Demand to prevent the new American ambassador from entering Iraq

Member of the Popular Legal Movement, Ahmed Shahid Al-Shammari, demanded that the new US Ambassador, Tracy Jacobson, be prevented from entering Iraq because of what he described as her blatant interventions.

Al-Shammari said in an interview with the Maalouma Agency, “The new American ambassador, Tracy Jacobson, is not popular, indicating that the blatant American interventions are aimed at destabilizing Iraq.”

He added, “The American administration is still continuing its interference in the internal affairs of Iraq in various security, political, and even economic fields, and is trying to use the terrorist file again to incite the Iraqi street,” calling on the government to prevent the new ambassador from entering Iraq and accept her as her country’s ambassador to Baghdad.

Calls began to be made to the Iraqi government and the Presidency not to accept Jacobson as the US ambassador to Iraq because of her statements, which are considered blatant interference in the internal affairs of Iraq.

Almaalomah.me

Kurdistan Federation: Legislating the oil and gas law will resolve the disputes between Baghdad and Erbil

The spokesperson for the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan parliamentary bloc, Suzanne Mansour, said on Wednesday that legislating the oil and gas law would be sufficient to resolve the disputes and outstanding issues between Baghdad and Erbil.

Mansour said in an interview with the Maalouma Agency that the oil and gas issue has been stuck between Baghdad and Erbil for many years, noting that “recourse to the constitution lies in legislating the oil and gas law.”

She added, “The draft oil and gas law is still with the government and we are waiting for the law to be enacted in the House of Representatives,” noting that “approving the law would regulate the relationship between Baghdad, Erbil, and the oil-producing provinces.”
She continued, “There is a committee formed by both sides in Baghdad and Erbil to solve all problems, including the oil and gas law.”

Almaalomah.me

Is Iraq witnessing a new era in its relations with the West?

Amid mounting pressure to disband the international coalition against ISIS in Iraq and withdraw forces from that country, the United States and its partners must continue to strive to establish good relations with Baghdad – but this time in light of reducing their presence in Iraq and increasing regional cooperation.

At Baghdad’s request, the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) was ordered to cease operations in December 2025, following a previous decision to end the mission of the United Nations Investigative Team to Promote Accountability for Crimes Committed by “Islamic State” organization (“UNITAD”). At the same time, Baghdad plans to close the remaining camps for internally displaced people in the country, after opening them for the first time at the height of the war against ISIS. More broadly, Iraq is seeking to normalize its diplomatic activity in the region, which has recently included mediating rapprochement talks between Turkey and the Syrian regime.

Despite the international support and military cooperation that characterized Western relations with Iraq in the post-Saddam era, Baghdad began to reevaluate long-existing arrangements. Washington and its partners must follow Baghdad’s example in the step it has taken, by scrutinizing the current basis on which relations with Iraq are based amid the changes taking place in the local and regional environment, while at the same time preserving the aspects of the relationship that bring the greatest benefit.

US Military Presence Then and Now

Since 2014, the US-led military presence in Iraq and Syria has hinged on the call to support the war against ISIS. After the coalition succeeded in ending ISIS control over Iraqi territory in 2017 and Syrian territory in 2019, discussions emerged about adapting its presence to fit Washington’s evolving priorities and Baghdad’s increasing security capacity and financial situation.

The outbreak of the Gaza war last year has added more intensity and tension to this issue, as American support for Israel has led to renewed Iraqi militia attacks at a time when there is an ongoing debate in Washington about the terms, duration, and legal authorization of regional military deployment. The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a front group used by Iranian-backed armed groups, has claimed responsibility for at least 184 attacks on US forces and interests since the emergence of the resistance on October 18, including a drone strike on January 28. January led to the killing of three American soldiers (for comprehensive data on these incidents, see the Washington Institute’s militia attacks tracking table). The escalation of violence puts Baghdad in a critical and precarious position, as it seeks to maintain its alliance with both the United States and Iran.

In January, Iraqi Prime Minister Muhammad Shia al-Sudani stated that the coalition was no longer necessary to ensure the country’s security. That same month, the United States and Iraq began formal talks through the “Supreme Military Committee” to transform the coalition’s mission into a “permanent bilateral security partnership.” These actions are not surprising — both countries have regularly discussed reducing or ending the US military presence, and the Iraqi parliament has been voting on bills aimed at expelling foreign forces as early as 2020.

Has the fight that Iraq waged against the “Islamic State” organization really ended?
Although ISIS no longer poses an existential threat to Iraq, the country’s security forces have only a limited ability to act against the remnants of this terrorist group if the forces do not have coalition support in planning missions, launching airstrikes, and executing Intelligence operations, and other key tasks. Due to the ongoing disputes between Baghdad and the Kurdistan Region, some disputed areas (in the governorates), such as Kirkuk and Diyala, remain particularly vulnerable to the threat of ISIS, as this group seeks to take advantage of governance gaps and sectarian divisions to fuel violence and impose influence.

On the humanitarian front, the number of internally displaced people in Iraq fell from 6 million in 2014 to 1.1 million as of June 2023, but this sharp decline is largely due to the government’s decision to close several camps for internally displaced people. These areas have now turned into informal settlements where internally displaced people remain without access to government assistance, creating potential hotspots for terrorist recruitment. The ideological legacy of ISIS remains in Iraq, and the group continues to exploit security vulnerabilities to launch attacks and intimidate local residents.

The bumpy transformation has already begun.

The coalition has been quietly reducing its active role in the Iraqi security sector for several years. In December 2021, this coalition shifted from its combat mission to “advising, assisting and enabling,” although the United States, France and some other members were still participating in launching raids against the “Islamic State” in cooperation with the “Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service.” “—a vital mission given that the organization’s presence in neighboring Syria often threatens to spill across porous borders.

International humanitarian efforts have also been reduced. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, foreign funding met 95 percent of Iraqi aid requirements between 2017 and 2020, but this percentage fell to 67 percent in 2022. At the same time, the UN Security Council voted unanimously The “UNAMI” mission will end in 2025 – that is, the end of the mission of one of the longest and largest missions in the history of the international organization – and the “UNITAD” team will also stop working next September.

Policy Recommendations

Although criticism of the Iraqi government on some of these issues is certainly justified, Western cooperation with Baghdad on military and humanitarian issues is a major asset to both parties – and one that coalition members should strive to preserve when formulating arrangements. New partnership. It is understandable that Iraq would want to assert its autonomy, so foreign officials should focus more on bilateral security arrangements and development assistance rather than the previous model of multinational humanitarian and military assistance. These talks must also take into account the current political context in Iraq – which is divided between factions that seek good relations with the West, and those that serve the agenda of Iranian-backed militias by rejecting the Western presence entirely.

Despite these challenges and contradictions, it is possible to plan and organize this new phase in a way that is beneficial to both sides, as long as they keep several basic principles in mind:

Ensure that the Supreme Military Committee discussions between the United States and Iraq outline an orderly transition toward establishing a bilateral security partnership, in close coordination with coalition partners. In order to maintain Iraq’s military relations with the West, Washington must rely on allies that are less threatened by militias, and on multilateral frameworks other than those related to the coalition.

For example, France remains deeply involved in the fight against ISIS, has begun developing a bilateral defense relationship with Baghdad, and has expressed its willingness to sell more weapons to the Iraqi army, including Rafale fighter jets. In addition, while the NATO Mission in Iraq has developed a complementary partnership with the Iraqi Ministry of Defence, the EU Advisory Mission in Iraq has been less convincing – partly because of internal problems, but also because the Iraqi Ministry of Interior is involved. More with pro-Iranian networks.

Continue cooperation in post-ISIS stabilization efforts. Internally displaced people in Iraq are not a homogeneous group – they include individuals displaced by the conflict with the Islamic State, Yazidi communities directly targeted by the group, and even families associated with it. Meeting their needs poses a major challenge due to the existing legal and social barriers.

In addition, Iraq has returned nearly 10,000 of its citizens from the “Al-Hawl” detainee camp in northeastern Syria since May 2021, and transferred them to the “Jeddah 1” temporary camp in Nineveh Governorate before reintegrating them into society. To avoid an “Iraqi horror” ripe for recruitment and exploitation by the Islamic State, Baghdad must carefully consider the implications of expanding Jeddah 1 or opening new temporary camps, especially for individuals returning home and affiliated with the Islamic State. For their part, Washington and its partners must ensure that Iraq is prepared to manage the repatriation and reintegration file while taking into account human rights that are consistent with international law. This week’s decision by the United Nations investigative team UNITAD to send large amounts of data on ISIS crimes to Baghdad is a good first step, but it is just one part of a broader process.

Working more closely with regional partners. Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey have played an increasing economic and political role in Iraq recently. Last year, Riyadh announced a $3 billion partnership in various sectors to help diversify Iraq’s oil-dependent economy, while Doha signed several memorandums of understanding with Baghdad in the energy field. Qatar and Turkey are also participating in the construction of the “Development Road,” a railway and road project aimed at connecting Asia with Europe. As for Ankara’s intention to resume military operations against the Kurdistan Workers’ Party and the groups that orbit it in Iraq and northeastern Syria, it will complicate any rapprochement process with Washington, but in the end, the West may have to choose between Iranian influence and Turkish influence in Iraq.

Monitor the political arena in Iraq carefully – but keep expectations realistic. The West may be able to play a greater role in mediating Baghdad’s disputes with the Kurdistan Region, after the UN Security Council recently adopted a resolution that removed the reference to the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq, whose mandate previously included the exercise of this mediation.

Moreover, the Kurds may become closer partners to Washington if US forces withdraw from federal Iraq, since Baghdad would remain divided between pro-Iranian and pro-Western spheres of influence. Therefore, US partners will need to exercise a skillful mix of targeted pressure and strategic patience with Iraq, using both sanctions and incentives as they attempt to facilitate the long-term goal of addressing corruption, federalism, outlaw militias, and other structural challenges.

Rawabetcenter.com

Kurdistan Federation: Legislating the oil and gas law will resolve the disputes between Baghdad and Erbil

Information / private… The spokesperson for the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan parliamentary bloc, Suzanne Mansour, said on Wednesday that legislating the oil and gas law would be sufficient to resolve the disputes and outstanding issues between Baghdad and Erbil.

Mansour said in an interview with the Maalouma Agency that the oil and gas issue has been stuck between Baghdad and Erbil for many years, noting that “recourse to the constitution lies in legislating the oil and gas law.”

She added, “The draft oil and gas law is still with the government and we are waiting for the law to be enacted in the House of Representatives,” noting that “approving the law would regulate the relationship between Baghdad, Erbil, and the oil-producing provinces.”
She continued, “There is a committee formed by both sides in Baghdad and Erbil to solve all problems, including the oil and gas law.”

Almaalomah.me

The International Finance Corporation’s investment in Iraq reaches one billion dollars

Information /Baghdad… The representative of the International Finance Corporation in Iraq, Bilal Zughair, confirmed today, Wednesday, that the institution’s investment in Iraq has reached nearly two billion dollars since 2005, while indicating that economic reform is witnessing an increasing pace.

Zughair said in a statement to the official agency, followed by the / Information Agency/ “The work of the International Finance Corporation dates back to the year 2005, and over the years we have been able to invest approximately two billion dollars in a wide range of sectors,” noting that “our work in Iraq will extend our belief in the future prospects of Iraq and the acceleration of the pace of economic reform, and this will reflect positively in creating investment opportunities.” Others in all sectors, whether industrial, infrastructure, or in the financial and banking sectors.”

He added, “The International Finance Corporation is the arm of the World Bank that is concerned with developing the private sector by providing the necessary financing for private sector projects in addition to providing advisory services. Therefore, the framework of the institution’s work expands to include a wide range of financial services to all companies operating in Iraq in addition to providing consulting services”.

Zaghir continued, “The IFC’s thinking relates to a group of sectors whose importance we believe and whose importance we share with the Iraqi government, whether investing in the Iraqi industrial sectors, where they are productive and an alternative to imports, and the second part relates to the financial sector, both its banking and non-banking parts, in addition to the importance of investing in infrastructure and improving the services provided.” For Iraqis throughout the country,” pointing out that “the main point is our work and encouraging the private sector and working with it.”

Almaalomah.me

Bank of America recommends that the Big Three in Detroit exit China urgently

Shafaq News / Bank of America’s chief auto sector analyst, John Murphy, said on Tuesday that the traditional American automakers in Detroit – General Motors, Ford Motor Company and Stellantis – must exit the Chinese market “as soon as possible.”

The warning from Bank of America’s senior analyst comes amid unprecedented competition in China – the largest auto market in the world – and with China dramatically increasing car production for Chinese consumers as well as for global exports, which is known as surplus production capacity.

Murphy, who has previously called on GM to exit the Chinese market, said the “Detroit Big Three” automakers need to focus on their core products and the most profitable areas.

“I think you need to see the Detroit Three exit China as quickly as possible,” he said during a discussion of Bank of America’s annual “Auto Wars” report in suburban Detroit.

“China is no longer a core market for GM, Ford or Stellantis,” he added.

This prospect would have been considered unthinkable for automakers, especially GM, just a few years ago, but the rise of domestic Chinese automakers, such as BYD and Geely, has put increasing pressure on American companies.

GM’s share of the Chinese market, including its joint ventures, fell from about 15 percent in 2015 to 8.6 percent last year – the first time the share has fallen below 9 percent since 2003.

GM’s profits from operations there have fallen 78.5 percent since their peak in 2014, according to Wall Street regulatory filings.

GM executives believe they can improve their operations and regain market share in China, largely with the help of new electric vehicles.

There are also geopolitical risks and uncertainty for US companies operating in China, as US President Joe Biden announced last month that his administration would quadruple tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles.

Murphy said that while Detroit automakers must rethink the way they do business in China, the situation is a little different for Tesla, the leading American company in the field of electric cars.

Murphy explained that Tesla has an advantage in the cost of electric vehicle components amounting to about $17,000, compared to traditional automakers in Detroit, which helps the company in the Chinese market, and gives it “more room to move and maneuver.”

Shafaq.com

Iraq’s ruling coalition may call for early elections

A poll by the nongovernmental Iraq Statistics Organization found Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al Sudani to have an approval rate of 51%, the highest of any Iraqi official.

By HUDHAIFA EBRAHIM/THE MEDIA LINE
MARCH 10, 2024 14:20

Iraq’s ruling coalition plans to call for early elections in an attempt to overthrow Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al Sudani.

Al Sudani belongs to the Coordination Framework, an alliance of Shiite parties loyal to Iran. But after assuming the premiership, Al Sudani changed his approach toward the parties and came to disagree with many of their political positions.

A leader in the Islamic Dawa Party, which Al Sudani led until stepping down in 2019, told The Media Line that Coordination Framework parties have been meeting for about five months and plan to call for elections in 2024 or early 2025.

“The plan is to attack the prime minister, belittle his achievements, bring him down popularly, and create more political and economic problems, after which the Iraqi street will go out in demonstrations demanding the overthrow of the government, and then call for early elections, and not nominate Al Sudani again, or grant him any position,” the source, who asked to remain anonymous, said.

The source noted that two previous Iraqi prime ministers had lost their positions after the Iraqi public turned against them.

Party fears creation of new political party

“The party fears that Al Sudani may announce the formation of a new political party or alliance, run in the upcoming elections, and become the ruling political majority in Iraq,” the source added.

The dispute between the Coordination Framework and Al Sudani relates to the prime minister’s approval of US Federal Reserve policies to prevent currency smuggling. These measures reduced the circulation of US dollars in Iraq and increased the price of the dollar.

Al Sudani also implemented several policies that have boosted his popularity. He increased government salaries and wages for retirees, launched major development projects in the capital and several Iraqi governorates, and announced plans to improve infrastructure and expand the nation’s road network.

According to official statistics, Al Sudani also significantly reduced unemployment. In addition, he passed a social security law for workers in the private sector and announced a plan to build 1,000 schools and more than a million residential units.

Since mid-2023, at least 10 countries, including some in the Gulf Cooperation Council, have announced new investments in Iraq. The exchange rate of the dollar in the parallel market has also stabilized since November 2023.

A September 2023 opinion poll by the Government Advisory Board found that Al Sudani enjoys a 78% approval rate. Another poll by the nongovernmental Iraq Statistics Organization found him to have an approval rate of 51%, the highest of any Iraqi official.

Al Sudani has spurned many political allies and opponents. He did not support former Speaker of Parliament Mohamed al-Halbousi and worked for his removal. He also removed most of the leaders of the Popular Mobilization Forces—a group of Iranian-backed militias—from government positions.

The Iraqi government is currently weighing the question of changing the currency so that the official cost of a US dollar will be 1.32 Iraqi dinars instead of 1,320 dinars. Implementing such a decision is likely to significantly increase Al Sudani’s popularity.

Abbas al-Musawi, adviser to the former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, said in statements to Iraqi media that Al Sudani’s achievements are achievements “for everyone,” while also saying that Al Sudani will not be reelected as prime minister.

“We are not afraid of Al Sudani. We have our audience, and it is a stable audience,” al-Musawi said.

Al Sudani has faced heavy criticism on Iraqi television

Jaafar Al-Khudairi, a member of the National Wisdom Movement, one of the Shiite parties within the ruling Coordination Framework, told The Media Line, “The Dawa Party is trying to state that only its cadres are capable of running the state, but this is not true.”

He said that the parliament is discussing a new law regarding elections and that new elections might be called after that law’s passage.

Karar Sahib, director of the Iraqi Media Observatory, told The Media Line that Al Sudani has faced constant criticism on Iraqi television.

“There are channels affiliated with the Shiite religious parties, which were the most offensive, as they only showed the negative aspects of the decisions, and tried to exaggerate them,” he said.

He said that consistencies across different channels suggest that there may be a single writer behind the criticism.

Sahib defended Al Sudani’s achievements. “Iraq is now making an unprecedented renaissance,” he said. “It is true that the situation is still below ambition, but it is much better than before.”

Muhammad Al-Bouflah, a former professor of political science at the University of Baghdad, told The Media Line that the current political climate is a result of Al Sudani’s attempt to fracture the coalition.

He also said that the Coordination Framework will succeed in holding early elections only if Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr comes out in favor of the plan.

“I do not think that Muqtada al-Sadr will return to trusting the Coordination Framework after they removed him from the political process, and therefore the prime minister will continue to complete his term as president,” he said.

Former Member of Parliament Shaiban Al-Kilani told The Media Line that the disputes have to do with the different parties’ attempts to vie for power.

“The disputes are only over shares of the cake,” he said, “and are not disputes over the popularity of the current prime minister.”

Jpost.com/middle-east

4 parliamentary proposals to amend investment laws in Iraq… What about the problems?

Al-Sumaria News – Local… Member of the Parliamentary Investment and Development Committee, Saeb Al-Hajami, proposed today, Sunday, making four amendments to the investment laws in Iraq, while addressing the most important problems in the texts of these laws.

Al-Hajjami said, in an interview with Al-Sumaria News, that “amending investment laws in Iraq aims to create a more attractive environment for investors by improving some legal texts and simplifying procedures.”

Regarding the proposed amendments to investment laws, he pointed out “facilitating bureaucratic procedures, which reduces the time and effort required to obtain the necessary licenses and approvals to start investment projects.”

Al-Hajjami explained, “The other amendment is to provide legal guarantees, by giving investors guarantees that protect their investments from any sudden legal or political changes,” pointing out the importance of “improving infrastructure by providing advanced infrastructure that supports investment projects such as roads, electricity, and water.” .

He touched on “tax exemptions, by granting them to investors for certain periods of time to attract more investments.”

As for the problems in the texts of investment laws, he pointed to “ambiguity in some texts, which may open the way for multiple interpretations, in addition to legal instability, which may make the investment environment unstable.”

Al-Hajjami stated, “The other issue revolves around complex bureaucracy and long procedures, which may hinder the speed of starting investment projects.”

He stated, “Investment in Iraq can be mixed. While there are great opportunities thanks to the natural resources and strategic geographical location, the security and political challenges may affect the attractiveness of investment.”

Alsumaria.tv

Al-Sudani emphasizes extending the hand of the law and liberalizing and developing the economy

Information / Baghdad… Prime Minister Muhammad Shiaa Al-Sudani affirmed, on Sunday, continuing responsibility for Iraq’s sovereignty, extending the hand of the law, liberating and developing the economy, bringing about progress and development, creating creative opportunities, and combating all social ills and corruption in every corner where it hides.

Al-Sudani stated in a statement issued by his media office on the occasion of Eid Al-Adha, received by the Al-Maaloma Agency, “I extend my best congratulations and blessings to the honorable Iraqi people on the occasion of the blessed Eid Al-Adha, coupled with sincere prayers to the Almighty God, to repeat this occasion for our people in all parts of the world.” Mesopotamia and the peoples of the Arab and Islamic worlds, with more abundance of goodness and the blessing of security and stability, and to bestow His victory and mercy upon our patient people in Gaza, and to repel aggression from them.”

He added: “I turn to the Almighty to accept the good deeds of those who performed Hajj to His Sacred House, and to return our Iraqi pilgrims safely, winning God’s forgiveness and satisfaction, and enjoying His abundant mercy. He is the best Lord and Supporter.”

During his congratulations on Eid Al-Adha, the Prime Minister renewed the bond of responsibility and covenant with the Iraqi people of all categories and sects, to continue work and diligence, and to exert efforts and energies, to achieve all the components of the government program, which is a realistic extrapolation of the demands and aspirations of the people, and an actual and field response to confront everything that stands in the way. A path full of challenges and difficulties

Almaalomah.me

Biden is a weak and untrustworthy president

Information / translation… A report by the American newspaper Top Insight, confirmed that the world has come to see the resident of the White House as a weak and elderly man who is neither trustworthy nor stable in his convictions or mental abilities, and who is destroying America’s image before the international community.

The report, translated by the Maalouma Agency, stated, “The world has begun to see an almost elderly CEO struggling to maintain his position in front of short-term press conferences, as it appears that some questions have been revealed to the White House in advance, and Biden also slipped and fell several times during “He climbed the stairs to board Air Force One, to the point that his aides have now forced him to use the shorter stairs at the back of the plane.”

He added, “According to Special Counsel Robert Hoare, he issued a damning report describing him as an elderly man with a weak memory, while many critics revealed that Biden’s unusual State of the Union address was only possible because he took stimulants to keep him active during the ceremony.”

The report noted, “The White House has a history of concealing presidential illnesses from the public to project an image that presidents are healthy, capable, and active. In the case of Biden, his doctors tell us that he is healthy enough to run for a second term and complete his term, even though he will be 85 years old.” When he hands over the presidency to the winning candidate.”

Almaalomah.me