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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, Jul 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, 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
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Nash
Politics

Iran’s waning influence

27 June 2025

Our July issue features in-depth articles and expert analyses exploring the future of Iran's influence and the long-term reverberations for the region

Al Majalla - London
Lina Jaradat
Culture & Social Affairs

Gaza’s ‘death trap’ aid centres: a real-life Hunger Games

02 July 2025

Israel's commandeering of aid distribution in Gaza forces starving Palestinians to run the gauntlet at centres with biometric monitoring systems, armed security, and life-or-death hazards

Hala Al-Naji
People gather to celebrate after Lebanese parliament elects army chief Joseph Aoun as the new president, on January 9, 2025, in Al-Aaishiyah, Lebanon. Ramiz Dallah/Getty
Politics

Lebanon’s second chance at statehood

02 July 2025

The crippling of Hezbollah's dominance and the Assad regime's fall in Syria have created a narrow but historic opening for the Lebanese people

Paul Salem
Lina Jaradat
Business & Economy

Oman is quietly redefining its development model

29 June 2025

It is no longer the Gulf's quiet outlier but a country quietly setting a new standard for sustainable economic development in the region

Neil Quilliam
Lina Jaradat
Politics

How the Middle East can capitalise on Iran’s regional setback

02 July 2025

The US security umbrella will focus on Iran's direct threats, but regional states should deal with Tehran's residual proxy groups in the region

James Jeffrey

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