Topic: Muqtada al-Sadr

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Who's who in Iraq after the US exit?

The next year is probably going to be the most crucial for determining the future of Iraq since the US-led invasion of 2003. Here are a few of the major players.
Photos of the Day: Photos of the Day 01/06
Five bombshells from WikiLeaks' Iraq war documents

In the largest document leak in US history, WikiLeaks has released more than 400,000 secret US documents about the Iraq war. As with the second-largest leak in US history – the 92,000 Afghan war documents released in July – much of the substance of the leaks has been reported already, but details are new.
Click through the following slides to learn what the documents reveal.
Photos of the Day: Photos of the Day 09/17
Photos of the Day: Photos of the Day 06/04

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Iraq's unity tested by rising tensions over oil-rich Kurdish region

As Iraqi Kurdistan ramps up oil production that could soon surpass Libya's output, Kurdish leaders have warned they may seek independence if disputes over oil revenues, power-sharing aren't resolved.
Global News Blog
At work in Iraq with Anthony Shadid

Naseer Mehdawi, Anthony Shadid's closest Iraqi friend and journalism colleague, recalls their friendship and how together they told the story of Iraq.
Syria uprising: Religion overshadowing the democratic push

The fighting in Syria risks being defined less as a popular uprising against a secular democracy and more as an armed sectarian conflict.
Who's who in Iraq after the US exit?

The next year is probably going to be the most crucial for determining the future of Iraq since the US-led invasion of 2003. Here are a few of the major players.
Terrorism & Security
US formally draws curtain on the unpopular war in Iraq (video)

At the official flag-furling ceremony in Baghdad to end the war in Iraq, Secretary Panetta spoke highly of US soldiers' sacrifice. But both Iraqis and Americans appear happy for it to be over.
Iran's bid for power in postwar Iraq

As Iraqi Prime Minister Nour al-Maliki meets President Obama in Washington, Tehran is trying to broaden its influence in Iraq by installing a heavy-hitting cleric there.
Cover Story
Iraq after the US: Will it survive? (video)

Iraqis harbor anger, deep concerns – and some optimism – as American troops withdraw after nearly nine years of war and occupation.
Biden brings down curtain on US Iraq operations (VIDEO)

US military marked the end of its Iraq operations in a ceremony attended by Vice President Joe Biden and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. The remaining 13,000 US troops are due to withdraw by end of year.
Muqtada al-Sadr, Iraq cleric to followers: Stop attacking US troops

Muqtada al-Sadr: In a statement posted on his website, Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr told his militias to halt attacks against US forces till the withdrawal is finished at the end of the year as required under a security agreement between Washington and Baghdad.
Iraq withdrawal: How many US troops will remain?

The Obama administration is considering a plan to leave about 3,000 support troops behind at the end of the year, if Iraqis agree. But reports suggest that the Pentagon is angling for more.
Backchannels
Yes, the Iraq drawdown is really happening

That the Obama administration has plans to drawn down to a tiny force in Iraq shouldn't be a surprise. The Iraqis haven't (yet) given America permission to stay.
Backchannels
Death comes again to Iraq's 'Mother of all Battles' mosque

The Baghdad mosque, where 28 people were killed in a suicide bombing Sunday, is tied to some of the biggest failures, and a few of the successes, of post-Saddam Iraq.
Backchannels
Surging Iraq violence: Have we seen this story before?

Violence across Iraq yesterday was horrific, and likely carried out by Sunni Arab militants. It all feels so 2004.
Iraq signals willingness to allow some US forces to stay

Lawmakers in Baghdad agreed to negotiate a deal with the US that could see thousands of US forces in Iraq to train local forces.
US military officials in Iraq warn of growing Iranian threat

American military officials say the upcoming US withdrawal has emboldened Iranian-backed militias, which they blame for recent deadly attacks and allege are stockpiling weapons.
Iraqi torture victim's tale reveals nation's darker side

Ali, a member of the Methboub family that the Monitor has followed since 2002 in Iraq, continues to struggle with the abuse he suffered after being unjustly imprisoned for 2-1/2 years.
Americans in cross hairs of mosque-state struggle

Iraq's elected leaders are moving toward clerical rule while in Iran a leading Shiite cleric, who advocates secular rule, suffers in prison.
Backchannels
US 'offering' to keep troops in Iraq? More like begging for permission to stay.

The US appears desperate to keep troops in Iraq beyond this year's deadline. The Iraqis? Not so much.
Backchannels
Iraq combat operations over?

June has been the worst month for US troops in two years. And violence is surging in Afghanistan.
5 US soldiers killed in Iraq. What does it mean for the withdrawal?

The attack, the deadliest on US troops in Iraq in more than two years, comes months before US forces are slated to exit. The Pentagon has signaled time is short for Iraq to request that troops remain.
Sadr followers send message to US: Don't try to stay

US troops are scheduled to leave Iraq by Dec. 31, but Prime MInister Maliki said he is considering seeking an agreement that would allow them to stay longer.
US troops in Iraq: US, Maliki weigh possible extension

Amid the volatile Arab Spring and ongoing security threats in Iraq, top US military officials have expressed openness to keeping troops on the ground past the Dec. 31 deadline for withdrawal.
Iraq's Maliki signals he may let US troops extend their stay

Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said he may extend the Dec. 31 withdrawal deadline if at least 70 percent of Iraq's political leadership back the idea.
Senior US military official in Iraq advocates keeping some troops longer

The remarks, which included warnings of the increasingly volatile Middle East, follow renewed warnings by Moqtada al-Sadr that he would reactivate his militia if US forces extend their stay.
On anniversary of Saddam's fall, Iraq's Sadr issues warning on US presence

Hardline Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr rallied thousands of followers Saturday. Their message: United States civilians as well as troops must leave by the end of the year.