By John Lee. Iraq's Integrity Commission called for streamlining unnecessary procedures when visiting property registration offices. A survey measuring bribery perceptions revealed that 63% of reviewers stated that the desire for quick transaction processing was the primary reason for paying bribes. The Commission recommended strengthening the monitoring role of the Ministry of Justice's regulatory bodies […]
Archive | Security
Lockheed Martin wins $15m Iraq Contract
By John Lee. Lockheed Martin Corp., Rotary and Mission Systems, Manassas, Virginia, was awarded a cost-plus-fixed-fee contract in the amount of $15,586,916 for Iraq integrated air defense system contractor logistics support. This contract provides for follow on contractor logistics support to include subject matter expert support, engineering support, return and repair, and in country on-site […]
Iraqi Militias to Invest in Major Agricultural Project
By John Lee. The Governor of Diwaniya has announced a major agricultural investment project in the desert of Al-Shanafiyah district, expected to create over 10,000 jobs. Abbas Sha'il Al-Zamili said that the investment company is starting soil tests on the 26,000 dunums [2,600 hectare; 6,400 acre] site, with a view to cultivating date palm trees […]
Iraqi Kurdistan: Amnesty Int'l calls for Press Freedom
By Amnesty International. Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Iraq: Authorities in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq must immediately end their assault on press freedom The authorities of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KR-I) must end their assault on the right to […]
Defending Israel, but not Kurdistan?
By Wladimir van Wilgenburg, for Carnegie Middle East Center. Any opinions expressed here are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Defending Israel, but not Kurdistan? When U.S. Patriots shot down an Iranian missile over Erbil on April 15, Kurds wondered why such defenses weren't activated when […]
Will Criminalization of Homosexuality derail Iraq-US ties?
From Amwaj Media. Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Will criminalization of homosexuality derail warming of Iraq-US ties? Iraq's parliament has voted to criminalize same-sex relations and other forms of what is described as "deviance." The wide-ranging amendment to Iraq's 1988 Anti-Prostitution […]
Erdogan pushes for stronger Turkish stake in Iraq
From Amwaj Media. Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. In rare visit, Erdogan pushes for stronger Turkish stake in Iraq Despite theĀ fanfare surrounding Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's tour of Baghdad and Erbil-his first in 13 years-ambiguities remain over longstanding grievances. A […]
Washington Inst: Iraq Passes New Anti-LGBTQ+ Legislation
By Michael Knights and Amir al-Kaabi, for the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Coordination Framework Militias Pass New Anti-LGBTQ+ Legislation The Coordination Framework did not embarrass PM Mohammed Shia al-Sudani during his Washington DC visit […]
EU extends Iraq Advisory Mission on Security
By John Lee. The Council of the European Union has extended the mandate of the EU Advisory Mission in support of Security Sector Reform in Iraq (EUAM Iraq) until 30 April 2026. The new commitment involves a budget allocation of almost EUR 66 million [$64 million]. Full statement from EUAM: EUAM Iraq: Council extends the […]
Iraq Anti-Gay Law "will Harm Economic Growth"
By John Lee. Iraqi has passed an amendment to existing legislation, officially called the Anti-Prostitution and Homosexuality Law, which bans same-sex relations. According to reports, anyone in a same-sex relationship could now be jailed for ten to fifteen years; people identifying differently from their biological sex could be jailed for one to three years; and […]
Drone Strike at Iraqi Gas Field Kills Four
By John Lee. A drone attack on Friday evening has killed four workers at Khor Mor gas field in Sulaymaniyah province. Press reports say the dead were Yemeni nationals. Electricity supplies have also been disrupted. A KRG statement said that initial information suggested the attacks come from "a nearby region within Iraq"; KRG Prime Minister […]
Improving the Response to Internal Displacement in Iraq
By John Lee. The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) has published a report on how internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Iraq, Syria and Yemen experienced access to services and aid assistance during displacement. It says: "The results validate the call for improved responses, confirming an inconsistent approach in how IDPs have been able to access vital […]