Comment: Many Iraqis now fear it's their country that has the most to lose from being used as a potential battlefield for two foreign powers, writes Sam Hamad.
Comment: As the UAE moves out of Saudi Arabia's shadow, its developing ties with Iran are not as surprising as some might suggest, writes Jonathan Fenton-Harvey.
Comment: Both the US and Iran favour 'order' in Iraq, but when this means supporting brutal sectarianism and curtailing democratic self-determination, peace is just an illusion, writes Sam Hamad.