Jul 07 Watch News Wrap: Iraqi parliament delays session amid political impasse By PBS News Hour In our news wrap Monday, the Iraqi parliament pushed back its next session five weeks, until mid-August, as government forces continue to battle Islamist militants. While Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has refused to step down, lawmakers are at an impasse… Continue watching
Jul 07 Kids at the border turning into political crisis for Obama administration By Domenico Montanaro, Terence Burlij, Rachel Wellford, Simone Pathe Today in the Morning Line: Continued disagreement over what’s drawing unaccompanied minors and what to do about them After blows at Supreme Court, White House weighs contraception options Airstrikes in Iraq, and the amazing return of Chalabi in Iraq… Continue reading
Jul 05 Watch Islamic State militant leader makes apparent rare appearance in Iraq By PBS News Hour A 21-minute video said to show Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the head of the Islamic State group, was reportedly filmed on Friday in Mosul. The identity of al-Baghdadi could not be independently confirmed by news organizations. Saad Maan of the Iraqi… Continue watching
Jul 04 Watch News Wrap: Iraqi government reports gains against ISIL By PBS News Hour In our news wrap Friday, Iraqi government troops recaptured the village of Awja — birthplace of Saddam Hussein — and made headway in reclaiming Iraq’s largest oil refinery in Beiji. Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki vowed to defeat the militants,… Continue watching
Jul 03 Watch Could ISIL’s recent uprisings be an impetus for al-Qaida bomb threats? By PBS News Hour American officials are warning that al-Qaida affiliates in Yemen and Syria are trying to make bombs that current security measures won’t detect. In response, the Department of Homeland Security is calling for tighter airport security. For a closer look at… Continue watching
Jul 03 Watch News Wrap: Gen. Dempsey plays down prospects for major U.S. action in Iraq By PBS News Hour Continue watching
Jul 03 Former Blackwater guard testifies against friends By Pete Yost, Associated Press WASHINGTON — Former Blackwater security guard Matthew Murphy and now-indicted ex-colleague Paul Slough were friends, having survived the war in Iraq together, creating a bond that under different circumstances might have lasted a lifetime. Continue reading
Jul 03 Dempsey: Iraqi forces can defend Baghdad By Lolita C. Baldor, Associated Press WASHINGTON — The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff says Iraqi security forces are capable of defending Baghdad but are unable to act unilaterally to launch an offensive to seize back territory occupied by a Sunni insurgent group. Continue reading
Jul 03 Sunni militants seize towns and key oil field in Syria By News Desk Sunni militants under the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant took over more towns in Syria near the border with Iraq on Thursday, working to expand their claim on the area after declaring a new Muslim state, or caliphate. Continue reading
Jul 02 Watch Kurds push for independence while Baghdad faces political turmoil By PBS News Hour Iraqi Kurds in the country’s northeast are taking advantage of Baghdad’s battle with Sunni insurgents, in hopes of gaining their own state. Kurdish leaders are vowing to hold a vote on independence, a move denounced by Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki… Continue watching