Following today's momentous decision by the UN Security Council to ease several longstanding Chapter VII restrictions on Iraq, politicians close to the discussions were all in agreement that this was a major step forward for the country. US Vice President Joe Biden, who chaired the meeting, said "Iraq is on the cusp of something remarkable […]
Today's session of United Nations Security Council, which led to the crucially important easing of restriction on Iraq, was chaired by the US Vice President, Joe Biden (pictured). The following is the text of the statement issued from his office, including full details of the decisions made by the Council. Today marks an important milestone […]
The UN Security Council decided on Wednesday to lift several longstanding Chapter VII restrictions on Iraqi trade and activity. In summary, the 15-nation Council passed three resolutions: Resolution 1956, which terminates the UN supervised arrangements for the Development Fund for Iraq on June 30, 2011, which will allow Iraq to take full responsibility for its […]
Overview Levels of violence fell in Iraq last week for the third week in a row. However, conditions have started to deteriorate once again with a rise in attacks since Sunday, particularly in the central provinces and Baghdad. The number of terrorist attacks is likely to increase further over the coming days, despite numerous police […]
The Defense Department is being forced to extend multimillion-dollar contracts for services in Iraq, including one with a firm under criminal indictment, because losing bidders have legally challenged the companies selected as replacements, according to a report from the Washington Post. The Kuwaiti firm Agility, charged in November 2009 with overbilling food contracts worth $8.5 […]
The United States Forces-Iraq and Iraqi Army has signed a document transferring ownership of areas at Camp Taji known as “The Triangle” and “North Side”. The areas encompass more than $43 million in property and equipment – 218 buildings, more than 1,000 Containerized Housing Units, and more than 10,000 pieces of equipment. With this transfer […]
U.S.-led efforts in Iraq have cleared more than 190 million square feet of land from unexploded ordnance, the U.S. State Department said. The State Department said Iraq is near the top when it comes to nations plagued with land mines and unexploded ordnance. Most of those, the department said, are the consequence of more than […]
Over the coming week terrorists are likely to attack Shi’ah worshippers marking the religious period of al-‘Ashura. Many pilgrims will travel to the holy city of Karbala for the event, which culminates on 17 December and has seen numerous bouts of violence in recent years. Security will be tighter than normal, but roadside attacks against […]
Iraq has not enjoyed regular foreign relations since 2003, and arguably for several years before, argues Gareth Stansfield in a report for Chatham House. Looking ahead, Iraq is now in a position to develop its foreign relations fully, yet how these relations will be constructed remains unclear. As with all states, Iraq's foreign policy remains […]
North Last week saw violence concentrated in Mosul, although attacks were also recorded in Tal ‘Afar, Kirkuk, Hawijah and Riyadh. Civilians and the Iraqi security forces bore the brunt, but with eight recorded fatalities the week was less bloody than normal for what is otherwise one of the most hostile parts of the country. In […]
The Brookings Institution in Washington DC has issued a new report entitled "Unfinished Business: An American Strategy for Iraq Moving Forward". Ignoring the gratuitous use of the term 'moving forward' in the title, it's a thought-provoking read. The executive summary is shown below, and the full report can be downloaded from the Brooking Institution by […]
The disputed internal boundaries in northern Iraq between the Kurds and the Arabs have been a persistent fault-line in the state's history and have rapidly emerged as a core dispute since the 2003 invasion of Iraq. According to a report from Peter Bartu at Chatham House, the Kurds underwrote, more than any other constituency, the […]
