Iraq

Meeting KRG in London

2012-01-19T16:52:00.002Z

Head of Foreign Relations tells British seminar of concerns about political crisis in Iraq Minister Falah Mustafa Bakir the Head of the Department Foreign Relations had a packed schedule on his visit to the UK. He met FCO Minister Alistair Burt, participated in the FCO’s Future of the Middle East conference and spoke at a Next Century Foundation think tank seminar. He said that the

Reckoning with past crimes

2012-01-19T12:59:00.002Z

Last week, London was the location of a three-day conference about Iraq, entitled “Looking Toward International Recognition of the Dictatorial Former Regime’s Crime and Violations”. The conference was intended to draw attention to the crimes committed by Saddam’s regime during its long reign, atrocities that caused several hundred-thousand deaths, and whose consequences are still significant in

U.S. Troops to Leave Iraq Weeks Ahead of Schedule

2011-11-18T12:40:00.010Z

After President Obama announced at the end of last month that the U.S. troops in Iraq would be pulled out by the end of the year, the administration is now speeding up the complete withdrawal of approximately 40 000 troops by early December this year. This announcement was met by strong disagreement in the ranks of the Republicans. They fear that the pulling out of the US forces at this point

Journalist and Protest Leader Murdered in Baghdad Home

2011-09-28T12:06:00.002+01:00

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called for a full investigation into the murder of Hadi al-Mahdi on September 9, 2011. The popular radio journalist was shot dead in his home in Baghdad; witnesses at the crime scene informed HRW that they saw no evidence of a struggle and no valuables were taken from the house, implying that the killing was deliberate rather than a result of burglary. Al-Mahdi, who

Iraq Violence

2011-09-27T14:22:00.000+01:00

A senior finance ministry official has been assassinated by gunmen in Baghdad, whilst a senior judge was left wounded in an attack yesterday. Hospital officials reported that Mohamad Ali al-Safi, a senior official in the finance ministry, died in hospital on Monday evening after gunmen opened fire on his car in western Baghdad. In addition, gunmen shot judge Munir Hadad in the hand in a drive-by

Large- Scale Demonstrations In Iraq

2011-09-12T11:30:00.002+01:00

Massive demonstrations have reportedly taken place in Tahrir Square, Baghdad, following a thirty- day suspension of protests in Iraq. The protests, led by students, intellectuals and independent politicians, echo the well- publicised demonstrations that dominated the capital every Friday after February 25th of this year. Protesters organised a series of rallies, which took place on September 9th.

Turkish War Planes Bomb Kurdish Militants in Iraq

2011-09-05T16:50:00.002+01:00

On Sunday 4th September, Turkish war planes launched attacks on the militants from the Kurdistan Worker's Party (PKK) who are based in the Qandil mountains, Northern Iraq. Tensions have intensified between Turkey and Kurdistan in recent weeks; August saw the death of as many as 160 Kurdish militants as a result of Turkish air strikes. Further to this, Iran has claimed responsibility for the

'Real First Step' for Journalism in Iraq??

2011-09-05T15:13:00.000+01:00

On August 9th 2011, the Iraqi Parliament approved legislation with the intention of 'strengthening' the rights of its journalists. The Protection Laws enable Judicial Decision alone to sanction the confiscation of newspapers, the investigation of journalists for activity deemed criminal, and also provides financial assurance for journalists injured on the job. This legislation comes at a time

Post 2011 withdrawel from Iraq. What next?

2011-08-27T15:04:00.003+01:00

The deadline for the 46,000 US troop withdrawel from Iraq is December 2011. This withdrawel is based on an agreement signed between Washington and Baghdad in 2008. Until recently it has been unknown whether Baghdad would agree to allow US troops to stay on in Iraq, post 2011. Iraqi governmental authorisation would be needed for this to be effective. Allegedly US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta

Iranian weapons are killing US troops

2011-07-29T15:21:00.003+01:00

According to a recent report (July 2011), more US troops are being killed by Iranian weapons (though not Iranians!) than ever before. Military commanders stationed in Iraq have stated than Iranian made weaponry is now the greatest threat to their soldiers. This highlights Tehran’s push to gain influence in the post-American Middle East region. 14 men were killed in June, a record high, and 12

How long can Maliki hold on?

2011-07-26T12:14:00.004+01:00

Since 2005 Iraq has been defined by its constitution, as a federal state. But will the lack of powers that al-Maliki has granted to local authorities be his downfall? Opposition members have accused Maliki of abusing his authority and fear that he is consolidating power that according to the constitution of Iraq, should have been devolved to local bodies. It is the view of some Iraqis that

Basra: the next semi autonomous region in Iraq?

2011-07-26T11:39:00.005+01:00

The 2005 Iraq constitution defines Iraq as a federal country. Basra submitted a petition to the electoral commission to hold a referendum, the result of which would be it becoming a semi-autonomous region.It wants autonomy because many of its residents consider themselves marginalised by successive Iraqi governments both before and since the 2003 American liberation.The guidelines under which

Denial of bombing of Kuwait embassy in Iraq

2011-07-19T12:03:00.000+01:00

News reports stated that the Kuwait embassy in Baghdad was the target of three rockets. However the acting undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kuwair, Mohammed Ahmed Al-Roumi denied these reports even though the ministry has withdrawn all its diplomats and embassy staff from Baghdad. Al-Roumi claimed that staff has been recalled to Iraq because of Ramadan approaching.Whilst there

Iraq government slim down

2011-07-01T23:17:00.000+01:00

Malaki's going to cut the size of his government. Surely that will cause a ruccus amongst the bit players in his coalition? Khaleej Times - 01 July, 2011 Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri Al Maliki wants to cut the number of ministries and ministerial positions by nearly half in an effort to improve government efficiency, a close aide said on Thursday.

Iraq MPsstart to fight

2011-06-13T16:24:00.000+01:00

Now Malaki's Dawa and Alawi's Iraqiya have started to thump one another in parliament. Brilliant: Khaleej Times - 13 June, 2011 Two rival Iraqi lawmakers came to blows on Sunday at a time of rising tension between Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki’s Shiite bloc and a Sunni-backed alliance, a parliamentary source told AFP. The increasingly frayed ties between the two camps, which finished

Outstaying their welcome?

2011-05-26T22:42:00.002+01:00

US Defence Secretary Robert Gates has expressed his hope that Baghdad will ask US troops to stay beyond their scheduled departure. This conflicts with President Obama’s previous pledge that the US will continue to support Iraq whilst bringing all US troops home. There are currently about 47,000 Americans in uniform in Iraq, all of whom are scheduled to leave by December 31 under an agreement

2011 Global Peace Index

2011-05-26T14:27:00.003+01:00

For the first time in five years, Iraq does not rank at the bottom of the Global Peace Index (published by the Institute for Economics and Peace).The index is made up of 23 indicators, ranging from a nation's level of military expenditure to its relations with neighbouring countries and its level of respect for human rights.Interesting, Libya saw the most significant drop, with Bahrain the next

Chance would be a Fine Thing

2011-04-03T11:22:00.000+01:00

Associated Press - 03 April, 2011Iraq’s prime minister said Saturday he was confident his government will survive a 100-day test he imposed on Cabinet ministers to enact reforms and root out corruption or risk losing their jobs.But Premier Nuri Al-Maliki opened several escape clauses for his ministers should they fail to meet the June 7 deadline, which he set in an effort to appease protests by

Extraordinary News from Baghdad

2011-03-06T11:42:00.000Z

Dear Friends, sorry for sending this news Today, and with a great astonishment, we have received military orders from the Prime Minister office, through the military operations command in Baghdad; to shut the Iraqi nation parties headquarter in Baghdad, within 24 hours. The Iraqi nation party, the Liberal democratic party, we dare the Iraqi government to direct any accusation against us. We are

Iraq electricity subsidies introduced after protests

2011-02-14T15:30:00.000Z

It was disgraceful that the coalition forces could never manage to restore Iraq's power after the invasion. Saddam managed it despite sanctions. It is equally disgraceful that now Iraq has independance she fares little better. Arab News - 14 February, 2011 Iraqis will receive their first 1,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity for free each month, the Ministry of Electricity said, following growing

Christians are being targetted in Iraq

2010-11-19T16:47:00.005Z

On Weds 3rd Nov 2010 Rebecca Santana wrote that after gunmen had held a Christian congrenation hostage in a seige in which 58 people died, the attacks seemed to concetrate on the Shiite population, the most deadly blast happened near a market in Sadr City.Pope Benedict said of Iraq "Violence hasn't stopped in this country Christians are bcoming the target of these cruel events"On the wider stage,

Iraq raid on Church an attempt to undermine government formation

2010-11-02T14:37:00.000Z

The raid by a group of fanatics on the Baghdad Catholic church was conducted by non-Iraqis thought to be of Saudi extraction according to NCF sources in Iraq. Our sources feel that this is part of a push to de-rail moves at government formation by using violence to undermine Malaki's authority. Current status of negotiations are centred on a deal whereby Allawi would get one of his people as

Iraq's Elections: Iran steps in

2010-10-18T15:15:00.002+01:00

Iran has been accused of interfering to impose its will on Iraq after it appears it was instrumental in a deal between Maliki and Muqtada al-Sadr which could hand Maliki a second term.Maliki, who is currently in Iran visiting the President, would now have enough seats to form a government as long as the Kurds and the rest of the INA were willing to form a coalition with him. This development has

New Oil Capacity Discovered as Iraq overtakes Iran

2010-10-05T15:25:00.001+01:00

The Iraqi government has announced that its oil reserves are nearly a quarter larger than they were last time a review was published.The findings represent the first report on the state of Iraq's oil since Saddam Hussein was toppled after the invasion in 2003 and will present a boost to the incoming government. It is estimated that 80% of Iraq's economy depends on the oil industry so finding new

Maliki: Prime Minister in All But Name

2010-09-29T16:45:00.007+01:00

NCF sources are now indicating that Nouri Al Maliki has been accepted as the Prime Minister-to-be by all of the four main blocks in the Iraqi government. It is now apparent that rather than rushing to announce the name of the Prime Minister the four main parties; the State of Law coalition, the INA, the Al-Iraqiya list and the Kurdish block, have tacitly accepted that Maliki will be Prime

Prime Minister in a Fortnight

2010-09-08T00:59:00.000+01:00

NCF sources indicate that we will have the endorsement of Malaki as premier within the fortnight but that decisions on Ministerial posts will take some months yet. Some interesting comments from Allawi (pictured): Allawi sees progress on govt by end of October Gulf Times - 07 September, 2010 Former Iraqi premier Iyad Allawi hopes coalition talks will have progressed by end-October and said

Maliki says there are more Foreign planned attacks coming

2010-08-29T19:46:00.000+01:00

All the sick bombing attacks in Iraq are plotted and / or supported from the neighboring states. Indeed almost all suicide bombers are foreigners. But there are still remnants of the old Baathist / Islamist alliance that developed in the imediate aftermath of the fall of Saddam and is centred on a command in and around Mosul. Iraq's premier Malaki has been expressing concern about the latest

What is next for Iraq? Bloc politics

2010-08-24T16:12:00.001+01:00

163. This is the number of seats needed by a political party to form a government. After the elections on 7 March 2010 the secular Sunni Iraqiyya alliance (headed by former premier Iyad Allawi) won 91 seats. The mainly Shia coalition (led by the outgoing Prime Minister, Nouri Maliki) won 89 and the Kurds won 57 seats. No party won an outright majority and the country is locked in political

Maliki will cling onto Power

2010-08-09T11:54:00.000+01:00

Maliki and the Kurds are forging an allince which leaves the INA in opposition and leaves Allawi the option of becoming foreign minister and joining the game. Which will be interesting. Iraqi leaders agree to roadmap for gov't row Kuwait News Agency - 09 August, 2010Iraq Kurdistan Regional President Masoud Barzani and Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki have agreed to a roadmap for a way out of the

The UN at it again

2010-08-05T22:58:00.001+01:00

The United Nations is interfering in Iraq yet again. When will they learn to shut up. Iraq has a long history of UN created pain. Now the UN is trying to dictate the agenda on government formation, following, as almost always, the American lead. It is impossible to expect a final new government in Iraq before Eid. Especially with the USA being so keen on a government of national unity including

Iraq: A Petro-State Once More

2010-07-12T13:28:00.009+01:00

Events in modern Iraq have always been inevitably linked to the nation’s vast oil endowments. As early as 1920, under the guise of the League of Nations Britain brought together the Ottoman provinces of Basra, Baghdad and Mosul in order to better exploit the holdings of the Turkish Petroleum Company. Later, the Ba’ath Party nationalized the Iraqi Petroleum Company arousing the hostility of the

US Pressure

2010-07-06T13:17:00.002+01:00

It seems to me that the US are fogetting that Democracy is rarely a smooth process. Iraq should be given credit for emerging from almost complete chaos and failure into a state which has the capacity to hold free elections. America is hardly in a posistion to tell Iraqis what to do seeing as on Biden's recent trip he emphasised the need for Iraq to reject foreign interference. Surely this should

America will not learn to keep out of things

2010-07-05T21:20:00.000+01:00

The USA is messing around in Iraq again. Will it not learn that its interventions are grossly counterproductive? Nobody expected AN IRAQI GOVERNMENT TO BE FORMED UNTIL AFTER RAMADAN. Leave well alone. Biden nudges Iraqi leaders to end deadlock Reuters - 05 July, 2010 U.S. Vice President Joe Biden urged Iraqi leaders on Sunday to press ahead and form a government after four months of

Iraq - the cup's half empty

2010-06-25T22:17:00.000+01:00

Well the world has a much bleaker view of Iraq than I do. I never expected a quick deal on a government in Iraq. This from Xan who takes the other view. Xan writes: Here’s a slightly glummer view than yours. Both articles (leader and lead note) by me: http://www.economist.com/node/16377361 http://www.economist.com/node/16377297?story_id=16377297

Feltman tries to mess with Iraq

2010-06-19T11:14:00.005+01:00

Seems as if parliament is at deadlock on the premiership issue. Or at least the main contenders are at deadlock. Mind you the USA is getting its knickers in a twist unnecessarilly. NONE OF US ever expected Iraq to have a government before September. Wake up Jeff and allow the due process to take its course naturally. Stop trying to interfere. Don't you know you make it worse?Iraq leaders puncture

Iraq Parliament to sit

2010-06-14T15:54:00.003+01:00

Looks like parliament sits on Wednesday. So a new Iraq government of National unity looks likely - by September perhaps. Certainly months, not weeks:Iraq's parliament sits on Monday for the first time since inconclusive March elections but it could be weeks before a government is formed that can tackle worsening insurgent violence....

Maliki Says Iraq Needs Him as Leader

2010-06-10T22:49:00.002+01:00

This interesting New York Times summary sent us by Stafford:BAGHDAD — Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki, struggling for his political future in a snarled, months-long contest to form a new government here, warned Wednesday that failure to return him to power would lead to Iraq’s descent into the violence and sectarian strife that dominated the country when he took over in 2006.At times

Maliki won't step aside

2010-05-30T17:30:00.007+01:00

Malaki sure is keen to hold onto power. The Sadderists aren't too happy though. Which makes things difficult. No government yet a while I guess.Gulf Times - 30 May, 2010Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said yesterday his party would not compromise on its choice of government leader, resisting pressure from potential coalition partners for him to step aside. The ratification of the election

Notes from a KRG friend

2010-05-17T22:55:00.002+01:00

My understanding / thoughts re Baghdad:Allawi has attracted considerable Sunni vote.The issue that Malaki is somehow representative of "security" is something Al Hakim could build on but it is scare stuff because Allawi is known as a tough man who, given the chance, will drive the country less to the geographical right.The thinking/middle class intelligent vote will become an increasingly

Death of Kurdish journalist must be explained

2010-05-13T23:01:00.001+01:00

Please find below Ranj's article on the murder of Sardasht Osman, the 23-year old student and journalist from Iraqi Kurdistan: http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/may/13/zardasht-osman-death-kurdistanThe KDP have a great deal to answer for in my view

Iraq locked in two-man power struggle after vote

2010-05-03T10:33:00.005+01:00

Two months after a general election that produced no outright winner, Iraq has become locked in a battle between two men fighting for power that threatens its fragile security and hopes for stability.... A great democracy is born ! ! !>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Allawi says new polls may be needed

2010-04-29T09:43:00.001+01:00

The mess in post election Iraq continues:Agence France-Presse - 29 April, 2010Iraq’s general election winner Iyad Allawi on Wednesday said new parliamentary polls run by international monitors might be needed to end concerted efforts from rivals who want to reverse his victory.A statement from Allawi’s Iraqiya coalition said it had considered asking the United Nations, the European Union, and the

Saudi backed killers hit the streets of Baghdad?

2010-04-07T15:47:00.000+01:00

Interesting piece from Ranj. Mostly for what it does not say "US presence in Iraq is still very much a raison d'être for Iraq’s extremist/terrorist groups" he writes - OK so who are they? Saudi backed Islamists? Syrian backed Baathists? Who is responsible for this obscenity. We need less beating about the bush and more calling to account in my view: At least 39 people were killed and over 100

Allawi gets his chance

2010-04-03T08:14:00.002+01:00

Allawi is now almost certain to be the next Iraqi Premier. INA Boss Ammr Al Hakim has stated that he will support the guy. So it's all change in Iraq.>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Today is the day

2010-03-26T12:27:00.003Z

Malaki and Allawi are neck and neck and we are virtually sure that the final result will give Allawi a slightly higher proportion of the national vote. Whereas Malaki will have a slightly higher number of seats. Probably 90 to Allawi's 89. In any case we will all know later today following which there will be lots of arguments and recriminations- and a two month wait whilst the government is

Malaki Wins by one seat!

2010-03-23T09:56:00.003Z

The announcement of the final results of the Iraq elections by the IHEC is scheduled for Friday 26th March. The IHEC web team is working on gradually uploading the results on the three pages on its website: www.ihec.iq .Our analysis of those results (by NCF Senior Fellow Justin Alexander) gives a final predicted result of a Dawa win with 90 seats to Dawa and 89 to Allawi. Justin still forecasts

The New Iraq

2010-03-17T13:04:00.002Z

Our reading is that it's neck and neck between Allawi and Malaki with a near equal number of seats each so far but that currently ALLAWI HAS THE EDGE to our surprise by about 10,000 votes and a better spread of votes across the country. This is part of a pattern with less sectarian voting (this time you have some Shiites voting for Sunnis and vice versa). Note also that Allawi is doing

ELECTIONS

2010-03-06T20:47:00.002Z

Well here we are in Baghdad. We are preparing to monitor tomorrow's elections having covered much of the country. There are all sorts of threats including the classic diatribe from the Al Qaida style groups who threaten dire consequences should Iraqis vote. But they will. In their millions. Everyone is eager to vote even at the risk of their lives. And, with results to be posted on every polling

Yanks go home

2010-02-26T22:28:00.002Z

Well it seems we are not leaving Iraq yet if we can help it - we are going to leave troops in the one place where their presence will be most explosive - Kirkuk. How stupid can you get. The mess that is Kirkuk is largely Britain's fault because the UK has led the chorus of voices that demand we kick that can down the road rather than resolve it. Typical. Those chickens will come home to roost ere

Kurdish Minister in trouble

2010-02-21T19:56:00.002Z

The problem remains that there is a perception that the Kurdish Regional Government is corrupt. Whether it is or is not is not the point. The point is that there are no mechanisms that enable transparency. Employing some maleable firm of American accountants is not the answer. Ranj sends this in:Minister's secret £13 million: “An oil minister in Iraq quite clearly shouldn’t be making millions of

Candidate Ban confirmed

2010-02-14T22:59:00.003Z

Things are getting bad for the elections. It doesn't bode well for a peaceful process. Very very worrying. This candidate ban on quasi-Baathists could have severe consequences in terms of electoral violence >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

500 candidates banned

2010-01-18T20:42:00.002Z

The Iraq government has outlawed 500 candidates for the elections, ostensibly because they have Baathist links. Sad and divisive.An Iraqi committee which barred 500 politicians and parties from running in March elections accused the United Nations yesterday of interfering in its decisions. The committee of integrity and accountability “disapproves the request made by UN special envoy Ad Melkert

Ba'ath saga haunts Iraq's future

2010-01-14T00:46:00.002Z

Ranj sends his article in about the attempted banning of key Sunni politicians because of that offensive US promoted debaathification law. One sure fire way to undermine democracy:The Iraqi government is treading a fine line after its Accountability and Justice commission (also known as the "de-Ba'athification" commission) moved to bar a prominent Sunni politician, Salah al-Mutlaq, and 14 others

Anger over Blackwater

2010-01-02T12:10:00.003Z

It is really an obscene indictment of US justice that the Blackwater killers were let free. Anyone who's driven in Iraq knows how terrifying the Blackwater thugs are when they drive people off the road. They are responsible for the kind of bitterness that keeps the insurgency going. How would you like it if foreigners behaved like that in your country? You would want to rise up against such

Iraq elections - Really March 7th?

2009-12-15T17:07:00.003Z

An NCF member with his finger on the pulse writes: It's still possible the elections could get delayed again past 7 March, although the Americans will be lobbying heavily against it. The Presidency Council (who's parties are likely to loose ground to non-sectarians) may attempt a constitutional coup against Maliki post-Jan 31st. Iraq's three man Presidency Council are: Jalal Talabani (the

Iraq's neighbors must behave !

2009-12-09T12:56:00.003Z

Important point this from Ranj. Iraq's Arab neighbors must stop trying to de-stabilise Iraq. Sow the wind and they will reap the whirlwind:At least 110 people were killed and hundreds more injured yesterday when five near-simultaneous bombs struck Baghdad. In typical fashion for a country of painful ironies, yesterday's attacks came in the aftermath of the Iraqi parliament's passing of a

Election go-ahead

2009-12-07T23:07:00.003Z

Well our friend Ranj says February 27th is his best bet for the election date:A spokesman for Iraq’s parliament speaker says a political accord has been reached to clear the way for parliamentary elections next year. Omar Al Mishhadani, the spokesman for Parliament Speaker Ayad Al Samarie, had no details of the pact reached after marathon talks yesterday. A late-night emergency session was called

Ayad Jamalhuddin and the UK

2009-12-01T16:07:00.000Z

Today Ahrar's leader Ayad Jamal Aldin, sent a personal letter to the Chairman of the Iraq Inquiry in the UK, Sir John Chilcot requesting an opportunity to come and listen to an evidence giving session.The inquiry is investigating the build up to the war in 2003, which saw the overthrowing of Saddam Hussein's regime.Speaking about the letter, Ahrar's leader said, "There is no other group of people

More trouble for Iraq's elections

2009-11-18T16:19:00.007Z

Iraq's Kurdish region is trying to mess up the elections. They don't want to face the fact that the established parties (PUK/KDP) are likely to do less well than before. So they use a credible delaying tactic for less than credible reasons - complaining about their allocation of seats. Stafford writes:The updated table below corrects the total number of seats which is based on one seat per

Talabani tries to undermine elections

2009-11-17T11:31:00.002Z

Iraqi President Jalal Talabani is still smarting from the drubbing he got at the ballot box in the recent elections in Kurdistan and he can't face another humiliation. So he is trying to stop the January elections for the national parliament. The way he has chosen to do it is to undermine things by refusing to sign any election law unless parliament increases minority representation. Of itself a

Elections dispute

2009-10-23T23:02:00.002+01:00

The New York Times writes: The dispute over the election law centers first on the question of whether voters can cast their ballots for parties or individuals. Voting for individuals is preferable because it offers a more direct connection between politicians and their constituents and helps weaken ethnically based parties.Staffod Clarry responds: Yes, but no individual is likely to be effective

Elections Trouble

2009-10-22T23:28:00.003+01:00

So the Iraq electoral law has not been passed yet. What a nuisance. If they use the old law with its "party list" system which means people can't vote for individuals - it will be a shame.The hold up is - of course - Kirkuk. Blame the British for kicking that can down the road. British diplomats campaigned hard to stop a resolutrion of the Kirkuk issue in the early days when they said it was

Big big trouble brewing - nasty VERY NASTY

2009-10-09T23:24:00.002+01:00

Iraq is - potentially - heading for civil war. It is time to difuse the tension between the Kurds and the Central Government - IMMEDIATELY:Kurdish officials are planning a January referendum on a controversial draft constitution for the region, despite protests that it flouts Iraqi law, could heighten tensions with Baghdad and even lead to a dictatorship. The proposed constitution, which was

From Kurdistan with Love

2009-09-27T00:15:00.003+01:00

Stafford sent this in (written by our old friend Jackie) - which is interesting because hatred of Israel in the Mid East is such a transient thing - as the Abdullah Plan shows. If Israel but actually had a just peace with the Palestinians the whole Islamic World would change it's perspective. But Isrfaelis like to suffer I guess - else this would have all long ago been resolved.Text of report by

Syria - Iraq squabble continues

2009-09-20T15:51:00.005+01:00

Malaki continues to play the Syrian card to account for increasing levels of violence within Iraq. Truth is most of Iraq's neighbors are responsible for destabilising that country in their different ways - but Syria makes a convenient whipping boy.Kuwait Times - 20 September, 2009A meeting of Iraqi and Syrian officials over accusations Damascus shelters Iraqi insurgents yielded nothing and

Mosul governance pushing away the Kurds

2009-09-15T13:49:00.002+01:00

Mosul has been the most prominent flashpoint of Arab-Kurd tension since the drafting of the constitution, but hopes for reconciliation are diminished now more than ever. In the country’s most recent elections, the predominantly Sunni Arab, pro-Ba’athist al-Hadba list came into power. A largely pro-Arab agenda in this highly divided municipality presents a major gap in

Syria and Lebanon: Iraq bombings widen rift with Syria

2009-09-12T22:13:00.000+01:00

Syria and Lebanon: Iraq bombings widen rift with SyriaDifficult times one way and anotherSee also Ranj's piece

The Kurdistan Regional Government and PriceWaterhouseCoopers

2009-09-02T12:22:00.002+01:00

Recently, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC) signed a large agreement to develop a "Department of Information Technology" to battle corruption in the KRG. On the surface, and in its conception, it is fantastic that PwC is providing a framework for Kurdistan to hold its government accountable. PwC has actually developed a business strategy around countering

Anti-gay gangs terrorise Iraq

2009-08-26T10:53:00.000+01:00

The GuardianScott LongWho rules Iraq? If you ask Baghdad officials or the Obama administration's proconsuls, they will tell you: a democratically elected Iraqi government, a triumphant product of the "purple revolution" that reflects the will of Iraq's people.If you ask Mashal, a shopkeeper from Baghdad's al-Sha'ab neighbourhood, he has a different answer."Four men came into the shop," he told us

New Shiite coalition

2009-08-24T16:29:00.002+01:00

New Iraqi Shia coalition announced, Maliki is not in it. Below are the members of the coalitionFormer Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Ja'fariIraqi Deputy Vice President Adil Abd-al-MahdiKarrar al-KhafajiShaykh Humam HammudiHadi al-AmiriMuhammad al-HaydariAbd-al-Karim al-AnziSalih al-FayyadDr Nassar al-Rubay'iDr Aqil Abd-al-HusaynDr Qasim DawudHashim al-HashimiHasan al-SariQusay al-SuhaylShaykh

US troops are still needed in Iraq

2009-08-23T14:41:00.003+01:00

Guardian UK, 22 August 2009Ranj AlaaldinIt was hailed as National Sovereignty Day – a day when Iraq was being handed back to Iraqis. But the US withdrawal from Iraqi towns and citieson 30 June has failed to live up to its expectations, and with devastating consequences for the Iraqi people.An escalation of attacks since that day, including a multitude of near-simultaneous attacks on Wednesday

Can Democracy Survive in Kurdistan?

2009-08-11T12:37:00.002+01:00

Guardian UK, 09 August 2009Ranj AlaaldinIraqi Kurdistan's parliamentary and presidential elections have given birth to a viable opposition group for the first time since the autonomous Kurdish region was established in 1991.Kurdish politics has traditionally been dominated by the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, led by Iraqi president Jalal Talabani, and the Kurdistan Democratic party, led by

Bombs rock Baghdad

2009-08-11T11:32:00.004+01:00

All this sectarian violence in Iraq should end. It is beyond pointless. The main motive is vengeance like some old fashioned feud. It is shameful and largely fuelled by external interests whether Sunni or Shiite.http://www.english.globalarabnetwork.com/200908102138/Iraq-Politics/bombs-rock-baghdad-and-iraqs-north.html

Iraq inquiry sessions to be held in secret even where no national security involved

2009-08-05T09:37:00.001+01:00

The Daily TelegraphRosa PrinceSir John Chilcot suggested that whistleblowers would be able to speak with greater "candour and openness" if their evidence was held behind closed doors.But critics including Opposition parties said that the public had a right to hear all the evidence presented to the inquiry, which Sir John disclosed was not likely to report back until the end of next year at the

Audit finds contractor oversight improving in Iraq

2009-07-28T11:20:00.000+01:00

By LARA JAKES Associated Press WriterWASHINGTON (AP) -- The government has kept a closer eye on U.S. contractors in Iraq since a deadly 2007 shooting by Blackwater guards, but it still needs to do a better job tracking and investigating when private security guards fire their guns, two new Pentagon audits have found.The reports were released Tuesday by the Pentagon's special inspector general for

Ministry of Defeat: the British War in Iraq 2003-2009 by Richard North: review

2009-07-21T09:49:00.003+01:00

The Daily TelegraphRichard North might mock himself as an “armchair general”, but this forceful and searching analysis of the British military’s failings in Iraq provides greater plausibility than anything else put forward to date. Ministry of Defeat tells us that the British Army that was sent into Iraq partly to secure its strategic alliance with the US has suffered a humiliating setback that

U.S. military boss urges Iraq to settle differences

2009-07-14T11:26:00.004+01:00

The Americans are asking the Iraqis to stop arguing over Kirkuk. Can you believe it? When it is the Americans who have been keeping the pressure up to kick that can down the road. The USA has caused the Kirkuk problem along with the Brits by endlessly refusing to address it.The top U.S. military commander urged rival factions in Iraq's disputed city of Kirkuk, the heart of a bitter feud over land

American Troops Withdraw

2009-07-06T18:56:00.002+01:00

There seems to be a mixed reaction to the 'withdrawal' of American troops from Iraq. On the one hand Prime Minister Maliki delivers a proud speech rejoicing Iraq's sovereignty to his nation followed by street celebrations. However many Iraqis are not satisfied with the extent of the withdrawal, citing that 130,000 troops remain less than 30mins from the major cities. Similarly there is worry that

Iraqi whose lies made the case for war looks on from afar

2009-06-29T14:37:00.001+01:00

The GuardianMartin ChulovWhen the Iraqi who could be considered more responsible than any other for the US invasion six years ago quietly returned last March to the land his lies helped shape, Iraq was entering one of its most stable and promising phases in six years of turmoilRafid Ahmed Alwan – otherwise known as Curveball – slipped back into Baghdad after 10 years of exile in Germany.Before

Goodye America

2009-06-27T01:00:00.002+01:00

So the USA is to pull out of Iraq's cities. I bet that doesn't mean they pull down the wall around that squalid testimony to fear they call the Green Zone. Ah well.

Iraqi Kurds seek change

2009-06-23T22:37:00.004+01:00

The Kurds are getting rolling on a very tough election battle. The temptations to stuff ballots and the like will abound. They have pulled the invitation for the NCF to monitor the elections - which bodes ill. Still, the people are excited = the fight to win the ballot is on.SULAIMANIYAH, Iraq – Kurdish candidates have begun campaigning for the first elections in four years in their

Death in Kirkuk

2009-06-21T21:51:00.003+01:00

A suicide bomber killed 70 people on Saturday as they left a mosque, shortly after the prime minister urged Iraqis not to lose faith if a US military pull-back sparked more violence.This obscenity took place in Kirkuk. The problem with the Kirkuk issue is that all parties, the Kurds, The Iraq government, the USA and UK, want to kick this can down the road. Aws long as countries like Britain and

Maliki Vs the Guardian

2009-05-27T12:55:00.004+01:00

The Iraqi Intelligence Service was instructed by the Iraqi Prime Minister to launch court actions against the Guardian news paper for a sum of $1 million for damages caused by the report published in April by award winning correspondent Ghaith Abdul-Ahad, after he had interviewed the Iraqi Prime Minister. It is not clear why Nouri al-Maliki has launched court action when there is clear evidence

Iraq's forgotten people: Refugees and IDPs

2009-05-26T12:38:00.007+01:00

Iraq has forgotten about its 3.6 million refugees and Internally Displaced PeopleIn Iraq, one of the best indicators of security and stability is the extent/degree to which displaced citizens return to their original homes.Iraq still has major social issue that hinder its attempts to strengthen its security and to stabilize its social structure. The issue of almost 3.6 million Iraq (refugees +

The Kurds sell out Kirkuk?

2009-05-25T11:17:00.002+01:00

The question was always whether the Kurdish Regional Government would go for an "oil for soil" deal whereby they gave up the independant exploitation of their oil resources for an agreement that would allow the absorption of Kirkuk and other "disputed territories" into the KRG.The vibes we get are that there will be no elections in Kirkuk this year and there will be no referendum on the status of

Notes from Iraq - source withheld

2009-05-22T02:33:00.003+01:00

Iraq remains an extraordinary kaleidoscope of adventure and intrigue and an outrageous abuse of human rights. There’s more money in the South than is being shown by the card players, yet Iraq is running out of $$ and Obama might yet have to dig deep to support his own popularity and rescue his predecessor’s morally bankrupt administration. Tripartite (Baghdad, Erbil, Ankara) cross-dealing will

New York Times gets it wrong

2009-05-21T18:50:00.003+01:00

This is a classic example of disinformation and / or poor reporting. For a start Bashika is on the plain - not in the mountains. The Hatba group led by Najaifi is a Baathist group, responsible for many dark deeds. On the other hand, the much persecuted Kurdish Yezidis and Christians of Basheika are predominantly Baathist in private but pro-Kurdish Regional Government in public - all of which

Is Iraq ready to rule itself?

2009-05-05T14:40:00.003+01:00

As the Obama Administration presses forward with its planned troop’s withdrawal from Iraq. It is understandable that there might be a sudden increase in violence and terrorist attacks during the transition period were full power will be officially handed over to the Iraqi forces. The US and Iraq have both tried to play down the vulnerable political condition that is still persistent throughout

Iran is bombing the Kurds again

2009-05-03T14:51:00.003+01:00

Iran goes and bombs the Kurds for a passtime - same for the Turks. No wonder nobody likes them. These are an eye for an eye people. With all this bloody retribution about there is no real opportunity to solve the underlying problems.Iran shelled Kurdish rebel positions in a remote area of northern Iraq's largely autonomous Kurdistan region Saturday, a spokesman for the Kurdish Peshmerga border

More Disinformation from the States

2009-05-02T18:22:00.002+01:00

This is from Stafford:SHORTLISTEDThe US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has done it again. In its latest annual report it has again blamed the KRG and peshmerga for the violence that minorities face. The Commission has again relied on secondary sources for information, including the long discredited Assyrian International News Agency (AINA). With the largest embassy in

Kurdish election date soon

2009-04-28T19:41:00.002+01:00

At last we get a promise from Masoud Barzani of a date for the delayed Kurdish Parliament elections. It is looking like early July but we should know within a few days:Kurdistan Region President Massud Barzani today April 27, 2009 announced that he would declare Kurdistan region elections day in the Kurdistan region parliament in the few coming days, PUKmedia correspondent reported.

Kirkuk: An oily issue

2009-04-24T14:38:00.001+01:00

As violence between once-dominant Sunni and majority Shi'ite Arabs subsides, many fear the greatest threat to Iraq's stability now lies along the "green line" demarcating Kurdistan. Kirkuk is historically Kurdish, but under Saddam Hussein's Sunni Arab-led regime, Kurds were forced out and the city was repopulated with Arabs due to the territory having 4 percent of the world's oil wealth. After

The British and the Kurds

2009-04-21T23:04:00.003+01:00

A UK Parliamentary delegation has been in Kurdistan ahead of the Kurdish Regional Parliament elections - due may 19th but likely to be substantially delayed - we'll see.“It has been two steps forward but one step back for the Kurdistan Region in the last year. Links with Turkey have improved but relations with Baghdad have declined. Respect for the UK remains very high in Iraqi Kurdistan, thanks

The US is failing Iraq's Kurds

2009-04-05T22:00:00.002+01:00

The GuardianRanj AlaaldinTensions between Baghdad and Kurdistan are on the rise. An attack on a Kurdish funeral that killed 30 in the disputed territory of Khanaqin provided a stark reminder to President Obama that all will not be well until the US plays peacemaker between age-old enemies, Arab Baghdad and the Kurdish north.When Kurdistan's regional president Masoud Barzani visited the UK, his

Trashing democracy and deferring Kirkuk

2009-03-29T22:42:00.000+01:00

Joost Hilterman of the Interntional Crisis Group is causing trouble again. He's the one who's been trying to kick the Kirkuk issue down the road for ten years. Now he's coming out with more rubbish, trashing democracy in Iraq. The danger with an organisation like the ICG is it's influential. They have caused trouble before, by backing vertical sovereignty over Haram es Sharif and thus setting

Iraq’s New Battle Front: Territorial Dispute.

2009-03-26T14:54:00.003Z

As Iraq attempts to mend its deep and ruptured Sunni-Shi'ite divide, which appears to be tenuously mending, another seam in the country's unfathomable multi-ethnic and sectarian society is on the verge of unravelling and might threaten to once again engulf the country into ethnically motivated military confrontation.The issue of territorial disputes between Arabs and Kurds in the provinces of

To free Iraq, resistance must bridge the sectarian divide

2009-03-25T08:59:00.001Z

The GuardianSeumas MilneIn a last-ditch attempt to rescue some wafer of credibility from the west's most catastrophic war of modern times, the story is taking hold in Britain and the US that after six years of horror Iraq is finally coming good. So quickly has this spin become accepted truth that politicians and pundits now regularly insist that if only General Petraeus is allowed to work his

Kurds Historic Elections Day: 19/05/2009

2009-03-23T15:42:00.000Z

His Excellency Adnan Mufti President of the Kudish National Assembly KNA, supervised a meeting with the head, deputy and members of the legal committee in the KNA.During this meeting they discussed the results of the meetings between the committee and the Independent High Electoral Commission, which were held on March 3rd, regarding the ways of carrying out the elections.“Holding parliamentary

Kurdish President Masud Barzani "would prefer death rather than exist with a dictatorial Iraq"

2009-03-18T14:48:00.005Z

“The Kurdistan region existed before the Americans came to Iraq and it will continue to exist after they leave.”The Kurdish President Masud Barzani is on his final phase of his tour following official invitations from Italy, Germany, and Britain. The purpose is to explain the situation in Iraq in general and in the Kurdistan Region in particular, and to encourage investment in Iraq and in the

President Masood Barzani rejects IHEC supervision

2009-03-11T13:46:00.002Z

The Kurdish President Masood Barzani has rejected the Iraqi Independent High Electoral Commission's (IHEC) supervision of the Parliamentary Elections that are due to be held in the Kurdish region in mid-May this year. President Barzani has expressed reservations adding to the scepticism over the integrity of the Iraqi elections following a number of disturbing reports about the nature of IHEC