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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
The news of Iraqi TikTok star Om Fahad, whose real name is Ghufran Sawadi, being shot dead in Baghdad is truly tragic and disheartening. It is reported that she was attacked by a lone person on a motorbike, pretending to be a food delivery person. Another woman was also injured in this cowardly act of violence. Fahad gained fame on TikTok for sharing videos of herself dancing to pop music, which earned her a considerable following. However, her success and freedom of expression were met with backlash, leading to her imprisonment for sharing videos deemed to undermine “modesty and public morality.”… Continue reading
Five rockets fired from Iraq towards a U.S. military base in Syria. As I read this headline, my mind immediately wandered to a place of familiarity. Doesn’t this happen all the time? It feels like a never-ending cycle of violence, with each incident blending into the next, blurring the lines between what is normal and what is not. The Middle East, a region fraught with conflict and unrest, always seems to be at the center of attention when it comes to acts of aggression.
It’s no surprise that Iran, Iraq, and Syria, along with their various proxies, are involved in such provocative actions.… Continue reading
The recent news of a huge blast at a military base used by Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces has brought forth a myriad of opinions and speculations. The situation in Iraq seems to be a tangled web of militias, factions, and external influences, all vying for power and control. It makes one wonder how the Iraqi government manages to function with so many different groups operating within its borders.
The idea of disarming and eliminating these militias is a daunting task, as they pose a direct threat to the state’s monopoly on violence. The Popular Mobilization Forces, in particular, seem to have created quite a stir, with suspicions of their ties to Iran and their growing influence within the Iraqi military.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood