By John Lee. The U.S. Justice Department has filed a civil forfeiture complaint seeking to seize a Beverly Hills mansion allegedly purchased with the proceeds from a scheme to defraud the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA). The complaint alleges that a defence contractor obtained more than $700 million from DLA for fuel deliveries to U.S. forces […]
By John Lee. American journalist Shelly Kittleson has expressed her gratitude to those who worked for her release, after she was taken hostage by an armed faction in Baghdad earlier this month. Ms Kittleson was released on 7th April. Full statement from Shelly Kittleson: I am and will always be incredibly grateful to those who […]
By John Lee. The Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) has confirmed that all requests for US dollars from banks and exchange companies have been fully met, covering pilgrims, travellers, and external transfers. The bank stated that authorised exchange companies permitted to sell dollars to travellers and pilgrims are listed on its official website, ensuring regulated […]
By Guest Blogger. Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. "Deleting the Zeros" -- What Iraq Actually Said, and What It Means for Your Investment Few phrases in the Iraqi dinar speculation world generate more excitement than "deleting the zeros." It surfaces in […]
By John Lee. Rewards for Justice (RFJ), the US Department of State's national security rewards program, has offered a reward of up to $10 million for information on the leader of Kata'ib Hizballah (KH), Ahmad al-Hamidawi. The Department of State designated al-Hamidawi as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) in 2020. Full statement from Rewards […]
By John Lee. According to a statement today (Wednesday) from Iraq's Ministry of Trade, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz has led to a gradual recovery in maritime traffic, although activity remains below normal levels amid continued geopolitical uncertainty. It says early signs of improvement have been observed in trade flows, particularly in energy […]
From Amwaj Media. Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Baghdad's authority in question after US journalist's capture and release Seen by observers as an acute security failure, the abduction of Shelly Kittleson has also complicated already fraught relations between Iraq and the […]
By David Schenker 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 Is at Another Crossroads with Iran-Backed Militias -- and Washington Although U.S. officials should keep pushing Baghdad to move against these groups, the Iran […]
By Steven Simon and Adam Weinstein, for Foreign Policy. Any opinions expressed here are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. The Iran War Is Exposing Iraq's Weaknesses Baghdad doesn't control much of its own territory. Click here to read the full article (subscription required).
By John Lee. [Update, 8th April: The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) confirmed the release of Ms Kittleson on 7th April.] Associated Press reports that American journalist Shelly Kittleson, who was kidnapped in Baghdad on 31 March, has been released. The release followed a statement by the Iran-aligned Kata'ib Hizbollah militia, which said it had […]
By John Lee. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has called on the Iraqi authorities to do everything in their power to secure the immediate release of Shelley Kittleson, the American freelance journalist who was abducted in Baghdad on Tuesday. The IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger said: "We demand the immediate and unconditional release of […]
By John Lee. Al-Monitor has confirmed that the American journalist kidnapped in Baghdad on Tuesday was Shelly Kittleson, an Al-Monitor contributor. Ms Kittleson, a freelancer, has also reported for BBC World Service, Politico, Foreign Policy and others. A statement from Iraq's Ministry of Interior said that a foreign journalist has been kidnapped by unidentified individuals, […]
