Iraq

Crisis? When is Iraq not in crisis?

Well the current surge in violence is a little different.

You see the "Iraqi security forces" (read: Badr Brigades belonging to the SIIC, supported to some degree by both the US and Iran) are trying to root out violent criminals (read the Mahdy Army of one Mr Sadr. Which has been on ceasefire since last summer - something which has been attributed with the recent reduction in violence) out of Basra.

This is being handled personally by Prime Minister Nouri al Maliki. His game? Well, I will leave it to another article:

Bug anniversary day today. No not that other one, but the fifth anniversary of the US led invasion of Iraq.

Watched a little Sky News today, and was sort of chuckling when they brought on a Fox News ("Fair and balanced(TM)") correspondent in Baghdad. Surprised me a little though. A tacit admittance that while the current violence levels in Baghdad were down compared with 2005/2006, not only was this much worse than under Saddam, even though he was a dictator, but the bigger surprise was that she mentioned it might NOT be to do with "the surge", but more about certain militia's observing a ceasefire.

Don't know about you, but under the previous Fox News terms, that reporter probably committed treason by saying that.

What a year it has been! Blimey... I think it’s one for the Muslims to forget. Or is it?

Well, let’s find out shall we.

First of all we had the terrible and unforgettable bombings in London which were carried out by four Muslims. Not exactly what we needed, was it? As a result every Muslim was seen as a potential terrorist and suicide bomber! The media had a field day, doing its best to demonise Islam and the Muslims.

By Naheem Zaffar

Iraq Elections

The Iraqi Elections were held in Iraq on the 30th January 2005. Or not held if you were in a Sunni area. So who won and what does this mean for Iraq and the wider world?

The United Iraqi Alliance, a Shia coalition endorsed by Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani won a major slice of power, taking over 47 percent of the ballots cast. The Kurdistan Alliance List came second with 25 percent, whilst the Prime Ministers Allawi's party came third.(1)