Washington Post: In a reprise of their testimony last September, Army Gen. David H. Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker plan to tell Congress today and tomorrow that security has improved in Iraq and that the government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has taken steps toward political reconciliation and economic stability.
Congress to hear of gains in Iraq
Officials: Petraeus unlikely to recommend troop cuts
CNN: Pentagon officials told CNN on Monday they do not expect Gen. David Petraeus to recommend or predict additional U.S. troop cuts in Iraq when he testifies before Congress this week.
Hundreds flee fight in Shiite stronghold
AP: Hundreds of people fled fighting in Baghdad’s Shiite militia stronghold Monday as U.S. and Iraqi forces increased pressure on anti-American cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, who faces an ultimatum to either disband his Mahdi Army or give up politics.
The Petraeus effect
Wall Street Journal – REVIEW & OUTLOOK : As General David Petraeus briefs Congress this week on Iraq, it’s clear his surge has achieved remarkable results. The most crucial is that the U.S. can no longer be defeated militarily in Iraq, which could not be said a year ago. The question now is whether Washington will squander these gains by withdrawing so quickly that we could still lose politically.
Crackdown on militias may add to instability in Iraq
New York Times: A crackdown on the Mahdi Army militia is creating potentially destabilizing political and military tensions in Iraq, pitting a stronger government alliance against the force that has won past showdowns: the street power wielded by the radical cleric Moktada al-Sadr.
Next hot topic in U.S. campaign: The Iran question
Wall Street Journal: Iran might end up sharing center stage when Gen. David Petraeus and the U.S. ambassador to Iraq, Ryan Crocker, testify Tuesday before Senate panels featuring the three presidential candidates.
Hizbollah turns to Iran for new weapons to wage war on Israel
The Independent: The Shia “martyrs” of this hill village are normally killed in the dangerous, stony landscape of southern Lebanon, in Israeli air raids or invasions or attacks from the sea. The Hizbollah duly honours them. But the body of the latest Shia fighter to be buried here from the local Hashem family was flown back to Lebanon last month from Iran.
Major powers plan to meet on Iran in April
Reuters: The five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council and Germany plan to meet in April to discuss whether to sweeten incentives they have offered Iran to curb its nuclear program, U.S. officials said on Monday.
Major powers may meet on Iran in coming weeks: U.S.
Reuters: Senior diplomats of the five U.N. Security Council permanent members and Germany may meet in coming weeks to discuss Iran, which Washington suspects of pursuing nuclear arms, the State Department said on Monday.
Paris court dismisses libel case against Iran Focus
Iran Focus: Paris, Apr. 07 – The 17th branch of the Court of Paris ruled last Thursday in favour of Iran Focus in a lawsuit brought against it for allegedly publishing libel about a French national. The libel charges were brought by Alain Chevalérias on 21 February 2008 against the Iran Focus website.
