Friday, November 22, 2024
Coffee with MarkZ and Mr. Cottrell. 11/22/2024
US Reaffirms Security Ties with Iraq, 22 NOV
US Reaffirms Security Ties with Iraq
Nov. 21, 2024
WASHINGTON DC, United States (Kurdistan 24) The U.S. reaffirmed its commitment to continued security ties with Iraq, as a State Department spokesperson told Kurdistan 24 in an email on Wednesday.
“Our routine diplomatic engagement with the Government of Iraq continues,” the spokesperson said.
“We are focused on transitioning to an enduring bilateral security partnership that serves Iraqi and U.S. interests.”
After Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shi’a al-Sudani took office in October 2022, his government pressed to end the presence of the Defeat-ISIS Coalition in Iraq, and negotiations on the issue followed.
Iranian pressure was likely part of the reason why Sudani made such a request. Tehran seeks to undermine the U.S. position in the Middle East.
Moreover, as the U.S. agreed to hold discussions on Sudani’s request, pro-Iranian elements sought—wrongly—to portray them as talks about terminating the U.S. military presence in Iraq.
They are, however, not about U.S. troops pulling out of Iraq. The Obama administration did that in 2011—and was obliged to return U.S. forces to the country in 2014, after ISIS emerged in Syria and then seized one-third of Iraq.
Rather, the negotiations are about a transition from a U.S. troop presence based on the anti-ISIS Coalition to one based on bilateral security ties.
As Col. Myles Caggins (US Army, Retired), a former Spokesperson for the anti-ISIS Coalition and now Spokesperson for APIKUR (Association of the Petroleum Industry of Kurdistan), earlier advised Kurdistan 24, “This big international coalition, with all the flags, that will end, but the presence of and the partnership with international military forces will continue.”
This approach is welcomed by the Kurdish leadership. It believes the continued presence of U.S. troops is important for Iraq’s stability, including the well-being of the Kurdistan Region.
Indeed, in July, the long-time Kurdish leader, Masoud Barzani, now head of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), made a rare visit to Baghdad. The U.S. ambassador, Alina Romanowski, was among those he met.
A key part of Barzani’s mission was to explain the need for U.S. troops to remain in Iraq, as he stressed that their presence, along with that of other Coalition forces, was vital to ensuring Iraq's stability and promoting its national interests.
Current U.S. Position Same as Before
This issue arose at Monday’s State Department press briefing, when a journalist began his question by saying that an Iraqi diplomat had told him that Baghdad had asked to postpone the next set of talks and to change their venue from Baghdad to Washington. The journalist asked the Spokesperson, Matthew Miller, for confirmation.
Miller responded that he would “take” the question—that is, provide an answer, after consulting those working on the issue. Kurdistan 24 asked to receive the answer, as well.
The answer suggests that nothing has really changed. The spokesperson’s e-mailed response took the U.S. position back to Sept. 27, when “we announced that the United States and Iraq decided on a two-phase transition plan for CJTF-OIR [i.e. Coalition] operations in Iraq.”
Three days later, on Sept. 30, the foreign ministers of the Defeat-ISIS Coalition met in Washington and confirmed the agreement: the Coalition would remain in most of Iraq until Sept. 2025, but the Coalition would stay in the Kurdistan Region for at least one year longer. The fight against ISIS in Syria is continuing, and Coalition forces there are supplied from the Kurdistan Region.
Thus, as Wednesday’s email from the spokesperson explained, referring to the Sept. 30 conference, “This ministerial demonstrated the Coalition partners’ recognition of the threat ISIS still presents and their sustained commitment to diminishing ISIS’s capabilities around the world.”
The spokesperson also stressed the broad nature of relations between the U.S. and Iraq.
“Through our comprehensive 360-degree partnership,” he said, “we can advance Iraq’s stability, security and sovereignty, which are critical to Iraq and to the region.”
RV UPDATED BY TEXAS SNAKE, 22 NOV
Putin discusses Oil Prices with Iraqi PM, 22 NOV
Putin discusses Oil Prices with Iraqi PM
prime Minister Mohammed S. Al-Sudani acquired a telephone call today, Thursday, from the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin.
in line with the Media workplace of the top Minister, the cellphone name touched on electricity-associated subjects, “highlighting the significance of coordination amongst all involved nations within OPEC and the OPEC+ organization to stabilize oil and gasoline prices, ensuring fair pricing for each manufacturers and purchasers.”
all through the call, they mentioned bilateral members of the family between Iraq and Russia and explored approaches to decorate them to serve the mutual hobbies of both pleasant international locations.
The verbal exchange also addressed the evolving scenario within the vicinity, emphasizing the need for main powers to exert greater efforts to quit the continuing warfare and save you its expansion, that may jeopardize local and international stability.
DINARLAND UPDATES, 22 NOV
DINARLAND UPDATES
Summary
Sandy Ingram addresses rumors about the legality of holding Iraqi Dinar outside Iraq, emphasizing the legitimacy of holders and the positive economic developments in Iraq.
Highlights
- 🏦 Sandy Ingram clarifies that no US agency supports claims of illegal Iraqi Dinar possession.
- 📈 The closer Iraq gets to economic goals, the more interest in IQD for potential profits.
- 📜 Documentation confirms that most holders of Iraqi Dinar are legal owners.
- 🔄 Iraq’s currency is fully convertible and has a free exchange system.
- 📊 Militia Man reports that Iraq is currently conducting a census, impacting economic processes.
- 💼 Frank discusses potential funding of salaries and a new exchange rate linked to the census.
- 🌍 Bruce highlights global testing of Iraqi Dinar, showing readiness for international exchange.
Key Insights
- 🔍 Legitimacy of Dinar Holdings: The rumors about illegal possession of Iraqi Dinar are unfounded, with evidence supporting the legality of holders found in US State Department archives. This reinforces confidence among investors.
- 📊 Economic Progress: As Iraq approaches its economic goals, the demand for IQD is likely to increase, attracting both legitimate investors and illegal actors seeking profit, highlighting the currency’s potential value.
- 💱 Free Exchange System: The Iraqi Dinar operates under a free foreign exchange system, ensuring it can be traded without restrictions, which boosts its attractiveness to global investors.
- 🗳️ Impact of Census: The ongoing census in Iraq is crucial for demographic analysis and has implications for economic planning, including salary funding and potential adjustments to the exchange rate.
- 💰 New Exchange Rate Expectations: The anticipation surrounding the announcement of a new exchange rate linked to census results suggests significant economic changes could be on the horizon, affecting salaries and budget allocations.
- 🔄 Global Currency Testing: The successful testing of the Iraqi Dinar alongside other currencies indicates readiness for international trading, signaling a positive step towards revaluation and wider acceptance in global markets.
- ⏳ Timely Developments: With multiple sources reporting imminent changes, the next few days could be pivotal for the Iraqi economy and the value of the Dinar, making it a critical time for investors and stakeholders.
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