President Bush’s surprise, valedictory trip to Iraq and Afghanistan this week was overshadowed by a bizarre incident during a Baghdad press conference, when an Iraqi journalist hurled his shoes at Bush—a profound insult in Arabic culture. Bush was touting Iraq’s “hopeful gains” when TV journalist Muntazer al-Zaidi launched his shoes at Bush’s head while shouting, “This is a goodbye kiss from the Iraqi people, dog.” Bush dodged the projectiles, and al-Zaidi was tackled by Iraqi security.
Prior to the incident, Bush virtually declared victory in Iraq, saying the war “is decidedly on its way to being won.” Bush later visited Kabul, where he acknowledged the resurgence of the Taliban and said the U.S. would not abandon Afghanistan. Al-Zaidi, meanwhile, quickly became a folk hero in Iraq, as thousands rallied, demanding his release from custody.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
Make mine a soju and tonic: the rise of Korea's favourite spiritThe Week Recommends The rice-based drink can replace gin or vodka in traditional cocktails for a refreshing twist on the classics
-
The full moon calendar for every monthIn depth When to see the lunar phenomenon every month
-
The end of WeightWatchersTalking Point The diet brand has filed for bankruptcy in the US as it struggles to survive in era of weight-loss jabs
-
Putin’s threat to fracture Ukrainefeature Fears that Russia was building a pretext for an invasion of eastern Ukraine grew, as pro-Kremlin protesters occupied government buildings in three cities.
-
Curbing NSA surveillance
feature The White House said it will propose a broad overhaul of the National Security Agency’s domestic surveillance program.
-
Downsizing the military
feature A new budget plan for the Pentagon would save hundreds of billions of dollars by taking the military off its post-9/11 war footing.
-
Putin ratchets up pressure on Ukraine
feature Russian President Vladimir Putin put 150,000 troops at the Ukraine border on high alert and cut off $15 billion in financial aid.
-
Ukraine on the brink of civil war
feature Ukraine’s capital was engulfed in flames and violence when hundreds of riot police launched an assault on an anti-government protest camp.
-
Ukraine at the breaking point
feature An alliance of opposition groups vowed protests would continue until President Viktor Yanukovych is removed from power.
-
Dim prospects for Syrian talks
feature A long-awaited Syrian peace conference in Montreux, Switzerland, quickly degenerated into a cross fire of bitter accusations.
-
The fight over jobless benefits
feature A bill to restore federal benefits for the long-term unemployed advanced when six Republican senators voted with Democrats.