World News

NPR Topics: Iraq

NPR's ongoing coverage of the Iraq War's effects abroad and on the home front. Stories of soldiers, marines, sailors, airmen, veterans and their families. Iraq's effects on politics, society, and diplomacy. Photos, audio and commentary. Subscribe to the Iraq RSS feed.

Iraq's Christians Ask For Protection Christians are a minority in Iraq, and there has been a rapid increase of attacks against them this year. The assaults raise fear about the future of Christians in Iraq. One church leader has asked the Iraqi government and the U.S. military for help. Cleric's Remarks Spark Sunni-Shia Tensions The latest dispute among Sunni and Shiite Muslims is spreading across several countries. The alarm was sparked by a warning from a prominent Sunni Muslim scholar that Shia were expanding their influence and converting Sunnis. Report: Iraq Situation Likely To Worsen A report from top U.S. intelligence agencies says that the relative calm in Iraq could dissolve at any moment. McClatchy Senior Correspondent Warren Strobel discusses what the report says and how it may change the presidential race. In Iraq, Those Displaced By Violence Return Home After the holy month of Ramadan, hundreds of families displaced by sectarian fighting began returning to the divided neighborhood of Ghazaliyah. To help the process, the U.S. military has been visiting the returnees. Hurdles Remain In Iraq Security Agreement U.S. Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte is making an unannounced visit to Iraq on Tuesday. U.S. and Iraqi officials have been negotiating a deal governing the operation of U.S. troops in Iraq, which expires this year. Iraq's foreign minister says it will take "bold political decisions" to overcome the final hurdles. New Army Field Manual Is Road Map To Stabilization The Army has a new operations manual that emphasizes nation-building over conventional warfare. The Stability Operations Field Manual was put together at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., the home of the U.S. Army Combined Arms Center. The new doctrine will drive Army resources, organization and training for many years to come. Christian Security Forces Growing Stronger In Iraq The security forces, organized through local churches, are manning checkpoints in Iraq and working with police. The mystery of where their funding comes from seems to center on a media-shy and reclusive political figure. The Race For Iraqi Oil The competition for Iraqi oil is gaining momentum. Later this month, Iraq will host more than three dozen major oil companies. All of them hope to bid and win the account for handling Iraq's massive oil reserves. Widows Face Challenges, Tough Conditions In Iraq Women in Iraq who have lost their husbands now face the challenge of supporting themselves. Many have turned to government trailer parks, but conditions are dire and much of the infrastructure is shoddy, incomplete or nonexistent. Popular Iraqi Song Perfect For A Road Trip Since Iraq has become less violent, it's gotten easier to move around the country. Even in Iraq, there's a need for the right song for a road trip. These days, that song is called "The Shotgun." Baghdad Wall Falls, Neighborhood Celebrates Fifteen months ago, a Baghdad neighborhood was so dangerous that a concrete barrier was built to separate the Sunni and Shiite sides. Security has improved, and the barrier is coming down. Two communities that were once bitter enemies are reconciling. Sunni Group Says It's Being Harassed The Sunni group, Sons of Iraq, has been vital in cutting down violence in Iraq. The organization was originally supported and paid for by the U.S. military. It has been negotiating its future with the Iraqi government. But the group's leaders say a campaign of harassment has begun against them. Women To Play Crucial Role In Policing Iraq Al-Qaida increasingly has resorted to using women as suicide bombers in Iraq. So the country's police force hopes to combat that threat by recruiting its first female members. Is Surge Responsible For A Less Violent Iraq? The last of the U.S. troop reinforcements have left Iraq, and no one doubts they helped to improve security in Baghdad. But while the surge was given much of the credit for the security gains, Iraqis believe there were other important factors at work. Iraqi Parliament OKs Law On Provincial Election After months of wrangling, Iraq's Parliament approved a new provincial election law, which clears the way for a vote probably before the end of the year. It will likely lead to more power for Iraq's Sunnis, who largely boycotted the last ballot.