Remembering the ‘Camp Speicher‘ atrocities
Not all atrocities are remembered equally. Some are forgotten, or deliberately erased from public memory, buried like the victims. Sites of memory, including monuments, art and other public depictions and displays, can help society remember and negotiate traumatic pasts. On
Remembering the ‘Camp Speicher‘ atrocities
Not all atrocities are remembered equally. Some are forgotten, or deliberately erased from public memory, buried like the victims. Sites of memory, including monuments, art and other public depictions and displays, can help society remember and negotiate traumatic pasts. On
The infrastructure of erasing Palestinian children
Israel has a long history of killing Palestinian children. Since its founding in 1948, it has intentionally targeted children through the construction of a state infrastructure of erasure. What we are witnessing today in Palestine is in continuity with a
The infrastructure of erasing Palestinian children
Israel has a long history of killing Palestinian children. Since its founding in 1948, it has intentionally targeted children through the construction of a state infrastructure of erasure. What we are witnessing today in Palestine is in continuity with a
The Zindan Archaeological Site in Diyala
Iraq contains tens of thousands of archaeological and heritage sites. One of its most significant though little known sites is the Zindan Archaeological Site in the province of Diyala. The Zindan, a Persian name for a prison, was one of
The Zindan Archaeological Site in Diyala
Iraq contains tens of thousands of archaeological and heritage sites. One of its most significant though little known sites is the Zindan Archaeological Site in the province of Diyala. The Zindan, a Persian name for a prison, was one of
Corruption in Foreign Funded Projects in Iraq
This article is written based on my experience working in Iraq. I write because it is the right thing to do – given the huge damage that corruption inflicts on people, society and things like trust and reputation – but
Corruption in Foreign Funded Projects in Iraq
This article is written based on my experience working in Iraq. I write because it is the right thing to do – given the huge damage that corruption inflicts on people, society and things like trust and reputation – but
How Iraqi academics are overcoming a legacy of intellectual isolation
In recent months, hundreds of online academic webinars have been organised from Iraq as an outcome of the situation arising from COVID-19. Across a wide range of topics and fields of research and discussion – from arts and heritage and archaeology to medicine and engineering – this new trend in Iraqi academia
How Iraqi academics are overcoming a legacy of intellectual isolation
In recent months, hundreds of online academic webinars have been organised from Iraq as an outcome of the situation arising from COVID-19. Across a wide range of topics and fields of research and discussion – from arts and heritage and archaeology to medicine and engineering – this new trend in Iraqi academia
Decolonising Babylon
The popular imagination and the intellectual study of Babylon generally exclude any notion or understanding of the people who live most closely to it. Inscribed in 2019 as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, little is known about the ways in
Decolonising Babylon
The popular imagination and the intellectual study of Babylon generally exclude any notion or understanding of the people who live most closely to it. Inscribed in 2019 as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, little is known about the ways in
De-development, the era of the impossibility of development and the in-built dysfunction of Iraq’s political system
Since 2003, Iraq has seen remarkably little development, security and peace. The country’s infrastructure is the same if not worse than it was in 2003. Roads, hospitals, schools and many other components of the country’s infrastructure have been severely degraded.
De-development, the era of the impossibility of development and the in-built dysfunction of Iraq’s political system
Since 2003, Iraq has seen remarkably little development, security and peace. The country’s infrastructure is the same if not worse than it was in 2003. Roads, hospitals, schools and many other components of the country’s infrastructure have been severely degraded.
State deconstruction-reconstruction 2.0
In 2003, Iraq was invaded with a project to completely deconstruct the country, and ensure it was beholden to US patronage. The US pursued state dismantlement, namely the disbanding of its security forces, intelligence and army. Iraqis still live with
State deconstruction-reconstruction 2.0
In 2003, Iraq was invaded with a project to completely deconstruct the country, and ensure it was beholden to US patronage. The US pursued state dismantlement, namely the disbanding of its security forces, intelligence and army. Iraqis still live with
Why this merger is bad news for Iraq and international development work
‘Uniting aid with foreign policy’, Prime Minister Boris Johnson just stated, as he unveiled the new merging of the Department for International Development (DfiD) with the Foreign Commonwealth Office (FCO). What does this mean in practice for a place like
Why this merger is bad news for Iraq and international development work
‘Uniting aid with foreign policy’, Prime Minister Boris Johnson just stated, as he unveiled the new merging of the Department for International Development (DfiD) with the Foreign Commonwealth Office (FCO). What does this mean in practice for a place like
The Crisis of International Development 