the level of bloodshed that engulfed it three years ago. With a South African who had helped reconcile white and black South Africans looking on, a clutch of Iraqi members of parliament got to unusual grips with the mechanics of sharing power between Kurds, Arabs and Turkomans in the disputed region of Kirkuk. If they can build on this momentum after the general election that is now expected in mid-February (the January date having slipped), a modicum of federal harmony may eventually be achieved—to the benefit of all Iraqis.One suggestion that may be taken up is the creation, at least for a time, of mixed councils to run the province. Another fruitful idea is to set up a permanent framework for talks involving the outside backers of the various Iraqi communities. For London, Boston and Dublin read Baghdad, Ankara (Turkey’s capital) and Erbil, Iraq’s Kurdish one. ...
The new Iraq war inquiry: Looking back in anger
Thu, 03 Dec 2009 10:55:30 -0000
Sir John Chilcot is unlikely to give the war’s fiercest critics what they wantWHERE Lord Hutton, Lord Butler, the Intelligence and Security Committee and the Foreign Affairs Select Committee have gone, Sir John Chilcot now follows. The fifth inquiry into the Iraq war began under the stewardship of the former civil servant on November 24th. Gordon Brown agreed to it in the summer, finally giving in to those who accused the earlier efforts of excessive secrecy, narrow terms of reference and generosity to the war’s main protagonists—especially Tony Blair, Mr Brown’s predecessor as prime minister.The Chilcot inquiry seems to answer the first two criticisms. Anyone can observe its sessions in person or on the internet. (Sir John can make exceptions if there are pressing security concerns or if witnesses feel unable to speak candidly in public.) The inquiry covers the period of 2001 to 2009. Its broad remit includes the political question of how Britain came to back regime change in Iraq, as well as the operational matter of the military’s performance during the conflict. The legality of the invasion will also be examined. ...
Iraq, Iran, America and The Economist: Were we wrong?
Thu, 26 Nov 2009 11:40:33 -0000
The intricacies of regional diplomacy and a strenuous American denialLAST week The Economist ran an article entitled “A regional cockpit” describing how the influence of Iraq’s neighbours—Iran, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and, to a lesser extent, Syria—was waxing as that of America waned. To illustrate the evolution of a new balance of power, we pointed to an alleged meeting between the commander of Iran’s infamous Quds Force, Qassem Suleimani, and the American commander in Iraq, General Raymond Odierno, along with the American ambassador, Christopher Hill.Our correspondent in Baghdad had been told of this meeting, which was said to have taken place in early September, first by a leading Iraqi politician with close ties to the Iranians. This was confirmed by a senior American official in a position to know whether such a meeting had taken place. Just before publication, General Odierno and Mr Hill officially denied that the meeting had occurred. ...
NPR Topics: Iraq
In Baghdad, Hemlines Rise As Violence Falls
Wed, 16 Dec 2009 15:03:00 -0500
At the height of Iraq's sectarian violence, being covered up in public was a matter of life and death for women. The dangers from Islamist fanatics were too great for women to dare to go without a headscarf or wear tight jeans or a short skirt. But times are changing in some parts of Baghdad. Some say it is a sign of greater freedom and security.
U.S.-Allied Sunni Groups Struggle Under Iraqi Control
Wed, 16 Dec 2009 13:22:00 -0500
The Sunni militias known as the Sons of Iraq, or Sahwa movement, were credited with helping to defeat al-Qaida in Iraq during the U.S. surge that began in 2007. They have fallen on hard times since coming under Iraqi government control a year ago, facing arrest and other troubles.
Explosions Rock Downtown Baghdad, Killing 5
Tue, 15 Dec 2009 05:18:00 -0500
Car bombs ripped through downtown Baghdad early Tuesday, killing five and wounding at least 16 people in the latest attack near government buildings in the Iraqi capital, police and health officials said.
U.K. Military Officer Blasts Officials On Iraq
Thu, 10 Dec 2009 16:00:00 -0500
Britain's senior military representative in Iraq said that "amateurs" were put into key roles in post-invasion Iraq, and lives had been lost as a result. Lt. Gen. Frederick Viggers said senior officials needed more training to deal with the complexities involved in mounting an invasion.
Defense Secretary Gates Arrives In Iraq
Thu, 10 Dec 2009 07:26:00 -0500
Robert Gates flew to Iraq on Thursday to begin the second leg of his tour of two major war zones. His visit to Iraq comes during a week in which coordinated Baghdad bombings have killed 127 people and wounded more than 500.
In Wake Of Blasts, Assessing Iraq Security
Wed, 09 Dec 2009 16:00:00 -0500
A series of coordinated attacks hit the Iraqi capital Tuesday, killing more than 100 people and wounding hundreds others. Retired Lt. Col. Doug Ollivant, who was in Baghdad last August during the previous coordinated bombing attacks, offers his insight.
Alsumaria TV Iraq, Iraq news | Iraq News | RSS feed
Iraqi Christians prepare for Christmas
Thu, 17 Dec 2009 10:38:00 -0000
The World is preparing to celebrate Christmas on the 25th of December as Christmas ornament has spelled its magic on churches, houses, streets and trees. Children are enjoying their new clothes, sharing the bliss of the holidays colored in red and green and awaiting gifts from Santa Claus. Iraq ...
Habash: Iran-Syria relations regressing
Thu, 17 Dec 2009 10:05:00 -0000
Iranian-Syrian relations are regressing due to Turkish-Syrian closeness; Italian News Agency AKI quoted Former Syrian Minister Marwan Habash as saying. The regression is due to Syria’s dissatisfaction over Iran’s interference in Iraq’s internal affairs, Habash added. Tension has risen with ...
US: Syria says keen on Iraq stability
Thu, 17 Dec 2009 09:27:00 -0000
US Assistant Secretary of State for Near East Affairs Jeffrey Feltman revealed that the US State Department received confirmations from Syria about the country’s keenness on Iraq’s stability. During his third visit to Damascus this year, Iraq was always a top priority on his meetings’ ...
Iraq political council convenes on security
Thu, 17 Dec 2009 09:10:00 -0000
Iraq’s political council for national security held a meeting on Wednesday headed by President Jalal Talabani to discuss the security situation in the country mainly Baghdad recent bombings. Participants in the meeting dealt responsibly with the security issue and agreed on the necessity of ...
Iraq VP calls on PM to resign
Thu, 17 Dec 2009 08:50:00 -0000
Iraqi Vice President Tarek Al Hashemi called upon Prime Minister Nuri Al Maliki to resign on account of Baghdad recent bombings. In televised statements, Al Hashemi pointed out that Al Maliki should cede power if he is incapable of undertaking his mission out of his moral, legal and ...
Iraq offers reward to uncover bomb hideouts
Thu, 17 Dec 2009 08:29:00 -0000
Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri Al Maliki offered a reward of 100 million Iraqi dinars to anyone who can help lead security forces to garages or other hideouts where extremists assemble car bombs. Al Maliki stressed that terrorism targeting Iraq and Iraqis is aimed at thwarting the political process in ...
Subscribe to Iraq RSS feed 
Iraq's oil: Crude calculations
Sat, 12 Dec 2009 06:03:41 -0000
Will a new auction of fields to foreign firms get Iraq’s oil flowing freely?A COUNTRY with a shaky economy that sits on huge oil reserves would usually be reckoned wise to pump as much as possible out of the ground as quickly as it can. Western oil companies, desperate for crude that is cheap to produce and refine, should be ready and waiting to help. But arranging such a deal in Iraq is no easy matter. Iraq’s second round of auctions for the rights to develop it oil fields concluded on Saturday December 12th. The first round in June, a televised extravaganza, resulted in the embarrassing outcome that just one of the eight contracts on the block found a taker. By the middle of the day on Friday two big oil fields had attracted winning bids from foreign companies.On Friday Royal Dutch Shell, in partnership with Malaysia’s Petronas, won the right to develop Majnoon, one of the world’s biggest untapped oilfields. CNPC, China's largest oil and gas producer, with Petronas and France’s Total were also awarded a contract to extract oil from Halfaya beating off competition from other European, American and Asian oil companies. On Saturday Russia's Lukoil and Norway's Statoil got their hands on the biggest prize on offer, West Qurna-2. Although several of the fields under the hammer on Friday and Saturday failed to find buyers this latest auction of Iraq’s oil is already more successful than the previous effort. ...
Iraqi bombings: What difference do they make?
Thu, 10 Dec 2009 10:59:12 -0000
A new pattern of violence is emerging in the run-up to next year’s electionsBAD news from Baghdad inevitably seems to follow the good. Earlier this month the mood brightened when it was announced that fewer Iraqis had been killed in violent deaths in November than in any previous month since America invaded in 2003. (The toll was a still far-from-negligible 88, but a lot less than the 3,000 a month who were dying at the height of the sectarian bloodbath three years ago.) And then, after months of wrangling, an electoral law was finally ratified on December 6th, enabling a general election to be held early next year, probably on March 7th. But just as the prospect of normality seemed at last to beckon, Baghdad was shaken by one of the year’s bloodiest bunch of bombings. On December 8th five almost simultaneous explosions killed at least 120 civilians. Among the targets was a court complex near the fortified Green Zone, where the prime minister and parliament reside. Many young lawyers queuing for job interviews to be clerks were killed outside. Dozens of cars caught fire, causing a string of secondary explosions. Four other car-bombs went off elsewhere in Baghdad, hitting an interior-ministry compound, a law academy, some buildings used by the finance ministry since its old home was bombed in August and some buildings near Baghdad’s big oil refinery. ...
Iraq: Blown apart
Tue, 08 Dec 2009 11:56:24 -0000
Bloody car-bomb attacks in Baghdad bode ill for next year's electionTHE political point being made by insurgents with their latest attack in Baghdad is unmistakable. Five bombs went off killing at least 112 people on Tuesday December 8th, the same day that the Iraqi government announced the date of the next parliamentary poll. The election campaign leading up to a poll now set for March 7th 2010 is likely to be bloody.Shortly after 10am a series of loud explosions across the city shook buildings many miles away. The biggest target was a court complex near the west side of the Green Zone, where the prime minister and parliament reside. Eye-witnesses saw a blue van barging through a checkpoint on the main road. It carried on despite coming under fire by a security guard, forcing its way through a second barrier before exploding in the parking lot of the Karkh court, responsible for hearing half the city's civil and criminal cases. ...
Iraq and the Kirkuk conundrum: A hint of harmony, at last
Thu, 03 Dec 2009 10:55:30 -0000
In the run-up to the election, could Iraqi minds be concentrated strongly enough to find at least a temporary solution to an age-old and dangerous conundrum?IT SOUNDS far-fetched but it may be true. A group of Irish peacemongers, from both sides of their long-divided island, claims to have made rare progress last month towards getting Arab and Kurdish Iraqis to settle their differences, which have been threatening to drag the country back to the level of bloodshed that engulfed it three years ago. With a South African who had helped reconcile white and black South Africans looking on, a clutch of Iraqi members of parliament got to unusual grips with the mechanics of sharing power between Kurds, Arabs and Turkomans in the disputed region of Kirkuk. If they can build on this momentum after the general election that is now expected in mid-February (the January date having slipped), a modicum of federal harmony may eventually be achieved—to the benefit of all Iraqis.One suggestion that may be taken up is the creation, at least for a time, of mixed councils to run the province. Another fruitful idea is to set up a permanent framework for talks involving the outside backers of the various Iraqi communities. For London, Boston and Dublin read Baghdad, Ankara (Turkey’s capital) and Erbil, Iraq’s Kurdish one. ...
The new Iraq war inquiry: Looking back in anger
Thu, 03 Dec 2009 10:55:30 -0000
Sir John Chilcot is unlikely to give the war’s fiercest critics what they wantWHERE Lord Hutton, Lord Butler, the Intelligence and Security Committee and the Foreign Affairs Select Committee have gone, Sir John Chilcot now follows. The fifth inquiry into the Iraq war began under the stewardship of the former civil servant on November 24th. Gordon Brown agreed to it in the summer, finally giving in to those who accused the earlier efforts of excessive secrecy, narrow terms of reference and generosity to the war’s main protagonists—especially Tony Blair, Mr Brown’s predecessor as prime minister.The Chilcot inquiry seems to answer the first two criticisms. Anyone can observe its sessions in person or on the internet. (Sir John can make exceptions if there are pressing security concerns or if witnesses feel unable to speak candidly in public.) The inquiry covers the period of 2001 to 2009. Its broad remit includes the political question of how Britain came to back regime change in Iraq, as well as the operational matter of the military’s performance during the conflict. The legality of the invasion will also be examined. ...
Iraq, Iran, America and The Economist: Were we wrong?
Thu, 26 Nov 2009 11:40:33 -0000
The intricacies of regional diplomacy and a strenuous American denialLAST week The Economist ran an article entitled “A regional cockpit” describing how the influence of Iraq’s neighbours—Iran, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and, to a lesser extent, Syria—was waxing as that of America waned. To illustrate the evolution of a new balance of power, we pointed to an alleged meeting between the commander of Iran’s infamous Quds Force, Qassem Suleimani, and the American commander in Iraq, General Raymond Odierno, along with the American ambassador, Christopher Hill.Our correspondent in Baghdad had been told of this meeting, which was said to have taken place in early September, first by a leading Iraqi politician with close ties to the Iranians. This was confirmed by a senior American official in a position to know whether such a meeting had taken place. Just before publication, General Odierno and Mr Hill officially denied that the meeting had occurred. ...
NPR Topics: Iraq
In Baghdad, Hemlines Rise As Violence Falls
Wed, 16 Dec 2009 15:03:00 -0500
At the height of Iraq's sectarian violence, being covered up in public was a matter of life and death for women. The dangers from Islamist fanatics were too great for women to dare to go without a headscarf or wear tight jeans or a short skirt. But times are changing in some parts of Baghdad. Some say it is a sign of greater freedom and security.
U.S.-Allied Sunni Groups Struggle Under Iraqi Control
Wed, 16 Dec 2009 13:22:00 -0500
The Sunni militias known as the Sons of Iraq, or Sahwa movement, were credited with helping to defeat al-Qaida in Iraq during the U.S. surge that began in 2007. They have fallen on hard times since coming under Iraqi government control a year ago, facing arrest and other troubles.
Explosions Rock Downtown Baghdad, Killing 5
Tue, 15 Dec 2009 05:18:00 -0500
Car bombs ripped through downtown Baghdad early Tuesday, killing five and wounding at least 16 people in the latest attack near government buildings in the Iraqi capital, police and health officials said.
U.K. Military Officer Blasts Officials On Iraq
Thu, 10 Dec 2009 16:00:00 -0500
Britain's senior military representative in Iraq said that "amateurs" were put into key roles in post-invasion Iraq, and lives had been lost as a result. Lt. Gen. Frederick Viggers said senior officials needed more training to deal with the complexities involved in mounting an invasion.
Defense Secretary Gates Arrives In Iraq
Thu, 10 Dec 2009 07:26:00 -0500
Robert Gates flew to Iraq on Thursday to begin the second leg of his tour of two major war zones. His visit to Iraq comes during a week in which coordinated Baghdad bombings have killed 127 people and wounded more than 500.
In Wake Of Blasts, Assessing Iraq Security
Wed, 09 Dec 2009 16:00:00 -0500
A series of coordinated attacks hit the Iraqi capital Tuesday, killing more than 100 people and wounding hundreds others. Retired Lt. Col. Doug Ollivant, who was in Baghdad last August during the previous coordinated bombing attacks, offers his insight.
Alsumaria TV Iraq, Iraq news | Iraq News | RSS feed
Iraqi Christians prepare for Christmas
Thu, 17 Dec 2009 10:38:00 -0000
The World is preparing to celebrate Christmas on the 25th of December as Christmas ornament has spelled its magic on churches, houses, streets and trees. Children are enjoying their new clothes, sharing the bliss of the holidays colored in red and green and awaiting gifts from Santa Claus. Iraq ...
Habash: Iran-Syria relations regressing
Thu, 17 Dec 2009 10:05:00 -0000
Iranian-Syrian relations are regressing due to Turkish-Syrian closeness; Italian News Agency AKI quoted Former Syrian Minister Marwan Habash as saying. The regression is due to Syria’s dissatisfaction over Iran’s interference in Iraq’s internal affairs, Habash added. Tension has risen with ...
US: Syria says keen on Iraq stability
Thu, 17 Dec 2009 09:27:00 -0000
US Assistant Secretary of State for Near East Affairs Jeffrey Feltman revealed that the US State Department received confirmations from Syria about the country’s keenness on Iraq’s stability. During his third visit to Damascus this year, Iraq was always a top priority on his meetings’ ...
Iraq political council convenes on security
Thu, 17 Dec 2009 09:10:00 -0000
Iraq’s political council for national security held a meeting on Wednesday headed by President Jalal Talabani to discuss the security situation in the country mainly Baghdad recent bombings. Participants in the meeting dealt responsibly with the security issue and agreed on the necessity of ...
Iraq VP calls on PM to resign
Thu, 17 Dec 2009 08:50:00 -0000
Iraqi Vice President Tarek Al Hashemi called upon Prime Minister Nuri Al Maliki to resign on account of Baghdad recent bombings. In televised statements, Al Hashemi pointed out that Al Maliki should cede power if he is incapable of undertaking his mission out of his moral, legal and ...
Iraq offers reward to uncover bomb hideouts
Thu, 17 Dec 2009 08:29:00 -0000
Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri Al Maliki offered a reward of 100 million Iraqi dinars to anyone who can help lead security forces to garages or other hideouts where extremists assemble car bombs. Al Maliki stressed that terrorism targeting Iraq and Iraqis is aimed at thwarting the political process in ...
Frontline Endgame- Part 2: New Commander/New Strategies |
