The story: As Iraq’s political elites grapple with the tectonic shifts in neighboring Syria, thousands of Syrian military personnel who sought refuge amid the downfall of Bashar Al-Assad have been repatriated. The decision to allow the voluntary return of the troops has sparked praise from some political observers for Baghdad’s “humanitarian” position. Others charge that the soldiers have been left to an uncertain fate, stoking broader criticism of Iraq’s policy towards post-Assad Syria.

The coverage: The official Iraqi News Agency on Dec. 19 cited Iraq’s Joint Operations Command—a body which coordinates...