Shelly Kittleson - Al-Monitor: The Middle East始s leading independent news source since 2012

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<div> <div data-drupal-messages-fallback class="hidden"></div><div id="block-alm-content" class="block"> <section class="section section--author-full section--default-grid section--constrain"> <div class="section--content section--content--default-grid section--content--constrain"> <div class="card card--profile"> <span class="profile-link"> <div class="card__content card__content--top"> <div class="card__image"> <div class="field field--name-field-image field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2024-08/Shelly%20Kittleson.jpg?h=5c8fff19&itok=Z57PnB_3" width="480" height="480" alt="Shelly Kittleson" /> </div> </div> </div> <div class="card__content card__content--bottom"> <div class="card__name"> <h2 class="heading h6"> <a href="" title="Shelly Kittleson">Shelly Kittleson</a> </h2> </div> <div class="card__body"> In <strong>Baghdad</strong>, reporting on <strong>Iraqi politics</strong> </div> </div> </span> </div> <div class="text-long"><p>Shelly Kittleson is a journalist specializing in the Middle East and Afghanistan. Her work has been published in several international, US and Italian media outlets. On Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/shellykittleson">@shellykittleson</a></p></div> <div class="node_view"></div> </div> </section> <section class="section section--constrain"> <div class="section--content section--content--constrain"> <div class="divider divider--default u-position--relative u-padding--8" style="color:currentColor;" aria-hidden='true'> <hr class="u-position--absolute" style='background-color=currentColor'> <div class="divider__diamonds"> <span class="divider__diamond"></span> <span class="divider__diamond"></span> <span class="divider__diamond"></span> </div> </div> </div> </section> <div class="views-element-container"><div class="js-view-dom-id-74b690629eef9771e919c58ddb0aca6c5b1b974b9621d55a6bff71c4ffe0a55e view--latest-by-author view--latest-by-author--block_1"> <section class="section section--latest-by-author section--gallery-4 section--constrain"> <div class="section--content section--content--constrain view-content grid--featured-content grid--gallery-4"> <article class="card card--analysis card--default card--small"> <div class="card__image"> <div class="field field--name-field-image field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/2024-09/GettyImages-2167287852.jpg?h=b39c5fef&itok=V729JrFM" width="870" height="489" alt="Shiite Muslim devotees attend mourning rituals in Iraq's central holy shrine city of Karbala on August 23, 2024 ahead of the Arbaeen commemorations that mark the end of the 40-day mourning period for the seventh century killing of the Prophet Mohamed's grandson Imam Hussein ibn Ali. (Photo by Ali Abdul Wahid / Middle East Images / Middle East Images via AFP) (Photo by ALI ABDUL WAHID/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)" /> </div> <div class="node_view"></div> </div> <div class="card__type card__type--analysis u-text-color--analysis"> <span class="eyebrow u-text-transform--uppercase"> Analysis </span> </div> <div class="card__heading"> <h2 class="heading"> <a class="heading__link" href="/originals/2024/09/eve-irans-pezeshkian-visit-iraq-jostles-shiite-space-amid-rivalries" > On eve of Iran鈥檚 Pezeshkian visit, Iraq jostles for Shiite space amid rivalries </a> </h2> </div> <div class="card__meta"> <div class="authors"> <div class="authors__avatar"> <a class="link" href="/authors/shelly-kittleson.html" > <picture class="image" > <img class="image" src="https://www.al-monitor.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2024-08/Shelly%20Kittleson.jpg?h=5c8fff19&itok=Z57PnB_3" alt="Shelly Kittleson" /> </picture> </a> </div> <div class="authors__name"> <a class="link" href="/authors/shelly-kittleson.html" > <div class="name"> <span class="subtitle--l">Shelly Kittleson</span> </div> <div class="tagline body--s">In <strong>Baghdad</strong>, reporting on <strong>Iraqi politics</strong></div> </a> </div> </div> </div> </article> <article class="card card-- card--default card--small"> <div class="card__image"> <div class="field field--name-field-image field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/2024-08/GettyImages-2163556306.jpg?h=d1210f6d&itok=WYvpc-wJ" width="870" height="489" alt="A woman walks holding a placard as activists demonstrate against female child marriages, in Tahrir Square in central Baghdad on July 28, 2024, amid parliamentary discussion over a proposed amendment to the Iraqi Personal Status Law. 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politics</strong></div> </a> </div> </div> </div> </article> <article class="card card-- card--default card--small"> <div class="card__image"> <div class="field field--name-field-image field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/2023-02/GettyImages-1246812449.jpg?h=1938fb0d&itok=5kdTmDj6" width="870" height="489" alt="Iraqi women's rights activists lift placards during a rally near the Supreme Judicial Council in Baghdad on Feb. 5." /> </div> <div class="node_view"></div> </div> <div class="card__heading"> <h2 class="heading"> <a class="heading__link" href="/originals/2023/02/honor-killings-iraq-rekindle-efforts-criminalize-domestic-violence" > Honor killings in Iraq rekindle efforts to criminalize domestic violence聽 </a> </h2> </div> <div class="card__meta"> <div class="authors"> <div class="authors__avatar"> <a class="link" href="/authors/shelly-kittleson.html" > <picture class="image" > <img class="image" src="https://www.al-monitor.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2024-08/Shelly%20Kittleson.jpg?h=5c8fff19&itok=Z57PnB_3" alt="Shelly Kittleson" /> </picture> </a> </div> <div class="authors__name"> <a class="link" href="/authors/shelly-kittleson.html" > <div class="name"> <span class="subtitle--l">Shelly Kittleson</span> </div> <div class="tagline body--s">In <strong>Baghdad</strong>, reporting on <strong>Iraqi politics</strong></div> </a> </div> </div> </div> </article> <article class="card card-- card--default card--small"> <div class="card__image"> <div class="field field--name-field-image field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/2023-01/GettyImages-1245344549.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=9WAqaOup" width="870" height="489" alt="BAKR ALKASEM/AFP via Getty Images" /> </div> <div class="node_view"></div> </div> <div class="card__heading"> <h2 class="heading"> <a class="heading__link" href="/originals/2023/01/strikes-near-iraqi-border-mark-widening-regional-battle-against-iran" > Strikes near Iraqi border mark widening regional battle聽against Iran </a> </h2> </div> <div class="card__meta"> <div class="authors"> <div class="authors__avatar"> <a class="link" href="/authors/shelly-kittleson.html" > <picture class="image" > <img class="image" src="https://www.al-monitor.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2024-08/Shelly%20Kittleson.jpg?h=5c8fff19&itok=Z57PnB_3" alt="Shelly Kittleson" /> </picture> </a> </div> <div class="authors__name"> <a class="link" href="/authors/shelly-kittleson.html" > <div class="name"> <span class="subtitle--l">Shelly Kittleson</span> </div> <div class="tagline body--s">In <strong>Baghdad</strong>, reporting on <strong>Iraqi politics</strong></div> </a> </div> </div> </div> </article> <article class="card card-- card--default card--small"> <div class="card__image"> <div class="field field--name-field-image field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/2023-01/GettyImages-81599712.jpg?h=1d34674f&itok=1SkmeqNK" width="870" height="489" alt="ESSAM AL-SUDANI/AFP via Getty Images" /> </div> <div class="node_view"></div> </div> <div class="card__heading"> <h2 class="heading"> <a class="heading__link" href="/originals/2023/01/restive-iran-iraq-border-area-support-firebrand-cleric-muqtada-al-sadr-holds" > In restive Iran-Iraq border area, support for firebrand cleric Muqtada al-Sadr holds strong </a> </h2> </div> <div class="card__meta"> <div class="authors"> <div class="authors__avatar"> <a class="link" href="/authors/shelly-kittleson.html" > <picture class="image" > <img class="image" src="https://www.al-monitor.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2024-08/Shelly%20Kittleson.jpg?h=5c8fff19&itok=Z57PnB_3" alt="Shelly Kittleson" /> </picture> </a> </div> <div class="authors__name"> <a class="link" href="/authors/shelly-kittleson.html" > <div class="name"> <span class="subtitle--l">Shelly Kittleson</span> </div> <div class="tagline body--s">In <strong>Baghdad</strong>, reporting on <strong>Iraqi politics</strong></div> </a> </div> </div> </div> </article> <article class="card card-- card--default card--small"> <div class="card__image"> <div class="field field--name-field-image field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/2023-01/GettyImages-1243633183.jpg?h=15c3affb&itok=LzAiiult" width="870" height="489" alt="Members of the Taliban security forces arrive as Afghan women march during a demonstration they call Stop Hazara genocide a day after a suicide bomb attack at Dasht-e-Barchi learning centre, in Kabul on October 1, 2022. - (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)" /> </div> <div class="node_view"></div> </div> <div class="card__heading"> <h2 class="heading"> <a class="heading__link" href="/originals/2023/01/afghanistans-hazara-minority-increasingly-fearful-under-taliban" > Afghanistan's Hazara minority increasingly fearful under Taliban </a> </h2> </div> <div class="card__meta"> <div class="authors"> <div class="authors__avatar"> <a class="link" href="/authors/shelly-kittleson.html" > <picture class="image" > <img class="image" src="https://www.al-monitor.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2024-08/Shelly%20Kittleson.jpg?h=5c8fff19&itok=Z57PnB_3" alt="Shelly Kittleson" /> </picture> </a> </div> <div class="authors__name"> <a class="link" href="/authors/shelly-kittleson.html" > <div class="name"> <span class="subtitle--l">Shelly Kittleson</span> </div> <div class="tagline body--s">In <strong>Baghdad</strong>, reporting on <strong>Iraqi politics</strong></div> </a> </div> </div> </div> </article> <article class="card card-- card--default card--small"> <div class="card__image"> <div class="field field--name-field-image field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/2022-12/GettyImages-1237957068.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=puiAWin7" width="870" height="489" alt="AHMAD AL-RUBAYE/AFP via Getty Images" /> </div> <div class="node_view"></div> </div> <div class="card__heading"> <h2 class="heading"> <a class="heading__link" href="/originals/2022/12/iraqi-pm-orders-unconventional-methods-stop-islamic-state-attacks" > Iraqi PM orders 'unconventional methods' to stop Islamic State attacks </a> </h2> </div> <div class="card__meta"> <div class="authors"> <div class="authors__avatar"> <a class="link" href="/authors/shelly-kittleson.html" > <picture class="image" > <img class="image" src="https://www.al-monitor.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2024-08/Shelly%20Kittleson.jpg?h=5c8fff19&itok=Z57PnB_3" alt="Shelly Kittleson" /> </picture> </a> </div> <div class="authors__name"> <a class="link" href="/authors/shelly-kittleson.html" > <div class="name"> <span class="subtitle--l">Shelly Kittleson</span> </div> <div class="tagline body--s">In <strong>Baghdad</strong>, reporting on <strong>Iraqi politics</strong></div> </a> </div> </div> </div> </article> <article class="card card-- card--default card--small"> <div class="card__image"> <div class="field field--name-field-image field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/2022-12/GettyImages-1245440922.jpg?h=b8d03305&itok=2nlzggyb" width="870" height="489" alt="Mourners accompany the casket of one of the two protesters killed earlier in clashes." /> </div> <div class="node_view"></div> </div> <div class="card__heading"> <h2 class="heading"> <a class="heading__link" href="/originals/2022/12/protests-erupt-southern-iraq-man-sentenced-tweeting-against-pmu" > Protests erupt in southern Iraq as man sentenced for tweeting against PMU </a> </h2> </div> <div class="card__meta"> <div class="authors"> <div class="authors__avatar"> <a class="link" href="/authors/shelly-kittleson.html" > <picture class="image" > <img class="image" src="https://www.al-monitor.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2024-08/Shelly%20Kittleson.jpg?h=5c8fff19&itok=Z57PnB_3" alt="Shelly Kittleson" /> </picture> </a> </div> <div class="authors__name"> <a class="link" href="/authors/shelly-kittleson.html" > <div class="name"> <span class="subtitle--l">Shelly Kittleson</span> </div> <div class="tagline body--s">In <strong>Baghdad</strong>, reporting on <strong>Iraqi politics</strong></div> </a> </div> </div> </div> </article> <article class="card card-- card--default card--small"> <div class="card__image"> <div class="field field--name-field-image field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/2022-12/GettyImages-1241858773.jpg?h=1d34674f&itok=KfjAyQL8" width="870" height="489" alt="ISIS leader death" /> </div> <div class="node_view"></div> </div> <div class="card__heading"> <h2 class="heading"> <a class="heading__link" href="/originals/2022/12/syrian-rebels-kill-caliph-attacks-continue-iraq-syria" > Syrian rebels kill IS caliph as attacks continue in Iraq, Syria </a> </h2> </div> <div class="card__meta"> <div class="authors"> <div class="authors__avatar"> <a class="link" href="/authors/shelly-kittleson.html" > <picture class="image" > <img class="image" src="https://www.al-monitor.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2024-08/Shelly%20Kittleson.jpg?h=5c8fff19&itok=Z57PnB_3" alt="Shelly Kittleson" /> </picture> </a> </div> <div class="authors__name"> <a class="link" href="/authors/shelly-kittleson.html" > <div class="name"> <span class="subtitle--l">Shelly Kittleson</span> </div> <div class="tagline body--s">In <strong>Baghdad</strong>, reporting on <strong>Iraqi politics</strong></div> </a> </div> </div> </div> </article> <article class="card card-- card--default card--small"> <div 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of Koye (Koysinjaq), Iraqi Kurdistan, Oct. 1, 2022." /> </div> <div class="node_view"></div> </div> <div class="card__type card__type--analysis u-text-color--analysis"> <span class="eyebrow u-text-transform--uppercase"> Analysis </span> </div> <div class="card__heading"> <h2 class="heading"> <a class="heading__link" href="/originals/2022/11/iran-strikes-iraqi-kurdistan-again-warns-possible-ground-operation" > Iran strikes Iraqi Kurdistan again, warns of possible ground operation </a> </h2> </div> <div class="card__meta"> <div class="authors"> <div class="authors__avatar"> <a class="link" href="/authors/shelly-kittleson.html" > <picture class="image" > <img class="image" src="https://www.al-monitor.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2024-08/Shelly%20Kittleson.jpg?h=5c8fff19&itok=Z57PnB_3" alt="Shelly Kittleson" /> </picture> </a> </div> <div class="authors__name"> <a class="link" href="/authors/shelly-kittleson.html" > <div class="name"> <span class="subtitle--l">Shelly Kittleson</span> </div> <div class="tagline body--s">In <strong>Baghdad</strong>, reporting on <strong>Iraqi politics</strong></div> </a> </div> </div> </div> </article> <article class="card card-- card--default card--small"> <div class="card__image"> <div class="field field--name-field-image field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/2022-11/GettyImages-1244771418.jpg?h=efb3fb8f&itok=wQIStaRQ" width="870" height="489" alt="Pedestrians walk through Istiklal Ave. in Istanbul on Nov. 14, 2022." /> </div> <div class="node_view"></div> </div> <div class="card__heading"> <h2 class="heading"> <a class="heading__link" href="/originals/2022/11/istanbul-bomb-attack-could-have-repercussions-international-arena" > Istanbul bomb attack could have repercussions in international arena </a> </h2> </div> <div class="card__meta"> <div class="authors"> <div class="authors__avatar"> <a class="link" 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