Taking a page from the successful experiment in Iraq, American commanders and Afghan leaders are preparing to arm local militias to help in the fight against a resurgent Taliban. Along with hope, however, the move is raising fears here that the new armed groups could push the country into a deeper bloodletting. ...more

December 24, 2008

The notorious Abu Ghraib prison is getting a face-lift: work to reopen the facility and construct a museum documenting Saddam Hussein's crimes - but not the abuses committed there by U.S. guards. ...more

September 6, 2008

In the final days of his campaign to bring Iraq under control, Gen. David Petraeus sat in his office at the U.S. Embassy here looking drawn, exhausted, and more than a few years older than when he took command 18 months ago. ...more

August 21, 2008

The United Arab Emirates announced Thursday it will name an ambassador to Baghdad in the coming days, the first Arab country to restore full diplomatic ties to Iraq since the collapse of Saddam Hussein's regime. ...more

June 6, 2008

A tip of my hat to the learned Dale Gillis for his observation regarding my column of Nov. 8, in which I somewhat criticized our government trying to develop Iraq into a democratic form of government. He is right in that I have a negative view of religion and I ask just why I should not with all the scandals and religious zealots out there. Islam is just another religion, which has gone way too far in enforcing their fundamental beliefs. I failed to emphasize the need to establish some form of compromise between the Sunni zealots, Shiites, Jews and conservative Muslims so that that country can as our country does in accepting each other without war. ...more

December 13, 2007