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Namo Abdulla

Namo Abdulla joined VOA’s Extremism Watch Desk in 2020. As a graduate of Columbia Journalism School, he has contributed to multiple news organizations, including the New York Times, Reuters and Aljazeera English. Prior to joining VOA, Abdulla was the State Department correspondent for Rudaw TV, an Iraqi Kurdish news network.

Produced by Namo Abdulla

July 28, 2020
Turkish Military Sees Opportunity in Vulnerable and War-Torn Places

Many worry that Turkish President Erdogan might be pursuing imperial ambitions in the Middle East and Africa
July 16, 2020
US, Allies Fear Lifting of Arms Embargo Could Embolden Iran, Its Proxies

Arms embargo on Iran is set expire in October and that could mean a proliferation of weapons in hands of Iran’s proxies in Middle East
July 08, 2020
Iran-linked Militia Accused of Killing Key Iraqi Researcher

Leaders of Iraq’s ethnic and religious components call for justice as more evidence surfaces against Iran-backed group in the killing of a prominent analyst
July 02, 2020
Turkish Drone Strike Leaves Civilian Casualties

Recent Turkish drone strike hit a convenience store in northern Iraqi Kurdistan, leaving women and children wounded
July 01, 2020
Release of Pro-Iran Militants Signals Governance Challenge in Iraq, Experts Say

Pro-Iran Shiite militias, nominally part of Iraq’s security system, call country’s premier a 'monster' who works for the Americans and vow to defy his orders
June 27, 2020
UN Warns of Risk to Civilians in Libya

A United Nations envoy says it is time for the US to take a more active diplomatic role in Libya, describing the country as important to US national security
June 23, 2020
US-backed Syrian Forces Say US Sanctions Hurting Them

Kurd-led SDF forces say they need further financial support to be able to weather the latest round of US sanctions designed to change the behavior of the Assad regime
June 19, 2020
Iraqi Religious Minority Worried About Turkey Assault

Turkish assault reignites fears among members of the Yazidi religious minority trying to rebuild their destroyed areas
June 16, 2020
New Poll: Iran Losing Support of Majority in Iraq

The US is viewed more favorably than its enemy Iran in the war-torn country
June 10, 2020
US General: Killing of Soleimani Has Deterred Iran

Iran and its proxies have launched fewer attacks on US interests this year, US official says
June 06, 2020
Islamic State Deadlier Than COVID-19 in Parts of Iraq

It's true particularly in northern provinces disputed between the central government in Baghdad and the Kurdistan Regional Government in Irbil, local government officials say
May 22, 2020
Iraq’s New PM Was Once Critical of Country Seen as ‘Iran’s Backyard’

Mustafa al-Kadhimi’s election this month was welcomed by both the United States and Iran, raising questions about whether the new leader could maintain what appear to be mutually exclusive relations
May 21, 2020
Journalists Jailed Covering Kurdish Protests

Kurdish authorities are using pandemic and protest law to prevent coverage of unrest, rights groups say
May 15, 2020
Report: Former al-Qaida Syria Branch Should Be Included in Cease-Fire

It’s too entrenched to be defeated militarily without killing a large number of civilians, report finds
May 13, 2020
Activists: Iraq’s Kurdish Region Becomes Less Safe for Iranian Dissidents

Some experts view growing violence as sign of Iran’s increasing sway
April 29, 2020
Oil Prices, Budget Dispute in Iraq Could Undermine Anti-IS Efforts

Tensions between the Iraqi government and the autonomous Kurdistan Regional Government in the north over oil have escalated, prompting officials to call on the international community for mediation

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