Baghdad

Smoke rises from the Trade Ministry in Baghdad after it was hit by a missile during US-led attacks, March 20, 2003.

An Iraq vet grapples with lingering toll of war

Former US Army Sgt. Kayla Williams, who is currently a senior policy researcher at RAND Corporation, was among the 160,000 coalition troops who were deployed for the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq. Now, 20 years later, she reflects on her experiences with The World's host Marco Werman.

An Iraq vet grapples with lingering toll of war
Young men chat near Al-Mutanabbi street in Baghdad, Iraq, Friday, Feb. 24, 2023.

Young Iraqis reflect on the US-led invasion, its aftermath and their hopes for the future

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.

Iraq’s revived art scene is helping to heal the country’s wounds

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.

Iraqi author Ghaith Abdul-Ahad on the 'unbuilding' of Baghdad

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

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

This week, the announcement of the resignation of a powerful cleric in Iraq sparked deadly clashes in the capital, Baghdad. On Monday, Moqtada al-Sadr said he is stepping away from politics. In response, his supporters stormed the Green Zone. 

Instability in Iraq has created a ‘culture of fear,’ experts say
man in a helicopter

How wars end: Revisiting our series about one of the most difficult aspects of war

As the US finds itself embroiled in another war, though not with troops, we are reairing our series, "How Wars End," which first ran in 2008.

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. 

Iraqi protesters loyal to Sadr storm Parliament building to send message to political rivals, analyst says

Iraqi protesters aligned with Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr's political movement stormed the heavily militarized Green Zone and Iraqi Parliament building on Wednesday. The World's Marco Werman spoke with Hamzeh Hadad, a visiting fellow with the European Council on Foreign Relations, about the protesters' demands and the political gridlock plaguing Iraq.

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. 

Iraq's Yazidis stuck in 'tug-of-war' between regional armed groups

Recent fighting between the Iraqi army and a local militia in heavily populated civilian areas has led to the displacement of an estimated 10,000 people. 

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.

‘I had no life left here’: Iraqi Kurds are at the center of the migration crisis in Europe

Iraqi Kurds fleeing the semi-autonomous region in northern Iraq have made harrowing journeys to Western Europe. Now, many are being flown back to northern Iraq, often with little to restart their lives.

‘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. 

Drone attack on Iraq’s prime minister raises concerns of more violence

On Sunday, three drones laden with explosives targeted the home of Iraq’s prime minister. He survived unscathed, but the brazen attack has raised concerns about an escalation in 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.

Iraq needs to reclaim its cultural past to develop its future, art historian says

This week, the US agreed to return more than 17,000 treasures to Iraq. Nada Shabout, a professor of art history, joined The World's host Marco Werman to discuss Iraq's stolen cultural heritage. 

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.

Biden, Iraqi PM to announce end of US combat mission in Iraq

President Joe Biden and Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi are expected to announce on Monday that they've agreed to end the US military's combat mission in Iraq by the end of the year, according to a senior Biden administration official.

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.

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

Pope Francis’ upcoming three-day tour of the country will include meetings with political and religious leaders plus visits to historical sites.

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.

Biden seeks to extend US-Russia arms deal; Controversial tweet from Iran's supreme leader; Honduras set for permanent abortion ban

President Joe Biden seeks a five-year extension with Russia on the New START treaty — the only deal left that limits the world’s two largest nuclear arsenals — with just weeks before it expires on Feb. 5.

Biden seeks to extend US-Russia arms deal; Controversial tweet from Iran's supreme leader; Honduras set for permanent abortion ban