• Pro-Iran militias in Iraq grow increasingly hostile toward the U.S.

    Pro-Iran militias in Iraq grow increasingly hostile toward the U.S.

    Jan 05, 2021 11:27 PM EST

    ... steps did the U.S. take in advance of the Soleimani killing anniversary, and how high was the concern? Nick Schifrin: Senior administration, military, and Iraqi officials told me they were very concerned that a militia in Iraq would attack the U.S. And so the administration was trying to ...

  • Pentagon to cut troop levels to 2,500 in Iraq, Afghanistan

    Pentagon to cut troop levels to 2,500 in Iraq, Afghanistan

    Nov 17, 2020 09:08 PM EST

    ... based on conditions on the ground, not on the calendar. He has accused his predecessor, Barack Obama, of setting a timetable for troop withdrawals in Iraq and Afghanistan that worked against the achievement of military goals. Now, however, Trump is openly declaring a timetable for troop reductions in both countries ...

  • WATCH: Iraq's President Salih calls for equitable distribution of vaccine at U.N. General Assembly

    WATCH: Iraq's President Salih calls for equitable distribution of vaccine at U.N. General Assembly

    Sep 23, 2020 04:02 PM EST

    Iraqi President Barham Salih is asking for international assistance to cope with the many crises facing Iraq amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Watch Salih's remarks in the player above. Despite limited resources resulting from years of wars, blockades and violence, Iraq has implement some measures to stem the spread ...

  • WATCH: Trump gives Medal of Honor to U.S. soldier who rescued hostages in Iraq

    WATCH: Trump gives Medal of Honor to U.S. soldier who rescued hostages in Iraq

    Sep 11, 2020 04:43 PM EST

    ... pinned down by the gunfire. Wheeler was shot and killed, the first American killed in action since the U.S. launched renewed military intervention in Iraq against the Islamic State in 2014. Twenty ISIS fighters also were killed in the operation. Payne called his fellow soldiers actions on that day ...

  • U.S. will withdraw thousands of troops from Iraq and Afghanistan

    U.S. will withdraw thousands of troops from Iraq and Afghanistan

    Sep 09, 2020 09:01 PM EST

    ... in Afghanistan. On Wednesday he spoke confidently, however, about conditions in Iraq and the outlook for stability there. “In recognition of the great progress the Iraqi forces have made and in consultation and coordination with the government of Iraq and our coalition partners, the United States has decided to reduce ...

  • An Iraqi official on why the country's government needs 'radical measures'

    An Iraqi official on why the country's government needs 'radical measures'

    Sep 01, 2020 10:35 PM EST

    ... soon. Nick Schifrin: Let's look at the region and relations with Iran. Is it possible for Iran to play a constructive security role in Iraq, when it funds and staffs militias that are loyal or sometimes controlled by Iran? Ali Allawi: We think that Iran's involvement in the ...

  • WATCH: Trump meets Iraqi prime minister to discuss Iran, U.S. military presence

    WATCH: Trump meets Iraqi prime minister to discuss Iran, U.S. military presence

    Aug 20, 2020 03:00 PM EST

    ... But he said Iraqi conventional forces now operate on their own. U.S. and coalition forces continue to conduct training and counterterrorism operations, including with Iraqi commandos. Any final decisions, he said, would be coordinated with the Iraqi government. Al-Kadhimi, who is backed by the United States, assumed office ...

  • Iraq prime minister orders probe after two protesters killed in clashes

    Iraq prime minister orders probe after two protesters killed in clashes

    Jul 27, 2020 06:09 PM EST

    ... his intention to pave the way for early elections in line with protesters' demands. In October, mass anti-government protests erupted in Baghdad and across Iraq's predominately Shiite south as tens of thousands of angry Iraqi youth took to the streets to decry rampant government corruption, unemployment and poor ...

  • U.S. and Iraq launch strategic talks on economy, American troops

    U.S. and Iraq launch strategic talks on economy, American troops

    Jun 11, 2020 05:49 PM EST

    “The talks will focus on the need for Iraq and America to fight IS, in light of that we will make a decision,” al-Kadhimi told reporters on Wednesday. The Iraq team, lead by Abdul Karim Hashim, the deputy minister for foreign affairs, outlined Iraq's economic concerns at ...

  • Iraq faces full local lockdowns as virus cases jump

    Iraq faces full local lockdowns as virus cases jump

    May 18, 2020 09:15 PM EST

    BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraq will impose a complete lockdown on some areas of the capital, the country's new health minister said on Monday, amid an uptick in coronavirus cases in recent weeks since curfew hours were relaxed. The new government under Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi was sworn into power ...