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النسخة العربية
  • Politics
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  • 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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Nesma Moharam
Politics

Two years after October 7

06 October 2025

Al Majalla examines the repercussions of Hamas's attack on Israel, which set into motion a series of significant changes and power shifts in the Middle East

Al Majalla - London
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa (L) visits the polling station where members of Syrian local committees have been casting their votes to select members of an interim parliament, in Damascus on October 5, 2025. LOUAI BESHARA / AFP
Politics

Cheers and jeers as Syria votes in first post-Assad parliament

06 October 2025

Only 4% of 119 members selected in the indirect vote were women, and only two Christians, sparking concerns about inclusivity and fairness. Meanwhile, voting was postponed in Druze and Kurdish areas.

Subhi Franjieh
Al Majalla
Politics

Allies' anger over Gaza tests US support for Israel

03 October 2025

Trump may be willing to accept global isolation to keep supporting Israel, but at some point, he may conclude that he isn't getting enough from Netanyahu in return

Christopher Phillips
A shopkeeper looks out through a window displaying replicas of football trophies at a gift shop in Souq Waqif bazaar in Doha on July 24, 2025. Karim JAAFAR / AFP
Business & Economy

Qatar’s economic resilience and the road ahead

07 October 2025

Qatar is positioning itself not only to weather external shocks, but to thrive in a changing global environment

Neil Quilliam
© Fine Art Images/Heritage Images via Getty Images
Culture & Social Affairs

Morocco's influence on Matisse

02 October 2025

The famed painter (1869-1954) found both himself and the inspiration he needed in two visits to Tangier in the early 20th century, the effects of which are still very evident.

Azeddine Bourkia

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OPINIONS

Türkiye poised to strengthen its hand in the Eastern Mediterranean

Michael Harari
Michael Harari

Qatar’s economic resilience and the road ahead

Neil Quilliam
Neil Quilliam

Morocco’s Gen Z takes to the streets demanding change

Mohamed Sharki
Mohamed Sharki

Will Lebanon miss its chance at good ties with Syria?

Alia Mansour
Alia Mansour
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