Nouri al-Maliki

The World

Film traces how Nouri al-Maliki's treatment of Iraqi Sunnis helped ISIS get stronger

The rise of ISIS took many in the West and in the Middle East by surprise. How could this group manage to take over large swaths of territory both in Syria and in Iraq in such a short amount of time? A new documentary called "The Rise of ISIS" takes a look at the group's early days.

Film traces how Nouri al-Maliki's treatment of Iraqi Sunnis helped ISIS get stronger
Iraq's Shi'ite militia Asaib Ahl al-Haq

Iraq has a new prime minister, but its powerful militias might not care

Iraq has a new prime minister, but its powerful militias might not care
A Kurdish resident holds a signs during a demonstration in support of peshmerga troops in front of the US consulate in Erbil, Iraq.

War, politics and humanitarian disasters give Iraq a perfect storm of crises

War, politics and humanitarian disasters give Iraq a perfect storm of crises
Iraqi parliament

If you think the US Congress is deadlocked, just look at Iraq's Parliament

If you think the US Congress is deadlocked, just look at Iraq's Parliament
Mehdi Army fighters loyal to Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr receive training in Baghdad. Shiite fighters have helped boost the crumbling Iraqi army in the fight against ISIS

Iran walks a sectarian tightrope as it intervenes in Iraq

Iran walks a sectarian tightrope as it intervenes in Iraq
Shi'ite volunteers, who have joined the Iraqi army to fight against the predominantly Sunni militants from the radical Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), hold a sign during a graduation ceremony after completing their field training in Najaf, that re

Is US help for Iraq too little, too late?

The Obama administration is beginning to ramp up military support for the Iraqi government and for some Syrian rebel groups. Some experts reckon it's too little, too late. Michael Knights is an Iraq expert with the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.

Is US help for Iraq too little, too late?

These Disney princesses are being used to spread a distinctly serious message

Incest and child molestation are real issues around the world. After being confronted with it first hand, an anonymous Middle East artist decided to do something about it. That story and more in today's Global Scan.

These Disney princesses are being used to spread a distinctly serious message

The Kurds push for independence from Iraq, yet again

US Secretary of State John Kerry is urging Kurdish leaders in northern Iraq to continue to support a united Iraq. But they told him he must understand there's a new reality in the troubled country.

The Kurds push for independence from Iraq, yet again
A member of the Iraqi security forces stands watch over Shiite men who have volunteered to fight ISIS. While the Shiite militias have helped boost numbers in the fight against jihadis, their loyalty to the government of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki is qu

Baghdad is in danger as ISIS continues its 'clean sweep' across Iraq

ISIS and its Sunni allies have made major territorial gains in western Iraq, seizing almost all of Anbar, the country's largest province. Now they're turning their attention to Baghdad, where Secretary of State John Kerry arrived today to help boost the morale of the Iraqi government.

Baghdad is in danger as ISIS continues its 'clean sweep' across Iraq
Members of the Iraqi Special Operations Forces take part in an intensive security deployment in Baghdad's Amiriya district, June 18, 2014.

The fight against ISIS in Iraq is just beginning

Fighting raged across Iraq Wednesday, as government forces started to mount an offensive against Sunni extremists.

The fight against ISIS in Iraq is just beginning
Volunteers have joined the Iraqi security forces to fight against the predominantly Sunni militants from a radical Islamic group (ISIL) who've taken over parts of northern Iraq.

Iraq is 'back where it was' at height of the civil war

The sectarian violence in Iraq reminds many of the worst years of the Iraq civil war that took place amid the US occupation.

Iraq is 'back where it was' at height of the civil war
Kurdish security forces in Iraq detain a man suspected of being a militant belonging to the al-Qaeda-linked Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS), June 16, 2014. Iraq's Shiite rulers defied Western calls to reach out to Sunnis to defuse the ISIS uprising

The US and Iran could work together in Iraq to counter the ISIS insurgency

As the crisis mounts in Iraq, the US and Iran have the opportunity to put aside their differences and work together to counter a Sunni Islamist insurgency.

The US and Iran could work together in Iraq to counter the ISIS insurgency

Iraq threatens to make the Middle East into a vast terrorist training ground

The battle for Iraq, between Sunni militant groups and Shiite-dominated government forces, is not just about Iraq. Journalist Dexter Filkins says its could engulf much of the Middle East and create another terrorism sanctuary, similar to Afghanistan before 9/11.

Iraq threatens to make the Middle East into a vast terrorist training ground
Mehdi Army fighters loyal to Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr march during a military-style training in the holy city of Najaf, June 16, 2014.

Sunni Muslims in Iraq are caught between violent militants and violent government troops

The Sunni militants who've rampaged through parts of Iraq have reportedly executed many Shiites in Iraq's army. In territories conquered by the militants, Sunnis wonder if they will be the ones to suffer for this violence if Iraq's army recaptures their towns.

Sunni Muslims in Iraq are caught between violent militants and violent government troops

Poachers have killed the world's largest elephant — for his sweeping tusks

One of the largest living elephants was killed by poachers recently, a blow to Kenyans who had come to greatly respect the elephant for his cunning, in addition to his stature. That and more in today's Global Scan.

Poachers have killed the world's largest elephant — for his sweeping tusks