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New Report from IOM: Made in Iraq

By John Lee. Among many other priorities in the recovery of post-conflict Iraq, access to employment for the population in conflict-affected regions remains paramount. The ability of the population to earn a living wage impacts the recovery process and has a direct bearing on future stability. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) created the Enterprise […]

Dramatic Scale-Down of US Presence in Iraq

By Robbie Gramer, for Foreign Policy. Any opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. The U.S. State Department sent Congress this month detailed plans to dramatically and permanently reduce the number of U.S. diplomats in Iraq, a measure that critics say runs directly […]

An Iraq for All Iraqis

By Yassir Khudayri, for Open Society Foundations (OSF). In early October 2019, in Baghdad’s Tahrir Square and in many of Iraq’s other major cities, young Iraqis took the streets, chanting slogans such as “with life and blood we defend you, Iraq.” To those unfamiliar with the specifics of political and social life in the Middle East, […]

Netherlands Supports Explosive Hazard Management in Iraq

The Dutch Government Reiterates its Support to Explosive Hazard Management Activities in Iraq The United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) in Iraq welcomes an additional contribution of EUR 3 million (approximately USD 3.5 million) from The Netherlands to mitigate the threat posed by explosive hazards and enable the return of displaced communities to their areas […]

UNDP E-Tendering Training in Kirkuk

In continuing of training sessions conducted in 2017, 2018 and early 2019 for the potential firms/companies throughout Iraq, UNDP Country Office Iraq is planning to conduct E-Tendering training session for firms/companies who have not yet registered with the E-Tendering portal of the UNDP based in Kirkuk Governorate. The training sessions will be conducted on 23 […]

Big Fines for Dinar Auction Fraud

By John Lee. Iraq's Commission of Integrity has revealed that it has concluded cases resulting in fines of more than 245 billion dinars ($206 million) on private banks, due to violations relating to customs licences and foreign currency auction instructions for 2012. The CoI mentioned that one of these corruption cases related to a private […]

US Sanctions Driving Iran to Tighten Grip on Iraq

By James Risen, for The Intercept. Massive, sustained protests in Baghdad and Tehran that have been met with violent responses from security forces throughout the fall and winter have rapidly altered the political dynamics in both Iraq and Iran. But it is still uncertain whether the grassroots anger that has erupted will lead to significant […]

Iraqis await Fallout from Expose on Iranian Influence

By Adnan Abu Zeed for Al Monitor. Any opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Iraqis await fallout from NYT expose on Iranian influence Many Iraqis are waiting for the other shoe to drop after The Intercept and The New York Times published "The Iran […]

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Scheme to Smuggle Luxury Cars into Iraq

By John Lee. Three men and a woman have reportedly been charged in Canada in connection with a scheme to smuggle stolen high-end cars and pickup trucks into Iraq. According to CP24, the gang stole 39 cars, including a BMW X6, usually from car rental agencies. The accused are named as Yehia al-Jbouri, Amer al-Ogaili, […]

Democracy in Iraq Depends on Press Freedom

By Ignacio Miguel Delgado Culebras, for Foreign Policy. Any opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. A group of armed men wearing black uniforms stormed into my house in Baghdad and abducted me,” Iraqi blogger Shojaa Fares al-Khafaji told me a few days […]

Protecting Yazidi Music

By John Lee. The AMAR Foundation is working to record, protect and teach the unique music of the Yazidi people in northern Iraq. Part of the British Council’s Cultural Protection Fund, the project is helping to preserve and sustain this endangered music for future generations of Yazidis. Developing over a long and complex history, Yazidi […]