Niqash: briefings from inside and across Iraq
society
still in prison: dissident who lived two decades underground still suffering
After Saddam Hussein was overthrown, one refugee from the regime emerged after hiding for over 20 years in an underground bunker. His sad story made him a minor media celebrity. But his current situation is even sadder. by Mohammed al-Zaidi in Wasit
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society
renewed protests by kurdish? not if facebook is the ‘new tahrir square’
On the anniversary of protests in Iraqi Kurdistan that claimed at least ten lives, social media sites have been trying to inspire further demonstrations. Observers fear that if protests do occur, there will be renewed violence. by Zanko Ahmad in Sulaymaniyah more
politics
enemies in common: diplomacy from iran and west heals political rift in iraq
Western nations and Iran are at loggerheads. However when it comes to the political crisis in Iraq, they have a common goal. Behind the scenes, foreign diplomats had much to do with solving the recent parliamentary impasse. by Hayder Najm in Baghdad more
politics
no rules of engagement: iraqi govt still ignoring internal bylaws
Iraq’s parliament has plenty of problems. Doubtless some are due to the fact that there are no internal bylaws to abide by. Some suggest this lack of rules is due to a power struggle between the PM and the MPs. by Mustafa Habib in Baghdad more
economy
unhappy forecasts: iraq’s future oil plagued by problems
Estimated to have one of the largest oil reserves in the world, Iraq could be the major player in the world’s oil industry. But up until now, things have not been going as well as expected. So what’s the problem? by Shwan Zulal in London more
politics
last minute goodies: kurdish MP hands out loans and promotions just before resignation
A senior politician in Iraqi Kurdistan has caused controversy by distributing Parliament’s excess budget to some staff and promoting others – and all this shortly before he leaves his position. There have been calls for an inquiry. by Bahadin Yousef in Erbil more
politics
relationship issues: feud between turkey and iraq is all syria’s fault
Over the past weeks, the warm relationship between Iraq and Turkey has soured, with the two PMs in a war of words about Baghdad’s political crisis. However the real reasons may have more to do with Syria. And Iran. by Hoshnag Ose in Brussels more
politics
al-qaeda in iraq: group has new offices, new deadly plans for dissent
Extremist militia, al-Qaeda in Iraq, is moving headquarters and has a new plan to increase sectarian conflict. A source familiar with the group says they will recruit members and gain locals’ confidence while sowing seeds of deadly dissent. by Khaled Waleed in Baghdad more
politics
NIQASH interview with minister of migration: EU treats iraqi deportees ‘inhumanely’
Over a million Iraqis live in Syria and if the situation there worsens, they may start returning home. Iraq’s Minister of Displacement and Migration tells NIQASH how he plans to deal with them, and other Iraqi refugees and deportees from the EU. by Khaled Waleed in Baghdad more
politics
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Samual: "It comes down simply to this, Kurdistan ..."