Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

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In this December 13, 2009 file photo, Iraqi laborers work at the Rumaila oil refinery, near the city of Basra. (AP Photo/Nabil Al-Jurani)

Iraq must end dependence on oil—former planning minister

by Hamza Mustafa | Apr 16, 2014 | Business

Baghdad, Asharq Al-Awsat—Iraq’s economy must diversify to reduce its decades-long reliance on oil as the main contributor to its GDP, said the country’s former planning minister, despite a recent uptick in oil production leading to expectations that OPEC’s...

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A photo from July 18, 2003 shows a general view of part of the Abu Ghraib prison in Baghdad, Iraq (AFP PHOTO/STAN HONDA)

Iraq closes Abu Ghraib prison amid security fears

by Hamza Mustafa | Apr 16, 2014 | Middle East

Baghdad, Asharq Al-Awsat—Iraq announced on Tuesday that it has closed the infamous Abu Ghraib prison, amid security concerns following the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) gained control of a strategically important dam on the Euphrates River south of Fallujah...

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Iraqi Shi’ite fighters salute to the shrine of Sayeda Zeinab, the granddaughter of Prophet Mohammad, in Sayeda Zainab area in Damascus on May 25, 2013. (Reuters/Alaa Al-Marjani)

Assad’s Unofficial Iraqis

by Hamza Mustafa | Apr 14, 2014 | Features

Baghdad, Asharq Al-Awsat—Much attention has been given to the involvement of Lebanese fighters from Hezbollah in the fighting in Syria, understandably so given their fierce reputation and role as the vanguard of recent government offensives in the Qalamoun region....

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An Iraqi employee of a printing house puts together campaign posters showing former Baghdad governor Salah Abdul Razzaq and Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki (R) on March 31, 2014 in the Iraqi capital, ahead of a general election due to be held on April 30. (AFP PHOTO/AHMAD AL-RUBAYE)

Iraqi parties dispute “political majority government” slogan

by Hamza Mustafa | Apr 12, 2014 | Middle East

Baghdad, Asharq Al-Awsat—A political adviser to Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri Al-Maliki reiterated his State of Law coalition’s controversial campaign slogan that it will seek a “political majority government” in legislative elections on April 30. In...

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Iraqi men move a boat that was stuck on the banks of the Euphrates river in Twairij, roughly 20 kilometres east of Karbala, due to a decline in the water level after supplies were blocked by anti-government fighters who control access to a dam further upstream in conflict-hit Anbar province on April 8, 2014. (AFP PHOTO / MOHAMMED SAWAF)

Anbar tribal leader: Iraqi Army not doing enough to stop extremism in province

by Hamza Mustafa | Apr 10, 2014 | Middle East

Baghdad, Asharq Al-Awsat—Iraq’s Prime Minister Nuri Al-Maliki vowed to defeat militants in Anbar province on Wednesday, despite criticism from tribal leaders that Iraqi security forces were failing to prevent attacks. Faris Ibrahim, a member of the pro-government...