Politics

Once again, Iraq caught up in tensions between US and Iran

Published

7 years ago

May 17, 2019

BAGHDAD (AP) — When U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo sat down with Iraqi officials in Baghdad last week as tensions mounted between America and Iran, he delivered a nuanced message: If you’re not going to stand with us, stand aside.

The message, relayed to The Associated Press by two Iraqi government officials, underscores Iraq’s delicate position: Its government is allied with both sides of an increasingly contentious confrontation.

As tensions escalate, there are concerns that Baghdad could once again get caught in the middle, just as it is on the path to recovery. The country hosts more than 5,000 U.S. troops, and is home to powerful Iranian-backed militias, some of whom want those U.S. forces to leave.

“The big question is how Iraqi leaders will deal with (their) national interests in a country where loyalty to external powers is widespread at the expense of their own nation,” Iraqi political analyst Watheq al-Hashimi said. “If the state cannot put these (Iranian-backed militias) under control, Iraq will become an arena for an Iranian-American armed conflict.”

Despite a series of provocative moves on both sides, President Donald Trump has said he doesn’t want a war with Iran and has even said he is open to dialogue. But tension remains high, in part given the region’s fraught history.

For Iraq to be a theater for proxy wars is not new. The Shiite-majority country lies on the fault line between Shiite Iran and the mostly Sunni Arab world, led by powerhouse Saudi Arabia, and has long been a battlefield in which the Saudi-Iran rivalry for regional supremacy played out.

During America’s eight-year military presence that began with the 2003 invasion of Iraq, U.S. troops and Iranian-backed militiamen fought pitched battles around the country, and scores of U.S. troops were killed or wounded by the militia forces armed with sophisticated Iranian-made weapons.

American forces withdrew from Iraq in 2011 but returned in 2014 at the invitation of Iraq to help battle the Islamic State group after it seized vast areas in the north and west of the country, including Iraq’s second-largest city, Mosul. A U.S.-led coalition provided crucial air support as Iraqi forces regrouped and drove IS out in a costly three-year campaign. Iranian-backed militias fought alongside U.S.-backed Iraqi troops against IS, gaining outsized influence and power.

Now, amid an escalating conflict between the U.S. and Iran, Iraq is once again vulnerable to becoming caught up in the power play. An attack targeting U.S. interests in Iraq would be detrimental to the country’s recent efforts at recovering and reclaiming its status in the Arab world.

Earlier this year, Trump provoked outrage in Baghdad when he said he wanted U.S. troops to stay in Iraq so they can “watch Iran,” suggesting a changing mission for American troops there.

On May 8, Pompeo made a lightning, previously unannounced trip to the Iraqi capital following the abrupt cancellation of a visit to Germany, and as the United States had been picking up intelligence that Iran is threatening American interests in the Middle East.

The two Iraqi officials said Pompeo relayed intelligence information the U.S. had received about a threat to U.S. forces in Iraq — but kept it vague. They said he did not specify the nature of the threat. The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity to divulge confidential information, said Pompeo told the Iraqis that America did not expect them to side with the U.S. in any confrontation with Iran, but that they should not side against America. In other words, stand aside.

A few days later, as U.S.-Iranian tensions continued to rise, the State Department ordered all non-essential, non-emergency government staff to leave the country.

U.S. officials said Pompeo told the Iraqis the U.S. had an “inherent right to self-defense” and would use it if U.S. personnel, facilities or interests are attacked by Iran or its proxies in Iraq or anywhere else.

The three officials, who were not authorized to publicly discuss the private meetings in Baghdad and spoke on condition of anonymity, said Pompeo was not contemplating any pre-emptive strikes on Iran or the use of Iraqi territory to stage military operations against Iran. Pompeo’s message, the officials said, was that the U.S. wants to avoid conflict but would respond or defend itself if necessary.

The secretary told reporters on the flight that his meetings with Iraq’s president and prime minister were intended to demonstrate U.S. support for “a sovereign, independent” Iraq, free from the influence of neighboring Iran. Pompeo also said he wanted to underscore Iraq’s need to protect Americans in their country.

A general at Iraq’s Defense Ministry said Iraq was taking precautionary security measures in light of the information about threats against U.S. interests, although those measures have not reached the highest levels.

“Iraqi forces are worried that American forces could be targeted by factions loyal to Iran,” said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media. He added that any attack on U.S. troops could come as retaliation if the United States were to carry out a military operation against Iran.

The heightened tensions between Iran and the U.S. come a year after Trump pulled America out of Tehran’s nuclear deal with world powers and as the White House ordered an aircraft carrier and bombers into the region over a still-unexplained threat from Iran.

On Sunday, the United Arab Emirates alleged that four oil tankers off its eastern coast were targeted by sabotage. On Tuesday, Yemen’s Iran-allied Houthi rebels said they launched seven drones to target Saudi Arabia. The drones stuck pumping stations along the kingdom’s crucial East-West Pipeline, causing minor damage, Saudi officials say.

On the streets of Baghdad, some shrugged off the rising tensions while others worried their country could be sucked into another war.

Aqil Rubaei said he was worried that his country, which has been at war since a year before he was born, will be the place where the U.S. and Iran will settle their accounts. The 38-year-old was born in 1981, a year after Iran and Iraq began their eight-year war and was 9 years old when Saddam Hussein’s forces invaded Kuwait leading to a destructive war that forced Iraq out of Kuwait and 13 years of crippling sanctions.

In 2003, the U.S. invaded and removed Saddam, leading to the rise of extremist groups that culminated in 2014 with the Islamic State group capturing large parts of Iraq and Syria and declaring a so-called caliphate. The war that followed left entire Iraqi cities and towns destroyed until Iraq declared victory in 2017.

“Iraqi people are fed up with war,” said Rubaei inside his cosmetics shop in Baghdad’s bustling Karrada neighborhood. “We don’t want Iraq to become an arena for an Iranian-American war.”

Crimes and Courts

Florida Creates Public Assistance Fraud Task Force, Appoints Special Prosecutor to Crack Down on Fraud

Published

23 hours ago

April 15, 2026

FNN NEWS

Courtesy of the Office of the Attorney General

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FNN) — James Uthmeier announced the launch of the Public Assistance Fraud Task Force, a multi-agency initiative aimed at strengthening investigations and prosecutions of fraud involving taxpayer-funded benefit programs.

As part of the effort, Assistant Statewide Prosecutor Scott Strauss has been appointed as special prosecutor to oversee complex, multi-circuit fraud cases and coordinate legal strategies across agencies.

TASK FORCE TO TARGET FRAUD

The task force is designed to provide legal counsel and streamline criminal prosecutions for state agencies and law enforcement, enhancing Florida’s ability to build strong cases against individuals accused of fraud.

“We are launching this task force to bring accountability and prosecute those who are stealing from Floridians,” Uthmeier said. “Florida is not Minnesota or California, and we will safeguard the taxpayers’ investment in the services meant for the vulnerable.”

MULTI-AGENCY COLLABORATION

State leaders emphasized the importance of coordination across agencies to combat increasingly sophisticated fraud schemes.

“Under the leadership of Governor Ron DeSantis and Attorney General Uthmeier, Florida has continued to identify, address, and prevent fraud,” said Shevaun L. Harris, secretary of the Agency for Health Care Administration. “This multi-agency initiative creates an opportunity to collectively reaffirm that commitment.”

Brad McVay added that protecting taxpayer-funded programs is essential to maintaining public trust.

“Floridians deserve a government that safeguards their taxpayer dollars from fraudsters,” McVay said.

Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Mark Glass also stressed enforcement.

“If you commit fraud against public assistance programs, you will be held accountable,” Glass said.

ROLE OF SPECIAL PROSECUTOR

The special prosecutor will evaluate and oversee ongoing multi-circuit investigations, assist in developing cases for prosecution, and support law enforcement with legal tools such as warrants and affidavits.

Kathleen Von Hoene said the initiative will strengthen protections for vulnerable populations.

“Our goal is to protect the public, preserve the integrity of the Medicaid program, and safeguard the populations it serves,” she said.

PROGRAMS AND ENFORCEMENT

Florida’s public assistance programs include Medicaid, SNAP, WIC, housing assistance and reemployment services. Fraud involving these programs can result in criminal charges ranging from misdemeanors to felonies, with penalties including fines, restitution and incarceration.

Law enforcement agencies interested in participating in the task force can contact the Office of Statewide Prosecution for more information.

Florida

Former Property Appraiser Rick Singh Launches Clerk of Courts Bid, Passes on Mayor and CFO Races

Published

1 day ago

April 15, 2026

Willie David

Photo credit: The Honorable Rick Singh, who served two terms as Orange County Property Appraiser.

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — Rick Singh, a U.S. Army veteran, business leader and former Orange County property appraiser, has announced his candidacy for Orange County Clerk of Courts, outlining a platform focused on efficiency, modernization and improved customer service.

While some observers expected Singh to pursue higher-profile offices such as Orange County mayor, Florida chief financial officer or Congress, his decision to run for Clerk of Courts reflects a focus on operational leadership and improving local government services.

“I’m running to make government work faster, smarter and more efficiently for the people of Orange County,” Singh said. “Residents deserve a Clerk’s Office that is responsive, transparent and built for today’s needs.”

PLAN TO MODERNIZE AND IMPROVE SERVICES

Singh outlined several immediate priorities if elected, including upgrading technology and expanding digital access.

“We will modernize the system by reducing long lines, enhancing online services and making it easier for residents to access records, make payments and interact with the Clerk’s Office,” Singh said.

His plan includes improving website and mobile access, streamlining in-person services and reducing wait times for residents.

FOCUS ON EFFICIENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY

In addition to modernization, Singh said he will prioritize operational improvements and customer service reforms.

“We will overhaul customer service to prioritize speed, respect and accountability,” Singh said. “That includes auditing operations to eliminate delays and inefficiencies that frustrate residents.”

Singh emphasized that creating a more efficient and user-friendly experience will be a top priority from day one.

EXPERIENCE, INNOVATION AND COMPETITIVE FIELD

During his tenure as property appraiser, Singh led the office with the scope and visibility of a countywide constitutional role, implementing reforms that improved transparency, accuracy and efficiency.

His annual “State of Orange County Real Estate” events drew thousands of attendees, including elected officials, real estate professionals, financial leaders and community stakeholders, positioning the office as a key platform for economic insight and public engagement.

Supporters point to Singh’s track record of innovation — including modernizing systems and improving operational performance — as a model for how he would lead the Clerk of Courts office.

“I’ve led a large countywide office and delivered results,” Singh said. “I’m ready to bring that same level of leadership, innovation and accountability to the Clerk of Courts.”

His entry into the race adds to an already competitive field that includes Maribel Gomez Cordero, a current county commissioner and former vice mayor, and Emily Bonilla, a former commissioner and vice mayor, both of whom bring experience in local government leadership and community engagement.

Central Florida News

Nick Nesta Wins Apopka Mayor Runoff in Landslide, Defeats Christine Moore

Published

2 days ago

April 14, 2026

Willie David

APOPKA, Fla. (FNN) — Apopka voters have elected Nick Nesta as the city’s next mayor following a decisive runoff victory over Christine Moore.

Nesta, a current Apopka city commissioner, secured 61.94% of the vote, defeating Moore, who received 38.06%, according to unofficial results with all precincts reporting. Voter turnout was approximately 20%, based on data from the Orange County Supervisor of Elections.

LANDSLIDE RUNOFF VICTORY

Nesta’s win marks a significant political shift in the city of about 60,000 residents in northwest Orange County. The two candidates advanced to the runoff after emerging as the top vote-getters in the initial election, which unseated incumbent Mayor Bryan Nelson.

The margin of victory — nearly 62% — underscores strong voter support for Nesta’s campaign message and leadership vision.

CAMPAIGN DYNAMICS AND VOTER RESPONSE

Despite Moore receiving endorsements from prominent leaders and organizations, including the Orlando Sentinel, voters ultimately favored Nesta’s platform.

Observers say the results suggest local voters prioritized campaign messaging and community connection over high-profile endorsements, including that of the outgoing Apopka mayor, whom voters rejected in the initial election.

IMPLICATIONS FOR FUTURE ELECTIONS

Nesta’s victory could offer insight into voter sentiment ahead of the August 2026 primary elections across Orange County and beyond.

Political analysts note that the outcome may signal a broader trend in which voters are responding more strongly to local issues and candidate engagement than to traditional political backing.

Nesta is set to assume leadership of Apopka as the city continues to address growth, infrastructure and community development priorities.