Iraqis Question Parliamentary Pensions
By Omar al-Shaher for Al-Monitor. Any opinions expressed are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Some political blocs in Iraq believe that the demand to abolish retirement pensions for former MPs is a ploy by one political party to restore its popularity after losing in the […]
Video: Iraq Thankful to UN for Easing Sanctions
From Iran’s PressTV. Any opinions expressed are those of the authors, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Press TV has conducted an interview with Hussein Dabsh, an Iraq affairs expert in Tehran, to further talk about the UN Security Council's vote to remove Iraq from Chapter 7 of the UN […]
Dinar Boosted by Iranian Election
By Mark DeWeaver. Since the beginning of 2012 the Iraqi dinar has been on something of a roller coaster ride. Changes in central bank policy combined with strong dollar demand from Iran and Syria have twice pushed the market rate above 1280. Both times, subsequent increases in dollar sales at the central bank’s currency auctions […]
AMAR Ramadan Box Appeal
As Ramadan approaches, we draw your attention to the AMAR International Charitable Foundation’s 2013 Ramadan Box Appeal (advertised on this website). The Appeal will provide less fortunate Iraqi and Lebanese families, and refugee Syrian families, with essential food items during the Holy Month of Ramadan. AMAR’s wide network of Women Health Volunteers will be deployed […]
Chapter VII: Iraq to Restore Arms Industry?
By John Lee. Modhir al-Janabi, a member of the parliament Security and Defense Committee, has said the lifting of UN Chapter VII sanctions on Iraq provides an opportunity to restore the country's ability to manufacture weapons. He told AIN: "After being relieved from the UN sanctions, Iraq can renew this industry to manufacture weapons which […]
Iraq Exits Chapter VII ... Partially
By John Lee. The U.N. Security Council unanimously agreed today (Thursday) to move several outstanding issues between Iraq and Kuwait from Chapter VII to Chapter VI of the UN Charter, reports Reuters. Chapter VII allows the Security Council to authorize actions ranging from sanctions to military intervention if states do not abide by council demands, […]
First Deputy Speaker Resigns Amid Queries
By Ali Abel Sadah for Al-Monitor. Any opinions expressed are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. On June, 24 2013, Qusay al-Suhail (pictured), first deputy speaker of the Iraqi parliament and a leading member of the al-Sadr bloc, also known as the Liberal bloc, resigned without providing […]
Is Iraq Headed for Complete Disintegration?
By Reidar Visser. The following article was published by Reidar Visser, an historian of Iraq educated at the University of Oxford and currently based at the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs. It is reproduced here with the author’s permission. Any opinions expressed are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq […]
Black Iraqis Struggle To Shake Legacy of Racism
By Ali Mamouri for Al-Monitor. Any opinions expressed are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Many people are surprised to hear that there is a black minority of African descent in Iraq, particularly in Basra, and they are even more surprised to hear that this minority is […]
Iraq's International Standing to get Boost
The United Nations Security Council is due to meet today to discuss the removal of Iraq, partially or fully, from Chapter VII of the UN Charter. The sanction, which threatens with "action by air, sea, or land forces as may be necessary to maintain or restore international peace and security", was imposed on Iraq following […]
Weekly Security Update 19 - 26 June 2013
By Tom Walker, Director, Assaye Risk COUNTRY OVERVIEW Levels of violence remained steady in Iraq this week with the majority of activity occurring in the central and northern belts, especially along the Tigris River Valley and Baghdad. Transnational influences, both in the west and north have also continued to dominate events as the effect of […]
KRG Approves GKP's Shaikan Development Plan
Gulf Keystone Petroleum has announced that the Field Development Plan for the Shaikan field, a "world class commercial discovery", is now approved. Todd F. Kozel (pictured), Chairman and CEO of Gulf Keystone, commented: "This is an historic moment in the evolution of the Company. Gulf Keystone is now fully permitted to commence production from the […]