The World from PRX

Baghdad

The exterior of the Ancient Church of the East in Baghdad, Iraq, Aug. 27, 2023.
Language
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.
Food
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.’
Smoke rises from the Trade Ministry in Baghdad after it was hit by a missile during US-led attacks, March 20, 2003.
Military
An Iraq vet grapples with lingering toll of war
Young men chat near Al-Mutanabbi street in Baghdad, Iraq, Friday, Feb. 24, 2023.
Conflict & Justice
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.
Music
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.
Conflict & Justice
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
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
man in a helicopter
Conflict
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. 
Protest
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. 
Violence
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.
Migration
‘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. 
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.
Culture
Iraq needs to reclaim its cultural past to develop its future, art historian says
Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi is shown wearing a dark suit and tie with the Iraqi national flag in soft focus in the background.
Military
Biden, Iraqi PM to announce end of US combat mission in Iraq
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.
Sacred Nation
Pope Francis’ historic trip to Iraq embraced by many as a welcome boost
A rocket is shown launching with the fire from boosters and smoke shown at the bottom with trees in the distance.
Top of The World
Biden seeks to extend US-Russia arms deal; Controversial tweet from Iran’s supreme leader; Honduras set for permanent abortion ban
US President Joe Biden is shown seated at a wooden desk with a tall stack of embossed folders next to him.
Top of The World
Biden tackles the coronavirus; Twin suicide bombings in Baghdad; Migrant shipwreck off Libyan coast
A woman holds a poster showing Gen. Qasem Soleimani, right, head of Iran's Quds force and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, deputy commander of the Popular Mobilization Forces, during the procession to commemorate the first anniversary of their killing by a US drone
A year after the killing of a top Iranian general, US-Iran tensions remain high
A large, beige building
Foreign policy
US Embassy closure in Iraq would hand Tehran a ‘strategic victory,’ says former Iraqi amb to UN
A poster depicting the former government adviser and political analyst Husham al-Hashimi, who was killed by gunmen, is seen in Tahrir Square in Baghdad, July 8, 2020.
Global Politics
Iraqi security expert’s assassination in Baghdad has left many in shock
University students carry pictures of demonstrators who were killed during ongoing anti-government protests in Baghdad, March 1, 2020.
Conflict & Justice
Before coronavirus, young Iraqis held some of the biggest protests in the country’s history
University students hold banners as they gather during ongoing anti-government protests in Baghdad, Iraq, Feb. 6, 2020. 
Protest
Analysis: Iraqi protesters will likely push forward despite violence
Iraqi demonstrators run for cover as they clash with Iraqi security forces
Conflict & Justice
Analysis: Despite loss of support from top cleric, young Iraqis continue protesting
A massive crowd of mourners gathers on the streets of Tehran, Iran.
Military
Killing Soleimani was a ‘hasty’ decision, says former defense undersecretary
Iraqi flags wave behind a group of men in parliament
Conflict
Iraqi MP calls for peace ‘without using Iraq against Iran’
People march as they take part in an anti-war protest
Conflict & Justice
Escalating conflict with Iran: What’s happening?
A member of Hashd al-Shaabi waves a flag
Kataib Hezbollah attacked the US Embassy in Baghdad. Who are they?
a man wearing a green military uniform looks to the left.
Conflict
US strike kills top Iranian commander
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
A line of security forces wearing helmets and carrying weapons are shown standing outside of the US Embassy in Baghdad.
Protest
Iraqi paramilitaries call for withdrawal from US Embassy as Pentagon sends more troops to region
A large group of protesters are shown carrying several different flags outside of the khaki-colored walls of US Embassy in Iraq.
Conflict
US embassy evacuated as violent Baghdad protesters attack over air strikes
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
Iraqi policemen stand in front of demonstrators during a protest over corruption, lack of jobs, and poor services, in Kerbala, Iraq, on October 25, 2019.
Politics
Iraq protests are about ‘justice and dignity,’ says Iraqi writer Sinan Antoon
A demonstrator gestures as he stands close to burning tires blocking a road during a protest over unemployment, corruption and poor public services, in Baghdad, Iraq, on Oct. 2, 2019.
Dozens dead as Iraqi youth protest poverty, corruption and injustice
A group of people dance in a dark room.
Arts, Culture & Media
Dance parties return to Baghdad
Young soldier wearing uniform raises his fist alongside other cheering soldiers
Conflict
Cheap drones are changing the calculus of war in Yemen
Nadia Murad gestures with her hands against a blue sky.
Conflict & Justice
Yazidi women still fear ISIS months after their defeat
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is shown wearing a dark suit and blue tie while walking on the tarmac in Iraq with a State Dept. airplane in the background.
US pulls non-emergency staff from Iraq amid concerns over Iran
An Iraqi flag blows in the wind from the back of motorcycle.
The first rule of this Iraqi biker group: No politics
Passengers walk on a platform before boarding a train to Fallujah.
Development
Iraq gets on board with new rail service to Fallujah through former ISIS territory
A man looks at weapons
Baghdad gun shops thrive after Iraqis rethink gun control policies
Iraqi supporters of cleric Moqtada al-Sadr's Sairun coalition celebrate after results of Iraq's parliamentary election were announced in Baghdad, Iraq, on May 14, 2018.
Populist cleric Sadr all but wins Iraq election
Arts, Culture & Media
Baghdad Gallery
Arts, Culture & Media
The Band Plays On
An aerial view of Baghdad, Iraq March 4, 2018.
Conflict
Fifteen years after the US entered Iraq, Baghdad breathes new life
The formal opening of the new US embassy in Baghdad’s fortified Green Zone, January 5th 2009
Conflict
Whatever happened to the giant US embassy in Baghdad?
Kurds celebrate to show their support for the upcoming independence referendum in Erbil, in nothern Iraq.
Conflict
Iraq’s Supreme Court orders suspension of Kurdish independence referendum
An Iraqi man holds a picture of victims of the Karrada suicide bomb attack in Baghdad, Iraq on July 10, 2016, one week after the attack.
Conflict
More than 75 percent of terrorist attacks in 2016 took place in just 10 countries
Wisam Albaiedhani (left) interpreting for US troops in Iraq.
Conflict
Trump’s travel ban sows confusion and fear, even among those eligible for visas
Car bomb in Baghdad
Conflict
ISIS bombs an ice cream shop in Baghdad
A US soldier of the 2nd Platoon Charlie Troop, 3rd Squadron of 61st Cavalry Regiment questions a man with an interpreter (R) while on patrol with Iraqi National Police in a suburb of Baghdad, March 7, 2007.
Justice
Iraqi translators who served the US military are desperate for an exemption to Trump’s travel ban
A U.S. flag hangs over fake palm trees inside the compound of the U.S. embassy in Baghdad in 2011.
Conflict
Translators who worked for the US military in Iraq wonder if their American dream is slipping away
The scene a day after a horrific suicide car bomb attack on the shopping area of Karrada, Baghdad.
Conflict
When even Baghdad is shocked by a bombing
Displaced person camp in Iraq
Environment
Displaced Iraqis struggle to stay cool during sweltering heat wave
Displaced person camp in Iraq
Environment
Displaced Iraqis struggle to stay cool during sweltering heat wave
Violence returns to Iraq as America plans withdrawal
Adel Al-Jaf, known by his stage name "Adel Euro."
Culture
Iraqi society frowned upon his moonwalk, but he kept dancing anyway
A woman reacts at the site of Sunday’s suicide bomb attack in Baghdad. Residents are angry with the government’s failure to deliver promised security.
Conflict
Anti-government anger rises in Baghdad after massive bombing