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  • US invasion of Iraq
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, Mar 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, Mar 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, Mar 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, Mar 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, Mar 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, Mar 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, Mar 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, Apr 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, Apr 2023
A handout picture released by Iraq's Prime Minister's Media Office shows Prime Minister Mohamed Shia al-Sudani speaking next to piles of cash on November 27, 2022, reportedly part of recuperated $2.5 billion of government funds. AFP

How systemic corruption plundered Iraq’s economy

Two decades after the US invasion of Iraq, the country's economy is deteriorating on all possible fronts

Khaled Kassar 14, Apr 2023
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Eduardo Ramon
Politics

How Israel pulled off its unprecedented strike on Iran

18 June 2025

Years of painstaking intelligence work went into the operation that activated vast networks of operatives and involved multiple layers of subterfuge

Michael Horowitz
A demonstrator holds a picture of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, while gathering with others during a rally in solidarity with the government against Israel's attacks on Iran on June 14, 2025. ATTA KENARE / AFP
Politics

Iran is further from regime change than Israel thinks

17 June 2025

Israel sees an opportunity to eliminate a strategic regional rival, but the future course of events primarily hinges on what Trump decides to do next

Houssam Itani
Michelle Thompson.
Business & Economy

What would happen if Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz?

18 June 2025

The strait carries up to 20% of the world's oil exports at around 20 million barrels of oil each day. Any closure could cost the global economy greatly, even if only for a short time.

Amer Ziab Al-Tamimi
Axel Rangel García
Politics

Can diplomacy stop the Israel-Iran war before it's too late?

17 June 2025

De-escalation is in the overwhelming interest of most countries in the region and the world, and we could see many extend a hand to help bring the conflict to an end

Arash Azizi
Eduardo Ramon
Politics

Will Iran-Israel strikes derail Trump's Mideast vision?

14 June 2025

Trump and Netanyahu disagree on whether to use military force to stop Iran's nuclear programme, and Israel's punishing attack on Iran places the region on a worrisome trajectory

Robert Ford

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OPINIONS

Secrets and surveillance: a look at Washington’s spy museum

Osama Esber

Syria reinforces its borders to stop any Israel-Iran spillover

Subhi Franjieh
Subhi Franjieh

How Israel upended Ali Khamenei’s strategic patience doctrine

Arash Azizi
Arash Azizi

Attacks on Iran make a nuclear bomb more likely

Eric Brewer
Eric Brewer
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