Irbil, Iraq News

A senior Iranian lawmaker said Thursday the United States should not expect the release anytime soon of three American hikers detained by his country since July.

I can't believe I am writing this while Iranian tyrants are brutally suppressing a revolt by the Iranian people ... and only days after the Obama administration made a fiasco of a terrorist attack that nearly killed 289 people.

Iran's extremist rulers don't scruple at persecuting innocent people - particularly foreigners - to advance narrow political aims.

Turmoil reveals Iraqi reliance on US By Abeer Mohammed and Neil Arun BAGHDAD and IRBIL - Iraq's extended dependence on American influence was laid bare last week by massive bombings and by a breakthrough in a political battle over planned elections.

Former Postville, Iowa, worker Marvin Perez-Gomez shows off one of his favorite T-shirts that he found in used clothing the family sells from their home in Guatemala.

This file image made from a July 29, 2009 video released by Shon Meckfessel and the families of Shane Bauer, Sarah Shourd and Josh Fattal, shows Fattal rapping about the weather in the Kurdish city of Irbil, Iraq.

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates says Iraqi Arab and Kurdish leaders have made progress in recent weeks toward resolving their differences over power sharing and the status of the city of Kirkuk.

U.S. Defence Secretary Robert Gates told American troops Friday in this oil-rich northern city that their mission in Iraq remains critical despite the nation's focus on Afghanistan and that plans are on track to reduce forces next year.

WAM Irbil, 10th Dec. 2009 -- UAE Ambassador to Iraq Abdullah Al Shihi delivered yesterday a message The Prime Minister of Iraq's Kurdistan region, Dr.

Iraqi politicians have reached an agreement on a new version of a stalled electoral law, paving the way for elections early next year, Khalid al-Attiya, the deputy speaker of parliament, has said.

Ahmet Davutoglu, Turkey's foreign minister, is credited as the driving force behind the decision to embrace its neighbours in trade.

The famous Lebanese artist Najwa Karam will be hosting two live concerts in Northern Iraq in the cities of 'Irbil and Al Sulaimanyah' on the 3rd and 4th of December 2009.

IRBIL, Iraq -- Iraq's Kurdish parties have announced the creation of a new Kurdish political bloc ahead of the January general election, RFE/RL's Radio Free Iraq reported.

Date : Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:41:48 +0400 TURKEY'S IDENTITY CRISIS: WHERE IS ANKARA HEADING? Khaleej Times Nov 13 2009 UAE 13 November 2009 There have been many questions raised in recent months regarding Turkey's position on a number of issues which have been viewed in the West, particularly in Washington, with trepidation.

Page 1 of 2 The rise of Rimland? By Robert M Cutler MONTREAL - Recent energy and other developments in Southwest Asia, particularly involving Turkey, Iran and Iraq, sketch the outline of an imminent reorganization of international relations in the region.

This undated file photo, released by freethehikers.org, Aug. 20, 2009, shows Americans Shane Bauer, left, and Sarah Shourd.

Iraqi Kurdish leader Masoud Barzani says the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party must make dramatic changes if it doesn't want to be rejected by the masses of Kurdish people.

MAKHMOUR, Iraq: Fifteen years after they were driven out by bloodshed, thousands of Kurdish refugees living in a camp in northern Iraq dream of returning to Turkey, but say they will not move unless Ankara grants extensive political and cultural rights to Kurds.

NO SALES This image made from a July 29, 2009 video released Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2009 by Shon Meckfessel and the families of Shane Bauer, Sarah Shourd and Josh Fattal, shows Shourd dancing in an unfinished cinder block building in the Kurdish city of Irbil, Iraq.

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and State Minister for foreign trade Zafer Caglayan will travel to Iraq on Friday.