The story: The ouster of Syria’s former president Bashar Al-Assad has reignited debate in Iraq over the future of the sizable Syrian community in the country. Many Syrians lack settled legal status. Despite significant ambiguity over Syria’s present and future stability, calls are growing in Iraqi media for Syrians to return home. While Baghdad has not mounted an official response, the debate has reignited popular contention over the matter.

The coverage: The United Nations High Council for Refugees (UNHCR) in December released a report noting that Syrians residing abroad, including Iraq, were predominantly adopting a “wait and see” approach to...