445 articles
The Iranian rial is falling in value again as a new set of sanctions from the United States are just around the corner. The rial dropped to 112,000 against the dollar over the weekend; it has been steadily dropping in value after the United States withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal earlier this year. The economic […]
Iraq’s Ministry of Interior has spoken out against the claims by activists that the government has cataloged protesters involved in the nationwide protests over poor infrastructure services. A statement released by the ministry read that, “The Ministry of Interior, at a time when it denies such allegations flatly and totally, and it and the just Iraqi […]
A delegation of officials and locals from the province of Wasit met with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi recently to discuss future employment opportunities, public services, and potential infrastructure projects in light of the protests sweeping across the nation. Abadi’s office asserted that the prime minister met with prominent community figures and tribal leaders as well […]
Since Kirkuk was turned over to Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) and paramilitary militias in October 2017, a total of 30 villages in the region have been evacuated; either because of the threat of Islamic State insurgents or anti-Kurdish sentiments. The mayor of Dibis, a territory within the Kirkuk region, Abdullah Nuradin told local media that, There are […]
Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani met with Envoy Brett McGurk this week to discuss the obligation for “more serious dialogue” in regards to the new Iraqi government being formed by the freshly elected parliament members. Both men understood and were adamant about “the need for more serious dialogue among political parties for the formation of a […]
The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) is resolute in solving the issue of illegal oil refineries operating within the Iraqi-Kurdistan region. The Ministry of Oil and Gas released a statement that read, These refineries have caused great damage to the environment and health. Examples from Erbil and Sulaimani were discussed where refineries have caused great damage […]
The Kurdish Peshmerga military forces have been added to the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The Peshmerga had been left out of an earlier draft, and this had drawn concern from various parties, citing Iraq’s withholding of Kurdish shares in the past. On several occasions, the Iraqi government has withheld U.S. aid from Kurdistan’s military […]
This week it was announced by the United States’ Department of Defense (DOD) that $200 million would be given to the Ukrainian military to continue the providing of training, equipment, and military advisory services. The DOD wishes to improve upon Ukraine’s internal defense capabilities by working within the framework of its current military forces. Over $1 […]
Iraq is in serious turmoil. There have been nationwide protests over the lack of jobs, clean water, and a stable power grid — the situation is approaching a tipping point. The capital city of Baghdad is presently exporting more electricity than it ever has previously, according to officials from the Ministry of Electricity. Baghdad’s public […]
A lump sum of $15 million is being extracted from the Iraqi government’s emergency budget for crisis containment solutions — specifically regarding the out of control protests and widespread chaos currently engulfing southern Iraq. Iraq’s Council of Ministers, chaired by Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, determined that $2.5 million should be earmarked for the port city […]
The Netherlands and Turkish governments have reached an agreement to continue a diplomatic relationship that previously deteriorated in 2017. Minister’s of Foreign Affairs from both nations had “agreed to reinstate ambassadors in Ankara and The Hague shortly. The ministers also agreed that the Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs will pay an official visit to Turkey in […]
Turkish and U.S. diplomats convened on Friday and held a meeting to discuss the upcoming sanctions to be imposed on Iran. The situation has the potential to put a serious strain on U.S.-Turkey relations, given Turkey’s economic ties to the Islamic Republic. Officials from the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs as well as the Ministry […]