A mustache can be many things: a source of pride, a tickling annoyance, a crumb trap. In Iraq, that could mean the difference between life and death.
During the reign of dictator Saddam Hussein, his thick black mustache graced the faces of his loyal supporters. Even today, men sporting mustaches are often identified as intelligence agents or military personnel. During the violent post-Saddam years, it was dangerous to wear such hair and many Iraqis reluctantly decided to shave. Today, the country is relatively calm and the mustache is making a comeback.
In Iraq, the style of beard and mustache generally remains a sign of religious or sectarian affiliation. Lamenting the first age of Islam, the Salafists display thick beards without a mustache, like the Prophet. The Shiites opt for a mixture of elegance and carelessness: finely trimmed from the ear to the mouth, their beard is shaved above
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The Economist (London)
Great institution of the British press, The Economist, founded in 1843 by a Scottish hatter, is the bible for anyone interested in international affairs. Openly liberal, he generally defends free trade, globalization, immigration and cultural liberalism. It is printed in six countries, and 85% of its sales are outside the UK.
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