Iraq War 20 Years On
Plus: Ramadan Mubarak, Credit Suisse and Gulf investors, Iranians protest during Nowruz, and much more.
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Iraq war 20 years on
March 20, 2023, marks 20 years from the U.S. war in Iraq. the United States launched a ground invasion of Iraq, promising to end the rule of President Saddam Hussein and destroy alleged weapons of mass destruction (WMD) in the oil-rich country. However, U.S. forces, mainly backed by troops from the United Kingdom, never found weapons of mass destruction.
Even though Saddam was captured, put on trial, and executed, the nation still bears deep wounds from the war, characterized by economic ruin, political turmoil, and ongoing external influences.
Here are some noteworthy articles that delve into the impact of the Iraq War:
Al-Jazeera provides a comprehensive overview of the Iraq war, including its devastating effects on the Iraqi population.
The Intercept sheds light on classified intelligence cables that expose Iran's political advancements in Iraq following the 2003 invasion.
Foreign Policy explores the lessons that have not been learned from the war in Iraq.
In an account published by Middle East Eye, Salah Al-Ejaili, an Iraqi journalist who was detained by U.S. forces in 2003 and never charged, reflects on his experience at Abu Ghraib prison and his ongoing quest for justice.
Ramadan Mubarak
On the evening of Wednesday, March 22, Ramadan began for around 2 billion Muslims worldwide. This holy month will continue until the evening of Thursday, April 20, when it is anticipated to end.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and is considered the most sacred month in Islamic culture. It begins after the sighting of the new crescent moon, which fluctuates each year because the Islamic calendar follows the phases of the moon. During Ramadan, Muslims fast between sunrise and sunset, pray and recite the Quran, and abstain from negative behavior. The month is a way to commemorate the revelation of the Quran to Prophet Muhammad, which occurred during Ramadan. After the last day of Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr is celebrated with communal prayers, feasting, and gift-giving. The tradition of Ramadan remains a time for piety and self-reflection.
To expand your understanding of the origins of Ramadan, you can read this informative article on National Geographic.
It's important to note that several actions render fasting invalid during Ramadan, such as consuming food or drink, smoking, and much more.
Read this list for further details on what breaks a fast.
Credit Suisse losses make Gulf investors cautious of bank deals
Middle Eastern investors, including sovereign wealth funds, are becoming more cautious about investing in global banks due to the recent market turmoil caused by the Credit Suisse crisis.
The crisis has reminded investors of the losses and legal battles they experienced during the 2008 financial crisis.
Instead, they are accelerating their pivot toward other sectors, such as healthcare and technology.
Credit Suisse's long-term backer, the Qatar Investment Authority, is reviewing its bank holdings and assessing its overall portfolio amid heightened global economic risks.
Other Middle Eastern investors, including Saudi National Bank, had been exploring major overseas acquisitions but are now expected to be warier of deals involving foreign financial firms.
The reputational damage from soured deals and potential financial losses linked to their investments are among their concerns.
In Iran, "death to Khamenei" chants on Nowruz while leader gives victorious speech
Although Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has declared that the Islamic Republic emerged victorious from the ongoing unrest that began in September 2022, following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody, on the first day of the new Iranian year (Nowruz March 21), residents in major cities including Tehran renewed calls for the overthrow of the Islamic Republic.
Security forces have killed at least 530 protesters, and over 22,000 people have been detained in the crackdown.
The EU, UK, and Australia have imposed new sanctions on Iranian officials and entities over human rights violations and abusive treatment of women.
Iraq and Iran sign agreement to strengthen border security
Iraq and Iran signed on Sunday, March 19, a border security agreement aimed primarily at tightening the frontier with Iraq's Kurdish region, where Tehran says armed Kurdish dissidents pose a threat to its security.
The joint security agreement includes coordination in "protecting the common borders between the two countries and consolidating cooperation in several security fields."
Under the signed security deal, Iraq pledges it would not allow armed groups to use its territory in the Iraqi Kurdish region to launch any border-crossing attacks on neighbor Iran.
Iran has also accused Kurdish militants of working with its arch-enemy Israel and has often voiced concern over the alleged presence of the Israeli spy agency Mossad in the autonomous Iraqi Kurdish region.
Israel and Palestinians agree to create a “mechanism” to prevent violence during Ramadan
Israel and the Palestinian Authority have agreed to establish a mechanism to prevent violence during Ramadan following a meeting attended by officials from the U.S., Egypt, and Jordan in Egypt last week.
The parties stressed the importance of avoiding actions that would disrupt the sanctity of the Holy Sites in Jerusalem.
They also reconfirmed commitments made at a previous meeting, including a four-month Israeli commitment to cease discussions of new settlement units and a six-month commitment to halt the authorization of outposts.
The parties emphasized the need for de-escalation to prevent further violence.
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About me
My name is Dario Sabaghi, and I am a freelance journalist interested in international news focusing on the MENA region.
Check out my work at dariosabaghi.com.
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Cover photo: Sean Smith/Getty Images - CNN