Niqash: briefings from inside and across Iraq
economy
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chaos in the sky: the iraqi airline that leaves early, late or not at all
Passengers forced to sit in the aisle because of overbooking, others missing flights because the plane left early. Flying in Iraq isn’t exactly glamorous as Iraq’s national carrier struggles to restore its prestige. And now corruption investigations are also underway. by Haider Najm in Baghdad
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politics
immigration minister: ‘we don’t ask syrian refugees if they are rebels’
Salam al-Khafaji, a deputy minister for Displacement and Migration, talks about Syrian refugee camps, his government’s attitude toward Syrian rebels there and whether Iraqis in Syria are coming under fire for their nation’s perceived support of the Syrian regime. by Mustafa Habib in Baghdad
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society
celebrity and the syrians: ‘angelina will bring candy and beautiful clothes’
American movie star Angelina Jolie visited a Syrian refugee camp in Iraqi Kurdistan this week. NIQASH went behind the scenes during the UN special envoy’s visit; after the celebrity stopover, refugees’ stories were coloured by tears, hope and pathos. by Abdul-Khaleq Dosky in Dohuk
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politics
a journey into 'new kurdistan': whose side are syria’s kurds on?
In July, the Syrian army handed areas in the northeast to the Kurdish, who now run those areas. But whose side are the Kurds really on? And will they now establish their own nation? Aral Kakal spent several days in the “new Kurdistan”. by Aral Kakal in Syria
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society
secret marriages rising in iraq: and women and children are the losers
Anecdotal evidence suggests certain types of informal marriage are on the rise in sexually conservative Iraq. Unwilling to enter more formal marriages, young Iraqi couples are entering secret relationships that some critics describe as no better than prostitution. by Oras Hassem in Baghdad more
society
kurdistan’s symbol of love? the minister of loneliness
He lives like a hermit, by a waterfall in the mountains, nursing a heart broken decades ago. But his story is spreading and well-wishers want not only to bring him food, but to make him a symbol of love for Iraqi Kurdistan. by Qassim Khidhir Hamad in Sulaymaniyah
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legislation
wrongful dismissal: sacked ninawa judges won’t be government ‘tools’
A decision by the commission ensuring members of Saddam Hussein’s party don’t get into powerful positions in modern Iraq has caused controversy. It says 32 Ninawa judges must leave their jobs. Two of those judges are deceased; the rest say they’re not budging. by Abdullah Salem in Mosul
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society
baghdad bans beer: why new iraqi prohibition is an ominous sign
Unexpected raids on Baghdad’s bars, as well as beaten customers, shocked locals last week. But it’s not just drinkers who are upset. Activists say it’s the government’s latest plan to curb personal freedoms while MPs pondering re-election in the mainly-Muslim nation haven’t said a word. by Mustafa Habib in Baghdad more
politics
sentenced to death: is the iraqi vp a lost cause for his colleagues?
Everyone knew what was coming. Iraqi VP Tariq al-Hashimi was found guilty, then sentenced to death, this week. Despite a pending appeal, it seems his political bloc has abandoned him, swapping a VP for a Deputy Prime Minister. by Kholoud Ramzi in Baghdad
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economy
grape expectations: dohuk shows off the fruit of its vines
This week, the annual grape exhibition opened in Dohuk, a state famed throughout Iraq for its grape growing prowess. NIQASH’s Abdul Khaliq Dosky went to see what all the fuss was about. by Abdul-Khaleq Dosky in Dohuk
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dario: "Kurdish state cannot be achieved when Ku..."