Politics articles

While some Iraqis celebrated the death of Soleimani, others – especially supporters of the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) – were enraged.

While it is difficult to prove who’s behind the kidnappings and torture, several media sources suggested that Iran-backed Shia militias and political groups in Basra were responsible for the sporadic attacks. 

Ground-breaking disclosures of secret intelligence reports within the Iranian government revealed how Iran controls much of the Iraqi government since the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003. 

The elite pact part of the Muhasasa Ta’ifia has encouraged the growth of corruption within Iraqi society. 

A statement by an Iraqi aid worker named Yousef said an average of 1-2 Yazidi women committed suicide each day in 2015. 

The essays in this Carnegie Endowment (The Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center) compendium aim to counter the overly securitized and deterministic thinking around climate change by bringing issues of governance and politics into the climate conversation of the Arab world. 

Drawing on Carnegie Endowment’s field-based expertise across the region, the collection focuses on how regimes and local actors can better build climate resilience through socioeconomic and political reforms and not just technical fixes. It spans a broad geographic sampling of cases and a wide variety of contexts.

I was selected to represent Iraq and write an essay about how a number of contributing factors, including climate change, have contributed towards the deterioration of Iraq's Mesopotamian Marshes. In this essay, I also provide policy recommendations for the current Government of Iraq to consider when working towards the preservation of the UNESCO world heritage site.  

Historian-blogger’s efforts bear fruits as citizens join project to plant 5,000 trees across the devastated city in Iraq.

As global temperatures climb, Basra is experiencing temperatures hovering at 50 degrees while suffering severe water shortages; delays in a massive desalination project are making an already intolerable situation worse. 

An insight on the Eden in Iraq Wastewater Garden Project and the project's aim of providing environmental and cultural regeneration via the use of constructed wetlands in the Mesopotamian Marshes. 

Southern Iraq's water shortages are caused by problems both political – with Turkey constructing dams and hydropower plants on the Tigris and Euphrates – and environmental – with the mass accumulation of aquatic plants near canals. 

الترجمة العربية للمدونة الأصلية مكتوبة باللغة الإنجليزية

One crucial promise that has been repeatedly broken in Basra and needs to be resolved immediately is ending the water crisis. 

Iraq has implemented measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19, but confusing messages and political opportunism are hobbling an effective response. 

Sustainable solutions to the water crisis in Iraq have proven to be a challenge because of a lack of awareness of how everyday practices harm water quality and the environment in often irreversible ways. 

Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, Baghdad's creative milieu is on its way to being restored. This is in part due to a dedicated team of artists and architects who have helped beautify the city's architecture, of which Wijdan al-Majid is a member.

As we continue to tumble into the age of AI, new innovations pose new questions about our place in the world, our purpose and what have to offer. The New Arab speaks with the founder of Ai-Da, a humanoid robot, about how to navigate these futures. 

Arabs in the UK series: As one of her final commissioned works, renowned British-Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid was entrusted to rebuild the Central Bank of Iraq after the 2010 attack. As the project nears completion, we take stock of her enduring legacy. 

British artist and sculptor Piers Secunda has been making drawings using rust ink, paying particular attention to surroundings nearby Osama bin Laden’s compound in the vicinity of Abbottabad, Pakistan. 

After the Grenfell fire tragedy, the local community came together in many different ways including through the love of food, where witnesses and survivors could provide support to one another.

Musiqa al-Daraj will show indie performances on the MMAG Foundation staircases of old Amman.

Performing alongside talented West End dancers and singers, Syrian soprano Lubana Al Quntar played the role of the Arab diva.

The French rank first for buying properties because of Morocco’s proximity to Europe and historically strong business ties between the French and Moroccans. 

JUMA Kitchen’s aim is quite clear. It is to shed light on the positive attributes that Iraq has to offer — in this case cuisine. 

The piece that sparked a lot of excitement was a Quran written for Sultan Qaytbay (1468-96), the 18th Mamluk sultan of Egypt. 

British artist Piers Secunda hopes the Iraqi education system will encourage the teaching of cultural history. 

The Islamic world occupied the seat of learning in a number of disciplines such as science, mathematics, engineering, and religion for a number of centuries. Paper, one of the most frequently used materials in present-day life, was invented in China presumably as early as the 2nd century BCE. According to legend, the art of paper-making was discovered by Abbasid forces following the capture of Chinese prisoners during the Battle of Talas in 751 A.D. Realising the importance of this material, the Islamic world began manufacturing and distributing paper on a large scale. The earliest centres of production were situated in Samarkand and in the region of Khorasan in north-eastern Iran. 

On at London's Royal Court Theatre, Mohamed-Zain Dada's debut play 'Blue Mist' explores the lives of three British Pakistanis navigating a system that isn't built for them. The play is a poignant take on how Islamophobia manifests itself in the UK. 

The New Arab sat down with Nader Mansour to discuss the journey and aspirations of Beirut Blues-Rock band The Wanton Bishops for the new generation of Lebanon.

The soundtrack to the captivating refugee animation, Lamya's Poem, is set to be released this week. Composed by Emmy-award-winning composer Christopher Willis, The New Arab sat down with him to chat about his inspirations and his creative process.

A faithful adaptation of Christy Lefteri's book by the same name, The Beekeeper of Aleppo play deals with the torturous journey of Syrians to Europe after fleeing the war. The play emphasises the fragility of comfort and a shared desire for safety. 

Iraqis under the regime of Saddam Hussein faced a continuously threatened identity of self, with this generational trauma lingering today. Baghdaddy, performed at the Royal Court Theatre in London, unravels this period with humour and tragedy.

Asmaa Alanbari's 'Gilgamesh Contemporary II' is a dazzling music, dance, and audio-visual performance inspired by the ancient Babylonian epic poem, Gilgamesh. 

A mural project has been launched in London to honour Palestinian journalists who have risked their lives to show the reality of life in Gaza and Palestine. 

Shubbak Festival, a biannual cultural showcase, proudly champions avant-garde voices in modern Arab culture. Shubbak, ‘window’ in Arabic, this event serves as a dynamic portal into the richness of Arab culture. The festival unites a diverse array of Arab artists, fostering collaborations that transcend borders, connecting local and international talent.

Eid al-Fitr is a time for giving. Donate your Zakat and help Palestinians in Gaza with these 10 charitable Zakat programmes. 

On May 6, Egyptians celebrate Sham El-Nessim, the Egyptian national festival marking the beginning of spring. 

On 15 May 2024, Nakba Day will be commemorated worldwide, reflecting on the ongoing struggle of Palestinians against Israeli occupation. 

Artist Fathi Hassan's narrative of perseverance and cultural resurgence is showcased in the exhibition 'Shifting Sands' at London's No.9 Cork Street gallery. 

Each year, millions of Muslims worldwide embark on the sacred pilgrimage of Hajj to Mecca, seeking spiritual purification and unity in Islam's holiest journey. 

On Thursday 13 June, an event, The Drama of Displacement: The Journey of a Syrian Refugee Through Theatre, took place as part of LSE Festival 2024. It involved a staged a reading from a new play by Nesrin Alrefaai and Matthew Spangler, A Handful of Lentils, which shares the intertwined stories of two women, a Syrian refugee and a Home Office official, both grappling with personal tragedies and the challenges of their lives in the UK.

Zainab Mehdi attended the event and spoke to playwright Nesrin Alrefaai. She shares insight into the play and the power of theatre to tell stories that centre refugees’ lives, explore the politics of immigration and connect with audiences.

Iraqi-Brits in London express frustration with UK mainstream parties, citing the Gaza conflict and lack of representation ahead of the July 4 election. 

Following protests on July 1, calls intensify for Wimbledon to sever ties with Barclays over its funding of companies supplying arms to Israel.

Algerian boxer Imane Khelif's battle with gender accusations at the Paris 2024 Olympics highlights ongoing discrimination against women of colour in sports. 

Film review: 'Hollywoodgate' offers a chilling look at Afghanistan's future under Taliban rule, just as the world marks the third "anniversary" of Kabul's fall.

Arbaeen, a pilgrimage marking Imam Hussain's martyrdom, will be observed from August 25 to 26, 2024, ending a 40-day mourning period that begins with Ashura. 

Malak Mattar's powerful and distinctive art portrays the ongoing struggles of Palestinians amid Israel's ongoing genocide in Gaza. 

Last week, the biennial Sonica Festival kicked off in Glasgow, with this year's edition spotlighting Egyptian artists. The New Arab visited to speak with them. 

The exhibition 'Zaha Hadid: Paper Museums' in London showcases how Zaha Hadid Architects used paper reliefs to develop architect Zaha Hadid's iconic designs. 

One year on, The New Arab examines how the Israeli military’s assault has targeted the Palestinian female womb and its devastating impact on women's lives. 

As the 'Love Is Blind: Habibi' reunion fast approaches, The New Arab explores key takeaways from the Netflix show, which has been viewed over 1.3 million times. 

From Elie Saab's Seasons show to Trashy Clothing's Zulfiqar sword belt replica, recent fashion choices spark debates over artistic intent and religious respect.

Khandakar Ohida is the 7th V&A Jameel Prize winner, with her exhibition on view starting this Saturday. The New Arab explores her and the other finalists' works. 

A viral selfie between pop singer Dua Lipa and Yazidi activist Nadia Murad placed a renewed emphasis on the role celebrities can play in advocating for the less fortunate. But in the case of the Yazidis, will such exposure really make a difference? 

Women are often worse affected by climate realities than men but their participation in climate dialogue should be non-negotiable.

In an exclusive interview with The New Arab, the Head of Programs at the Iraq Health Access Organization Hayder Ali explains the most pressing barriers that Iraq faces in achieving proper sexual health awareness, and what needs to be done. 

Displaced women and girls in conflict settings regularly endure unimaginable difficulties, including hardships that affect their reproductive health. This is often a direct result of a loss of protection, limited access to healthcare and education, and an absence of livelihood as well as community assistance. These challenges make displaced women and girls more vulnerable to sexual violence and leave them facing a heightened risk of exploitation. War-torn countries in the region, including Iraq, are no exception to these phenomena.

Speaking to Iraqi Artist and Founder of Iraqi Women Art and War (IWAW) group Rana Ibrahim, this article for the Middle East Monitor news outlet touches on IWAW's efforts to help Iraqi women affected by Iraq's wars process their experiences and communicate their stories through art.

My mourning comes with criticism — not aimed at the country I love, but directed at the lawmakers in power.

Book Club: Palestinian-Iraqi author Zena Agha's poetry collection transforms a personal robbery into a powerful reflection on loss and cultural heritage. 

GQ MIDDLE EAST JUNE 2023 IRAQ ISSUE

June 2023 GQ Middle East commission to write a special piece about the late British-Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid, her architectural approach, and her enduring legacy. The Iraq issue aligned with the 20th "anniversary" of the US invasion. 

5ELEVEN MAGAZINE SILK ROADS #12 ISSUE

For issue 12 of 5ELEVEN magazine, I was invited to write a profile on Zayn Karim, the founder of the Basra Fashion Show and Agency. Additionally, I contributed a travel diary that takes readers on a journey through Iraq from the northern regions all the way to the south. 

This issue spans two volumes, each comprising 700 pages filled with stunning visuals and captivating stories, showcasing the rich heritage and breathtaking landscapes from East to West. The issue consists of 12 chapters that celebrate local talents, voices, and cultures, all through the lens of fashion.