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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
The Yemeni militant group is proving to be a stubborn adversary, and Trump doesn't want anything to detract from his visit to the Gulf next week, where he plans to make a 'big' announcement
China has been quietly working to rewrite the rules of global trade and finds itself in a strong position in the current trade war launched by Washington. A look around the world shows why.
Israel wants the total dismantlement and scrapping of all Iranian nuclear facilities, just like in Libya two decades ago. That is unrealistic for several reasons.
If history is any judge, Trump's tariffs and damaging actions towards US allies could speed up the emergence of a multipolar world, much like George W. Bush's invasion of Iraq