MECRA
Salah al-Din Villagers: Our lives are worse now under Shia militia control than during ISIS Era.
By MECRA RESEARCHER in IRAQ The following is the combined testimony of a number of individuals resident in the vicinity of Farhatiya...
top of page
MECRA RESEARCH BLOG
The MECRA research blog is composed of short articles and may include outside contributions. The views expressed in these blogs and articles are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the Middle East Center for Reporting and Analysis editorial stance.
Search
MECRA
Oct 5, 202022 min read
Rockets fired at Erbil, Iraq: Residents of Nineveh discuss unprecedented attack; context of Iran
Figure 1: Rocket fire from Sheikh Amir targets Erbil By SETH J. FRANTZMAN, JONATHAN SPYER and MECRA Iraq researchers* On September 30 six...
MECRA
Sep 13, 20207 min read
Iraq’s Shia Militia Death Squads target Iraqi activists and demonstrators: Three Testimonies
Date: 8th September, 2020 Tahsin Osamah Al-Shahmani, a prominent political activist, was shot dead on August 14, 2020, in the Jeneina...
MECRA
Sep 11, 202010 min read
The last mission: Anti-ISIS Coalition spokesperson Col. Caggins say farewell after success
The last mission: Anti-ISIS Coalition spokesperson Col.Myles B Caggins III says farewell to the region after exceptional success By...
MECRA
Jul 19, 202015 min read
Iran-US and Iran-Israel tensions July-Sept 2020
For our last installment (June 4 to July 19) see this link. July 19 Zarif's visit to Iraq part of strategic work. Iran-China document....
MECRA
Jun 26, 20207 min read
What is known about raids on Iranian-backed groups in Baghdad: Documents and background
By SETH J. FRANTZMAN On the night of June 25-26 Iraqi security forces raided an Iranian-backed group. This is an unprecedented incident...
MECRA
Jun 11, 20206 min read
Iraqi officials differing views on security reform and rooting out corruption in security forces
Major-General Yahya Rasoul, Spokesman of the Iraqi Security Forces “In 2014 it was a retrogression for Iraqi army, but we learnt from all...
MECRA
May 3, 202010 min read
Iran-US tensions May 2020
For the previous edition of our coverage of US-Iran tensions daily updates, see this link March 22-May 1, 2020. May 1 Rocket fire from...
MECRA
Apr 28, 20205 min read
Iraq: Interview with Iraqi MP from Asaib Ahl al-Haq, deputy of Sadikoun bloc
Kinani: If the foreign forces remained in Iraqi despite Iraq government order for them to withdraw - there will be another language for...
MECRA
Apr 28, 20208 min read
Could a shakeup in Iraq's PMU (Hashd al-Sha'abi) lead to greater divisions in Iraq?
By SETH J. FRANTZMAN and MECRA STAFF Iraq's powerful Popular Mobilization Units (Hashd al-Sha'abi) are in the midst of a struggle over...
MECRA
Mar 29, 20204 min read
The US-led Coalition has now left three bases in Iraq: Qaim, Q-West and K-1
By SETH J. FRANTZMAN The US-led Coalition handed over an area of K-1 Air Base on Sunday, the third post in a week handed over to Iraqi...
MECRA
Mar 28, 20208 min read
New tensions in Iraq: The Coalition, the Pentagon, Kataib Hezbollah and Tehran
The US and Iran are preparing for a new round in Iraq.
MECRA
Mar 27, 20203 min read
Coronavirus in the Middle East DAILY updates by MECRA
Since the last edition (March 21-26) and the March 11 of the Middle East Coronavirus Daily Update (MECDU) we have seen major rises in the...
MECRA
Mar 23, 202017 min read
US-Iran and Iran-Israel tensions March 22 and beyond
Read our previous installment March 12-21, 2020 of the daily updates of US-Iran tensions at this link. March 22 A look at the satellite...
MECRA
Mar 21, 20209 min read
Coronavirus in the Middle East: Daily updates part IV: From March 21
Coronavirus threatens the Middle East
MECRA
Mar 17, 202011 min read
Who is Adnan Zarfi (Zurufi), the new Iraqi PM designate: Sources, background and current events
Compiled by Seth J. Frantzman Who is Adnan al-Zarfi (Zurufi عدنان الزرفي), the man tasked with forming yet another Iraqi government on...
MECRA
Mar 13, 20201 min read
Mapping the US retaliation for the Camp Taji attack March 11-13
March 11 7:35pm (Baghdad time): Rockets strike Camp Taji, Iraq. 8:26pm (Baghdad time) Iraqi security forces release images of the truck...
MECRA
Mar 12, 202013 min read
US-Iran and Iran-Israel tensions daily updates March 12 and beyond
Coronavirus threatens the Middle East
MECRA
Mar 11, 20205 min read
An attack on US-led Coalition at Camp Taji, March 11, 2020: Escalation and questions of deterrence
By SETH J. FRANTZMAN A rocket attack on Camp Taji Iraq on march 11 has killed Americans and has led to tensions in Iraq. CENTCOM says...
bottom of page