Al-Thawra is a state-controlled
Iraqi* daily
newspaper. It is published by
Al-Wahda, an
Arabic printing establishment. The paper was first published June 1,
1963, shortly after the
Baath party siezed control of the Iraqi government. Al-Wahda also publishes various local
Syrian newspapers, namely: Al-Jamaheer (
Aleppo), Al-Orouba (
Homs), Al-Fidaa (
Hama), and Al-Wahda (
Lattakia).
The paper is published online at www.thawra.com, in English and French; the English version is largely unmaintained. Articles tend to contain phrases like "the Zionist threat". Al-Thawra refers to the U.S. president as "Little Bush." The paper occasionally makes point in a reasonable manner; however, its facts are invariably based on the state information wire. Al-Thawra steadfastly denies the presence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, and claims that America's only motive is a desire to dominate Iraq's oil production.
The Iraqi state press has many other branches; 13 television stations, more than 50 radio stations, and innumerable other newspapers.
* Say what you will about Iraq, but "Iraqi" is a rocking word. Ih-RAK-EE. It just rolls off the tongue.