Pope Francis’s new autobiography, “Hope,” reveals two thwarted assassination attempts during his 2021 Iraq trip. British intelligence warned of a female suicide bomber en route to Mosul and a speeding van carrying similar intent. Iraqi authorities apprehended and neutralized both threats, as confirmed to the Pope by the Vatican Gendarmerie. This high-risk visit, the first papal trip to Iraq, demonstrated Francis’ commitment to supporting Iraqi Christians and fostering interfaith dialogue, including a historic meeting with Grand Ayatollah al-Sistani.
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Iraq is considering lowering the age of consent for girls to nine years old. This deeply disturbing proposal has sparked widespread outrage and condemnation. The sheer thought of legalizing sexual acts with children of that age is appalling, and the implications are devastating. There is no scenario in which a nine-year-old can genuinely consent to sexual activity; it is fundamentally impossible. This isn’t about consent; it’s about the legalization of the rape of children.
The fact that this amendment is even being considered is terrifying. The potential consequences for the well-being and safety of young girls are catastrophic. It normalizes and enables horrific abuse, setting a dangerous precedent with far-reaching repercussions.… Continue reading
Iraq is poised to drastically lower its legal marriage age from 18 to just nine for girls and 15 for boys, sparking significant backlash both domestically and internationally. The proposed amendment, championed by conservative Shia Islamist parties, would allow for child marriage and grant religious leaders greater control over family issues, effectively stripping women of vital rights such as divorce, child custody, and inheritance. This proposed amendment would further exacerbate the already prevalent issue of child marriage in Iraq, where over 28% of women are married by the age of 18. While many countries around the world have set the legal age for marriage at 18, Iraq’s proposed amendment would place it among a handful of countries with the lowest legal marriage ages, prompting concerns about the safety and well-being of young girls.
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Iraq is on the verge of enacting deeply concerning legal amendments that would significantly undermine women’s rights and expose young girls to grave risks. Proposed changes to the Personal Status Law would lower the legal marriage age to nine, the youngest in the world, stripping women of their rights regarding divorce, child custody, and inheritance. This move, despite widespread protests and warnings from civil society, is being pushed forward by conservative Shia Muslim parties, who claim it protects girls from “immoral relationships”. These amendments, if passed, would not only violate international human rights standards but also have devastating consequences for girls, increasing their vulnerability to abuse, early pregnancy, and denial of education.
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Iran’s impending plan for a major retaliatory strike from Iraq is a significant escalation that deserves careful consideration. As the headlines blare about Israeli intelligence alerting us to Iran’s intentions, I find myself pondering the implications of this move. The strategic situation is complex, with Iran’s reliance on its proxies in the region, which may be more of a liability than a strength in this context. The idea of launching strikes from Iraq carries historical resonance and geopolitical weight because Iraq, as a neighbor, doesn’t just provide a launching pad; it also complicates the landscape of regional alliances and enmities.
The notion of Iran striking from Iraq might seem clever on the surface, but it’s fraught with risks.… Continue reading
Today, news broke that US personnel were hurt in an attack against a base in Iraq. As I read through the various comments and reactions to this incident, I couldn’t help but feel a mix of emotions ranging from concern for those injured to frustration at the ongoing tension in the region. The sentiments expressed online reflect a wide range of opinions, from calls for swift and decisive retaliation to questions about the necessity of maintaining US bases in the area.
The idea of potential retaliation against Iran, as mentioned in the comments, raises the specter of further escalation and the possibility of a larger conflict.… Continue reading
The news of the US carrying out a strike in Iraq, as confirmed by a US official, has raised eyebrows and sparked debates across various platforms. The recent missile attack on Iraq’s Ain al-Asad airbase housing US-led forces, with no reported damage or casualties, has once again brought to light the ongoing tensions in the region. The fact that none of the rockets hit the base is a testament to the advanced air defense systems in place, which have significantly improved over the years.
Having been in the proximity of such rocket attacks in Iraq, I can attest to the potential inaccuracies of these improvised rockets used by insurgents.… Continue reading
Iraq has recently made same-sex relations punishable by up to 15 years in jail, a move that has sparked outrage and disbelief among many. The fact that this is considered an upgrade from Iran’s hanging or Saudi Arabia’s beheading for the same offense is truly shocking. The West’s intervention in Iraq, allegedly to remove Saddam Hussein’s oppressive dictatorship and establish a democratic government, seems to have missed the mark entirely. Instead, Iraq has elected a government that is sympathetic to Iran, leading to the codification of discrimination and violence against the LGBTQ+ community into law.
Homosexuality has always been taboo in Iraq’s conservative society, but there had not been a law explicitly punishing same-sex relations until now.… Continue reading
The tragic news of Iraqi TikTok star Umm Fahad being shot dead in Baghdad has sparked a wave of outrage, confusion, and grief across social media platforms. The details surrounding her untimely demise paint a grim picture of the dangers faced by individuals who dare to challenge societal norms, particularly in regions marked by conservative ideologies and oppressive practices.
The complex web of celebrity drama and power dynamics that allegedly led to Umm Fahad’s murder sheds light on the darker aspects of fame and influence in a society rife with corruption and impunity. Reports of her involvement with senior Iraqi officials and the subsequent threats made by a fellow influencer reveal the high stakes involved in navigating the murky waters of fame in a volatile environment where personal vendettas can escalate into fatal consequences.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood