Muqtada Al Sadr

The Sunni-Shia Conflict in Iraq

Nathan Gonzalez | Posted 12.08.2009 | World

Read More: Iraqi Civil War, US Troops, Sectarian Divisions, US Troops in Iraq, Iran, Militias, Saudi Arabia, Sunni Shia, Iraq Sectarian Violence, Sectarian-Fighting, Moqtada Al Sadr, Muqtada Al-Sadr, Sectarian Cleansing, Iraqi Withdrawal, Sunni Militants, Iraq-Shiites, Sunni-Militias, Iraqi Sunni Shia, Iraqi Security Forces, Sunni Jihadists, Sunni-Shia, Ehtno-Sectarian-Violence, Iraq War, Jihadist, Sunni Awakening, Moqtada Al-Sadr, Shiite, Iraq Troop Withdrawal, Shiite Militias, Sectarian Violence, Iraq, Nouri Al Maliki, World News
Nathan Gonzalez

Tuesday's deadly coordinated bomb attacks against soft targets in Iraq bear the mark of a simmering Sunni insurgency. But the Sunni-Shia conflict has very little to do with personal religious grudges.

Read Post

Full US Withdrawal Demanded By Iraqi Cleric

CNN | Yousif Bassil and Jomana Karadsheh | Posted 08.01.2009 | World

Read More: Us Withdrawal From Iraq, US Troops Withdraw, Iraq US, Shiite-Cleric-Al-Sadr, Muqtada Al-Sadr, Shi'ite Cleric, Shiite Cleric, Iraq, US Iraq, Al-Sadr, US Troops in Iraq, US Withdrawal, World News

BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- The ongoing presence of U.S. troops in Iraq "shows that the (Iraqi) government and the occupation are not serious about the wit...

Read Whole Story

Moqtada Al-Sadr Appears In Public For First Time In 2 Years

Telegraph | Posted 06.01.2009 | World

Read More: Iraq War, Moqtada Al-Sadr, Muqtada Al-Sadr, Iraq, Muqtada Al Sadr, Foreign Affairs, Advocacy, War Wire, World News

Moqtada al-Sadr, one of the most radical figures in Iraqi politics, made his first public appearance for two years when he paid a surprise visit to Tu...

Read Whole Story

Iraqi Resistance Infighting

Fay Ferguson | Posted 04.12.2009 | World

Read More: Syria, Saddam Hussein, US Troops Iraq, Opposition, Al-Qaeda, Muqtada Al-Sadr, Iraq Insurgency, Iraq Baathists, World News
Fay Ferguson

The Supreme Command of Jihad and Liberation were due to meet with other groups opposed to US-backed prime minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki to discuss plans for governance after US troops leave.

Read Post

Muqtada al-Sadr: Elections Will Hopefully Push Out American "Occupiers"

AP | SAMEER N. YACOUB | Posted 03.23.2009 | World

Read More: Shiite Cleric, Iraq War, War Wire, Iraq, Muqtada Al-Sadr, Awakening Councils, Iraq Clerics, Iraq Elections, World News

BAGHDAD — A prominent anti-American Shiite cleric said Friday he hopes recent provincial elections will help unite Iraqis to push out the United...

Read Whole Story

Petraeus versus the President?

The Real News | Posted 03.07.2009 | World

Read More: Military, Robert Gates, Combat, President Obama, Iraq Troop Withdrawal, Iran, Gareth Porter, Muqtada Al-Sadr, General Petraeus, Iraq, Campaign Promises, Barack Obama, Video, Jack Keane, World News
The Real News

2009-02-04-obamama.jpg

Read Post

Iraqi Cleric Al Sadr Urges Attacks Against Americans Over Gaza Invasion

AP | SAMEER N. YACOUB | Posted 02.07.2009 | World

Read More: Gaza Invasion, Warwire, Muqtada Al Sadr, US Soldiers Iraq, War Wire, Iraq, World News

BAGHDAD — Anti-U.S. cleric Muqtada al-Sadr on Wednesday urged reprisals against American forces in Iraq to protest Israel's Gaza offensive, as A...

Read Whole Story

Iraq Rejects Draft Law Letting Non-US Troops Stay

AP | PATRICK QUINN | Posted 01.20.2009 | World

Read More: Iraq Parliament, Foreign Troops in Iraq, Sofa, Nouri Al-Maliki, War Wire, Iraq Rejects Law Non-Us Troops, British Troops Iraq, Muqtada Al-Sadr, Foreign Troops Iraq, World News

BAGHDAD — Iraq's parliament rejected for the second time Saturday a draft law allowing foreign troops from countries other than the United State...

Read Whole Story

Iraq-US Security Pact: Bitter Battles Ahead?

The Real News | Posted 12.22.2008 | Politics

Read More: Military, Sofa, George W. Bush, Iraq Troop Withdrawal, Al-Maliki, United States, Muqtada Al-Sadr, Iraq, Sunnis, Shiites, Video, Politics News
The Real News

The Real News Network spoke with Leila Fadel about the Iraq/US deal that will not allow residual forces to stay after 2011.

Read Post

Stuff Happens: The Pentagon's Argument of Last Resort on Iraq

Tom Engelhardt | Posted 12.21.2008 | Politics

Read More: Obama Administration Iraq, Obama Iraq Withdrawal, Military Heavy, George Bush Iraq, Military Consumerism, Donald Rumsfeld, Obama Administration, Admiral Mike Mullen, Iraq Withdrawal, US Military Bases Iraq, War in Iraq, Military Lite, Iraqi Base, Barack Obama Iraq Withdrawal Plan, Robert Gates, Nouri Al-Maliki, Obama Transition Team, Bush Administration Iraq, Muqtada Al-Sadr, Military Stuff in Iraq, Iraq, Politics News
Tom Engelhardt

In a nutshell, the Pentagon's argument couldn't be simpler or more red-bloodedly American: We have too much stuff there to leave Iraq any time soon.

Read Post

Iraqi Parliament's Troop Pact Debate Disrupted By Sadr Loyalists

AP | HAMZA HENDAWI | Posted 12.20.2008 | Politics

Read More: Muqtada Al-Sadr, Iraq, Iraqi Parliament, Iraq Troop Withdrawal, Foreign Affairs, War Wire, Us Iraq Troop Pact, Politics News

BAGHDAD — A heated parliamentary debate on the U.S.-Iraq security treaty was called to an early close Wednesday as lawmakers loyal to anti-U.S. ...

Read Whole Story

Diplomacy, Diplomacy, Diplomacy

Jon Soltz | Posted 12.18.2008 | Politics

Read More: Iraq War, Sunni Militias, Kirkuk, Us-Iraq Security Agreement, Iraqi Oil Revenues, Sofa, President Obama, Iran, Shia, Muqtada Al-Sadr, Iraq, Syria, Sunnis, Barack Obama, Iraq Withdrawal Timetable, Iraq Diplomacy, Obama Iraq Withdrawal, Iraq Withdrawal, Obama Iraq, Politics News
Jon Soltz

Diplomacy is as important for keeping Iraq stable as it is for making sure that US troops are not targets of attacks by insurgents, or caught in the crossfire of an explosion of sectarian violence, as we begin to pull back.

Read Post

Iraq's Al-Sadr Renews Threats, Says US Must Withdraw

AP | HAMZA HENDAWI | Posted 12.15.2008 | Politics

Read More: War Wire, Foreign Affairs, Muqtada Al-Sadr, Iraq, US Troops Iraq, Politics News

BAGHDAD — Iraq's two most powerful Shiite clerics on Friday challenged the government's planned security pact with the United States, undercutti...

Read Whole Story

Bush's Shi'ites vs. Ahmadinejad's Shi'ites

Jamal Dajani | Posted 11.24.2008 | Politics

Read More: George Bush, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Us-Iraq Security Agreement, Condoleezza Rice, Joe Biden, Iran, Muqtada Al-Sadr, Iraq, Barack Obama, Politics News
Jamal Dajani

Biden was criticized when he warned that America's enemies would test Obama with an international crisis. It already exists in Iraq: the battle between Bush's Shi'ites and Ahmadinejad's Shi'ites.

Read Post

The Obama Challenges

John Bruhns | Posted 11.23.2008 | Politics

Read More: Barack Obama 2008, Iraq War Wire, Iraq Veterans, Afghan War, Pakistan, 2008 Presidential Race, The Bush Administration, Us Economy Recession, Labor Unions, Windfall Profits Tax, Barack Obama, Alternative Resources, Alternative Energy, Obama Administration, Energy Crisis, Osama Bin Laden, Al Qaeda, Free Trade Agreements, Nafta, Nouri Al-Maliki, Financial Crisis, Iraqi Troops, Muqtada Al-Sadr, Trade Agreements, Politics News
John Bruhns

As President, Obama will need to confront two costly wars, global terrorism, an economy on the brink and a serious energy crisis. Don't expect immediate change.

Read Post

Obama's Missed Opportunity

Stephen Zunes | Posted 06.12.2009 | Politics

Read More: Obama, Presidential Debates, Presidential Debate, Mccain, Resolution 1172, Shia Government, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Taliban, UN Security Council, Barack Obama, Afghanistan War, Al Qaeda, Foreign Policy, Iraq War, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Iran, Iran Revolutionary Guard, Kyl-Lieberman Amendment, Sunni Militias, Resolution 487, Nawaz Sharif, Muqtada Al-Sadr, Politics News
Stephen Zunes

If Obama expects to defeat John McCain, who indeed has more foreign policy experience, he must be more willing to challenge his opponent's record.

Read Post

The Surge "Success" Debunked

Luis Carlos Montalván | Posted 11.07.2008 | Politics

Read More: Refugee International, General Petraeus Surge, Shi'a Truce, Iraqi Benchmarks, United Nations, Internally Displaced Persons, US Congress, Sunni Ethnic Cleansing, Department of State, Ngo, Muqtada Al Sadr, The Surge, Unhcr, Justice and Accountability Law, Iraqi Refugees, Ehtno-Sectarian Violence, Sadrist Shi'A, Department of Defense, Siic, Kurds, Constitutional Review Committee, Abdul Al-Hakim, Baghdad, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, John McCain, Government Accountability Office, Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction, Basra, Kirkuk, Ethnic Cleansing, Badr Corps, Marine Corps General Jones, Population Shifts Baghdad, Ucla, Kenneth Katzman, Congressional Research Service Report, Second Largest Refugee Crisis, Shi'a Militias, Center for American Progress, War on Terror, De-Baathification Law, Sons of Iraq, Second Presidential Debate, Transparency International, Crc, 2008 Presidential Race, War in Iraq, International Crisis Group, Sigir, Msm, Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council, Peshmerga, Maliki, Sectarian Violence, Dr. John Agnew, General Petraeus, Sunni Awakening, Icg, Krg, Igos, Isf, Idp, Politics News
Luis Carlos Montalván

Iraq remains a powder keg. "The Surge" has done little to increase security, a state of civil war remains and regional conflict threatens greater problems for the future.

Read Post

RNC: "USA, USA"

Jamal Dajani | Posted 10.06.2008 | Politics

Read More: Iraq War, Iraq Surge, Patriotism, John McCain, Rnc, 2008 Presidential Race, Republican Convention, Al Qaeda, Muqtada Al-Sadr, Nouri Al Maliki, Politics News
Jamal Dajani

Patriotism and "Country First" have become the theme for John McCain's campaign. Several speakers, including the Republican nominee himself, John McCa...

Read Post

Al-Sadr Loyalists Sign Blood Oaths To Continue Fighting

AFP | Karim Talbi | Posted 09.29.2008 | Politics

Read More: Al-Sadr Loyalists, Iraq, Warwire, Muqtada Al-Sadr, Politics News

Dozens of Shiite radicals scrambled on Friday to sign blood oaths to continue their fight against US forces in Iraq despite an order from their leader...

Read Whole Story

'Surging' McCain

The Real News | Posted 09.07.2008 | Politics

Read More: Iraq War, John McCain, Military, Success of the Surge, Al-Maliki, Muqtada Al-Sadr, President Bush, Iraq, Politics News
The Real News

Real News Network analyst, Pepe Escobar looks at the flipping and the flopping of McCain's "surge" message.

Read Post

Iraq Events Moving out of US Control

The Real News | Posted 08.06.2008 | Politics

Read More: Basra, Elections, Military, George W. Bush, Muqtada Al-Sadr, Iraq, War in Iraq, Nouri Al Maliki, Politics News
The Real News

The difference in opinion between the current president and the presidential candidates is of little importance to the issue of troop withdraw from Iraq, as the choice is not necessarily theirs to make.

Read Post

Shiites Protest US-Iraq Security Pact

AP | SAMEER N. YACOUB | Posted 06.28.2008 | Politics

Read More: Warwire, Shiite Protest, Shiites, Muqtada Al-Sadr, Iraq Security, Us-Iraq Security Agreement, Politics News

BAGHDAD — A sharp drop in attacks on pipelines has enabled Iraq to increase oil exports from northern oil fields and profit from the rise in wor...

Read Whole Story

Al-Sadr's Top Official Arrested In Amarah

AP | ROBERT H. REID | Posted 06.27.2008 | Politics

Read More: Warwire, Iraq War, Muqtada Al-Sadr, Raffia Abdul-Jabbar, Amarah, War in Iraq, Iraqi Insurgency, Al-Sadr, Iraqi Government, Politics News

BAGHDAD — Iraqi troops arrested the mayor of the southern city of Amarah on Thursday, raising tensions with followers of anti-U.S. cleric Muqtad...

Read Whole Story

Shiite Leader al-Sadr Seeks To Be Iraq Icon Like His Father

Washington Post | Amit R. Paley | Posted 06.04.2008 | Politics

Read More: Warwire, Iraq War, Shiite Militias, Muqtada Al-Sadr, Mahdi Army, Shiites, Politics News

When the revered head of Iraq's largest Shiite opposition group was assassinated in 1999, the mantle of leadership passed to an unexpected heir: Moqta...

Read Whole Story