Powerful militias have usurped the state's authority by opening a war front to support Iran. At this critical juncture, Iraq needs statesmen willing to put the state first.
Their success in Iraq's recent elections has less to do with genuine public support and more to do with vote buying through the massive wealth they've accrued through power
A revised electoral law and the fragmentation of civil groups contributed to an election result that saw no clear parliamentary majority and the return of established parties
Iraqi sculptor's epic wall-mounted installations evoke the destruction of Aleppo and Mosul, displayed in Beirut in the shadow of ongoing genocide in Gaza.
Baghdad wants good relations with Washington, but its ties with Tehran run deep. Under increased pressure, it may have to pick a side once and for all.
A pressure campaign by Washington to curb Tehran's influence over Baghdad seems to be yielding results, but any moves to disarm Iran-allied militias could stoke serious violence
The Iran war exposed the risks of being too closely tied to US military posture, which is why some Gulf states are repositioning themselves not merely as consumers of security but as architects of it
Supporting Israel used to help politicians get elected, but with Americans far more critical of Tel Aviv's influence on US policy, it has now become a liability at the ballot box
Sliman Mansour, the renowned Palestinian painter who used clay from his land to make his works after deciding to boycott art materials produced by Israel, has died at the age of 79