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Iraq–United States relations

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.

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

Culture
Iraqis put up a poster announcing the upcoming visit of Pope Francis and a meeting with a revered Shiite Muslim leader, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, right, in Najaf, Iraq, March 4, 2021.

Pope Francis’ historic trip to Iraq embraced by many as a welcome boost

Sacred Nation
A large, beige building

US Embassy closure in Iraq would hand Tehran a ‘strategic victory,’ says former Iraqi amb to UN

Foreign policy
Members of Iraqi security forces are seen in front of US Embassy during a protest.

Iraq lacks ‘national leadership, a clear vision and hope,’ says Iraqi businessman

The ruins of a bombed base in Iraq.

US responds to deadly attack at Iraq base

Conflict & Justice

On Friday, an Iranian-backed militia group attacked a US base, known as K1, in Iraq, killing an American contractor. Shortly after, the US struck the bases of an Iranian-backed Iraqi militia in retaliation. Carol Hills spoke with a former veteran who served at K1 to discuss the role that contractors play in US war zones.

Demonstrators and tuk-tuk drivers are seen on a bridge during ongoing anti-government protests, in Baghdad, Iraq, on Nov. 4, 2019.

Fueled with a ‘do-or-die attitude,’ young Iraqis protest for change

Since October, hundreds of young protesters have taken to the streets in Baghdad, as well as a few other cities in Iraq. They are asking for an overhaul of the government and accusing ruling elites of corruption and being out of touch with the public.

President Obama announces complete withdrawal from Iraq by year’s end

In an address to the media, Obama announced that the U.S. war in Iraq was over and all U.S. forces would be home for the holidays. He did not take questions.

Violence returns to Iraq as America plans withdrawal

Insurgents waged 42 coordinated attacks across Iraq, leaving almost 100 civilians and security forces dead, and hundreds injured.

Major General Qassem Suleimani, who heads the Quds Brigade in Iran's Revolutionary Guards.

Meet the most powerful man in the Middle East you’ve probably never heard of

Conflict

He confounded American commanders in Iraq and all but saved the regime of Bashar al-Assad. But until recently, few people outside of military circles knew the name of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani. He’s a public and popular figure in his home country now — and just as powerful as ever.