May 20 Iraq's al-Sadr, promising reform, is constrained by Iran By Philip Issa, Qassim Abdul-Zahra, Associated Press Iraq's Muqtada al-Sadr, the maverick Shiite cleric whose political coalition beat out Iran's favored candidates to come in first in national elections, says he wants to form a government that puts Iraqis first. Continue reading
May 14 Iraqi Shiite cleric gained ground with nationalist voice By Susannah George, Associated Press Muqtada al-Sadr appears set to secure the most significant victory of his political career after a strong showing in parliament elections held over the weekend. Continue reading
May 14 Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr takes early lead in Iraq election By Philip Issa, Associated Press Widespread disillusionment with Iraq's current political class appears to have helped the political coalition of influential Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr become the early front-runner in national elections marked by record low turnout. Continue reading
Apr 30 Thousands of protesters break into Baghdad's fortified Green Zone By Kamala Kelkar Iraqi officials have declared a state of emergency in Baghdad today as teargas is being fired at thousands of protesters who climbed over the blast walls of the capital’s fortified international government center and broke into parliament. The protest was… Continue reading
Apr 28 Biden cites 'serious' progress toward defeating IS in Iraq By Josh Lederman, Associated Press BAGHDAD — Vice President Joe Biden pressed Iraq on Thursday not to let its crippling political crisis upend hard-fought gains against the Islamic State group as he returned to the country that's come to symbolize America's relentless struggles in the… Continue reading
Nov 21 Thousands Protest U.S. Security Deal in Baghdad By PBS News Hour As Iraqi lawmakers spar over approval of a new U.S.-Iraqi security deal, scores of followers of radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr took to the streets Friday to protest the pact, chanting slogans and burning an effigy of President George W. Continue reading
Nov 17 Iraq-U.S. Security Pact Faces Parliament's Approval By Admin, PBS News Hour Iraqi lawmakers began debate Monday over a security pact with the United States that will allow U.S. forces to remain for three more years, a day after the Iraqi Cabinet signed off on the deal. Continue reading
Apr 28 Watch Three U.S. Soldiers Killed in Baghdad Rocket Attack Three U.S. soldiers were killed in a Baghdad rocket attack Monday, following a weekend in which U.S. forces killed 45 Shiite militia fighters during fierce battles in the Iraqi capital. New York Times reporter Michael Gordon updates the story from… Continue watching
Apr 16 Watch Iran's Role in Iraq, Nuclear Ambitions Cloud U.S. Policy Six-nation talks over Iran's nuclear ambitions ended Wednesday in stalemate, though President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said he was open to continued talks. Amid allegations of an Iranian role in Iraqi violence, analysts consider the state of U.S.-Iranian relations. Continue watching
Apr 07 Aide Says Cleric Al-Sadr Willing to Disband Militia By Admin, PBS News Hour An aide to Muqtada al-Sadr said Monday the Shiite cleric will consult with top religious leaders and disband his Mahdi Army if they order it. The militia has been fighting government forces in several places in Iraq. Continue reading