Wednesday, October 4, 2023
"RV UPDATE" BY NADER FROM MID EAST & WALGINGSTICK, 4 OCT
Nader From The Mid East
Forex, you’re gonna see all zeros. I called a friend of mine in the banks and she explained the reason for [Sunday] all Forex are in zeros is because the banks were working after hours. 10 or 8 hours of work updated all the currencies of the world.…
Iraqi President Advocates for Local Government in Kirkuk: A Move Towards Resolving Long-Standing Disputes, 4 OCT
Iraqi President Advocates for Local Government in Kirkuk: A Move Towards Resolving Long-Standing Disputes, 4 OCT
President Abdellatif Jamal Rashid of Iraq has proposed a significant solution to the ongoing Kirkuk crisis – the formation of a local government that truly reflects the diversity of the province’s population. This move is seen as a meaningful stride towards peace and stability in the region. Kirkuk, a city located 250 km north of Baghdad, sits atop one of Iraq’s key oil-producing fields, contributing to nearly 13% of the nation’s proven reserves. The city’s demographic composition has been a contentious issue, primarily due to the influx of Arab families under former President Saddam Hussein’s Arabisation policy.
The Kirkuk Dispute
The heart of the Kirkuk dispute lies in its ethnic and political division. The Kurds consider Kirkuk their historical capital and insist that it be part of Kurdistan. Conversely, Arabs and Turkmen demand that the city remain under central government authority. They argue that Kirkuk has been deliberately populated with Kurds to tip the demographic balance in their favor in any potential vote.
This ethnic tension has caused concern in neighboring Turkey, which fears that Iraq’s Kurds could gain control of Kirkuk. Such a development could potentially reignite separatist movements among its sizeable Kurdish population. The United Nations has even dubbed Kirkuk as ‘the mother of all issues’ in Iraq, underlining the need for a peaceful solution to the dispute for the country’s stability.
The Proposed Solution
One potential solution that was put forward was a referendum to decide Kirkuk’s status. However, this was delayed to allow the United Nations to present its proposals. The UN warned against pushing for a vote on whether the Kirkuk oil area should be part of Kurdistan, fearing such a move could ignite conflict. Instead, the UN proposed several potential solutions, including a new political agreement to facilitate the implementation of a constitutional plan for Kirkuk.
President Rashid’s proposal for a new government that embodies all components of the province is seen as a critical development in this complex situation. If successfully implemented, this strategy could pave the way for a peaceful resolution to the Kirkuk crisis, easing ethnic tensions and promoting stability in the region.
A Need for Cooperation
However, the path to resolution may be fraught with challenges. It would require cooperation, compromise, and a shared commitment to peace from all parties involved. This is why President Rashid emphasized the need for transparent elections in the upcoming provincial council polls. He also underscored the importance of maintaining good relations with neighboring countries like Saudi Arabia and Iran, as well as the United States, expressing gratitude for their support in overthrowing a dictatorial regime.
Thus, the proposed formation of a local government in Kirkuk could potentially resolve longstanding disputes between Baghdad and Erbil, especially if accompanied by fair and free elections. However, the ultimate success of this proposal will depend on the willingness of all parties to cooperate and compromise for the sake of peace and stability.
Al-Sudani: Iraq will remain a pillar of stability in the region and the world , 4 OCT
Al-Sudani: Iraq will remain a pillar of stability in the region and the world , 4 OCT
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Muhammad Shiaa Al-Sudani affirmed that Iraq would continue to be a stabilizing force for the region and the world.
On the occasion of the National Day of the Republic of Iraq, Al-Sudani made a statement in which he extended his sincere and blessed congratulations to the people of his dear country, along with all of its components, national forces, and constitutional bodies, in every place. He also prayed to the Almighty God to preserve Iraq, keeping it dear, invincible, and lofty at all times.
He stated that Iraq has always been a land that radiates the meaning of civilization for the entire world. It is the spot where history was made and where humanity recorded its steps towards progress. Therefore, the emergence of the modern Iraqi state and its accession to the League of Nations came as a continuation of this effective and influential civilizational and cultural dynamism.
The Prime Minister said, “On Iraq’s National Day, our country will continue to be a stable, secure, and prosperous nation, serving as a bridge between civilizations and cultures. We, Iraqis, will continue to promote peace and tranquility while fighting against darkness and backwardness. Our top priority is to make Iraq a better place, above all other considerations and necessities.”
The Imperative of Rebuilding Alliances in the Middle East: A U.S. Perspective, 4 OCT
The Imperative of Rebuilding Alliances in the Middle East: A U.S. Perspective, 4 OCT
Reassessing the U.S. Role in the Middle East
The United States has historically been absent from any form of alliance commitments in the Middle East. Unlike its multilateral alliances such as NATO and the ANZUS treaty, or bilateral security pacts with Japan and South Korea, the U.S. has steered clear of similar agreements with Middle Eastern nations. This is a fortunate circumstance considering the region’s volatile nature, marred by rivalries, conflicts, and wars.
U.S. lethal involvement in the Middle East, albeit without any alliance commitments, has been a cause for concern. The closest the U.S. came to such a commitment was with the formation of the Baghdad Pact in 1955, which later became known as the Central Treaty Organization (CENTO). However, due to a coup in Iraq, a Turkish invasion of Cyprus, and a revolution in Iran, CENTO dissolved by the end of the 1970s.
Despite the absence of U.S. alliance commitments, discourse about U.S. policy in the Middle East often refers to ‘allies’ and ‘partners’. These terms are not just used as vague descriptions, but as strategic prescriptions with the assumption that the U.S. should give special consideration to allies in the region.
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The Reality of ‘Allies’ and ‘Partners’
Admittedly, there is some basis for speaking of an ally in the absence of a mutual security treaty. However, a legitimate use of the term ‘ally’ should reflect several conditions. There should be a mutuality of interest, reciprocity, and the partner’s recognition of its special relationship with the U.S. should be distinct from its activities in the absence of that relationship.
However, many references to ‘allies’ or ‘partners’ in American discourse about the Middle East do not reflect these conditions. They are often a legacy of past circumstances that once caused a country to be considered an ally, regardless of how much circumstances have changed in the interim. Saudi Arabia is a prime example of this legacy effect.
Despite the fact that circumstances have greatly changed in the intervening 76 years, the habit of talking about Saudi Arabia as an ally or partner endures. This was taken to an extreme during Donald Trump’s presidency, who showed special deference to certain non-allies in the Middle East.
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Changing Approach Towards Saudi Arabia
It was clear that President Joe Biden would take a different approach towards Saudi Arabia. The public release of an intelligence assessment linking Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the murder of U.S. resident journalist Jamal Khashoggi has stimulated new discussion about the Saudi-U.S. relationship.
However, the Biden administration’s policy towards the Riyadh regime, though markedly different from Trump’s, still exhibits old habits. The administration is not penalizing the crown prince directly because, according to the New York Times, ‘the cost of a breach in Saudi cooperation on counterterrorism and in confronting Iran was simply too high.’
Rebuilding Alliances in the Middle East
Israel’s status as a supposed ally is sustained not only by habit but by well-known domestic politics in the United States. The notion of such an alliance is most often just assumed and invoked without justification.
At the recent Jeddah Security and Development Summit, President Biden reiterated the importance the United States places on its strategic partnerships in the Middle East region. He affirmed the United States’ enduring commitment to the security and territorial defense of U.S. partners and recognized the region’s increasingly important role as a trade and technology crossroads between hemispheres.
He also strongly affirmed the centrality of the Middle East region to the long-term security and prosperity of the United States and the American people. This address by President Biden frames U.S. engagement going forward in a manner that harnesses unique American capabilities in concert with long-standing U.S. partners.
Al-Sudani advocates unified vision for al-Faw port, Development Road project, 4 OCT
Al-Sudani advocates unified vision for al-Faw port, Development Road project, 4 OCT
Shafaq News / Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani insisted on Monday that any agreement to operate al-Faw Port in the southern region must encompass the requirements for the development road project. This directive was issued during his leadership at the fourth meeting of the High Committee for implementing al-Faw Port and Development Road Project, as per an official statement from his office.
The statement outlined discussions held during the meeting regarding the vision presented by the Ministry of Oil and the General Company for Iraqi Ports for managing and operating the significant al-Faw Port. Al-Sudani stressed that the Faw Port project cannot be viewed in isolation from the development road project, emphasizing that both projects represent an integrated system pivotal for Iraq's economic future.
Al-Sudani underscored that any agreement or vision for operating the Faw Port, once completed, must carefully consider the operational requirements of the development road. He emphasized the crucial importance of adhering to predetermined timelines and the detailed plans for both major and secondary projects.
The meeting witnessed the presentation of observations regarding the optimal management approach for the port by the Ministry of Transportation. These observations were endorsed by the High Committee for project implementation, gaining their approval according to the statement issued by the Prime Minister's media office. This meticulous approach highlights the government's commitment to ensuring the seamless integration and successful implementation of key infrastructure projects in Iraq.
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