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  • Saddam Hussein
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
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
In 2002, the CIA informed Iraqi Kurds of its plan for regime change.  In part 1 of a 7-part series, Al Majalla publishes first-hand accounts of the conversations that would change the Middle East. Al Majalla

Khaddam Files: Talabani informs al-Assad of US decision to topple Saddam

In 2002, the CIA informed Iraqi Kurds of its plan for regime change. In part 1 of a 7-part series, Al Majalla publishes first-hand accounts of the conversations that would change the Middle East.

Ibrahim Hamidi 20, Mar 2024

Saddam begged Khamenei on eve of Kuwait invasion: We offer a deal that meets all your demands

Al Majalla publishes the secret messages between the leaders with Arafat playing the role of the go-between

Ibrahim Hamidi 07, Aug 2023
Ali Abdullah Saleh, Saddam Hussein, King Hussein and Hosni Mubarak, wave to the crowd, on June 15, 1989 during a motorcade rally prior to the opening of the Arab Cooperation Council in Alexandria, Egypt. AFP

Saddam formed a four-way alliance and suggested unifying armies and intelligence

After the Iraq-Iran war concluded in 1988, a significant turn of events took place that would lead to Saddam's decision to invade Kuwait

Ibrahim Hamidi 06, Aug 2023
 Saddam Hussein meets Syrian President Hafez al-Assad in Damascus January 28, 1979.

Saddam to al-Assad: No handshakes

First-hand account from Syrian vice-president of the efforts, throughout 1987, to improve relations between Syrian and Iraq

Ibrahim Hamidi 16, Apr 2023
Escaping the ‘state of chaos’ and the US-Iran clash Sebastien Thibault

The rise or fall of Iraq

Escaping the 'Republic of Chaos' and the US-Iran clash

Al Majalla - London 08, Apr 2023
Russian President Vladimir Putin with Patriarch Kirill of Moscow during an Easter service in 2019. Yuri Kochetkov/EPA

Religious Putin vs. Nationalist Putin

This is not the first time that the American media is personalizing US foreign animosities and interventions, as the personality of Russian President Vladimir Putin has become the core of the…

Mohammad Ali Salih 01, Apr 2022
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Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei addresses Iranians on the occasion of the 36th anniversary of the death of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini (portrait), in Tehran on June 4, 2025. KHAMENEI.IR / AFP
Profiles

How Israel upended Khamenei’s strategic patience doctrine

21 June 2025

For decades, Iran's supreme leader—first Khomeini, then Khamenei—pursued a strategy of backing regional militias to fight Israel, but with the 'resistance axis' in tatters, Iran is left to fight alone

Arash Azizi
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
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 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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