Iraq

World News

Along The Iraq-Syria Border, U.S. Troops Focus On Defeating ISIS

6:29pm July 02, 2018

by Jane Arraf

A U.S. major general tours a remote outpost of troops along the Iraq-Syria border, where U.S. Marines and soldiers fire into Syria to hit ISIS targets and help secure the relative calm in Iraq.

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World News

Security Forces In Iraq Step Up Attacks On ISIS In Syria

6:48am July 02, 2018

by Jane Arraf

NPR travels with a U.S. general as he tours the remote border of Iraq and Syria, where U.S. troops are shelling ISIS targets and trying to secure Iraq.

A clay tablet from the seized Hobby Lobby collection bears a cuneiform inscription referring to the disbursement of leather bags to hold water, known as water skins. The inscription is dated with the name of a month used exclusively in Irasagrig, a lost a

Hobby Lobby's Illegal Antiquities Shed Light On A Lost, Looted Ancient City In Iraq

11:22am June 28, 2018

by Jane Arraf

About 3,800 objects purchased by Hobby Lobby were returned to Iraq in May. Some come from an ancient Sumerian city, Irisagrig, and indicate that life there was "pretty good," an archaeologist says.

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The court in Baghdad where Iraq is trying suspects on terrorism charges. The defendants include more than 500 foreign women married to ISIS fighters.

World News

ISIS Wives, With Children In Tow, Are Handed Long Jail Sentences Or Death Penalty

7:01am June 09, 2018

by Jane Arraf

More than 500 foreign women are accused of being married to ISIS fighters and are standing trial in Iraq. The women have more than 1,100 young children. All face a perilous future.

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President Trump walks with Kim Yong Chol (left), top deputy to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, after their meeting at the White House on Friday.

Politics & Government

President Trump: Summit With Kim Jong Un Is On For June 12

5:08pm June 01, 2018

by Scott Horsley

President Trump says his summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is back on for June 12 in Singapore. The announcement follows a White House meeting with Kim's top deputy Kim Yong Chol.

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In this photo provided by the Iraqi government, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi (right) and Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr hold a press conference in Baghdad on May 20. Sadr's coalition won the largest number of seats in Iraq's parliamentary elections

World News

After Muqtada Al-Sadr's Surprise Win, Iraq's Political Leaders Try To Form Government

7:01am May 26, 2018

by Jane Arraf

Two weeks after parliamentary elections delivered a surprise win for allies of Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, Iraq's divided political leaders are scrambling to put together a coalition government.

World News

Iraq Works To Form New Government

5:46am May 23, 2018

by Jane Arraf

Former U.S. foe Muqtada al-Sadr appears to be the new face of reform in Iraq. The Shia cleric's bloc won the most votes in this month's parliamentary election.

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Muqtada Al-Sadr's Win In Iraq Is Dredging Up Tough Memories For Some U.S. Soldiers

4:57pm May 18, 2018

In 2004, Muqtada al-Sadr and his Mahdi Army fought ferociously against the U.S. in Iraq. Hundreds of U.S. soldiers lost their lives and many more were wounded. Now the Shiite cleric turned politician is celebrating his first election victory. NPR's Mary Louise Kelly speaks with Eric Bourquin and Peter Salerno, who both served in Iraq and fought Sadr, about their view on his win.

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Education

When Erbil Meets Boone: Appalachian State University Hosts Visitors From Kurdistan, Iraq

6:48am May 18, 2018

by David Ford

Over the last few decades, the United States' relationship with Iraq has been tense, to say the least.

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A pro-Palestinian protester raises her fist at a rally outside the U.S. Consulate General in Johannesburg on Tuesday. The South African demonstrators were just some of those who took to city streets to protest the killing of dozens of people along the Gaz

World News

After Gaza Killings, World Reacts With Wave Of Condemnations, Calls For Restraint

8:52pm May 15, 2018

by Colin Dwyer

The day after Israeli troops shot dozens dead during protests on the Gaza border, envoys traded barbs at the U.N., countries confronted ambassadors — and Guatemala readied an embassy move of its own.