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Saddam Hussein

President George W. Bush declares the end of major combat in Iraq as he speaks aboard the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln off the California coast. But the war dragged on for many years after that.

Citizen pain: Part II

Critical State

Critical State, a foreign policy newsletter by Inkstick Media, takes a deep dive this week into how the US-led invasion of Iraq in March 2003 not only dismantled the government but destroyed an entire nation, forcing a mass exodus of certain ethnic and religious minorities.

George H. W. Bush is shown with his hand on the bible nad right hand raised being sworn in as director of CIA.

Why we’ll miss George H.W. Bush, America’s last foreign policy president

Global Politics
A TSA agent wears a black ribbon over his badge during a memorial service for a slain colleague.

How the fight against terrorism has transformed America since 9/11

Books
A Shi’ite militiaman praying before the battle for Tikrit commenced on March 1, 2015.

Fear of atrocities rises as Iraq launches an operation to take Tikrit from ISIS

Conflict
Rebel recruitment: 2004, Sudan

Lynsey Addario: A life in nine photographs

Media
Vehicles are seen on a street in Baghdad as the Iraqi government lifted a night-time curfew. Officials hope to demonstrate that Baghdad no longer faces a threat from Islamic State.

Baghdad residents can stay out late and go big on Valentine’s Day

Lifestyle

Baghdad ended its decade-long curfew on Saturday. The curfew was implemented during the 2003 US-led invasion, requiring residents to remain indoors between midnight and 5 am. The violence in the capital city hasn’t ended, but lifting the curfew was met with celebration.

Kemal Kerkuki, commanding officer of Peshmerga forces outside of Kirkuk, speaks with his troops.

The Kurdish Peshmerga helping the US take back territory from ISIS may be kicking out Arabs

Global Politics

While many in Iraq’s north are happy that the Kurdish militias are taking territory back from ISIS, Iraq’s Arabs in the north are also afraid about what it will mean for them. Some Kurdish Peshmerga fighters these days are declaring an end to cooperation with Arabs.

Rise of ISIS panel

ISIS may disappear much faster than you expect

Conflict

ISIS is dominating the headlines, but how much do we really know about the brutal terrorist group? How did ISIS become a major force so quickly? You may be shocked to learn that their startling rise to power may be followed by a relatively quick fall from grace.

The view across the Kawar Gosk refugee camp for Syrian refugees in Northern Iraq.

Refugees who have escaped ISIS will soon have to battle winter weather

Conflict

Refugees pouring into the makeshift camps in northern Iraq will soon face yet another disaster: winter. Temperatures are expected to fall below zero as winter approaches, and aid agencies are unable to cope with the massive number of needy Iraqis trying to escape ISIS.

Iraqi Prime Minister-designate Haider al-Abadi, who was nominated by Iraq's president to replace Nouri al-Maliki.

It might take a miracle to get Iraq back on track

Conflict

Sectarian discord in Iraq is mounting, and new prime minister Haider al-Abadi must convince Sunnis, Shiites and Kurds to keep working together in a united Iraq. He’s Iraq’s best hope, but even a change in leadership may not be enough.