Muhaned Faris

Stories

The Anaesthetist is not God: A dangerous journey through weapons, tribes, and medical errors 

Anaesthesia personnel in Iraq endure a dangerous and challenging journey, one that has led many medical students to avoid pursuing this speciality. This is the story of anaesthetists caught between death threats, tribal extortion, accusations of malpractice, and the broader deterioration and stagnation of the healthcare sector.

Reports

Blue hydrogen and the sun: Exploring Iraq's alternatives to oil 

What viable alternatives can Iraq pursue to transition toward having a more diversified economy—one that reduces environmental harm and improves human well-being? This is the dilemma facing Iraq, a rentier state that relies heavily on fossil fuels for nearly everything, even as it faces a climate crisis that threatens the state, society, and biodiversity alike.

Stories

“I’m afraid I’ll lose my money”: Shaimaa and Muhammad’s concerns about digital payment  

The Iraqi government is mandating digital payments, a move strongly promoted by banks. But many Iraqis, like Shaimaa and Muhammad, remain hesitant, expressing fears they might lose their money in the transition. The questions remain: are Iraqis truly ready for this shift? Why are some people afraid of losing their money? How have hidden fees, unexpected "tips” and fraud schemes become new obstacles to digital transformation and cashless systems?

Stories

"If I don’t drink tea, I feel like my head is going to explode.” On tea and people who are addicted to it in Iraq

Iraqis consume twice the average daily amount of tea. This is about the journey of tea, from import to brew.

Stories

In and Out of Medical Centers: Fancy Clinics and Pricey Cures 

"Most gynecologists admit more than one patient at a time, which prevents me from speaking freely to the doctor out of embarrassment in front of the other patients, ”.. on navigating costly clinics within medical centers in Iraq.