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النسخة العربية
  • Politics
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  • Tag
  • US invasion of Iraq
Donald Trump's penchant for pursuing the news he wants, rather than the information his intelligence services give him, echoes past White House mistakes, not least over Iraq. Sara Padovan

Trump’s selective intelligence on Iran echoes past missteps

Determined to show that Saddam Hussein possessed WMDs to justify the US invasion of Iraq, George W. Bush prioritised intel that supported his preferred outcome

Christopher Phillips 02 July 2025
In this photograph provided by the Syrian news agency SANA, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad (L) talks with U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell May 3, 2003 in Damascus. Getty

Khaddam Files: Powell hands al-Assad list of demands

The US wanted Syria to abstain from meddling in Iraqi affairs, deny refuge to former Saddam loyalists, expel Palestinian organisations from Syria, and withdraw Syrian military forces from Lebanon

Ibrahim Hamidi 30 March 2024
On the eve of America’s invasion of Iraq in March 2003, Syrian and Iranian leaders met to consider their options. In part 6 of a seven-part series, Al Majalla reveals their shared concerns and hopes. Al Majalla

Khaddam Files: Khamenei-Assad plot to turn post-Saddam Iraq into America's 'new Vietnam'

On the eve of America's invasion of Iraq in March 2003, Syrian and Iranian leaders met to consider their options. In part 6 of a seven-part series, Al Majalla reveals their shared concerns and hopes.

Ibrahim Hamidi 29 March 2024
US Senator Joseph Biden (R), D-Delaware, speaks to the press in Doha 8 December 2002 as Senator Chuck Hagel, R-Nebraska, looks on after the two senators visited the As-Saliyah base. AFP

Khaddam Files: Americans in Damascus

Joe Biden, Chuck Hagel, and Colin Powell debated with Bashar al-Assad on their intent to get rid of Saddam. In part 5 of a seven-part series, Al Majalla reveals what was discussed for the first time.

Ibrahim Hamidi 27 March 2024
Picture released by the Lebanese Prime Minister's office shows US President George W. Bush (R) shaking hands with Lebanese Prime Minister Rafic Hariri after their meeting in Washington on 17 April 2002. AFP

Khaddam Files: Bush tells Hariri of intention to remove Saddam

In part 4 of a 7-part series, Al Majalla sheds light on a meeting between Rafic Hariri and George W. Bush. The Lebanese PM left with an understanding as to Saddam's fate and with a message for Iran.

Ibrahim Hamidi 23 March 2024
Britain's Foreign Secretary Jack Straw (L) meets with Iranian foreign ministry official Mohsen Aminzadeh at Tehran's Mehrabad airport 09 October 2002. AFP

Khaddam Files: US-Iran backchannels ahead of Iraq invasion

Before it invaded Iraq in 2003, the US was trying to reassure Iran that it would not be targeted next. In part 3 of a 7-part series, Al Majalla publishes private discussions held in Damascus.

Ibrahim Hamidi 22 March 2024
The Kurdish leader was party to secret talks with the Americans in the run-up to the US invasion of Iraq. In part 2 of a 7-part series, Al Majalla reveals for the first time what he told the Syrians. Al Majalla

Khaddam Files: Barzani briefs al-Assad on CIA visit

The Kurdish leader was party to secret talks with the Americans in the run-up to the US invasion of Iraq. In part 2 of a 7-part series, Al Majalla reveals for the first time what he told the Syrians.

Ibrahim Hamidi 21 March 2024
Damascus and Tehran wanted invading US troops to get stuck in a 'new Vietnam' and set up an operations room headed by their top lieutenants to cause havoc, never-before-published documents show. Al Majalla

Exclusive: How Syria and Iran plotted over a post-Saddam Iraq

Damascus and Tehran wanted invading US troops to get stuck in a 'new Vietnam' and set up an operations room headed by their top lieutenants to cause havoc, never-before-published documents show.

Ibrahim Hamidi 18 March 2024
US officials insist rescinding the law will not affect US counter-terrorism support in Iraq   Getty, Shutterstock

20 years later, US law that authorised Iraq war likely to be rescinded

US officials insist rescinding the law will not affect US counter-terrorism support in Iraq  

Al Majalla - London 20 April 2023
Bolton, one of the architects of the Iraq war, says by removing Saddam from power, the threat of Iraqi WMD was eliminated in perpetuity. AFP

John Bolton: No regrets over Saddam removal

20 years after the US invasion of Iraq, the Washington veteran says by removing Saddam from power, the threat of Iraqi WMD was eliminated in perpetuity

Con Coughlin 19 April 2023
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Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Damascus, Syria, December 22, 2024.
 SANA
Politics

Ahmed Sharaa on Syria's 'zero-problems' strategy

26 August 2025

Syria's president says the Abraham Accords aren't the right fit for Damascus. Instead, he hopes to reinstate the 1974 disengagement agreement with Israel or something similar

Ibrahim Hamidi
Tunisia's President Kais Saied (R) shows Massad Boulos, senior adviser to the US president for Africa, pictures of starving children in Gaza during their meeting at the presidential palace in Carthage on July 22, 2025. Tunisian Presidency / AFP
Business & Economy

The US returns to North Africa with an eye on Beijing and Moscow

29 August 2025

The US is prioritising trade, investment, and regional stability as it reasserts influence from Morocco to Libya

Mohamed Sharki
France's President Emmanuel Macron (L), Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer meet on the sidelines of the two-day NATO Heads of State and Government summit in The Hague on June 24, 2025. Ludovic MARIN / AFP
Politics

European countries trigger the ‘snapback’ of Iran sanctions

29 August 2025

France, Germany, and the UK ran out of patience with Tehran and are bringing back previously halted UN measures

Keith Johnson
People mourn for Palestinian journalists Moaz Abu Taha and Hussam al-Masri, a Reuters contractor, who were killed in an Israeli strike on Nasser hospital in Khan Yunis in Gaza on August 25, 2025, along with 15 others. AFP
Culture & Social Affairs

'Genocide didn't unfold in Gaza; it was the intent all along'

25 August 2025

A new book by Lebanese jurist Mazen Shindab provides an invaluable legal resource on the genocide in Gaza, laying bare the flaws of international law and the moral imperative to hold Israel to account

Abdul Rahman Mazhar Halloush
Sara Padovan
Politics

Are land grabs becoming the norm in today's world?

25 August 2025

Trump's willingness to cede Ukrainian land to Russia will have global repercussions, but the acceptance of land seizures actually goes back decades, with Israel being a serial offender

Christopher Phillips

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OPINIONS

Bitcoin reserves: a blessing or a curse?

Al Majalla - London

From inflation’s flames to the prospect of mass unemployment

Khaled Kassar
Khaled Kassar

Masdar's profitability shows momentum in the Gulf energy transition

Neil Quilliam
Neil Quilliam

The tragedy of Sudan’s forgotten war

Amgad Fareid Eltayeb
Amgad Fareid Eltayeb
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