Baghdad

Voices from the Arab Press: China’s Iran dilemma, Israel elections, Hezbollah US talks

A weekly selection of opinions and analyses of the Arab media around the world.

THEN-IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER Hossein Amir-Abdollahian (L), Chinese foreign minister Qin Gang, and Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud meet in Beijing, April 2023.
KURDISH FIGHTERS from the Qamishli Brigade on parade last month.

The Kurds rose as Syria and Iraq collapsed - now, their fortunes are reversing

 An illustrative image of the Syrian and Iraqi flags.

US diplomatic reshuffle in Iraq comes at critical moment for Baghdad and Washington - analysis

A worker checks an oil pipeline at Nahr Bin Umar oil field, north of Basra, Iraq March 22, 2022.

Iraq approves three month mechanism to export crude via local, international firms


On Iranian commander's request, Iraqi terrorists dial down attacks on US

Esmail Qaani said the militias should lie low to avoid US strikes on their senior commanders, destruction of key infrastructure, or even a direct retaliation against Iran, the sources said.

 Esmail Qaani, the head of the Revolutionary Guards' Quds Force, speaks in Tehran, Iran April 14, 2022

Iraq recalls envoy from Iran after attack on 'Israeli spy HQ'

The Iraqi government will take all legal measures against these actions that are considered a violation of Iraq's sovereignty and the security of its people.

 People demonstrate in front of the United Nations headquarters, following missile attacks by Iran's Revolutionary Guards, in Erbil, Iraq, January 16, 2024.

European rabbis to Sweden on Torah burning: Amend laws, ensure unity

The Swedish embassy in Baghdad faced the brunt of the outrage when it was stormed in protest.

 Burning books.

Iraq expels Swedish ambassador over planned Quran burning

Baghdad had notified the Swedish government "that any recurrence of the incident involving the burning of the Holy Quran on Swedish soil would necessitate severing diplomatic relations."

Protesters clash with security forces members as they gather near the Swedish embassy in Baghdad hours after the embassy was stormed and set on fire ahead of an expected Koran burning in Stockholm, in Baghdad, Iraq, July 20, 2023.

Swedish FM condemns storming of embassy in Baghdad over Quran burning

Hundreds of protesters stormed the Swedish embassy in Baghdad and set it on fire early on Thursday morning.

 Protesters gather near the Swedish embassy in Baghdad hours after the embassy was stormed and set on fire ahead of an expected Koran burning in Stockholm, in Baghdad, Iraq, July 20, 2023.

Iraqi PM visits Syria in first trip since Syrian war

The Iraqi prime minister began an official visit to Syria on Sunday, for the first time since the outbreak of the Syrian war.

President Bashar al-Assad (C) meeting with Iraq's Chief of Staff Othman al-Ghanimi (4th-R) and Iran's Chief of Staff Mohammad Hossein Bagheri (5th-L) in the presence of Syrian Defence Minister Ali Abdullah Ayyoub (3rd-R) in the Syrian capital Damascus

Syria-Iraq ties continue to thaw with FM Baghdad visit - analysis

Syria says it wants to work with Iraq to fight against “terror” as well as the drug trade.

 Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad speaks during a joint press conference with Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein (not pictured), in Baghdad, Iraq June 4, 2023.

The Sassoons are having a moment. Here’s why that matters

The Sassoon family cannot be reduced to a stereotype of wealthy Jewish collectors who assimilated into European culture, nor can they be seen simply as “The Rothschilds of the East.”

 EZRA & MASOUDA SASSOON and family, Baghdad, 1919.

Belgium arrests suspected al Qaeda member over Iraq attacks

The attacks were carried out using car bombs against several government buildings among others, the statement said.

A member loyal to the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) waves an ISIL flag in Raqqa June 29, 2014. The offshoot of al Qaeda which has captured swathes of territory in Iraq and Syria has declared itself an Islamic "Caliphate" and called on factions worldwide to pledge their allegiance, a st

Did Soleimani think US might kidnap him on Syria-bound flight? - analysis

It’s not clear if the account is accurate. It is one of those accounts that are designed to come out years after Soleimani was showcased to herald his abilities.

Qasem Soleimani, commander of IRGC Quds Force