The story: The sentencing of controversial think tank director Zaid Talaqani over an array of defamation-related charges has riled Iraq’s political stage. The move follows years of speculation over Talaqani’s meteoric rise from apparent obscurity to one of the most influential activist operatives in the country. While Talaqani’s political capital seems to have run out, the lingering controversies that he leaves in his wake will likely stoke further heated speculation over his connections.

The coverage: The initial charges against Talaqani appeared in mid-August, centered on unspecified threats against the...