Topic: Sahar Issa

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The price of gold: as influential as a global power

The record price of gold and the universal obsession with the sparkling metal make it a parallel global power.
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.
US reports 20 percent drop in Iraq violence

US military commanders in Baghdad today said that Iraqi forces are making security gains as the US prepares to withdraw all its troops by year's end.
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.
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.
Iraq's divided leaders meet for the first time since March elections

Iraq's leaders met to try to break a political deadlock that has left Iraqis vulnerable to escalating violence, including two car bombings today.
Baghdad grinds to halt as bomb attacks blanket a reeling city

Sixteen bombs struck Baghdad Tuesday, prompting a snap curfew and shocking a city still coming to grips with a deadly attack Sunday on a Catholic church.
Maliki marks end of US-Iraq combat operations

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki welcomed a 'new stage' in US-Iraq relations today, amid trepidation over the US pulling out before Iraq forms a new government.
Suicide attack on Iraqi Army frustrates Iraqi hopes for security

A suicide attack at an Iraqi Army recruitment center killed more than 50 people and wounded more than 120. Shopkeepers in the neighborhood blamed lack of political progress and called promises of security 'empty.'
Breakthrough for new Iraq government? Allawi meets Maliki, Sadr

A flurry of meetings could signal the formation of a new Iraq government by next week's deadline. Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's main challenger met with him tonight, after meeting kingmaker Muqtada al-Sadr yesterday.
Sunni Awakening resolute in face of Iraq bombing

A suicide bomber on Sunday killed at least 43 in an attack on members of the Sunni Awakening, which helped turned the tide against Al Qaeda in Iraq. Iraqis are concerned Al Qaeda could regain ground as the US pulls out its combat troops next month.
A bigger threat to Iraq than Al Qaeda? Power cuts.

The US and Iraq have spent billions on concrete blast walls and other measures to protect against insurgent groups, including Al Qaeda. But power cuts and rolling blackouts are feeding public discontent over a lack of electricity.
Iraqis can't get pensions, visas, or permits due to Iraq election limbo

Nearly three months after the March 7 Iraq election, Iraqis are waiting for 100,000 new jobs to be filled and face backlogs in everything from obtaining permits to registering for pensions. Some complain their vote was 'worthless.'
Iraqi security forces say politicians were behind Iraq attacks

In one example, a policeman near one of the six Baghdad checkpoints attacked in a wave of Iraq attacks yesterday said political parties were taking advantage of the tenuous security situation.
Iraq election: Winning Sunni candidates targeted by Maliki forces

Four Sunni candidates on Iyad Allawi's winning Iraq election ticket are targets of investigation by forces loyal to Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, who is jostling for leverage as the two seek partners for a coalition government.
Iraq election increases women in parliament – regardless of vote count

Iraq election results are due this week, but parliamentary seats held by women will automatically increase because of a new quota that says men can hold no more than three-quarters of all seats.
In Iraq, Karbala bombings spark fears of renewed sectarian violence

At least 40 people were killed today in Karbala, where thousands of pilgrims have gathered to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussein in AD 680. His death marked the beginning of the Sunni-Shiite split in Islam.
In Iraq, banned Sunni candidates back in the race

A ban on hundreds of (mostly Sunni) candidates in Iraq was lifted Wednesday. The ban was reversed after senior Sunni politicians threatened to boycott the March 7 national election.
Iraq bombings: Gen. Odierno blames a changing Al Qaeda

On the second consecutive day of major suicide bombings in Iraq, top US Gen. Raymond Odierno says Al Qaeda in Iraq had changed focus in the past six months.