 | 2008 OCTOBER
October 2, 2008
Suicide Bombers Attack Two Baghdad Mosques
Two suicide bombers detonated explosives near two mosques in Baghdad as Shiite worshippers were celebrating the end of Ramadan, killing at least 24 people and injuring more than 50, said police.
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| October 1, 2008
Dexter Filkins Reads an Excerpt from 'The Forever War'
New York Times reporter Dexter Filkins reads from his book, "The Forever War," which chronicles his experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan.
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| October 1, 2008
U.S. Transfers Sunni Fighters to Iraqi Control
The U.S. military on Wednesday began transferring control of about 100,000 fighters under the Sunni Awakening Councils, who are working to defeat al-Qaida in the region, to the Iraqi government.
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| SEPTEMBER
September 26, 2008
Nations Agree to Draft Resolution on Iran Nuclear Program
Six nations have agreed on a draft U.N. resolution on Iran's nuclear program, but it does not include new sanctions, per Russia's preference, European officials said Friday.
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| September 25, 2008
After Months of Wrangling, Iraqi Government Approves Election Law
After months of deadlock and negotiations, Iraq's Parliament overwhelmingly approved a provincial elections law on Wednesday, giving a much-needed boost to the country's U.S.-supported reconciliation efforts.
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| September 18, 2008
Sweep Nets 25 Arrests After U.S. Embassy Attack
At least 25 militants with suspected links to al-Qaida were arrested in connection with Wednesday's coordinated ambush of the U.S. Embassy in Yemen's capital that killed 17, including a young Yemeni-American woman and her Yemeni husband.
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| September 17, 2008
Israel's Top Party Voting on Olmert Replacement
Israel's governing party, Kadima, is voting on a new leader Wednesday with polls indicating that the country's foreign minister, Tzipi Livni, will be the likely winner.
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| September 17, 2008
Attack on U.S. Embassy in Yemen Leaves 16 Dead
Militants attacked the U.S. embassy in Yemen Wednesday, assaulting the structure with automatic weapons, rocket-propelled grenades and at least one suicide car bomb. Officials said the attack killed at least 16 people, including six assailants.
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| September 16, 2008
With Iraq Surge Behind Him, Petraeus Takes Larger Command
Twenty months after taking charge of a new troop surge in Iraq, Gen. David Petraeus passed on some hard-earned and still fragile security gains to his replacement, Gen. Ray Odierno, Tuesday. Specialists assess the challenges both generals now face in the region.
 
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| September 9, 2008
U.S. Plan on Iraq, Afghan Troop Levels Stirs Strategy Debate
President Bush said Tuesday that the U.S. would maintain Iraq troop levels until next year and increase resources for Afghanistan. Retired Army Gen. Jack Keane and Retired Brig. Gen. David McGinnis weigh the strategy.
 
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| September 9, 2008
President Bush Says 8,000 Troops to Return From Iraq by Early 2009
President Bush on Tuesday announced plans to pull out 8,000 combat and support troops from Iraq by February, a modest drawdown in U.S. forces there that would leave some 138,000 U.S. troops in the country.
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| September 1, 2008
U.S. Turns Over Once Violent Anbar Province to Iraqis
The U.S. military handed over control of the once-volatile Anbar province to Iraqi forces Monday, marking a milestone in U.S. plans to send troops home.
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| AUGUST
August 22, 2008
Iraq, U.S. Move Closer to Troop Pullout Date
Iraqi and U.S. officials came closer to a long-term security deal Thursday by agreeing to a withdrawal of American forces by the end of 2011, though other sticking points remained such as immunity for U.S. troops in Iraq.
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| August 21, 2008
Rice: U.S., Iraq Close on Timetable Agreement
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari said Thursday that timetables should be set for a U.S. troop withdrawal, but conceded that nailing down a broader pact on future relations has been difficult.
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| August 13, 2008
Bus Bombing in Lebanon Kills as Many as 18
A bomb planted near a bus in Lebanon's second-largest city of Tripoli exploded early Wednesday, killing as many as 18 and wounding more than 40 in what is suspected to be an attack on the Lebanese army.
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| August 6, 2008
Iraq Sees Security Gains, but Political Progress Lags
The recent U.S. troop surge in Iraq helped reduce violence in the country, giving Iraqi lawmakers time to sort out long-held political and sectarian divisions. A journalist and a regional expert discuss lingering political stalemates in Iraq.
 
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| August 6, 2008
Nations to Mull New Sanctions Against Iran for Nuclear Program
Six world powers agreed Wednesday to start considering a fourth U.N. Security Council resolution imposing sanctions on Iran because of its refusal to end its nuclear program.
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| August 5, 2008
U.N. Plan Would Allow Local Elections to Proceed in Iraq
A new U.N. plan presented late Monday would allow nationwide provincial elections to go forward in most of Iraq, except in the disputed area of Kirkuk, politicians said Tuesday.
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| JULY
July 31, 2008
Violence Dips in Iraq, Fueling Talk of Troop Drawdowns
Defense chief Robert Gates said Thursday that security in Iraq has "improved dramatically" and that he sees "a real possibility" of future troop cuts. Sens. Jim Webb, D-Va., and Richard Lugar, R-Ind., offer insight.
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| July 31, 2008
Olmert's Resignation Stirs Political Uncertainty in Israel
After months of being dogged by corruption scandals and calls for his resignation, Israeli President Ehud Olmert's decision to step down in September has stirred political uncertainty in Israel and plunged the stalled peace talks into confusion.
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| July 30, 2008
Trade Talks Collapse Highlight Differences Between Developing, Developed Worlds
Opposition from increasingly important China and India derailed efforts to negotiated a global trade deal Tuesday. With the talks stalled, two economic experts assess the impact on American and international businesses and farmers.
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| July 28, 2008
Tensions in Iraqi City of Kirkuk Raise Security Concerns
Following a lull in violence in Iraq, bombings in the cities of Baghdad and Kirkuk killed dozens and wounded hundreds Monday. Analysts examine the state of security in Iraq and discuss the roots of ethnic and political tensions in the oil-rich city of Kirkuk.
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| July 28, 2008
Dozens Die After Bombings Hit Baghdad, Kirkuk
Suicide bombers killed at least 57 people and wounded nearly 300 others Monday during attacks against a Shiite pilgrimage in Baghdad and a Kurdish protest rally in northern Iraq, police said.
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| July 23, 2008
Obama Stands by Israel, Calls Iranian Nuclear Threat 'Grave'
As his Mideast tour continues, Sen. Barack Obama reiterated his support for Israel as an ally of the United States Wednesday and focused on his commitment to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
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| July 22, 2008
Another Construction Vehicle Attack Injures at Least 16 in Jerusalem
A Palestinian man from east Jerusalem smashed a backhoe into traffic on a busy Jerusalem street, injuring at least 16 people before being shot dead.
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| July 21, 2008
Obama Meets with al-Maliki in Baghdad
Presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama met with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki Monday on the latest stop of his high-profile overseas tour as the presumptive Democratic nominee.
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| July 18, 2008
U.S. Marks Policy Shifts in Iraq, Iran Nuclear Talks
The Bush administration signaled policy shifts Friday by agreeing to set a "time horizon" for Iraq troop reductions and sending a top U.S. envoy to Iranian nuclear talks. Analyst Michael Rubin and columnist Trudy Rubin examine the moves.
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| July 18, 2008
U.S., Iraq to Set 'Time Horizon' on Troop Withdrawal
President Bush and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki have agreed to seek "a general time horizon" for reducing U.S. troops in Iraq as part of a broader security agreement, the White House said Friday.
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| July 18, 2008
Inside an Iraqi Detention Site
Camp Bucca in southern Iraq holds about 18,000 Iraqis considered an "imperative security threat". At the U.S.-run facility, the detainees take classes and get visits from their families as they await military reviews of their threat status. Col. David Glaser, who is in charge of detainee operations, describes the facility.
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| July 18, 2008
In Policy Shift, U.S. Envoy to Attend Iran Talks
In a break with past policy on Iran, the Bush administration is sending a delegate to weekend nuclear talks between Iran's chief nuclear negotiator and other world powers, including the European Union.
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| July 16, 2008
Prisoner Swap Renews Focus on Israeli-Hezbollah Tensions
In a deal brokered by the U.N., Hezbollah handed over two coffins containing the remains of Israeli soldiers abducted two years ago, in exchange for the release of five Lebanese prisoners. Analysts discuss the deal, and the debate surrounding it.
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| July 16, 2008
Hezbollah Returns Israeli Remains in Prisoner Swap
Coffins containing the bodies of two Israeli soldiers captured in 2006 by Hezbollah were turned over to Israel Wednesday as part of a trade for the release of five Lebanese prisoners.
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| July 15, 2008
Double Suicide Bombing Kills 28 at Iraqi Army Recruitment Center
Two suicide bombers blew themselves up in a crowd of Iraqi army recruits in the country's troubled Diyala province Tuesday, killing at least 28 people according to Iraqi police and military.
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| July 10, 2008
Iran Continues Missile Tests Despite U.S. Warning
Iran continued its testing of medium- and long-range missiles Thursday after a warning from U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice that the U.S. will defend its allies in the region.
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| July 9, 2008
Iran's Missile Launch Provides Test for Obama, McCain
A day after Iran vowed to retaliate against Israel and U.S. interests if Tehran were attacked, the country test-fired nine missiles -- posing a policy test for the presidential hopefuls. Campaign advisers mull the issue.
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| July 9, 2008
Iran Tests Missiles amid Turmoil with U.S., Israel
A day after Tehran vowed to retaliate against Israel and U.S. interests if Iran were attacked, Revolutionary Guards test-fired nine missiles Wednesday, state-run media reported.
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| July 8, 2008
In Policy Switch, Iraqis Push for U.S. Withdrawal Timetable
For the first time this week, Iraqi President Nouri al-Maliki said that he expects a pending troop deal with the U.S. to include a timetable for withdrawal. Two Iraq analysts weigh the state of U.S.-Iraqi relations.
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| July 2, 2008
Bulldozer Attack Kills 3 on Jerusalem Street
A Palestinian driving a 20-ton construction vehicle attacked cars, buses and pedestrians on Jerusalem's main Jaffa Road on Wednesday, killing at least three, wounding 45 and causing panic on the busy downtown street.
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| JUNE
June 30, 2008
Iraq Opens Oil Fields to Foreign Firms for Output Boost
The Iraqi government announced Monday it was accepting international bids for contracts to operate six of its oil fields. An economics expert discusses the prospect of Western oil companies working in Iraq.
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| June 30, 2008
U.S. Lacked Clear Plan for Postwar Iraq, Army Report Says
The U.S. Army released a report Monday outlining the problems that kept it from being able to stabilize Iraq after the U.S.-led invasion in March 2003. Military experts discuss the report's findings.
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| June 30, 2008
Iraqis Open Oil to Foreign Firms to Boost Output
The Iraqi government opened six of its oil fields to international bidders Monday as the nation attempts to increase daily production by 60 percent, leaving the door open for top Western companies to tap into the world's third largest oil reserves.
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| June 25, 2008
Prime Minister Olmert Avoids Early Elections
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert averted a split in Israel's coalition and staved off a key coalition partner's threat to bring down the government, giving him at least a few more months to pursue peace agreements with the Palestinians and Syria.
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| June 24, 2008
Bomb Kills 4 Americans, 4 Iraqis in Sadr City
A bomb struck a municipal council building Tuesday in Baghdad, killing two U.S. soldiers, two U.S. government civilian employees, four Iraqi civilians and an Italian of Iraqi origin working as an interpreter for the Americans, U.S. officials said.
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| June 23, 2008
European Union Imposes New Sanctions on Iran
European Union nations agreed on Monday to impose new sanctions against Iran, including an assets freeze of the country's biggest bank, which is suspected of providing services to Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programs.
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| June 20, 2008
Detention Centers in Iraq Move from 'Chaos' to Reform
The abuse of detainees at the hands of U.S. soldiers at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq spurred worldwide protests, al-Qaida recruitment videos and system-wide changes at U.S.-run detention facilities in Iraq.
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| June 19, 2008
Fragile Cease-fire Between Israel and Hamas Takes Effect
The truce between Israel and Hamas took effect on Thursday, with both sides halting fighting in the Gaza Strip. But even as it begun, the truce between the two warring sides is said to already be in jeopardy.
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| June 18, 2008
Report Details Alleged Abuse of Guantanamo Bay, Abu Ghraib Detainees
The alleged abuse of 11 men, captured by U.S. forces in Iraq and Afghanistan and held at Guantanamo Bay and Abu Ghraib, is detailed in a report released Wednesday by the advocacy group Physicians for Human Rights.
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| June 18, 2008
Israel Reaches Out to Lebanon Amid Regional Peace Efforts
Following news of a truce with Hamas, peace talks with Syria and prisoner-swap negotiations with Lebanon's Hezbollah, the Israeli government announced Wednesday that it is interested in opening negotiations with Lebanon.
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| June 17, 2008
More Than 50 Killed in Iraq Car Bomb Attack
A car bomb exploded in a crowded market area in a Shiite neighborhood in Baghdad on Tuesday, killing more than 50 people and wounding 75 others, officials said. It was the deadliest such attack in the Iraqi capital in months.
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| June 17, 2008
Israel and Hamas Agree to Truce in Gaza Strip, Officials Say
Israel and the militant Palestinian group Hamas have agreed to a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip starting Thursday, Egyptian officials reported Tuesday.
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MIDDLE EAST
