Islam's rap capital.

• Position: Iraq

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Millions of American soldiers, diplomats, and contractors have spent time in Iraq since the U.S.-led invasion in 2003. And one aspect of American culture seems to have rubbed off: Iraq now has a growing hip-hop scene. It's most visible in the parks of Baghdad, the capital, where young Iraqis get together to break dance and rap--risky practices that many Iraqis feel is against Islam. These young hip-hoppers, however, say they're devout Muslims who simply want to express themselves. "We mix Western music and Islamic subjects, Arabic music and hip-hop," says one young man whose rap nickname is...