War Every Day (eIraq Blog) Iraq is making friends again (for now)
Jeff Severns Guntzel, Electronic Iraq (Aug 13, 2008)
On Monday King Abdullah of Jordan became the first Arab leader to visit Iraq since the invasion and occupation in 2003. Other regional powers have been engaging the country as violence has dipped. Bahrain is setting up an embassy (a diplomat was held hostage for two weeks in 2006), UAE has appointed an ambassador, and Egypt's considering sending an ambassador (their last envoy was killed in 2005). Iraq is making friends again--for now at least. Reuters has a sort of state-of-regional-relations roundup.
News & Analysis Women Back In The Driver’s Seat in Baghdad
Duraed Salman, Institute for War and Peace Reporting (Aug 13, 2008)
Samira Hussein, 36, walks out of the supermarket and slips behind the
wheel of her car in the Karrada Maryam area of Baghdad near the heavily
protected Green Zone. It is a scene that is played out day after day in countries all around
the world, but in Iraq, even simple tasks for women such as running
errands and driving are deeply significant. Hussein, a mother of four,
stopped driving in late 2003 as security in Baghdad deteriorated – but
got behind the wheel again earlier this year.
Aid & Development NGOs urge action on Iraq's displacement crisis
Report, IRIN (Aug 13, 2008)
The Iraqi and US governments should do more to address
Iraq's displacement crisis which has affected over four million people
and threatens regional stability, a group of Iraqi and international
non-governmental organizations has said.
Opinion/Editorial Cold Shoulders
Kathy Kelly, Electronic Iraq (Jul 10, 2008)
Kathy Kelly writes from Amman, Jordan, demonstrating through the story of one mother and her son -- who's still in Iraq -- how violence is entrapping Iraq's boys and young men. In the process, she shows the ways in which US efforts in the name of security send dangerous messages and force painful choices on the young people who are the future of their country.
Opinion/Editorial Istiklal
Kathy Kelly, Electronic Iraq (Jul 4, 2008)
The city of Amman, Jordan, is
awash with numerous colorful signs that proclaim independence, "Istiklal." The word is found on posters and placards in
store windows. It names a major thoroughfare, a hospital, and a shopping
center. Appreciation for independence is
palpable, and this could be said for numerous cities and towns throughout the
region, including Iraq,
where past struggles for independence are commemorated by naming buildings and
streets "Istiklal." It reflects the love
of independence and the longing for it.
Opinion/Editorial Iraqis in Baquba Weigh in on the U.S. Presidential Election
Ahmed Ali and Dahr Jamail, Inter Press Service (Jun 24, 2008)
Ali Ahmed, Dahr Jamial, and a handful of Iraqis in Baquba weigh in on the U.S. presidential election. "I'll believe the troops are gone from Iraq when they are no longer on
our streets and their warplanes no longer bomb our homes," a local
merchant told IPS. " All politicians are liars, even school children
know this."
News & Analysis UN Proposal Provokes Iraqi Anger
Zaineb Naji, Institute for War and Peace Reporting (Jun 24, 2008)
Rival political factions have slammed a United Nations proposal to
settle disputes over control of a number of areas in the north of the
country, arguing the recommendations are more likely to deepen their
disagreements than resolve them.
