Aug 07 President Obama authorizes airstrikes on militants in Iraq By Julie Pace, Robert Burns, Associated Press WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama announced Thursday night he had authorized the Pentagon to launch targeted airstrikes if needed to protect Americans from Islamic militants in northern Iraq and help Iraqi security forces protect civilians under siege, threatening to revive… Continue reading
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 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 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
Jul 02 Watch Kurds don’t want to ‘fix Baghdad’ at their expense, says Kurdish foreign chief By PBS News Hour Kurdish leaders are making their case for independence, despite U.S. pleas to keep Iraq intact. Chief foreign affairs correspondent Margaret Warner talks to Falah Mustafa Bakir, head of foreign relations for the Kurdish regional government about the instability of Iraq… Continue watching
Jul 01 Watch How ISIL’s bid for a new caliphate taps historical yearning By PBS News Hour How does ISIL's declaration of a new Islamic state complicate the military and political problems already challenging the Iraqi government? Chief foreign correspondent Margaret Warner joins Judy Woodruff to examine the history of the term “caliphate” and what threats ISIL… Continue watching