May 01 Protesters in Baghdad disband, leave Green Zone after breach By Kamala Kelkar Thousands of protesters who broke through the blast walls of Baghdad’s fortified international government center on Saturday ended their demonstration on Sunday because it’s the anniversary of an Islamic leader’s martyrdom. Meanwhile, bombings continued in southern Iraq. 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 02 Watch 3:47 Shiite Muslim cleric Muqtada al-Sadr reemerges as key player in Iraqi politics By PBS News Hour A Shiite Muslim cleric whose militia repeatedly battled American soldiers during the U.S. war a decade ago has emerged as a key player in the Iraqi parliament. The Washington Post's Liz Sly joins Hari Sreenivasan via Skype from Baghdad to… Continue watching
Feb 29 Watch 6:21 News Wrap: Uncertainty persists over nascent Syrian ceasefire By PBS News Hour In our news wrap Monday, the three-day-old Syrian ceasefire has drawn mixed reactions. The UN asserts the truce is holding “by-and-large,” but opposition groups in Syria are requesting U.S. intervention against ongoing government airstrikes around Aleppo and Damascus. Also, a… Continue watching
Jan 03 Saudi Arabia cuts diplomatic ties with Iran after Shiite cleric’s execution By Michael D. Regan Saudi Arabia severed diplomatic ties with Iran on Sunday in response to attacks on its embassy and a consulate. Widespread protests took place this weekend over Saudi Arabia executed a leading Shiite cleric. Continue reading
May 21 Watch 7:33 What can the U.S. do to stop the Islamic State? By PBS News Hour New victories by the Islamic State in Syria, Iraq and Libya are fueling debate and criticism in Washington over the U.S. strategy and reliance on airstrikes against the militant group. Gwen Ifill talks to David Ignatius of The Washington Post… Continue watching
Jan 23 Watch 4:01 News Wrap: Ransom deadline passes for Japanese hostages held by Islamic State By PBS News Hour In our news wrap Friday, the deadline passed for the Japanese government to pay $200 million in ransom to Islamic State for two hostages. Japanese officials are still trying to free the two captives. Also, a pro-Russian rebel leader said… Continue watching
Jan 22 Watch 6:13 Why Yemen’s political implosion is dangerous for the U.S. By PBS News Hour Yemen's government collapsed Thursday as the U.S.-backed President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi and cabinet stepped down, allowing Shiite rebels to effectively take over the capital. Gwen Ifill talks to Gregory Johnsen, author of "The Last Refuge: Yemen, al-Qaeda, and America's… Continue watching
Nov 13 Watch Should the U.S. change its Islamic State strategy in Syria? – Part 2 By PBS News Hour Continue watching
Oct 27 Watch News Wrap: U.S., British forces leave Afghan military base after 13 years By PBS News Hour In our news wrap Monday, American and British troops were airlifted from a major military base in Afghanistan’s Helmand Province, closing the facility after 13 years of use. Also, a suicide bombing in central Iraq killed at least 24 people,… Continue watching