News & Analysis Violence against Iraqi women continues unabated
Report, IRIN (Dec 1, 2008)
"Iraqi women have seen their rights eroded in all areas of life while
the world observes from afar," warns the Special Rapporteur on Violence
Against Women, its causes and consequences, Ms. Yakin Ertuerk, on the
International Day on the Elimination of Violence Against Women. "The ongoing conflict, high levels of insecurity, widespread impunity,
collapsing economic conditions and rising social conservatism are
impacting directly on the daily lives of Iraqi women and placing them
under increased vulnerability to all forms of violence within and
outside their home", says Ms. Ertuerk.
The Media Iraqi journalist sent to jail for critical reporting in Iraqi Kurdistan
Report, Committee to Protect Journalists (Nov 10, 2008)
The Iraqi Kurdistan court of appeals should act immediately to overturn
a judge's ruling on Tuesday to impose a one-month prison term against a
journalist who published critical reports about the Sulaymania
courthouse. The journalist's lawyer said newly adopted legislation does
not appear to allow such a prison sentence.
News & Analysis Iraqi politicians ponder Obama strategy on Iraq
Basim Al-Shara, Zaineb Naji, Frman Abdul-Rahman, Institute for War and Peace Reporting (Nov 10, 2008)
Political leaders here do not see substantial near-term changes in
United States policies toward Iraq despite president-elect Barack
Obama's pledge to withdraw American forces and curb development
assistance.
News & Analysis Is the U.S. Pushing Arab capitals on ambassadors?
Adam Morrow and Khaled Moussa al-Omrani, Inter Press Service (Nov 10, 2008)
More than five years after the U.S.-led invasion and occupation of
Iraq, Arab capitals are beginning to send ambassadors to Baghdad. But
some Egyptian commentators question the timing of the move, which they
attribute to pressure from Washington.
Opinion/Editorial The Obama Administration, Iraq, and the Question of Leverage
Reidar Visser, Historiae (Nov 7, 2008)
With Barack Obama’s victory in the American presidential elections
there are expectations of changes in US policy in Iraq, involving a
substantial reduction of force levels. The U.S. forces will withdraw in large numbers, but beyond that,
and of interest to those who care for Iraq itself, can Obama
realistically hope to achieve anything other than a unilateral
withdrawal?
News & Analysis Christians trickling back to their homes in Mosul
Report, IRIN (Nov 6, 2008)
About 400 Christian families have returned to
their homes in the northern city of Mosul after a spate of threats and
killings led them to flee in early October, according to officials. "We have so far registered nearly 400 Christian families who have
returned to their houses and jobs, and resumed normal lives thanks to
the deployment of security forces," said Jawdat Ismaiel, head of the
Ministry of Displacement and Migration in the province.
