Israel-Gaza
Iraqi media shocked by reports of secret Israeli base as Baghdad hits critical juncture
✦ AI Brief
Iraqi media reports a secret Israeli base in the desert, midway between Baghdad and Basra, sparking controversy in Baghdad. The new report comes at a sensitive time as Iraq is in the process of approving a new government. Iraq's sovereignty may have been undermined by a foreign force operating in the desert, which could be embarrassing to the new leadership. The US role in the recent reports is also of interest to Iraq's media, given the country's complex and rocky relationship with the US.