Appeal of militias seen as Iraq obstacle
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U.S. soldiers trying to win back Baghdad's streets say they have been surprised by the power and popularity of Shiite militias, whose presence they view as a major obstacle to curbing violence in the city.
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American troops face "significant challenges" in western Iraq's volatile Anbar region -- the deadliest province for U.S. forces -- but military efforts there are secondary to the priority of quelling sectarian unrest in Baghdad, the second-ranking U.S. commander in Iraq said yesterday.
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BAGHDAD, Iraq - Despite the steady clang of mortar shells outside and persistent violence in the country, many delegates at the opening on Sunday of Iraq's National Conference held out hope that this first fragile taste of democracy would succeed.   "So far, so good," said delegate Saad Qindeel, from the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq, the country's largest religious group...
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The second ranking U.S. military commander in Iraq said Wednesday that it is imperative to disarm militias, but that the Iraqi government must decide when it should be done.
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AMMAN, Jordan -- As Iraq's bloodshed worsens, the tide of refugees fleeing the country is straining the region's resources and inflaming fears that Iraq's sectarian conflict might spread to neighboring countries.
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How deserters and insurgents are foiling plans to build a new Iraqi army
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Iranian support for militias who are destabilizing Iraq has risen since the United States and Iran held breakthrough talks in Baghdad in May, the U.S. envoy to Iraq said on Tuesday after a fresh round of discussions.
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American fortunes in Iraq are ever more dependent on feuding Iraqis who seem, at times, almost heedless to American appeals.
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WASHINGTON -- Iraq is a nation gripped by fear and struggling to meet security and political goals by September, US officials cautioned from Baghdad yesterday, dashing hopes in Congress that the country will show more signs of stability this summer.
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As calls to withdraw from Iraq grow louder, the first front in the war on terror may get some much-needed attention
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Critics say a long-term US military presence may provoke greater Iraqi resistance of the 'occupier.'
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Despite a stepped-up commitment from the United States to take in Iraqis who are in danger because they worked for the military, few are signing up to go, officials say.
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Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshiyar Zebari  said on Wednesday that Shi&#39;ite Mehdi Army militias were most  likely to have been behind the kidnapping of five Britons in  Baghdad, probably assisted by local police.
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The United States and Iraq have issued an appeal at the UN Security Council for more help in establishing a democratically elected government in Baghdad.
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Iraq appealed to other nations Tuesday to send troops to protect an expanded U.N. staff that is essential for holding the country's first free elections by Jan. 31, saying terrorists must not be allowed to disrupt the vote.
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The U.S. intelligence community has failed to provide policymakers with  a clear understanding of the Iraq insurgency, the role of militias or the level of violence in that country, according to the Iraq Study Group.
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BAGHDAD -- A vociferous and well-organized faction of extremist Shi'ite Muslims is mobilizing to challenge the new government that emerges from Iraq's recent election and to push for a hard line against the United States.