The Insider: Daily Terrorism Report
August 23 -- Hours after being freed by kidnappers who threatened to kill him, U.S. journalist Micah Garen said he hoped to stay in Iraq to continue working on a documentary project he'd started about the looting of archaeological sites, news wires report.
Meanwhile, U.S. forces Monday drew near Najaf's revered Shiite shrine news wires report, engaging in fierce battles with followers of radical cleric Muqtada al-Sadr as the military stepped up pressure on the insurgents to hand over the holy site to religious authorities.
And, the Republican chairman of the Senate intelligence committee said Sunday that he would propose legislation to break up the Central Intelligence Agency and divide its responsibilities among three new spy agencies.
IRAQ NEWS
Freed U.S. Reporter Hopes to Stay in Iraq
Hours after being freed by kidnappers who threatened to kill him, U.S. journalist Micah Garen said he hoped to stay in Iraq to continue working on a documentary project he'd started about the looting of archaeological sites. (AP)
Najaf Faces Fresh U.S. Attack
Large plumes of thick, black smoke have been seen rising close to a holy Shia shrine in the city of Najaf where militia fighters are holed up. (BBC)
U.S. Soldier Wants Abuse Trial Moved from Baghdad
A U.S. soldier at the center of the Iraqi prisoner abuse scandal asked at a hearing on Monday that his pending court martial be moved away from Baghdad, saying he had no chance of a fair trial there. (Reuters)
No End To the Violence In Najaf
The U.S. military clashed with forces of rebel cleric Muqtada Sadr as negotiations to end the standoff at one of Shiite Islam's most revered shrines remained stalled Sunday. (LA Times)
Pakistan, Malaysia Blast U.S. On Najaf
Protesters in Pakistan have demonstrated against the bombardment in Najaf, saying the US and its allies seek control of Iraqi resources, while Malaysia has called for attacks on the city to stop. (Al Jazeera)
Besieged Al-Sadr Keeps Grip On Shrine
Iraqi government claims that police had arrested hundreds of the radical cleric's fighters and taken over his headquarters in Najaf could have come from Saddam's Comical Ali. (Observer)
Iraqi Arms Scientists Killed Before They Talk
Anti-coalition forces have killed a prominent Iraqi chemical-weapons scientist whom U.S. investigators were questioning at Abu Ghraib prison, in an attempt to unravel the mysteries of Saddam Hussein's arsenal. (Washington Times)
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