World Trade [Organization]...one of the major things Iraq needs to really move forward towards membership is they need their MFTR [Memorandum of Foreign Trade Regime] completed...
Article Quote: "The completion of all these requirements was confirmed in March of 2024."
Iraq's next meeting is roughly November 6th through the 8th. They will...have all steps complete.
That's when they would be eligible. Their 30 days towards membership would start right around early November...Full member probably by the end of December of this year.
Shafaq News/ The Iraqi Resistance Coordination Committee accused the United States of delaying the full withdrawal of its forces from Iraq, casting doubts on Washington’s sincerity in ongoing discussions about foreign military presence.
In a statement on Sunday, the committee reaffirmed its demand for the removal of all foreign forces, including US troops. "The withdrawal of all foreign forces, including American, is a key goal of the Iraqi Resistance Coordination Committee," the group said. "Our fighters have sacrificed their lives for the sovereignty of our nation and the dignity of our people."
The committee expressed doubt over the US commitment to the process, suggesting Washington is attempting to "buy time." "While we appreciate the efforts of the Iraqi government to remove the so-called ‘Global Coalition Forces,’ we believe the American side is not acting in good faith and is trying to delay the issue," the statement read.
The group laid out three essential conditions for any agreement involving foreign forces in Iraq. First, the withdrawal must be "comprehensive and follow a clear, agreed-upon timeline." Second, US operations in Syria launched from Iraq must not violate Iraq’s constitution or harm its relations with Syria. Third, "no immunity should be granted to foreign military personnel, regardless of their roles."
The committee warned that it would not accept any deal that did not include these terms. "We will not be bound by any agreement that fails to explicitly address these points," the statement concluded.
On Friday, a joint statement by Baghdad and Washington said the two sides have agreed that the US-led coalition's military mission in Iraq will end by September 2025, ushering a transition to bilateral security partnerships.
The US has approximately 2,500 troops in Iraq and 900 in neighboring Syria as part of the coalition formed in 2014 to combat Islamic State (ISIS) as it rampaged through the two countries.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani initiated talks with Washington in January on the change. He has said that, while he appreciates their help, US troops have become a magnet for instability, frequently targeted and responding with strikes often not coordinated with the Iraqi government.
Reuters has reported that the agreement would see hundreds of troops leave by September 2025, with the remainder departing by the end of 2026.
Under the plan, all coalition forces would leave the Ain al-Asad airbase in western al-Anbar and significantly reduce their presence in Baghdad by September 2025. US and other coalition troops are expected to remain in Erbil. Other nations, including Germany, France, Spain, and Italy, contribute hundreds of troops to the coalition.
This position has grown more important as regional confrontations escalate in the Middle East, with US forces in Iraq shooting down rockets and drones fired towards Israel in recent months, according to US officials.
[via PDK] “Al Sudani advisor indicates a significant development in Iraq’s financial capabilities during 2024” Talking about what they have accomplished with cleaning up banking, more non-oil revenues. This article is a great little victory lap.
MarkZ
[via PDK]
“The goal of the census is developmental, economic and Kirkuk second in completing the numbering and inventory process”
So they are doing a full census in November to figure out which money goes where….
I do believe this occurs right after the HCL is wrapped up and the government can then distribute the new funds. I was told to look for a census…and now we are finally getting it.
EXCERPTS FROM MARKZ
MZ: Straight out of Iraq “ Iraq and Indonesia agree to visa exemption. “ Isn’t this kinda funny ? And Iraq recently signed something like this with Vietnam. Now Indonesia- who is a major trading partner-just like Vietnam. . What are the other currencies expected to go with them at the exact same time? It’s almost like they are going lock step and certainly are being good neighbors.
MZ: “ The goal of the census is developmental, economic and Kirkuk second in completing the numbering and inventory process” So they are doing a full census in November to figure out which money goes where ….I do believe this occurs right after the HCL is wrapped up and the government can then distribute the new funds. I was told to look for a census…and now we are finally getting it.
Mark plays a video with Sudani speaking in Arabic with English translation.
MZ: He is talking about Iraq going international ….and being international is a huge deal. I put a retweet of that speech on X.
Today, Saturday, a security source in Anbar province revealed questionable means by which ISIS property funds are transferred outside of Iraq to reach them.
“National Security is following up on this issue through an investigative committee, which is tracking the sale of real estate belonging to people who joined the terrorist organization ISIS, and transferring the proceeds outside the country,” the source informed the publication.
“Three properties have been sold so far and their money transferred to their ISIS owners in Turkey,” he continued, “The agency found that the operation was carried out by former officers in coordination with employees in the municipalities of Anbar.”
“The network has an exchange office to transfer money to the members of the organization,” he said.
They will need to have an international IMF Article XIV and Article VIII compliant currency.
One that the Central Banks can defend and likely in a very fast and efficient manner with the most advance systems in the world.
The focus in the future is going to be instantaneous cross border payments 365/24/7 and no blackouts with little cost. It is now the time to be paying attention...
