In The News

Ya Hussein

Omayma Abdel-Latif April 24, 2003
While the US envisions a secular government for reconstructed Iraq, Iraq’s two Islamic sects – Shi’a and Sunni – have called for an 'Islamic state'. Moreover, hundreds of thousands of Shi’a Muslims assembled in Karbala recently to demonstrate their faith and condemn the American presence in Iraq. Tension between the Iraqi religious establishment and the occupation forces is high; Sunni...

The Iraqi Wild Card in the OPEC Equation

G Panicker April 24, 2003
The prospect of increased Iraqi oil production outside of OPEC is beginning to complicate the cartel’s ability to control and inflate world oil prices. With Saudi Arabia’s swing capacity – enabling the Saudis to control production quantities and prices – threatened by Iraq’s large reserves, some analysts are predicting "the demise of the last commodity cartel.” However, with demand for oil...

Saving the Remains

Nevine El-Aref April 24, 2003
When Baghdad fell, looters used the chaos to rush into the city’s museums and libraries and steal priceless ancient artifacts, including copies of the Koran, maps, and the world’s first calendar. Archaeologists around the world, furious that such important cultural objects were now lost, mounted a campaign to find them. The Arab League, in conjunction with Iraqi officials, has taken steps to...

As Baghdad Awaits Aid, Feeling Grows Against U.S.

Jane Perlez April 23, 2003
While the US shifts from war to reconstruction in Iraq, many worries surface. Maintaining stability between the competing Islamic sects of Shia and Sunni is one problem, especially as Iran sends agents to promote its cause amongst Iraqi Shias. Settling the issue of UN involvement and sanctions is another since Russia has asserted that sanctions only be lifted once UN inspectors have confirmed the...

'Worse than 1967'

Amira Howeidy April 23, 2003
Twenty-nine Egyptian intellectuals have protested Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak’s statement that Saddam Hussein was the cause of the American invasion of Iraq. Instead, this disparate group of thinkers have offered other reasons for the war—the inherent weakness of authoritarian governments, the need for political liberalization in some Arab states, or even the ‘fall’ of Arab power after the...

France Urging U.N. to Suspend Iraq Penalties

Felicity Barringer April 23, 2003
The French ambassador to the UN called for the suspension of non-military trade with Iraq today, offering what some see as an olive branch to the US. Since taking control of Iraq, Washington has sought the complete lifting of sanctions on the country. France's latest move may be a way to ensure it isn't completely frozen out of a role in Iraq's post-war reconstruction, but the...

Garner’s Challenge

April 22, 2003
Iraq’s post-war administration, led by former American General Jay Garner, faces difficult domestic and international political challenges as Iraq begins to rebuild. In addition to handling immediate problems such as providing basic services and keeping order, the administration must address potential religious conflict between Sunni Muslims and the Shia majority, as well as international...