Sunday, November 5, 2023
"IRAQ NEWS ANALYSIS" BY MNT GOAT, 5 NOV
AS OF THE BEGINNING OF NEXT MONTH, KURDISTAN WILL ADOPT THE IRAQI DINAR IN CROSSINGS AND AIRPORT TRANSACTIONS
The Director General of Customs in the Kurdistan Region, Samal Abdul Rahman, said, “In accordance with a decision issued by the Kurdistan Regional Government, all transactions at border crossings and airports will be in Iraqi dinars, starting from the beginning of next month.”
Abdul Rahman added that the regional government had previously used the dinar instead of the dollar at some crossings with neighboring countries, adding that there are still some crossings that will be converted to the dinar tomorrow.
The Kurdistan Region Council of Ministers had issued Resolution No. 227, circulated on 9/20/2023 and published on 10/16/2023, which stated: “Based on the provisions of Article (8) of the Kurdistan Region Council of Ministers Law, No. 3 of 1992, it was decided to collect fees.” Customs duties and customs taxes at border gates and customs points are in Iraqi dinars only.
Tweet Suggests Nuclear Threat to Gaza: Implications for Biden’s Middle East Policy, 5 NOV
Tweet Suggests Nuclear Threat to Gaza: Implications for Biden’s Middle East Policy
In the midst of the tumultuous cybersphere, a tweet has surfaced, hinting at a potential nuclear threat to Gaza. The cryptic nature of the tweet, associated with the news source Al-Ahram, does little to assuage the public’s growing concerns. The escalating Israel-Hamas conflict, already a thorn in the side of President Joe Biden’s Middle East policy, seems to have taken a menacing turn.
Conflict Complicating Biden’s Middle East Goals
Prior to this stark development, Biden had ambitious plans in sight: further integrating Israel with its Arab neighbors and curbing Iran’s nuclear ambitions. The current conflict, however, poses a significant setback, shifting the focus towards preventing the conflict from spiraling into a regional war involving Iran-backed combatants across Lebanon, Yemen, and Syria.
Efforts to Contain the War
As the war drums beat louder, Biden has been actively engaging with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and regional leaders, including those of Jordan, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia. Key to this containment strategy is the provision of humanitarian relief to Palestinian civilians in Gaza. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has made multiple visits to the region, advocating for humanitarian pauses for increased aid deliveries and civilian evacuation.
Conflicting Demands and Regional Tensions
However, the tug of war between the conflicting demands of various parties continues to intensify. Israel’s refusal to allow fuel into Gaza or agree to a ceasefire not involving a hostage release brings it at odds with Arab partners advocating for a sustained ceasefire and increased protection for Palestinian civilians. The conflict has also fanned the flames of regional tensions, with Hezbollah, Yemen’s Houthi rebels, and American troops in Iraq and Syria all entering the fray.
The Post-War Gaza Conundrum
While Israel and the United States concur on a post-war Gaza not under Israeli governance, they diverge on the next steps. The United States upholds a two-state solution, envisioning an effective, revitalized Palestinian Authority overseeing Gaza and the West Bank. Netanyahu’s office, however, speaks a different language, espousing the elimination of Hamas and dismissing talk of Palestinian Authority control over Gaza as a fabrication.
Charting the Path Towards Peace
Amidst these diplomatic impasses and the quest for a ceasefire, the groundwork for post-war governance in Gaza and the realization of a two-state solution must be laid. This involves ensuring no further radicalization and empowerment of regional extremists. Arab states will likely play a crucial role in formulating a policy response to address the underlying issues and chart a path towards lasting peace in the region.
Integrity Commission Discovers Fraud and Mismanagement of Funds in Iraq, 5 NOV
Integrity Commission Discovers Fraud and Mismanagement of Funds in Iraq
The Integrity Commission in Iraq has unearthed a series of fraudulent activities, seizing documents related to a delayed project costing two billion dinars in the governorate of Diyala. The commission also arrested a man impersonating an official in Baqubah, releasing executive bonds to reviewers.
Irregularities in the Iraqi Oil Tankers Company
In the Iraqi Oil Tankers Company in Basra, the commission identified manipulation in 20 payment documents amounting to 4 billion dinars. The funds were allocated for public service projects as social benefits. However, the investigation team discovered that the Basra Oil Company – Projects Authority didn’t fulfill its financial obligations to an Australian company contracted for an energy escalation project, leading to public fund damage after the Australian firm declared bankruptcy. The commission also found discrepancies in compensation settlements for the West Qurna/1 field, where non-agricultural and fictitious lands were included in the compensation.
Housing Units Distribution Violations
The commission also revealed violations during the distribution of housing units owned by the South Oil Products Distribution Company. Housing units were undeservedly granted to the company’s director-general and several employees. The director had even accommodated his son in a house he received, despite his son not being affiliated with the company.
Anomalies in the General Company for Oil Products Distribution
Furthermore, at the General Company for Oil Products Distribution, the commission discovered two contracts signed this year for transporting oil products for extraction companies. These contracts were signed under “licensing tours” with a private transport company. But, the investigation showed that the General Company for Oil Products Distribution transported products to licensing companies using government vehicles without contracting with private companies.
The cases underline the urgent need for stronger measures to combat corruption and improve financial management within the Iraqi government. While the Integrity Commission’s efforts in exposing irregularities and holding people accountable are notable, they also suggest that systemic changes are necessary to prevent such occurrences in the future. Transparency, accountability, and proper oversight are crucial to ensuring the efficient and effective use of public funds and resources in Iraq.
"RV UPDATE" BY CLARE, RAYREN98 & SAMSON, 5 NOV
Clare
Article: "An economic expert told Nina: Preventing the withdrawal of dollars in Erbil via ATM, i.e., an automated teller machine, is a health measure” Quote: "He stressed that this measure will contribute to the elimination of parallel markets and parallel exchange rates, the end of the state of dollarization, and the trend towards an automatic increase in the value of the Iraqi dinar."
RayRen98US Secretary of State Antony Blinken Rejects Cease-fire Request in Gaza, 5 NOV
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken Rejects Cease-fire Request in Gaza, 5 NOV
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has rejected Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’s plea for a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip during a meeting held in Ramallah. Blinken reaffirmed Israel’s right to self-defense and continuation of its military campaign in Gaza. He, however, committed to exerting pressure on Israel to avoid civilian casualties and to provide safe passageways for humanitarian aid.
Blinken’s Stance on the Israel-Hamas Conflict
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has resulted in the death of 9,770 Palestinians and more than 1,400 Israelis. Arab leaders are urging an immediate ceasefire in Israel’s military offensive in Gaza. Blinken, though, contended that such a halt would only enable Hamas to reorganize and launch renewed attacks on Israel. He advocated for humanitarian pauses in Israel’s operations to facilitate a better flow of aid and increased evacuation of foreign nationals out of Gaza and into Egypt.
Arab Leaders’ Concern Over Civilian Deaths
Arab leaders have voiced their concern about the civilian death toll in Gaza and are calling for an immediate ceasefire. They argue that the deaths of thousands of civilians cannot be justified as self-defense and underscored the necessity to establish an armistice before discussing Gaza’s future. Arab states are also apprehensive about the conflict spreading regionally, with Lebanon’s Hezbollah and Iraqi Shiite militias having begun attacks on Israel since the conflict’s inception.
International Call for Ceasefire and US’s Response
The international community has been vocal about a ceasefire, but both Washington and Israel have dismissed these calls. The US is aiming to convince Israel to agree to local pauses in the fighting to allow for the delivery of humanitarian aid. However, Israel is wary that Hamas would utilize these pauses to regroup and resupply.
US’s Role in the Ongoing Conflict
The US has been criticized for its support of Israel’s military campaign and its reluctance to call for an immediate ceasefire. But, the Biden administration argues that a ceasefire at this stage would only allow Hamas to regroup and resume its attacks on Israel. The US is instead calling for humanitarian pauses in the fighting to facilitate the delivery of aid and the evacuation of civilians. The conflict has also raised concerns about the potential for the violence to spread to other countries in the region.
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Bank appointment for Currency EXCHANGE Instructions/Checklist Bank Name_________________________________________ Bank 800#____________...
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