Clark Bentson, ABC News: Why the pope's visit to Iraq is so significant
"The Iraqi people are waiting for us," the pope said.
When the pontiff touches down in Baghdad on Friday, it will be the culmination of a Vatican trip decades in the planning. Pope Francis will be the first pope to ever visit this area of great biblical importance -- home to ancient civilizations.
His trip is happening despite escalating violence, rising COVID cases and international concerns. Questions about the timing of trip were raised repeatedly at a recent Vatican press conference. But it was the pope himself who addressed these concerns on Wednesday before his departure.
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Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- March 5, 2021
Can Pope Francis save Iraq's Christians from 'extinction'? -- Cathrin Schaer and Gasia Ohanes, DW
China aims to regain momentum with GDP target -- Frank Chen, Asia Times
China looks to close the chapter on coronavirus with big targets for 2021 at its annual National People's Congress -- Bill Birtles, ABC News (Australia)
The WHO is still incapable of transparency regarding China and COVID-19 -- Jianli Yang, The Hill
EXPLAINER: Why Ethiopia’s deadly Tigray crisis is growing -- Cara Anna, AP
Yemen war: How Oman and the US are finding common ground -- Kristian Coates Ulrichsen and Giorgio Cafiero, Middle East Eye
Biden White House: message discipline, no news conference -- Jonathan Lemire and Alexandra Jaffe, AP
What Does National Security Even Mean Anymore, After January 6th and the Pandemic? -- Susan B. Glasser, New Yorker
It’s time to rethink foreign military sales -- Luke Nicastro, Defense News
Why the Price of Oil Surged Beyond $65 a Barrel -- Lee Samaha, Motley Fool
'I'll believe it when I see it' - Saudi Arabia doubts oil recovery and keeps taps tight -- Ahmad Ghaddar and Alex Lawler, Reuters
Earthquake swarm in Iceland could hint at even bigger event -- Maura Kelly, Accuweather.com
A sand shortage? The world is running out of a crucial — but under-appreciated — commodity -- Sam Meredith, CNBC
