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Omar Fadhil
Iraqi Leaders Closely Watching U.S. Elections
As the U.S. presidential race heats up, the rhetoric coming from Baghdad changes.
In the Middle East, Diplomacy = Weakness
Dialogue and concessions often frighten America’s allies in the region and embolden its enemies.
Iran and the Coming War
How Iran plans to drag the U.S. into war if Israel dares to attack its nuclear program.
Iranian-Made Rocket Discovered Near Basra Alarms Iraqis
New Iranian-made weapons have shown up in Iraq, prompting the country's government to deliver some sharp words for the regime in Tehran.
Are Sadr and al-Qaeda Teaming Up in Iraq?
Reports of serious negotiations taking place between Sadr's movement and al-Qaeda were followed by suspiciously coordinated threats from both groups.
Al-Qaeda in Iraq: Determined but Desperate
The anger and frustration evident in its latest missives indicate that al-Qaeda continues to lose allies and ground in Iraq and that time is not on its side.
Who Do Iraqis Want to Be U.S. President?
Iraqis know that their future may ride on who enters the White House in 2008. Still, in Baghdad, it's a long way to November.
What Happens After the Surge
With important moves like cracking down on the al-Qaeda sympathetic Association of Muslim Scholars, the Iraqi government is exploiting the achievements of the surge strategy by the step-by-step establishment of the rule of law, writes Omar Fadhil of Iraq the Model.
An Iraqi Alliance Breaks Apart
Moqtada al-Sadr's political bloc withdrew from Iraq's governing Shia alliance over the weekend. PJM editor Omar Fadhil ponders the implications.
Baghdad Report: Never Missing an Opportunity to Miss an Oportunity
PJM Baghdad Editor Omar Fadhil reports that over the last few weeks "the major political parties in Iraq have kept taking turns at damaging the political process and ultimately their own government."
A Flight to Nowhere
In a tale that sounds like something out of Kafka, PJM Baghdad editor Omar Fadhil recounts the agonizing story of his attempt to travel the short distance from Iraq to Jordan to pick up his visa at the U.S. embassy there, and shares the indignities of being Iraqi in the Amman airport.
Baghdad Report: Iraqi Politics Heat Up for the Summer
PJM Baghdad Editor Omar Fadhil has the latest developments on the emergence of a new coalition in Baghdad and the ever-changing political landscape of the young government.
Inside Baghdad Baseball
PJM's Baghdad Editor Omar Fadhil reports in on how the Baghdad heat - in all the senses of the word -- is making Iraqi politics and politicians even crazier than normal.
The Return of al-Sadr
After more than 14 weeks in hiding in Iran, Moqtada al-Sadr returned to Iraq last week. The question before Iraq now is, "Has he returned from Iran stronger than he was before he left?" By Omar Fadhil, PJM Baghdad editor
Baghdad Report: An Update on the Security Situation
Violence is down in Baghdad just as it seems to be increasing in other strategic areas of Iraq. A sign that al-Qaeda is on the move, writes Omar Fadhil.
By Omar Fadhil, PJM Baghdad editor
Sundays Under Fire
Artillery in Baghdad -- Listening to the sounds of shelling in a city at war.
By Omar Fadhil
Baghdad Dispatch: The Wall
The decision to build security walls around some Baghdad districts is getting a lot of attention in the local and world media. It's creating many questions and even more rumors. Here's some background straight from Baghdad, just as protests may be making both Iraqi and American officials reconsider the plan, according to some press reports.
by Omar Fadhil, PJM Baghdad editor
Baghdad Report: Bombs and A Bridge Too Near
This morning Baghdad lost one of its historic icons when the terrorists blew up the Sarrafiya Bridge.
By Omar Fadhil, PJM Baghdad editor
Baghdad Dispatch: Fierce fighting in the central city
On the battles, banners, the small demonstrations, cheap extortion and Iran's tools
by Omar Fadhil, PJM editor, Baghdad
Baghdad Report: Heavy Armor’s In
Security Intensifies in the City. More Tanks Visible in the Streets.
By Omar Fadhil, PJM editor, Baghdad
Baghdad Report: Creating Old “Enemies” for New Wars
Farzad Bazoft, Journalist, Hung 1990
Think the current Iranian crisis has to do with the 1979 American Embassy take-over? Think again.
In 1990 Saddam Hussein, to mollify the Iraqi people arrested, tried and hung Farzad Bazoft, an innocent reporter for The Observer. It was what dictators do when war looms. PJM Baghdad editor Omar Fadhil looks at that incident and sees how the capture of the British sailors may just be the mullahs stealing from Hussein's playbook.
By Omar Fadhil, PJM Baghdad
FLASH: Iraqi Tribes Battle al-Qaeda. 39 Terrorists Killed
An Iraqi army soldier takes cover as he protects a police checkpoint.
By Omar Fadhil, PJM editor, Baghdad
The Al-bu Issa tribes in Amiriyat al-Fallujah, backed by local police and the MNF, clashed today with members of the al-Qaeda linked "Islamic State in Iraq" terror organization, according to al-Hurra TV.
Baghdad Dispatch: Operation “Imposing Law”
"Democracy, Whiskey, Sexy!" And open for business again.
Life during wartime. PJM Baghdad editor Omar Fadhil reports on the improving security situation in the city and other signs of returning normalcy.
