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Protesters in Iraq and Lebanon demand accountability

Demonstrations in Iraq and Lebanon may signal new round of "Arab Springs"; Will Saudi capture of Khobar towers mastermind affect US policy toward Iran?
People shout slogans during a demonstration against corruption, poor services and power cuts in Baghdad, Iraq, August 21, 2015.  REUTERS/Ahmed Saad - RTX1P4DI

The return of the Iraqi street

Ali Mamouri writes this week, “The July 16 killing of Muntazar al-Hilfi by police in al-Madina, north of Basra, during a protest for improved services was redolent of the death of Tunisian Mohamed Bouazizi on Jan. 4, 2011.” Al-Hilfi’s killing energized anti-corruption protests in central and southern Iraq, which have continued in some form until now.

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