[Published here on January 9, 2020]
Baghdad (AFP) – Arch-foes Tehran and Washington may be temporarily calling it even after Iranian missiles targeted US forces in Iraq, but analysts predict violent instability will keep blighting Baghdad.
diplomacy
What would a US withdrawal from Iraq look like? | AFP
[Published here on January 7, 2020]
Iraq’s caretaker premier Adel Abdel Mahdi contended Tuesday that he received signed copies of a letter the US had said was only an unsigned draft describing steps America’s military would take to leave Iraq.
Here is AFP’s look at what shape a withdrawal could take.
With pro-Iran groups at helm, Iraq ‘risks becoming pariah’ | AFP
[Published here January 2, 2020]
Baghdad (AFP) – The US embassy siege by pro-Iran protesters in Baghdad lasted just over a day, but analysts warn it could have lasting implications for Iraq’s complex security sector and diplomatic ties.
New spats shake Iraq’s teetering stability — and its PM | AFP
[Published here September 17, 2019]
Baghdad (AFP) – As fissures within a powerful paramilitary force go public for the first time and a revolving door of top politicians consults Tehran, Iraq’s fragile political balance is crumbling, analysts say, with worrying consequences for its premier.
Pompeo in surprise visit to Iraq amid ‘imminent’ Iran threats | AFP
[Published here on May 7, 2019]
Baghdad (AFP) – Iraq has promised to guarantee the safety of US interests from Iran, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Tuesday as he paid a surprise trip to Baghdad where he accused Tehran of planning “imminent” attacks.
In Iraq, political wrangling spawns debate over US troops | AFP
[Co-written with AFP’s Salam Faraj; published here January 22, 2019]
Baghdad (AFP) – From the halls of parliament to the lightning-fast rumour mills of social media, pro-Iran factions are demanding US troops withdraw from Iraq in a challenge to the country’s fragile government.
Pressure mounts for ‘detained’ Lebanon PM to return from Riyadh | AFP
[Published here on November 16, 2017]
Hardening his tone, Lebanon’s President Michel Aoun accused Saudi Arabia of “detaining” Hariri, who is to meet in Riyadh on Thursday with France’s chief diplomat.
Speculation has swirled around Hariri’s prolonged stay in the kingdom since he announced in a televised statement on November 4 that he would be stepping down as Lebanon’s prime minister.
No sign of breakthrough on first day of Syria talks | AFP
[Published here on January 23, 2017]
Astana (Kazakhstan) (AFP) – Peace talks with Syrian rebels and the war-torn country’s government got off to a rocky start Monday, while Washington said President Donald Trump was open to joint operations with Russia against Islamic State jihadists in Syria.
Syria regime, rebels set for first face-to-face at Astana | AFP
[Published here on January 21, 2017]
Syria’s government and rebel fighters will on Monday sit down at the negotiating table for the first time in nearly six years of war, the latest diplomatic push to end the hostilities.
Syrian rebels to attend Astana peace talks | AFP
[Published here on January 16, 2017]
Beirut // Syrian rebel groups said on Monday they will attend peace talks next week in a boost to efforts by rivals Turkey and Russia to end six-year conflict.
