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Washington Appears Out of Its Depth as Tensions Rise Between Secular Europe and Muslim Lands

Some Iraqis believe the Islamic Republic of Iran is driving events in Sweden and Iraq that are sharpening a clash between champions of free speech and devout Muslims.

AP/Ali Jabar
Smoke rises from the Swedish Embassy at Baghdad, July 20, 2023. Protesters angered by the planned burning of a copy of the Koran stormed the embassy and lighted a small fire. AP/Ali Jabar
BENNY AVNI
BENNY AVNI

Sweden, whose embassy at Baghdad was set on fire early this morning, is discovering that the breadth of its freedoms risks placing the peace-preaching Nordic country at the forefront of the clash of civilizations. 

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BENNY AVNI
BENNY AVNI

Benny Avni is a columnist who has published in the New York Post, WSJOpinion, The Daily Beast, Newsweek, Israel Radio, Ha’Aretz, and others. Once New York Sun, always New York Sun.

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