Burke Chair on Iraq War - Related In the News

Tony in AP

nurwitz — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Analysts: Political Instability Fuels Iraq Blasts.

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 00:00:00 -0400

For a second day in a row, suicide bombers managed to inflict major carnage in Iraq. Two attackers blew themselves apart Friday at the gates of a Shiite Muslim shrine in Baghdad, killing at least 60 people and injuring at least 125 more.[. . .]

As al-Qaida has lost its ability to control territory, it has turned to high-profile attacks that can be used for fund-raising and recruitment among Muslim radicals, says Anthony Cordesman, a scholar at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D.C.

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Bush Keeping Iraq Troop Levels Mostly Steady.

Tue, 09 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0400

President Bush on Tuesday plans to order 8,000 more combat and support troops out of Iraq by February, a measured drawdown that will leave nearly the same level of U.S. forces in the war zone for the rest of the year. [. . .]

Anthony Cordesman, an Iraq expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said the emerging plan reflects the concern of U.S. commanders: Rushing U.S. force reductions could lead to instability at a pivotal time for Iraqi political progress and preparedness of Iraqi forces.

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Now Basra Basks.

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0400

When asked about the militias that until a few months ago controlled Basra, a young Iraqi soldier stamps his boot to the ground as if crushing a beetle. Clearly feeling confident in his camouflage uniform and red beret, he then swishes his hand as if it were an axe to chop at his legs. [. . .]

The elections are supposed to take place in October, but Iraq's parliament has not yet passed the required legislation. Analysts say a motive behind Mr Maliki's decision to launch Charge of the Knights was to discredit and reduce the power of the Sadrists ahead of the elections. But attempting to marginalise the movement could be risky. "If Sadr is excluded from Iraq's political process, feels the process is unfair, or chooses to mix politics with violence, the JAM [Mahdi army] could again become a major threat," analysts at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies wrote in a report last month.

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Iraqi Forces Starting to Lead but Need U.S. Aid.

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0400

The Iraqi battalion leader huddled over the map with his American advisers, showing them how he planned to surround a Sunni enclave where al-Qaida militants were believed hiding. [. . .]

Anthony Cordesman of the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies warns against exaggerating the Iraqi troops' progress, citing serious ethnic and sectarian tensions and a shortage of experienced officers.

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Analysis: Iraq Troop Deal Could Affect U.S. Presidential Race.

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0400

A U.S. agreement on a timeline to pull troops from Iraq could erode some of Democrat Barack Obama's appeal as the anti-war presidential candidate.[. . .]

If a timetable for the United States to leave is announced soon, both campaigns are likely to claim it shows they had good instincts in foreign affairs, said Anthony Cordesman of the Center for Strategic and International Studies.