Baghdad

The exterior of the Ancient Church of the East in Baghdad, Iraq, Aug. 27, 2023.

A newly launched news channel in Iraq tries to preserve the ancient Syriac language

Al-Iraqiya news recently started a Syriac-language broadcast in an attempt to preserve the ancient language, which derives from Aramaic, the original language of the Bible and Jesus. They are based in Baghdad. People at the network and in the Iraqi Christian community talk about what this means for them.

A newly launched news channel in Iraq tries to preserve the ancient Syriac language
Salah Fareeq Al-Feroun's farm sits unattended without the necessary water to cultivate Iraq's signature anbar rice, Al-Meshkhab, Najaf Province, Iraq, Aug. 30, 2023.

Iraq's signature anbar rice is disappearing amid water shortages

Iraq's signature anbar rice is disappearing amid water shortages
man at home

This Iraqi lost an eye in a protest. He's still fighting for 'real democracy.'

This Iraqi lost an eye in a protest. He's still fighting for 'real democracy.'
Smoke rises from the Trade Ministry in Baghdad after it was hit by a missile during US-led attacks, March 20, 2003.

An Iraq vet grapples with lingering toll of war

An Iraq vet grapples with lingering toll of war
Young men chat near Al-Mutanabbi street in Baghdad, Iraq, Friday, Feb. 24, 2023.

Young Iraqis reflect on the US-led invasion, its aftermath and their hopes for the future

Young Iraqis reflect on the US-led invasion, its aftermath and their hopes for the future
Iraqi cellist and conductor Karim Wasfi leads a performance at the National Theatre in Iraq, Baghdad, March 11, 2023.

Iraq’s revived art scene is helping to heal the country’s wounds

Years of war and violence have interrupted and undermined Iraq’s music scene, with many musicians fleeing the country. But the current relative stability has created a space for its revival.

Iraq’s revived art scene is helping to heal the country’s wounds
Ghaith Abdul-Ahad, author of the book, "A Stranger in Your Own City: Travels in the Middle East's Long War," in Istanbul, Turkey.

Iraqi author Ghaith Abdul-Ahad on the 'unbuilding' of Baghdad

Iraqi author Ghaith Abdul-Ahad has a new book called, "A Stranger in Your Own City: Travels in the Middle East’s Long War." It's an ode to a city shattered by war. Abdul-Ahad speaks with The World’s Marco Werman about his childhood home, the cycle of sectarian violence set in motion by the US-led invasion in 2003 and what might lie ahead for the centuries-old, cosmopolitan city.

Iraqi author Ghaith Abdul-Ahad on the 'unbuilding' of Baghdad
headshot of man outside

Iraqi reporter who threw his shoes at George W. Bush says his country is still paying the price for the US-led invasion

Iraqi journalist Muntazer al-Zaidi was thrust into the global spotlight in 2008 after he threw his shoes at then-US President George W. Bush. Two decades after the US-led invasion of Iraq, he says his country is still paying the price.

Iraqi reporter who threw his shoes at George W. Bush says his country is still paying the price for the US-led invasion
Fighters from the Saraya Salam (Peace Brigades) loyal to influential Shia Iraqi cleric Muqtada al-Sadr deploy in Baghdad, Iraq, Aug. 30, 2022.

Instability in Iraq has created a ‘culture of fear,’ experts say

This week, the announcement of the resignation of a powerful cleric in Iraq sparked deadly clashes in the capital, Baghdad. On Monday, Moqtada al-Sadr said he is stepping away from politics. In response, his supporters stormed the Green Zone. 

Instability in Iraq has created a ‘culture of fear,’ experts say
man in a helicopter

How wars end: Revisiting our series about one of the most difficult aspects of war

As the US finds itself embroiled in another war, though not with troops, we are reairing our series, "How Wars End," which first ran in 2008.

How wars end: Revisiting our series about one of the most difficult aspects of war
Iraqi protesters breach Baghdad's parliament in Baghdad, Iraq, Wednesday, July 27, 2022. 

Iraqi protesters loyal to Sadr storm Parliament building to send message to political rivals, analyst says

Iraqi protesters aligned with Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr's political movement stormed the heavily militarized Green Zone and Iraqi Parliament building on Wednesday. The World's Marco Werman spoke with Hamzeh Hadad, a visiting fellow with the European Council on Foreign Relations, about the protesters' demands and the political gridlock plaguing Iraq.

Iraqi protesters loyal to Sadr storm Parliament building to send message to political rivals, analyst says
Iraqi army helicopter takes off at a base in Sinjar, Iraq, Tuesday, May 3, 2022. 

Iraq's Yazidis stuck in 'tug-of-war' between regional armed groups

Recent fighting between the Iraqi army and a local militia in heavily populated civilian areas has led to the displacement of an estimated 10,000 people. 

Iraq's Yazidis stuck in 'tug-of-war' between regional armed groups
Yadgar Hussein recounts her perilous journey through Eastern Europe in her living room in Erbil after being deported from Poland, Nov. 24, 2021.

‘I had no life left here’: Iraqi Kurds are at the center of the migration crisis in Europe

Iraqi Kurds fleeing the semi-autonomous region in northern Iraq have made harrowing journeys to Western Europe. Now, many are being flown back to northern Iraq, often with little to restart their lives.

‘I had no life left here’: Iraqi Kurds are at the center of the migration crisis in Europe
Iraqi Security forces close the heavily fortified Green Zone as they tightened security measures hours after the assassination attempt on the prime minister in Baghdad, Iraq, Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021. 

Drone attack on Iraq’s prime minister raises concerns of more violence

On Sunday, three drones laden with explosives targeted the home of Iraq’s prime minister. He survived unscathed, but the brazen attack has raised concerns about an escalation in violence.

Drone attack on Iraq’s prime minister raises concerns of more violence
White-gloved hand holds ancient artifact known as the Gilgamesh Dream Tablet.

Iraq needs to reclaim its cultural past to develop its future, art historian says

This week, the US agreed to return more than 17,000 treasures to Iraq. Nada Shabout, a professor of art history, joined The World's host Marco Werman to discuss Iraq's stolen cultural heritage. 

Iraq needs to reclaim its cultural past to develop its future, art historian says