The Department of State warns U.S. citizens against all but essential travel to Iraq given the security situation. Travel within Iraq remains dangerous. This Travel Warning replaces the Travel Warning dated January 19, 2012, to update information on security incidents and to remind U.S. citizens of ongoing security concerns for U.S. citizens in Iraq, including […]
By John Lee. The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad and the Iraqi Republic Railroad (IRR) celebrated the launch of Iraq’s new Computer-Based Train Control (CBTC) and Digital Microwave Radio Communications Network (DMRCN) during a handover ceremony on July 18. The project was sponsored by the U.S. Embassy, through the U.S. Department of Transportation, in coordination with […]
On July 18, the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Office of the Prime Minister of Iraq outlining American support for Iraqi efforts to reduce regulatory obstacles in Iraq’s private sector, as outlined in the Strategic Framework Agreement. The MOU […]
By John Lee. A spokesman for the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, Michael McClellan, has denied recent reports in the Iraqi media that the U.S. Embassy has prepared a report on the wealth of Iraq's political leaders. “Embassy officials meet regularly with Iraqi leaders across the political spectrum and engage them on a wide range of […]
Bloomberg reports that billions of dollars in Iraqi reconstruction projects may be wasted as the U.S. transfers them to the Iraqi government. Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction (SIGIR), Stuart Bowen (pictured), told the US's House Oversight Committee: “There remains a vulnerability that thousands of projects [completed with $51 billion in American reconstruction funds] will […]
The US House Oversight Committee held a hearing to assess the transition of control in Iraq from a military to a civilian-led mission. Witnesses included: The Honorable Patrick Kennedy, Under Secretary for Management, U.S. Department of State; Mr. Peter Verga, Chief of Staff for the Under Secretary for Policy, U.S. Department of Defense; The Honorable […]
By Joan Kibler, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Middle East District. Though its construction program is a fraction of what it once was in Iraq, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers continues to manage $350 million in projects there to help build facilities for the sovereign nation. In seven years starting in 2004, the U.S. […]
Iraq celebrated the grand opening of the new Al-Nahrain Center for Strategic Studies during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 17, 2012 in Baghdad. The center was sponsored by the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, in coordination with the Government of Iraq, as set out by the Strategic Framework Agreement. The June 17 opening ceremony launched a […]
The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad has announced that we are now accepting applications for two U.S. Government-sponsored exchange programs focused on developing leadership, public service, and English teaching skills. The programs will provide Iraqi mid-career professionals and young teachers of English the opportunity to travel to the United States to improve their professional skills at […]
Ms. Suzan Aref, Director of the Women’s Empowerment Organization (WEO) in Erbil, recently gave a lesson in leadership to 45 students at the Mar Qaradakh School in Erbil. This school, which offers English language and computer training courses, is sponsored by the Start Social Development Organization in collaboration with the United States Consulate in Erbil. […]
Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) William R. Brownfield traveled to Iraq this week to discuss INL’s ongoing partnership with the Government of Iraq to develop its law enforcement and judicial sectors. Assistant Secretary Brownfield met with senior government officials in Baghdad and Erbil and visited the Baghdad Police […]
U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) William R. Brownfield met with Chief Justice Medhat Mahmoud of the Iraqi Higher Judicial Council (HJC) on May 28 to recognize the HJC’s assumption of full authority and responsibility for the Iraqi Judicial Development Institute (JDI). The HJC and INL, through joint […]
