Iraqi lawmakers submit draft law to expel foreign forces
Shafaq News/ A group of 88 Iraqi lawmakers submitted a draft law on Saturday to expel foreign forces, including all U.S. troops, from the country.
The move comes amid a surge in tensions between Iraqi armed groups and the US-led coalition, which has been in Iraq since the 2003 invasion.
"We, the members of the Iraqi parliament, are submitting a draft law to expel foreign forces from Iraq," said Lawmaker Falih al-Khazali at a press conference. "This is a result of the continued violations of Iraqi sovereignty by US forces, which have repeatedly targeted the headquarters of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) and its leaders."
Al-Khazali said that the draft law is necessary because Iraq no longer needs foreign troops. "We have a strong military and security forces that can defend the country," he said.
Al-Alaq said he was going to delete the zeros/the project to delete the zeros off the exchange rate. What did Al-Sudani say? He said the dinar would be stronger than the dollar.What did Salih say? He said they were going to have a major announcement. We're going to see if all three of those guys are telling the truth or not. I have a feeling they are...
Accounting started January 1st. Taxation in the dinar, commercial trading in the dinar was supposed to start on the 1st. We're going to have to watch them expose how this rolls out.
Iraqi stock exchange soars 97%. The other day we talked about what 52% and that was a pretty bold statement for them to say that. Now they're talking about 97% annual gain as an indication of economic upswing.. .
The oil & gas law is a very important and is considered to be integral to the citizens needs and the economic development of the country. They stop short of telling us what came of the oil & gas law today. Why?
...One reason would be that there is exchange rate sensitivity with respect to the law...An exchange rate to be one that is stronger than the dollar (Per Al-Sudani) will help largely in that regard. So, yesterday they were focusing on the importance of this law and with urgency. A very good sign!!!
Iraqi stock exchange soars 97%. The other day we talked about what 52% and that was a pretty bold statement for them to say that. Now they're talking about 97% annual gain as an indication of economic upswing...
The oil & gas law is a very important and is considered to be integral to the citizens needs and the economic development of the country. They stop short of telling us what came of the oil & gas law today. Why?
...One reason would be that there is exchange rate sensitivity with respect to the law...An exchange rate to be one that is stronger than the dollar (Per Al-Sudani) will help largely in that regard. So, yesterday they were focusing on the importance of this law and with urgency. A very good sign!!!
Developing the market for the banking sector is huge because look, the ISX shows that their index has been up about 52% in 2023...Why is that if Iraq is just status quo and it's just blah...? It's not.
Middle East Tensions Escalate: Israel and Iran at the Brink, U.S. on the Sidelines
As tensions rise to a fever pitch in the Middle East, Israel and Iran find themselves on the precipice of conflict. With the U.S. sitting in the back seat, the situation raises hard questions about power, alliances, and the cost of war. Amidst this, Israel faces mounting legal challenges, and the Biden administration faces criticism for its stance on the Israeli-U.S. alliance.
The Chessboard of Conflict
The United States and the United Kingdom joined forces on January 11 to strike Houthi military facilities in Yemen, a move condemned by Iran. The Houthis, aiming to control all of Yemen, have continually threatened international shipping in the Red Sea.
Parallel to this, Israel’s military operations across Gaza City have faced serious backlash, with reports of civilian housing being targeted. According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, Israeli attacks since October 7 have caused at least 23,812 fatalities, including over 10,000 children.
The Web of Alliances
Israel’s actions have led to retaliatory attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels against vessels in the Red Sea, placing Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates on high alert. Following these strikes, the US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on two companies for shipping Iranian goods to fund the Houthis.
Despite the escalating tensions, the likelihood of these strikes spiralling into a regional war remains limited. Iran, despite being an ally of the Houthis, does not appear eager to engage in a full-scale war, preferring to keep its involvement indirect. Allies of Iran have launched attacks from Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq, further internationalizing the conflict.
The Blame Game and the Road Ahead
The United States has been accused of operational involvement in the Houthis’ Red Sea attacks, an allegation that Iran denies, insisting that its allies make their own decisions. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia, an ally of Bahrain, has called for restraint and avoiding escalation.
Amidst the turmoil, the Houthi’s power in Yemen has grown, prompting Saudi Arabia to hold peace talks in an attempt to step back from the war. However, the conflict continues to escalate with no clear end in sight, leaving the region hanging in a precarious balance.
...Iraq is an "IMPORT COUNTRY" with, at this time, little to export except oil. To rebuild the country, they will have to IMPORT almost everything they need so they WANT a very STRONG currency so they get much more for their Dinar...If they were an export country they would want a very cheap Dinar as is the case with Vietnam who profits from a vigorous export business due to cheap DONG.
Barzani and al-Khazali Discuss Political and Security Challenges in Iraq
In a crucial diplomatic rendezvous, Nechirvan Barzani, the President of the Kurdistan region, convened with the eminent Shiite leader Qais al-Khazali. As the head of the powerful Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq, al-Khazali’s influence in the political arena is immense. Their meeting revolved around the pressing political and security challenges that Iraq currently grapples with. The growing threat of extremist groups and the broader, overarching tensions in the Middle East were among the key issues discussed.
Dialogues for a Resilient Iraq
Barzani and al-Khazali addressed the necessity of fostering an understanding and cooperation between the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and the Iraqi central government. They emphasized that resolving the ongoing issues that have been plaguing the nation is contingent on this dialogue. Furthermore, both leaders agreed on the critical need to insulate Iraq from regional conflicts. This consensus highlights their mutual commitment to the stability and sovereignty of Iraq.
An Analysis of Recent Provincial Elections
Besides the security and political issues, the outcomes of the recent provincial elections in Iraq were also scrutinized during the meeting. An in-depth review of the electoral results could pave the way for a more democratic and representative political environment. This, in turn, could strengthen Iraq’s governance and its capacity to confront the existing challenges.
Enhancing Iraq’s Foreign Relations
Another key point of discussion was the future of Iraq’s relations with other countries. Both leaders concurred on the necessity to enhance these relations based on mutual interests. Building robust and beneficial foreign relations could significantly bolster Iraq’s global standing and contribute to its socio-economic development.