Clash in Karbala Hints of Complexity of Iraq’s Ongoing Internal Conflict

Clash in Karbala Hints of Complexity of Iraq’s Ongoing Internal Conflict

* Iraqi forces clashed with a militia following a local Shia cleric in Karbala, south of Baghdad. Prime Minister Maliki seems to be losing support even from his Shia backers. * Meanwhile fighting against ISIL continued in the north in several contested areas of...
Clash in Karbala Hints of Complexity of Iraq’s Ongoing Internal Conflict

France, Germany to Create Export-Savvy Land Forces Specialist

* France’s state-owned Nexter and Germany’s privately-owned Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) have announced [PDF] their intent to form a joint holding company. If this alliance (the word merger is studiously avoided) is completed as expected next year, the...
Clash in Karbala Hints of Complexity of Iraq’s Ongoing Internal Conflict

Germany’s Defense Efforts Fall Short of Recent, More Assertive Rhetoric

* Germany’s defense minister Ursula von der Leyen might think that “Russia has destroyed a massive amount of trust” and claim that her country “wants to take on more responsibility”, echoing recent declarations from the Germans. But in...