Rising Incomes, Multiple Wives
By Wassim Bassem for Al-Monitor. Any opinions expressed are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Rising incomes mean many Iraqi men marry multiple wives Hashem (a pseudonym), told Al-Monitor, “I married a widow who works as a schoolteacher and lives in the city of Karbala. I did so because […]
Parliament Approves 2015 Budget
By John Lee. Iraq’s parliament approved the country’s 2015 budget on Thursday, based on a crude oil price of $56 a barrel. According to a report from the Wall Street Journal, the budget projects a deficit of $20 billion, compared with $40 billion in an earlier version. Iraq didn’t pass a budget for 2014. The […]
EU to Open Office in Kurdistan
By John Lee. The European Union (EU) is to open a representative office in Iraqi Kurdistan. The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) representative to the EU, Dlawar Azhgayi, told BasNews: “It is an important message that Europe is nurturing its relationship with the Kurdistan Region." He added that the process of choosing the representative has already […]
US Clarifies Status of Iraqi Jewish Archive
By John Lee. The US State Department has said in a statement that the Iraqi Jewish Archive remains in the custody of the U.S. National Archives and Record Administration while plans are finalized on future exhibitions in the United States. "None of the materials in the Iraqi Jewish Archive have traveled outside of the United […]
Samarra the Key to Reducing Tensions?
By Shukur Khilkhal for Al-Monitor. Any opinions expressed are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Is Samarra the key to reducing sectarian tension in Iraq? The Sunni-Shiite sectarian tensions in the city of Samarra are back on the front burner. Sunni politicians, clerics and a number of […]
Are Shiite Militias More Powerful than Army?
This article was originally published by Niqash. Any opinions expressed are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Better Pay, Better Weapons: Are Shiite Militias Growing More Powerful Than Iraqi Army? Iraq’s unofficial Shiite militias are an essential part of the fight against the extremist Islamic State group. […]
Mosul Deteriorates Under IS Occupation
By Omar al-Jaffal for Al-Monitor. Any opinions expressed are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Basma’s phone is always in her pocket. She used to throw it around the house, but things have changed. She is waiting for a phone call from her father, who lives in […]
World Bank Questions Iraq Currency Peg
By John Lee. A report published on Thursday by the World Bank focuses on the implications of low oil prices for eight developing countries -- Egypt, Tunisia, Lebanon, Jordan, Iran, Iraq, Yemen and Libya -- and the economies of the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council). The Plunging Oil Prices report questions the practice of pegging the […]
Lockheed Martin Wins Iraq Training Contract
By John Lee. Lockheed Martin Aeronautics has been awarded a $9,500,000 fixed price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite quantity contract for F-16 aircrew training to Iraq Air Force personnel. The work will be performed at Tucson, Arizona, and is expected to be complete by Jan. 27, 2017. (Source: US Defense Dept) (Picture: First flight of F-16 Fighting Falcon for […]
Belarus to Export Tractors to Iraq
By John Lee. The Belarusian company Minsk Tractor Works (MTZ) has said it is ready to supply both assembled tractors and assembly kits to Iraq, and it is now looking for partners in the country. A spokesperson for the company told the BelTA news agency that an Iraqi delegation led by President of the Federation […]
Iraqi State Education Increasingly Religious
By Adnan Abu Zeed for Al-Monitor. Any opinions expressed are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Lamia Hassan is a science teacher at a primary school in Babil. She explains natural phenomena in religious terms, such as “the science of God” and “the ability of the creator” when teaching topics […]
Critical Humanitarian Situation in 3 Southern Provinces
The humanitarian situation of Iraqis recently displaced to the southern governorates of Najaf, Kerbala and Babel is reaching critical levels, according to an assessment by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP). WFP assists 50,000 displaced families in Basrah, Thi Qar, Qadissiya, Missan, Wassit, Muthanna, Najaf, Kerbala, and Babel. “Despite the dangers and challenges posed […]