UN: Freedom of Expression Increasingly Curtailed in KRI
Freedom of expression increasingly curtailed in Kurdistan Region of Iraq - UN report Freedom of expression in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq has been increasingly curtailed over the past year, according to a UN report issued on Wednesday. Critics of public authorities have risked not only intimidation, restrictions on their movements and arbitrary arrests, but […]
Iraq "formally asks" to buy Exxon's West Qurna stake
By John Lee. Iraq is reported to have formally asked to buy ExxonMobil's share in the West Qurna 1 oil field. Basra Oil Company (BOC) director, Khalid Hamza, told Reuters that the US company is attempting to sell its 32.7-percent stake for $350 million. More here. (Source: Reuters)
Lockheed Martin "Removes Contractors" from Balad Air Base
By John Lee. Lockheed Martin is reportedly withdrawing its contractors from Balad Air Base, which has seen frequent rocket attacks in recent months. The company has been working on the program to maintain Iraq's fleet of F-16 fighter jets. More here and here. (Sources: Reuters, New York Times)
UNAMI report on Iraq's Electoral Preparations
By John Lee. The United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) has published its latest report on Iraq's electoral preparations and processes. Iraqis will go to the polls for early elections in October 2021. The full report can be downloaded here. (Source: UNAMI)
Germany and EUAM cooperate on New Iraq Projects
The two project agreements were signed on Friday in Baghdad by the German Ambassador to Iraq, Dr. Ole Diehl, and EUAM Iraq Head of Mission, Mr. Christoph Buik. The funding from the German government will support the implementation of two important projects. The project of ''The National Database for Cultural Heritage Protection in Iraq -Phase […]
REFAATO, UNDP providing Safe Water to Iraqis
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Iraq has signed an agreement with Government of Iraq's Reconstruction Fund for Areas Affected by Terroristic Operations (REFAATO) to provide residents in Ishaqi, Salah-Al Din with access to safe reliable drinking water. Approximately $1.25 million, generously provided to REFAATO by the Islamic Development Bank, will be used to […]
IS "takes Border Station" in Iraq's Western Desert
By Shelly Kittleson, for Al Monitor. Any opinions expressed here are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Islamic State takes border station in Iraqi desert with 'drug smuggling wali' A recent incident along Iraq's western border and alleged connections between drug smuggling and Islamic State cells […]
Cabinet allocates Funding for Water Projects
By John Lee. The Iraqi Cabinet has approved several allocations from the Ministry of Finance to the Ministry of Water Resources: 3 billion dinars ($2 million) to build new water pumping stations and maintain existing stations throughout the country; 3 billion dinars for rehabilitation and lining works of Shatra and Al Kasr in Dhi Qar […]
Iraq Economic Review: Second Edition
By Ahmed Tabaqchali, Hamzeh al-Shadeedi and Sarwar Abdullah, for the Institute of Regional and International Studies (IRIS) at the American University of Iraq, Sulaimani (AUIS). The opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Breaking the Impasse: The Baghdad-Erbil Budget Divide The annual debate over […]
Prospects and Limitations of UN Election Observation in Iraq
By Marsin Alshamary and Maya Nir, for The Brookings Institution. The opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. The prospects and limitations of United Nations election observation in Iraq In October 2021, after nearly two years of intermittent protests that brought down the government […]
Video: Activist's Killing triggers Protests in Karbala
From Al Jazeera. Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Protesters in the Iraqi city of Karbala are demanding answers after an anti-government activist was shot dead in an apparent targeted killing. Ehab al-Wazni was killed close to his home by gunmen in […]
Iraq Seeks Recovery of Funds Frozen in Italy
By John Lee. Iraq is reportedly trying to recover Iraqi funds frozen in Italy. Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein (pictured) is reported as saying that Baghdad is attempting to recover around EUR 600 million, plus interest, that the Saddam Hussein regime paid to Italian companies to purchase weapons. According to Basnews, the weapons were not delivered […]