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  • US invasion of Iraq

AFP / Al Majalla

What newly released Jordan-UK exchanges on the eve the Iraq war reveal

They show that King Abdullah tried his best to blunt the blow of a US-led invasion by offering a diplomatic off-ramp to avert catastrophe

Malek Al Athamna 28 December 2025
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
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  • Editor's Pick
Politics

2025 highlights and what to look out for in 2026

30 December 2025

Al Majalla reflects on this year and the first quarter of the 21st century, highlighting standout achievements, events and trends

Al Majalla - London
Shutterstock
Business & Economy

AI in 2026: from performance to power and privilege

30 December 2025

Going forward, the key question won't be what AI can do, but how we will power it and who will be granted the privilege of working alongside it

Omar Harkous
US President Donald Trump (R) and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (L) speak to reporters upon Netanyahu's arrival at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Florida, on 29 December 2025. JIM WATSON / AFP
Politics

A closer look at the Trump-Netanyahu meeting reveals gaps

01 January 2026

The two appeared to be in lockstep in many areas, but dig deep, and you will see where they don't align. So, what does this mean for the region? Al Majalla explains.

Elie Kossaifi
An aerial view shows pigeons flying over the Marjeh square in Syria's capital Damascus on 12 December 2024. OMAR HAJ KADOUR / AFP
Culture & Social Affairs

The history of Damascus pulses through Marjeh Square

30 December 2025

If anywhere encapsulates the Syrian capital in recent decades, it is this enigmatic and iconic public space, which has seen more than its fair share of changes

Khalil Sweileh
A crowd of people at a march organized by the Southern Transitional Council in Aden, Yemen, on 21 December 2025.
 Reuters
Politics

Why South Yemen secession isn't a real possibility

30 December 2025

No single party in Yemen can can impose dominance over the other through military force, nor can any side achieve dominance solely by relying on external actors

Anwar Al-Ansi

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OPINIONS

A closer look at the Trump-Netanyahu meeting reveals gaps

Elie Kossaifi

The history of Damascus pulses through Marjeh Square

Khalil Sweileh
Khalil Sweileh

Economic protests add pressure to an already weakened Iran

Con Coughlin
Con Coughlin

The Epstein Files Tsunami

Fares Garabet
Fares Garabet
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