Pact Strengthens but Imperils Maliki

Thursday's narrow victory for the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) in Iraq's Parliament has put Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki in a position of increased power. The Prime Minister has used the US military presence to enhance his own power, and has used President...

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War in Iraq Ending for International Forces

With the expiration of the United Nations mandate at the end of December, 13 of the 19 nations that still have military commitments to Iraq are set to bring them to an end by the end of the year. A farewell ceremony for Bosnia's 86 soldiers is scheduled for Saturday,...

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Iraq’s Status of Forces Agreement Narrowly Passed

Numerous vote delays to allow time for extra politicking, a deal for a referendum next year to placate the major Sunni bloc (the Iraqi Accord Front), and last minute endorsements from the IAF, the National Dialogue bloc, and the Iraqi Communist Party seem like a...

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Delay May Lead to Iraq Referendum on US Troops

The Iraqi government continues to scramble to get ready for tomorrow's talks on the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) and tentatively the vote (though it has already been delayed twice this week). It is now being reported that the government has agreed on a demand by...

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Iraq Delays Pact Vote

As heated debate gives way to last minute negotiations, the Iraqi Parliament has delayed today's anticipated vote on the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) with the United States until at least tomorrow. No official explanation was given for the delay, but Iraqi Prime...

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Maliki Struggles to Assure Neighbors on Pact

The Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) between Iraq and the United States is scheduled for a vote tomorrow in the Iraqi Parliament, and while Maliki tries to shore up domestic support, he also faces growing concern among Iraq's neighbors about the prospect that the...

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Bush Mum on Loose Interpretation of Iraq Pact

With Iraq's vote on the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) with the United States less than 24 hours away. Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is doing everything he can to shore up support for the floundering deal, which many in the Iraqi government see as a great victory...

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Opposition Grows as Iraq Pact Vote Looms

The Iraqi Parliament is scheduled to vote on the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) with the United States sometime tomorrow, but before that happens aides to Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki are holding a last ditch round of press conferences to shore up support...

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