Saturday, October 21, 2023
"RV UPDATE" BY PIMPY, 21 OCT
Pimpy
I missed this one when it first came out. Reuters Article: "Exclusive: Iraq to end all dollar cash withdrawals by Jan 1, 2024, central-bank official says"
We should see how this affects the value of the Iraqi dinar. I have a feeling come 2024 we're going to start seeing those increments happen. They're' not going to be large but at least they're going to be heading in the right direction.
Stopping the use of the US dollar is a major step towards strengthening the Iraqi dinar.
My concern at the moment is whether or not Al-Sudani is going to be able to keep Iraq out of the middle of the crap that's going on over there..
.95% of the people around the world just want peace and to live and do their own thing...As far as Iraq and dinar is concerned, as long as they stay out of trouble and don't get involved then they should be just fine.
Article: "Iraq to charge Customs Duties/Taxes "Exclusively in Iraqi Dinars" This is awesome. There we go - De-dollarizing, heading in the right direction.
In Iraq they have the ability IMO to do a controlled free float...People ask me , 'Why doesn't Iraqi dinar free float?' Because it could be very very risky. They could benefit from it. They might go in the right direction. People might think they have something to offer...worth investing into, that they have a bright strong future...which I think Iraq does and I think they could benefit from being on the Forex but they have to have the restrictions removed off their currency...Iraqi dinar is on the local one [Forex]. They're not on the big Forex.
There's still problems with the exchange rate...Right now the solution they've come up with is increasing the interest rates for customers if they deposit their money and leave it there [In a bank].
7.5% is a pretty good size interest rate if you're going to leave your money in a deposit at your bank. In the past we used to have stuff like that but we don't anymore unfortunately.
Iraqi Prime Minister Calls for Global Effort to End Gaza Crisis, 21 OCT
Iraqi Prime Minister Calls for Global Effort to End Gaza Crisis, 21 OCT
At the Cairo Peace Summit, as world leaders convened to address the crisis in Gaza, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani issued a compelling call. A plea for unity, for support, and for swift action to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people.
A Plea for Intervention
Al-Sudani’s words reverberated in the summit’s halls, underscoring the urgency of the situation. The Israeli siege on Gaza, he stated, was not merely a political conflict, but a matter of life and death for thousands of Palestinians. He lamented the ongoing genocide and called on the international community to take immediate and effective actions to stop the suffering of the Palestinian people.
His call was for more than just words. He urged the establishment of a fund to aid the Palestinian people, the lifting of the siege on Gaza, and the opening of humanitarian corridors for the swift transfer of aid. Iraq, he assured, was ready to organize support and aid convoys to Gaza. His call for unity went beyond his country, emphasizing the need for coordination with all relevant nations and parties to unify the stance and present practical steps to the international community.
Consequences of Inaction
Al-Sudani’s statement, however, was more than a plea for aid. It was a stark warning about the potential global implications of the conflict. The current conflict, he warned, could impact global security, escalate regional conflict, jeopardize energy supplies, exacerbate economic crises, and invite further conflicts. His words echoed the fears of many who have watched the situation in Gaza deteriorate, amplifying concerns about the potential for the conflict to spillover into the broader Middle East.
https://bnn.network/world/egypt/iraqi-prime-minister-calls-for-global-effort-to-end-gaza-crisis/
Deputy: 45 countries expressed their desire to cooperate with Iraq in the way of development, 21 OCT
Deputy: 45 countries expressed their desire to cooperate with Iraq in the way of development
Baghdad - Iraq Today:
MP Baqir al-Saadi said Friday that the development road project has attracted the interest of 45 countries so far.
Al-Saadi said in a press interview that "the development road project is still enjoying increasing international interaction day by day, especially since all studies indicate its success in economic terms, and will develop in 5 important directions in the field of changing the route of international transport from Southeast Asia towards Europe."
He added that "45 countries are interested in the development road project, and some of them have officially announced their intention to invest directly through the implementation of projects in the first phase," noting that "the investments of this project will lead to the establishment of 10 new cities on the route from Basra to the border with Turkey."
"The project will mark the beginning of changing the face of the entire region in terms of economic activity and the development of land routes that annually transport hundreds of billions of dollars worth of goods," he said.
Iranian-Backed Iraqi Militias Rally at Jordan Border: A New Geopolitical Play?, 21 OCT
Iranian-Backed Iraqi Militias Rally at Jordan Border: A New Geopolitical Play?, 21 OCT
Hundreds of Iraqi militiamen, purportedly linked to Iran, have gathered near the Jordanian border, their chants resonating across the barren landscape, demanding the route to Palestine be opened.
These protesters, numbering in the hundreds, are members of Iraq’s Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), an umbrella organization of predominantly Shiite militias with close ties to Iran. Their sit-in at the border crossing in the western Anbar province, a stone’s throw from the Israeli-occupied West Bank, marks a curious Iranian ploy. While Iran maintains a presence in Lebanon and Syria, both sharing borders with Israel, the country has not instigated any significant action through these proxies. Instead, it is now inciting protests at the Jordanian border under the banner of the Palestinian cause.
An Echo Across the Globe
This demonstration is not an isolated event. From the bustling streets of Istanbul and Jakarta to the sprawling squares of Cairo, a swell of solidarity for the Palestinians in Gaza has sparked a wave of protests across the Muslim world. While governments in Egypt permitted gatherings at 27 locations, South Koreans, Malaysians, and Turks took to the streets, raising Palestinian flags, and demanding an end to the violence in Gaza. These demonstrations are a powerful indication of a shared sentiment, transcending borders, against Israel’s actions in Gaza, and a call for justice for Palestinians.
An Iranian Influence
The protests near the Jordanian border, however, hold additional geopolitical significance. Their orchestration by Iranian-backed militias underscores Iran’s intricate play in regional conflicts. These demonstrations serve to spotlight Iran’s recurrent support for the Palestinian cause and its condemnation of Israel’s actions. They also raise concerns about potential escalations and tensions in the region. The question remains: is this a mere show of solidarity, or is Iran signaling a more assertive posture in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?
As the world watches, these protests underline the Palestinians’ struggle against Israeli aggression and the demand for an end to the violence and the blockade. They call for international intervention to hold Israel accountable for its actions in Gaza. As the echoes of these protests reverberate across the globe, one thing is clear: the Palestinian issue is not just a regional conflict but a global cause.
Middle East Stabilization Challenged by Palestinian-Israeli Conflict, 21 OCT
Middle East Stabilization Challenged by Palestinian-Israeli Conflict
In the midst of a fragile calm in the Middle East and North Africa, the recent aggression by Hamas against Israel has stirred the waters, threatening the nascent stability that was gradually taking root in the region. Iraq, a nation that has endured the tempestuous winds of conflict for years, was beginning to see glimmers of economic improvement and stability. However, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict has ignited a wave of pro-Palestinian protests across Iraq, throwing the nation’s delicate equilibrium into turmoil.
Solidarity and Threats
Iraqi Prime Minister, in an impassioned response to the crisis, has expressed staunch solidarity with the Palestinian cause, decrying Israeli aggression. This sentiment is echoed by Iraq’s Iran-backed militias, the Badr Organization and Kataib Hezbollah, who have shown support for the attacks and even threatened to target American interests if the US intervenes. But these threats, according to experts, are likely more theatrics than a real intent for escalation. Strategic ambiguity and unlikely conditions for escalation seem to underscore these declarations. However, the Iraqi government’s limited influence over these militias complicates its ability to intervene and manage the situation.
The American Dilemma
The situation has put the United States in a precarious position. With the potential for escalation and mounting pressure on the militias to act, the US must navigate the delicate path of addressing the plight of the Palestinian people without endorsing or tolerating acts of atrocity. The accountability of those who commit war crimes is paramount in reversing the dangerous trend of targeting civilians. As a moderating influence, the US has the opportunity to contribute to deescalation while supporting Israel’s right to protect itself against Hamas.
Israel’s Response and The West Bank Crisis
For Israel, the primary objective is to incapacitate Hamas from repeating such attacks. However, the imposition of a near-total blockade on Gaza and inflicting collective punishment on its population only strengthens Hamas’s control and could potentially trigger a protracted, bloody conflict that Hamas and its Iranian patrons desire. Israel must tread carefully to avoid repeating the mistakes of the US following 9/11, where the response to al-Qaida led to costly wars and unforeseen consequences.
Meanwhile, the situation in the West Bank is fraught with escalating tensions. Clashes between Palestinians and Israeli forces, increasing settler violence and a growing sense of anger are fueling a volatile atmosphere. Palestinians, feeling unprotected against Israeli hostilities, feel compelled to defend themselves, thereby contributing to the cycle of violence.
The Palestinian Authority’s Concerns
In the midst of this chaos, the Palestinian Authority (PA) is wary of the possibility of forced transfer and the impact of the conflict on the Palestinian right to return. The PA has no desire to govern Gaza if Israel succeeds in dismantling Hamas, for they do not wish for Israel’s war on Hamas to pave their way to leadership in Gaza. The PA underscores the need for a comprehensive resolution to the Palestinian issue, bringing an end to the occupation, and the establishment of a sovereign, independent state of Palestine.
In conclusion, the recent attack by Hamas has disrupted the slow path to stabilization in the Middle East and North Africa, with Iraq experiencing some economic improvement and stability. The response from Iraq’s militias and the sentiments of the Iraqi people are overwhelmingly pro-Hamas and anti-Israel. The US and Israel must find ways to address the suffering of the Palestinian people while avoiding escalation and holding actors accountable for war crimes. The situation in the West Bank is also tense, with Palestinians feeling the need to defend themselves and increasing settler violence. The Palestinian Authority emphasizes the need for a comprehensive solution to the Palestinian issue and an end to the occupation.
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Frank26 [Bank story] This time we didn't go down, we just called [the bank]... We said we want to see if we can exchange some cu...
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Bank appointment for Currency EXCHANGE Instructions/Checklist Bank Name_________________________________________ Bank 800#____________...
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Walkingstick All these meetings that the CBI had with all these agencies that were helping them with their monetary reform are done. Al...