Defense bill recognizes Iraq's Kurdish, Sunni militias as a 'country' - Al-Monitor: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012

Julian Pecquet

Julian Pecquet

Apr 27, 2015

A Kurdish flag is seen as a member of the Kurdish Peshmerga forces stands guard at a security point on Bashiqa mountain, overlooking Islamic State held territories of Mosul, 12 km northeast of Mosul City, March 7, 2015. REUTERS/Asmaa Waguih (IRAQ - Tags: POLITICS MILITARY CONFLICT TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) - RTR4SF4S — A Kurdish flag is seen as a member of the Kurdish peshmerga forces stands guard at a security point on Bashiqa Mountain, overlooking Islamic State-held territories of Mosul, 12 kilometers (7 miles) northeast of Mosul City, March 7, 2015. — REUTERS/Asmaa Waguih

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 3: Chairman Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-TX) listens to Defense Undersecretary for Policy Christine Wormuth and Army Gen. Lloyd Austin, commander of the U.S. Central Command testify during the House Armed Services Full Committee hearing on "The President's Proposed Authorization for Use of Military Force Against ISIL and U.S. Policy, Strategy, and Posture in the Greater Middle East" in the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill on March 3, 2015 in Washington, D.C. President Obama i

Congress decides Iraqi Kurds, Sunnis aren't countries after all

Julian Pecquet

Congress takes first step on Iran sanctions

Julian Pecquet

Iraq's Defence Minister Khaled al-Obeidi sits in a F-16 fighter jet, during an official ceremony to receive four of these aircrafts from the U.S., at a military base in Balad, Iraq, July 20, 2015. REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani - RTX1L2B3

Lobbying 2015: Iraq turns to US to keep country together

Julian Pecquet

U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter (L) and Joint Chiefs Chairman Marine Corps Gen. Joseph Dunford Jr., testify before a House Armed Services Committee hearing on "U.S. Strategy for Syria and Iraq and its Implications for the Region." in Washington December 1, 2015. REUTERS/Gary Cameron - RTX1WOT9

US threatens to bypass Baghdad, arm Sunnis against IS

Julian Pecquet