Iraq PM in power grab by ousting bank chief: experts
by Prashant Rao Note: This article was published by AFP on October 22, 2012. It can be found in full here. BAGHDAD (AFP) – The targeting of Iraq’s well-respected central bank chief appears to be a move by Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki to consolidate power and sends a bad message to international investors, experts and [...]
Iraq looks to raise profile with OPEC candidate
by Prashant Rao Note: This article was originally published by AFP on June 12, 2012. It can be found in full here. BAGHDAD (AFP) – As Iraq increases oil output and emerges as a key supplier, it is now pushing a candidate for OPEC secretary general, part of efforts to boost its profile and retake [...]
Tough contracts hurt Iraq energy auction: analysts
by Prashant Rao Note: This article was originally published by AFP on June 1, 2012. It can be found in full here. BAGHDAD (AFP) – A landmark Iraqi auction for oil and gas exploration blocks was a disappointment because of poor contract terms on offer and a lack of requisite energy infrastructure, analysts say. The [...]
AFP’s coverage of the US withdrawal from Iraq
Agence France-Presse has put out several stories in recent days about the US withdrawal from Iraq, and now that it is complete, I wanted to put together a one-stop-shop of all the articles AFP has published. Without further ado, a summary of AFP‘s coverage of the US withdrawal from Iraq: December 18, 2011 US forces [...]
Iraq struggles a decade after 9/11
Note: This article was originally published by AFP on August 30, 2011. You can find it in full here. by Prashant Rao A decade after 9/11 attacks that set the stage for the 2003 invasion, Iraq is struggling to rebuild as dysfunctional politics, a persistent insurgency and rampant graft blunt the promise of its oil [...]
Where Iraq stood in August 2010
Where Iraq Stood in August 2010 – RTE World Report August 2010 was a busy month in Iraq. Along with US forces gearing up to declare an official end to combat operations, and get troop numbers below 50,000 (from a peak of around 170,000 during “the surge”), a suicide bomber blew himself up amid a [...]
Disappearing Tradition: Najaf abaya makers in decline
by Prashant Rao Note: This article was originally published by AFP on March 9, 2011. It can be found here. NAJAF, Iraq (AFP) – Known across the region for its fine texture, the Najafi abaya is worn by all manner of VIPs from officials to oil-rich sheikhs. But the men who produce the hand-made cloth, [...]
Life on the margin: Iraqis grapple with poverty
by Prashant Rao Note: This article was originally published by AFP on February 22, 2011. It can be found here. BAGHDAD (AFP) – Faleha Hassan lives in a tiny house in central Baghdad with 11 other family members and, like thousands of protesters across Iraq, does not believe her leaders have done anything to make her [...]
Iraqi city sees hotel boom as pilgrims proliferate
by Prashant Rao Note: This article was originally published by AFP on March 13, 2011. It can be found here. NAJAF, Iraq (AFP) – The holy Shiite city of Najaf in central Iraq, home to the shrine of a revered cleric, is in the midst of a hotel building boom in a bid to dramatically [...]