-
Iraq investigates cross-border raids
Published: May 9, 2008 at 7:26 PM
RAMADI, Iraq, May 9 (UPI) -- Iraq called on Damascus to examine the deaths in Anbar province of 13 police allegedly killed by foreign fighters entering the country from Syria. -
Iranian weapons causing Iraqi rift
Published: May 9, 2008 at 7:25 PM
BAGHDAD, May 9 (UPI) -- The decision by the Iraqi government to launch an investigation into Iranian weapons in the country raises questions about political motives. -
Saudis solicit bid for Iraqi border fence
Published: May 9, 2008 at 7:23 PM
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, May 9 (UPI) -- Scholars in Saudi Arabia warned against extremist ideologies urging men to enter Iraq to join the insurgency while officials solicit bids for a border fence.
-
Iraq Press Roundup
Published: May 9, 2008 at 7:59 PM
By HIBA DAWOOD
UPI Correspondent
The Kurdish Al Ahali newspaper Friday carried an editorial with the title "Between the official delegations to Iran and the statements from the government's spokesman," by Heval Zakhori. -
Dogs of War: Inherently governmental?
Published: May 9, 2008 at 12:03 PM
By DAVID ISENBERG
WASHINGTON, May 9 (UPI) -- Amid all the polemics over the use of private military and security contractors by the U.S. government there are two words one rarely sees, but they lie at the very heart of the debate: "inherently governmental." -
Iraq Press Roundup
Published: May 9, 2008 at 11:28 AM
By HIBA DAWOOD
UPI Correspondent
The Sunni Al Mashriq newspaper said Thursday in an editorial titled "The killing of 15 women" that the problem any militia in the world faces is that no matter how politically professional, organized and ideologically mature they are, they still might be accepted by one country and rejected by another. -
Analysis: Border force seeks recognition
Published: May 9, 2008 at 11:21 AM
By KUSHAL JEENA
UPI Correspondent
NEW DELHI, May 9 (UPI) -- An Indian police force that guards the Indo-Tibetan border wants the federal Interior Ministry to give it the same status as other paramilitary security forces. -
Atlantic Eye: Hardly a done deal
Published: May 8, 2008 at 2:08 PM
By MARC S. ELLENBOGEN
UPI International Columnist
PRAGUE, Czech Republic, May 8 (UPI) -- Most Europeans see the U.S. presidential election as a done deal. They are quite surprised. They were convinced that Sen. Hillary Clinton was the sure thing. Now, and they are confused, they are expecting the inevitable: Sen. John McCain as president. -
Iraq Press Roundup
Published: May 7, 2008 at 3:29 PM
By HIBA DAWOOD
UPI Correspondent
Shebab Al Iraq newspaper Wednesday carried an editorial with the headline "Who is responsible for the atrocities in Sadr City?"
Latest Headlines
Most Popular
- Poll: Everyday civility declining in Utah
- Elderly blind man bowls perfect 300
- Dog owners flock to Fashion Island
- Alaska officials blow up old fireworks
- Parking ticket paid 31 years late
- Fla. woman hurt in collision with pelican
- Bar manager gets revenge for tagging
- Zambrano goes pink for Mother's Day
Jane's: Iraq is 22nd most unstable country
Published: March 25, 2008 at 6:58 PM
WASHINGTON, March 25 (UPI) -- Despite extremely high levels of ongoing insurgent violence, Iraq is only the world's 22nd most unstable country, according to a new index from Jane's.
Jane's Country Risk Ratings assesses the stability of all 235 nations, territories and other political entities in the world on a special index. It ranks Gaza and the West Bank as the most unstable place on Earth, with Afghanistan and Haiti also in the Top 10. The other seven, including Sudan, Cote d'Ivoire, Chad and Somalia, are all in Africa.
"When you take into account the multiple factors that contribute to stability, Iraq rates better than some might expect," Christian Le Miere, managing editor for the service, said in a statement.
The index measures 24 factors across five fundamental categories -- political, social, economic, external and military and security, said the statement.
"Despite obvious problems, its government is relatively secure and maintains control over large areas of its territory, its economy is more or less resilient and the population remains relatively healthy," Le Miere said of Iraq.
Afghanistan's weak central government, unable to effectively control its territory, gets that country the third-most unstable ranking, despite the fact that it suffers from far less daily violence than Iraq. "Afghanistan's rampant drug production, with one half of Afghanistan's economy based on opium, lack of governmental monopoly of violence and prevalent availability of small arms all exacerbate the country's instability," said the statement.
The number of African nations topping the rankings was the result of "a variety of contributing risk factors that are common across much of the continent," said the statement, including artificial borders; poor governance and stunted economies; ethnic, linguistic and racial competition; historical and ongoing conflicts; and the widespread proliferation of small arms and light weapons.
The most stable entity is Vatican City, followed by Sweden, Luxembourg, Monaco, Gibraltar, San Marino, Lichtenstein and Britain.
The United States is the 22nd most stable, behind most of Europe and several of the Gulf states. "That may surprise some people, but the Gulf states have quite stable governments and strong economies due to their oil wealth," said Le Miere.
Jane's Country Risk Ratings assesses the stability of all 235 nations, territories and other political entities in the world on a special index. It ranks Gaza and the West Bank as the most unstable place on Earth, with Afghanistan and Haiti also in the Top 10. The other seven, including Sudan, Cote d'Ivoire, Chad and Somalia, are all in Africa.
"When you take into account the multiple factors that contribute to stability, Iraq rates better than some might expect," Christian Le Miere, managing editor for the service, said in a statement.
The index measures 24 factors across five fundamental categories -- political, social, economic, external and military and security, said the statement.
"Despite obvious problems, its government is relatively secure and maintains control over large areas of its territory, its economy is more or less resilient and the population remains relatively healthy," Le Miere said of Iraq.
Afghanistan's weak central government, unable to effectively control its territory, gets that country the third-most unstable ranking, despite the fact that it suffers from far less daily violence than Iraq. "Afghanistan's rampant drug production, with one half of Afghanistan's economy based on opium, lack of governmental monopoly of violence and prevalent availability of small arms all exacerbate the country's instability," said the statement.
The number of African nations topping the rankings was the result of "a variety of contributing risk factors that are common across much of the continent," said the statement, including artificial borders; poor governance and stunted economies; ethnic, linguistic and racial competition; historical and ongoing conflicts; and the widespread proliferation of small arms and light weapons.
The most stable entity is Vatican City, followed by Sweden, Luxembourg, Monaco, Gibraltar, San Marino, Lichtenstein and Britain.
The United States is the 22nd most stable, behind most of Europe and several of the Gulf states. "That may surprise some people, but the Gulf states have quite stable governments and strong economies due to their oil wealth," said Le Miere.
© 2008 United Press International. All Rights Reserved.
This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form.
This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form.
» Next in Emerging Threats - Briefing:
Policy threatens to radicalize groups