Archive | Security

New Government, New Legislative Agenda

By John Lee. The Iraqi government and parliament should pass legislation to address key human rights shortcomings in Iraq's legal system and take measures to minimize the risks Covid-19 poses to people in prison, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said on Thursday. With the formation of Iraq's government on May 7, 2020, parliament can now focus […]

Time for a Reset: Iraq's New PM and the US-Iran Rivalry

By Sajad Jiyad, for the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR). Any opinions expressed here are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News.  Time for a reset: Iraq's new prime minister and the US-Iran rivalry Iraq needs to reset its relations with both Tehran and Washington in […]

Powerful Iran-Backed Militia Losing Influence in Iraq

By Shelly Kittleson, for Foreign Policy. Any opinions expressed here are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. A Powerful Iran-Backed Militia Is Losing Influence in Iraq Five months after its charismatic leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis was killed by a U.S. drone strike at the Baghdad airport, […]

US Treasury Dept Designates Iraqi National

The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has designated dual Iranian and Iraqi national Amir Dianat, a longtime associate of senior officials of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force (IRGC-QF). Dianat, who is also known as Ameer Abdulazeez Jaafar Almthaje, is involved in IRGC-QF efforts to generate revenue and smuggle […]

Pompeo urges End to Sectarian Quotas in Iraq

By John Lee. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has urged Iraqi leaders to put aside the country's sectarian quota system to help form of a new government. At a press briefing on Wednesday, he said: "In Iraq, we're watching closely as Prime Minister-designate Mustafa Kadhami enters the third week of trying to form his […]

Protesters return to Tahrir Square, denounce PM-Designate

From Middle East Monitor, under a Creative Commons licence. Any opinions expressed here are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Iraqi protesters gathered in Tahrir Square in the capital Baghdad after the government scaled back some of its anti-coronavirus measures during the month of Ramadan, Anadolu Agency reported […]

Back to the Future on US-Iraq Strategic Dialogue

By Adnan Abu Zeed for Al-Monitor. Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Back to the future on US-Iraq strategic dialogue It looks like Baghdad and Washington will try once again to settle their differences over the presence of US troops in Iraq. Both sides […]

Intelyse arranges COVID-19 Repatriation Flights

By John Lee. Intelyse, a Sicuro Group company, has said it has successfully repatriated over 150 Iraqi citizens to Baghdad in time for the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, in addition to repatriating more than 80 British and EU citizens from Iraq to UK. The direct flight to Baghdad departed London Stanstead on 23 April […]

IS steps up Attacks during Coronavirus Lockdown

By Adam Lucente for Al-Monitor. Any opinions expressed are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Islamic State steps up attacks in Iraq during coronavirus lockdown Iraq has been hit by a wave of Islamic State (IS) attacks during the country's coronavirus lockdown. Numerous operations by IS and unknown groups […]

How the US Military should Leave Iraq

By Barbara Slavin, for the Atlantic Council. Any opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. How the US Military should Leave Iraq A withdrawal of most US military forces from Iraq seems likely this year as the Iraqi government seeks to maintain some […]