By John Lee. The US State Department has reiterated its opposition to proposed legislation in Iraq concerning the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), warning that it could increase Iranian influence and undermine Iraq's sovereignty. Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday, State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce (pictured) said Washington opposed any legislation inconsistent with the goals […]
By Michael Knights, for the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Leveraging Iran's Defeat to Strengthen U.S.-Iraq Security Relations Tehran's Iraqi proxies mostly sat out the twelve-day war, but this pragmatic restraint will not forestall growing […]
By Sinan Mahmoud for The National. Any opinions expressed here are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Iraq PM Al Sudani to run in elections with new alliance His sight set on a second term in office, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani has unveiled […]
By Michael Knights, for the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. The Danger of Letting Iraq's PMF Authority Law Pass The Trump administration needs to quietly but firmly signal Baghdad that enshrining the militia umbrella group […]
By Bridget Toomey, for the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD). Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Iraq wrestles with US pressure over Iran-backed militias The US is reportedly applying pressure on the Iraqi government and Iran to disband Iraq's pro-Iranian militias. […]
From Amwaj Media. Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Novel Shiite armed groups in Iraq draw ridicule, calls for crackdown A wave of new Shiite armed groups has emerged in Iraq in recent months, seemingly operating outside the formal structure of the […]
By John Lee. A US State Department spokesperson has reiterated Washington's concerns over Iranian-backed groups operating in Iraq. Responding to a question at a press briefing, Tammy Bruce emphasised that Iraq's government must maintain command and control over all security forces, including the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), and ensure they report to Iraq's commander-in-chief rather […]
By Hamdi Malik and Michael Knights, for the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Iraq's PMF Law Is No Substitute for Real Security Reform The Trump administration should not be duped by the supposed "reforms" that […]
From Amwaj Media. Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Contentious retirement clause puts future of Iraq's PMU in question The Iraqi parliament's protracted debate over amendments to legislation regulating the Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) may be nearing its end. Reports suggest that […]
By John Lee. The Governor of Diwaniya has announced a major agricultural investment project in the desert of Al-Shanafiyah district, expected to create over 10,000 jobs. Abbas Sha'il Al-Zamili said that the investment company is starting soil tests on the 26,000 dunums [2,600 hectare; 6,400 acre] site, with a view to cultivating date palm trees […]
By John Lee. The US government has said that the human rights situation in Iraq worsened during the year, due to increased federal and Kurdistan Regional Government restrictions on fundamental freedoms and civic space. In a wide-ranging report, the State Department pointed to intermittent attacks by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria and its […]
By Andrew Parasiliti and Tyler Huffman, for Al Monitor. Any opinions expressed here are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Iraq PM seeks to stay out of regional conflict, calls for US pressure on Israel to end Gaza war In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, Mohammed […]
