Sectarian Relapse: Lessons of the “Shia House”

November 01, 2023

Read in Arabic / اقرأ باللغة العربية

Read in Arabic / اقرأ باللغة العربية

This commentary was published only in Arabic. Click “read in Arabic” above to read the commentary.

Tags: iraq, Iraqi politics

Thanassis Cambanis, Senior Fellow and Director of Century International

Thanassis Cambanis is an author, journalist, and director of Century International. His work focuses on U.S. foreign policy, Arab politics, and social movements in the Middle East.

BAGHDAD, IRAQ - NOVEMBER 26: Iraqi police cadets take part in a rehearsal of the police cadet passing out ceremony at the Iraq National Police College on November 26, 2024 in Baghdad, Iraq. Britain's Home Secretary Yvette Cooper is visiting Bagdad and Erbil for a three-day visit to Iraq, during which a Joint Statement between Iraq and Britain was signed to tackle people smuggling and organised crime networks which have been operating across the region and in Europe. Further cooperation was agreed on tackling drug flows, modern slavery and continuing counter terrorism work. (Photo by Henry Nicholls-WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Report Century International

Integrate, Normalize, or Fight: Choices Facing the Shia Armed Factions in Iraq

WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 14: President Donald Trump stands and salutes troops during the celebration of the Army's 250th birthday on the National Mall on June 14, 2025 in Washington, DC. The U.S. Army is marking its 250th anniversary with a military parade along Constitution Avenue that includes roughly 6,600 troops, 150 vehicles, and over 50 aircraft. The parade, which coincides with President Donald Trump's 79th birthday, is designed to tell the history of the Army. (Photo by Doug Mills - Pool/Getty Images)

Commentary Century International

Progressives Can Lead With a Just Foreign Policy. First, They Must Confront Their Mistakes.

BEIRUT, LEBANON - AUGUST 02: A single apartment in Burj Hammud neighborhood is lit up during a power outage on August 2, 2021 in Beirut, Lebanon. Electricite du Liban (EDL) warned against more drastic measures of rationing electricity that could completely interrupt the supply of current, if it fails to finance its operations. EDL issued the warning

Commentary Century International

The Future of Lebanon’s Unlikely Solar Revolution

MASNAA, LEBANON - OCTOBER 5: People carry baggage around the crater from an Israeli air strike as they make their way across the border from Lebanon into Syria on October 5, 2024 in Masnaa, Lebanon. Israel continued airstrikes on Beirut and its southern suburbs as its military announced a ground offensive in Lebanon, part of what it said would be a

Report Century International

Home to Syria: Lebanon’s New Refugee Returns Plan

TEL AVIV, ISRAEL - JUNE 26: A man rides a scooter past a larger billboard depicting U.S. President Donald Trump on June 26, 2025 in Tel Aviv, Israel. As Israel's government touts its victory over Iran after 12 days of war, and a sense of normalcy returns to daily life here, Israelis are also recovering from a wave of aerial attacks that killed 28 people, caused an estimated $3 billion in damage, and tested the limits of its air-defense systems. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

Commentary Century International

America Can Still Escape Disaster in Iran

DAMASCUS, SYRIA - JULY 16: A man addresses demonstrators during a rally against Israeli intervention in Syria on July 16, 2025 in Damascus, Syria. A rally was held in Damascus in support of Syria's interim government and to denounce Israel's intervention following recent clashes between Syrian government forces and Druze militia in the southern Syrian city of Sweida, or Suwayda. A spokesperson from the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed Wednesday that Israeli airstrikes targeted the headquarters of Syria's defence ministry and a site near the presidential palace in Damascus. (Photo by Ali Haj Suleiman/Getty Images)

Commentary Century International

Sectarian Relapse: Lessons of the “Shia House”

Thanassis Cambanis, Senior Fellow and Director of Century International

Latest

Integrate, Normalize, or Fight: Choices Facing the Shia Armed Factions in Iraq

Progressives Can Lead With a Just Foreign Policy. First, They Must Confront Their Mistakes.

The Future of Lebanon’s Unlikely Solar Revolution

Home to Syria: Lebanon’s New Refugee Returns Plan

America Can Still Escape Disaster in Iran

Syria for Beginners: Five Sources to Follow