March 20, 2026

Today marks a somber double anniversary in Middle Eastern history: 23 years since the 2003 invasion of Iraq and 15 years since the UK, US, and French intervention against Muammar Gaddafi’s forces in Libya. Years later, the region is not the beacon of stability once promised; instead, it is engulfed in an even more expansive and destructive conflict. As German Foreign Minister Wadephul remarked two days ago, “One thing is clear: We are living through an exceptional moment in history.”[i]