Charles Recknagel

World: Top Leaders And Thinkers At Davos Debate Western-Islamic Divide

The West and the Islamic world are each taking a new interest in what the other thinks, as issues ranging from globalization to terrorism emphasize the close links between their futures. At the ongoing World Economic Forum, an annual gathering of top world leaders and thinkers, the topic received close scrutiny in a roundtable bringing together such diverse figures as Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, and former Saudi Intelligence Service head Prince Turki al-Faisal al-Saud.

Iraq: Wave Of Speculation Strengthens New Dinar Against Dollar

Iraq's new post-Hussein dinar has been posting record highs against the U.S. dollar. The new currency appears to be riding a wave of speculative fever as investors buy up bulk amounts today in hopes the value of the new money will keep rising and they can sell the notes at profit later. But is there any reason to believe that gamble will pay off?

Iraq: U.S. Slows Once-Ambitious Plans To Restructure National Economy

The success of any transformation of Iraq into a more democratic state depends in large part on moving from a centralized economy to a market system. But several initiatives originally planned for the U.S. occupation period -- such as privatization and price liberalization -- have had to be modified or put on hold due to concerns over Iraq's political stability.

Iraq: First Japanese Troops Arrive On Reconstruction Mission

Japan deployed an advance team to southeastern Iraq today as it prepares to send up to 600 soldiers to the country by late March. The troops, the first dispatched by Tokyo to a hostile region since World War II, are to support reconstruction and humanitarian projects.

Iraq: U.S. Says Anti-Coalition Attacks Have Decreased, But Why?

U.S. officials say attacks on U.S. forces have declined in the wake of the capture of Saddam Hussein. But it remains unclear whether the former Iraqi leader's arrest last month marked a turning point in the fight against insurgents or merely brings a lull while anti-U.S. forces regroup. RFE/RL spoke with military analysts about the security situation.

Iraq: Companies Vie For Reconstruction Contracts At Regional Fairs

U.S. officials in charge of reconstructing Iraq have just concluded a conference in Jordan attended by hundreds of foreign and Iraqi businessmen intent on winning contracts. RFE/RL correspondent Charles Recknagel reports that the three-day conference emphasized opportunities in Iraq as the U.S. prepares to spend some $18 billion on reconstruction projects in the next few years.

Ayatollah Al-Sistani Moves From Religious To Political Role

A call for early elections in Iraq by one of the country's most influential Shi'a leaders, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, is complicating Washington's plans for transferring power to a sovereign Iraqi government by the end of June. But al-Sistani himself remains a mysterious figure for U.S. officials, refusing to speak directly with them and communicating with them only through intermediaries. RFE/RL looks at the cleric's role in post-Hussein Iraq and why he appears to be growing more powerful with time.

Iraq: Washington Urges Kurdish Compromise

Washington is reported to be urging Iraqi Kurdish leaders to compromise on their demands for a fully autonomous state in the north of the country and aspirations to control revenues from the oil-rich region of Kirkuk. The U.S. message comes as the Kurdish initiatives are causing increasing tensions in Iraq in the run-up to Washington's handover of political power to a sovereign government at the end of June.

Iran: Relief Worker Says Situation In Bam Is 'Appalling'

Prague, 8 January 2004 (RFE/RL) -- Two weeks after an earthquake destroyed Iran's southeastern city of Bam, killing at least 30,000 people, relief workers face the massive task of housing survivors in tent encampments until the city can be rebuilt. Brendan Paddy, a spokesman for the international charity Save the Children, is in Bam helping to distribute blankets and stoves to homeless residents and to provide for needy children. Paddy spoke today from Bam with RFE/RL. The interview coincides with an expected appeal from the UN today to raise hundreds of millions of dollars to help with the reconstruction of the city.

Iraq: Soldiers' Deaths Focus Attention On Problems With Army

Two former Iraqi soldiers were shot dead yesterday in Al-Basrah by Iraqi police while demonstrating for back payment of wages. The deaths come at the same time U.S. and Iraqi officials in Baghdad attended a graduation ceremony for rehired soldiers who have completed training as part of the new Iraqi Army. RFE/RL looks at the mixed record of success that has characterized the coalition's strategy of disbanding deposed President Saddam Hussein's huge former army to pave the way for a smaller force loyal to the new Iraqi government.

Iraq: Kurds Press For Substantial Autonomy Within A New Federalist System

Tensions are rising as Iraqi Kurds press their demands for substantial autonomy within a new federal Iraqi state. The demands have sparked deadly confrontations in Kirkuk between Kurdish police and Arab and Turkoman demonstrators demanding the city remain under the control of Baghdad. At the same time, the prospect of an autonomous Iraqi Kurdistan is raising objections from Syria and Turkey, which warn it would increase regional instability.

Iraq: Blair Visits Al-Basrah As British Public Turns Attention To Domestic Issues

British Prime Minister Tony Blair yesterday made his second visit to post-Saddam Hussein Iraq, telling British soldiers in Al-Basrah that they are helping make the world safe from terrorism, weapons of mass destruction, and brutal regimes. Blair has staked his political career on backing the U.S. strategy in Iraq in the face of fierce opposition at home. Will his new visit to Iraq give him a boost?

Georgia: Saakashvili Faces No Serious Opposition In Presidential Vote

Georgia holds presidential elections on Sunday (4 January). Leading candidate Mikheil Saakashvili appears to face no major opponents as he follows up his success in leading Georgia's "Revolution of the Roses," which ousted veteran President Eduard Shevardnadze in November.

Iraq: U.S. Forces Step Up Arrests Of Insurgents In Wake Of Hussein Capture

U.S.: Government Raises Terrorism Alert To Second-Highest Level, Citing Security Threats

Middle East: Sharon Issues Separation Ultimatum To Palestinians

EU: International Migrants Day Finds Europe Looking At Tougher Asylum Rules

Iraq: Europe, Washington At Odds Over Possible Death Sentence For Hussein

Iraq: Will Hussein's Capture Clear Up Confusion About Alleged WMD?

Iraq: Hussein's Capture Not Likely To End Attacks On U.S., Allied Targets