Latest from Rasha Al Aqeedi

There Should Be a Juneteenth Equivalent in Iraq
If there was one cynical historic deed that unites the West and Middle East, it would be slavery: in particular, the enslavement of humans from Africa.

Johnny Depp: Arab Men’s Favorite Pirate
So what do men in the Middle East fear exactly? Hashtags? Why was Johnny Depp's victory relatable to them when they have never had to stand trial?

Muzaffar Al Nuwab, Iraq’s Runaway Train
Muzaffar Al Nuwab was taken to his last destination, back home to Baghdad, for his final rest. His funeral procession was akin to a majestic homecoming ceremony where his life was celebrated by legions of admirers despite never having met their idol during their lifetime.

A Tribute to Shireen Abu Akleh, a Journalistic Role Model
Shireen looked and sounded like us, and it didn’t matter that we were not even privy to her religious identity, which we learned after her death when we watched in horror as her coffin made its way to the church while Israeli soldiers beat the pallbearers.

Overturning Roe v. Wade Doesn’t Need Sharia Analogies
For five decades, lobbyists and pro-life advocates have pushed to overturn Roe v. Wade; not sharia law enthusiasts. The American political system allowed for the Supreme Court to become right-leaning; not governing rules inspired by the Taliban.

Qassem Soleimani: The Vincible General
Despite the differences between Saddam and Soleimani, the commonalities were striking. Both men had caused enormous suffering. Both were defiant, and simply too large to die. Yet both were shown to be vincible.

Inglourious Basterds of Mosul
It took five hours to watch the 101-minute Netflix film on Mosul and process the emotions that resulted from the realistic portrayal of brutal warfare in my hometown.