Topic: Nouri al-Maliki

Iraqi officials bend to protesters' demands

Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said he would personally oversee food rationing for the poor, while Baghdad's provincial chief promised to fire corrupt officials. A major rally is planned for Friday.

Iraqis stage Valentine's Day protest over government corruption, poor services

The Valentine's Day protest came amid reports of a man in northern Iraq killing himself in an apparent copycat self-immolation – the same dramatic act that galvanized popular discontent in Tunisia.

Iraq swirls with rumors of Egypt-like protests to come

With their televisions set to 24-hour coverage of the turmoil in Egypt, Iraqis have mounted a number of modest protests in recent days against power, water, and food shortages.

Pentagon fears Iraq is becoming 'forgotten war'

Despite progress in Iraq, the Pentagon cautions that security in the country remains fragile. Military and civilian officials hint that the US could stay past 2011.

Report: Secret prison in Iraq raises fresh concerns over torture

Human Rights Watch issued a report Tuesday that says Iraqi forces linked to Prime Minister Maliki are running a secret prison for terror suspects.

Backchannels
Meanwhile, in Iraq...

Backchannels
Karbala and the surge of Iraq attacks

Suicide attacks on Shiite pilgrims. Mass murders of police. It's not 2006 in Iraq anymore, but sometimes it feels like it.

Backchannels
Morning roundup: Iraq, Tunisia, and the Arab soul

Kuwaiti PM visits Baghdad for the first time since Gulf war

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki embraced his Kuwaiti counterpart with kisses on both cheeks, a marked departure from the hostile relations both countries seek to put behind them.

Attacks on US forces still an option, says Muqtada al-Sadr upon return to Iraq

In his first public address in Iraq since leaving the country almost four years ago, fiery Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr this weekend led thousands of followers in chants of 'No to America.'

The Monitor's View: Iraq Prime Minister Maliki must set priorities for the new government

The challenges in Iraq are endless, and they all seem urgent. That's why it's important for Maliki and his new unity government to focus on the most important ones.

Killing of Iraq police chief highlights security struggles as US draws down

The suicide attack that murdered an Iraq police chief today is a sign that political violence remains. But such attacks are unlikely to change US plans to leave by the end of 2011.

Suicide bombs in Iraq kill 14 in first big attack since government formed

Twin suicide bomb struck outside government offices in western Iraq on Monday morning, killing 14 people in the deadliest attacks since the new government was announced last week.

The Monitor's View: New, inclusive Iraqi government: A better partner for US

The new Shiite-led coalition government in Iraq includes Sunnis in high posts. That, and other successes, spell a strategic advantage for America in the Middle East.

Iraq's new government raises hopes even as key ministries go unfilled

Iraq unveiled a broad-based government Tuesday that includes all the country's major religious and ethnic factions. The key security and military affairs ministries remain open.

Chapter & Verse
Juan Williams and others: does controversy produce good books?

Juan Williams, Muntadhar al-Zeidi, and Eva Gabrielsson all landed recent book deals fueled by highly publicized controversy.

UN lifts Saddam-era sanctions on Iraq, ending a dark chapter

The Iraq vote at the normally dour UN yesterday was marked by unusual applause, at times feeling like a coming out party for a new nation.

US warns of aid cuts if Sadr bloc takes certain Iraqi ministries

A senior US embassy official made the clearest public statements yet of US determination to try to limit the hardline Sadr movement's influence if it continues to rebuff American overtures.

US shows concern over Iraq's mass arrest of Al Qaeda-linked suspects

The US military has raised its concerns with senior Iraqi officials about why US forces were not consulted on an operation to arrest 38 suspected members of the Islamic State of Iraq (ISI), an Al Qaeda affiliate.

Opinion: US commitment to Iraq will pay off across the Middle East -- and avert a historic error

Both those who supported the surge and those who pressed for withdrawal should support continued US involvement in order to consolidate Iraq's fragile political and security gains. Disengaging now could undermine the entire long-term strategic relationship.

Allawi's Sunni-backed bloc returns to parliament after walkout

Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki now has until late December to form a cabinet, a process expected to be nearly as difficult as agreeing on who would be prime minister.

Iraqis greet new government with feelings of relief, betrayal

Many who voted for the Iraqiya coalition thought Iyad Allawi won March elections. Now, with him and his coalition sidelined, they feel cheated – and warn of renewed sectarian violence.

Tumultuous parliamentary session threatens Iraq's fragile new government

Ayad Allawi's Iraqiya coalition was relegated to head a powerful new strategic council, a bitter disappointment to his secular and Sunni followers who believed he would usher in a new era.

Iraqi official: leaders have framework to form new government

Under the agreement hammered out Wednesday evening, Iraq's new government would look a lot like the old government, a senior official told the Monitor. Parliament meets Thursday.

Iraqi Christians flee homes after fresh Baghdad attacks

Bombings in Baghdad late Tuesday and early Wednesday targeted Christians, killing at least four just 10 days after more than 50 Christians were killed by Al Qaeda-linked gunmen who stormed a church during Sunday mass.