Iraq
The Disappearing Mandaeans
Mandaeans follow ancient precepts of Gnosticism and worship John the Baptist. During Mesopotamia's golden era they settled along the banks of the Tigris, Euphrates and Karun rivers in what is now known as Iraq and Iran. Forced into exile by the 2003 invasion of Iraq, they are slowly disappearing.
Portal Into the Past
The virtual reality “House of Memory” created by the artist Basil Al-Rawi takes viewers on a journey through photos and memories of Iraq’s past, allowing the diaspora to share personal stories and reclaim their cultural heritage.
The Vision Behind the US Consulate in Erbil Is Dissolving
The planned U.S. consulate complex in Erbil, in Iraq’s autonomous Kurdish region, has been plagued by delays and is being overtaken by changing political circumstances. The substantial compound may stand as a relic of unfulfilled ambition: a case study in the ebb and flow of dynamics in a volatile region.
The Disappeared Children of Iraq
Fayee's tragic case highlights the problem of child abductions in Iraq. While she was lured, abducted and murdered by someone from her neighborhood who was found, tried and convicted, many child abductions in the country are never resolved.
The Road That Embodies Iraqi Kurdistan’s Dysfunctional Politics
Why is the main route between Erbil and Sulaymaniyah, the Kurdistan Region’s two largest and most important cities, a bumpy, dangerous, two-lane road? The lack of an efficient link between the two cities is a perfect example of the Kurdistan Region’s internal divisions, reflecting its dysfunctional politics in physical form.
Iraq Goes Dry Despite Opposition
Iraq’s alcohol ban is out of step with the direction the Middle East is taking and also runs against the growing secularization of Iraqi society, particularly among its very large youth population.
Ashura Rituals In Iraq Highlight Environmental Crisis
Iraq’s climate conditions are only expected to worsen. In addition, activists, who face daily threats, have limited places to organize. The rituals of Ashura are critical not only in drawing attention to these dire conditions, but also in reaching those Iraqis who will be most affected by environmental degradation.