Sunday, December 10, 2023
Iraq Initiates Joint Task Force Following Mortar Attack on U.S. Embassy, 10 DEC
Iraq Initiates Joint Task Force Following Mortar Attack on U.S. Embassy
On December 9, 2023, the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad witnessed a significant mortar attack, the most substantial assault on U.S. interests since the escalation of conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza on October 7th. The attack involved approximately seven mortar shells, underscoring the volatile nature of the current geopolitical landscape.
Formation of Joint Task Force
In response to the attack, Iraqi Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia’ Al-Sudani, has ordered the creation of a joint task force. The task force’s mandate is to investigate the security officials responsible for the area surrounding the U.S. Embassy. This move signifies the government’s commitment to maintaining the security of diplomatic missions in the country.
Accountability and Justice
The Iraqi armed forces have referred the officers and personnel responsible for the area’s security to specialized investigative committees. This step aims to hold accountable those who were negligent in their duties. The task force, under the direct supervision of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, is committed to pursuing the perpetrators, arresting them, and ensuring they face justice.
Enhanced Security Measures
In response to these incidents, security measures are to be considerably stringent. Security forces have been granted broad powers to counter immediate threats to the safety of diplomatic missions and locations of international advisors. This incident follows a series of attacks on military bases housing U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria since mid-October, claimed by Iranian-backed armed groups in retaliation to the U.S. support for Israel.
In a call with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Prime Minister Al-Sudani reaffirmed his government’s commitment to protecting diplomatic missions and personnel of the international coalition. The world watches in anticipation as the Iraqi government takes decisive steps to ensure the safety of international diplomatic missions and combat the rising tide of violence.
U.S. Embassy in Iraq Under Significant Attack: Implications and Challenges, 10 DEC
U.S. Embassy in Iraq Under Significant Attack: Implications and Challenges
The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad was recently besieged by a significant attack that included mortar fire, drone strikes, and multiple rocket assaults. This substantial assault came from Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada, a commanding force in Iraq, who has openly promised more attacks on U.S. interests within the country. The U.S. has subsequently called on the Iraqi Security Forces to investigate this attack and apprehend those responsible.
Increasing Attacks on U.S. and Coalition Forces
Since October 17, U.S. and coalition forces in Iraq and Syria have faced a staggering total of 82 attacks. The recent attacks included multiple rocket strikes on the Al-Asad Airbase in Iraq and Mission Support Site Euphrates in Syria, as well as a drone attack on Al-Asad.
A separate rocket attack on the vast U.S. Embassy in Baghdad resulted in minor damage but thankfully, no casualties. Further attacks were launched on al-Asad air base in western Iraq and three troop locations in Syria, again with no reported casualties. Following these assaults, Washington has urged Iraqi security forces to investigate these incidents thoroughly, apprehend those responsible, and ensure they face justice.
The Challenge for Iraqi Prime Minister
These attacks present a significant challenge for Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, who has committed to safeguarding foreign missions. His focus is on boosting the economy and attracting foreign investment, a goal that these continued attacks may jeopardize.
Continued Threats Against U.S. Forces
The U.S. embassy in Baghdad has been targeted with rockets for the second time within a year. Although the damage was minimal and there were no injuries, the Ain al-Asad air base, a hosting site for U.S. and other international forces, was also a target. Despite the projectiles not landing within the base, the threat is clear and present. A dozen attacks against U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria have been claimed by a group of Iran-aligned Shi’ite Muslim militias operating under the banner of the Islamic Resistance in Iraq.
Saturday, December 9, 2023
"RV UPDATE" BY KAPERONI, 10 DEC
Kaperoni
A very important statement was made back in 2020 by the prime minister's economic advisor Mohamed Salah who used to be Deputy Governor of the CBI under Shabibi. He stated that Iraq's entire wealth including all minerals in the ground amounts to only $16 trillion dollars. Knowing that information one can then determine that there is no way a significant RV could ever occur with over 90 trillion dinar in circulation. It doesn't make sense...
They...have to have the dinar stabilized within the country and within the 2% rule mandated by the IMF in order to then accept IMF article VIII and begin to float the dinar which would raise its value based on supply and demand. All of these processes and or steps required time.
Global Political and Economic Landscape: A Roundup of Recent Developments, 10 DEC
Global Political and Economic Landscape: A Roundup of Recent Developments
As the world turns, political and economic landscapes continue to evolve, resulting in a series of significant international events and developments. From the Middle East’s escalating tensions to Europe’s technology regulation debates, each event carries a ripple effect on the global stage. Amidst these developments, world leaders manoeuvre their political chess pieces, all while the world watches.
Hostage Rescue Attempt and Political Maneuvers in Middle East
In the heart of the Middle East, a failed hostage rescue operation in Gaza has led to injuries to two Israeli soldiers. Concurrently, the Biden Administration has set a year-end deadline for Israel to conclude unspecified actions. Such developments occur as the U.S. vetoed a UN Security Council resolution for a cease-fire in Gaza. The region’s volatility has been further amplified with militias affiliated with Iran attacking U.S. military bases in Syria and Iraq. In response, Israel has launched strikes in Syria, and there have been reports of clashes involving Israeli soldiers and civilians against Palestinians near Hebron.
Technological Regulation and Political Trials in Europe
The European Union has reached a provisional agreement on rules to govern artificial intelligence, marking a significant shift in the regulation of technology. Meanwhile, in France, a court has decided to put Marine Le Pen, a prominent presidential candidate for the 2027 election, on trial. This incident suggests an emerging pattern of legal challenges against political figures.
Political Developments in the U.S. and Russia
Over in the U.S., recent polls reveal that Donald Trump is leading Joe Biden in the 2024 Presidential Race, stirring the political pot further. Across the Atlantic, President Vladimir Putin of Russia has announced his intention to seek re-election, a move that is likely to have a significant impact on global politics.
Economic and Sports News: Uranium, Interest Rates, and Golf
On the economic front, the U.S. has tripled its uranium purchases from Russia, a move reflecting the changing dynamics of global trade. Meanwhile, the Reserve Bank of India holds its key lending rate steady, and the U.S. unemployment rate stands at 3.7 percent for the last month. In the sports world, top golfer Jon Rahm has made the surprising move of leaving the PGA Tour for a deal with LIV Golf.
Investments, TV License Fees, and Security Concerns
Rounding off the global news reel, Chinese investments in Vietnam are on the rise, signifying shifts in global investment trends. In the UK, the television license fee, which funds the BBC, is set to increase by 6.6 percent. Lastly, the White House National Security spokesman emphasized the expectation of a full investigation by India into a plot, a move that displays the intricacies of diplomatic relations despite India being a strategic partner to the U.S.
Parliamentary Finance: We support measures to implement structural reforms to diversify economic activities, 9 DEC
{Politics: Al-Furates News} The Parliamentary Finance Committee announced, on Saturday, support for measures to implement structural reforms to diversify economic activities in line with the government program.
Committee member Muthanna Al-Samarrai said in a statement that {Euphrates News} received a copy of it: “Based on our legislative and supervisory mission in the Iraqi Council of Representatives, we affirm support for measures aimed at implementing structural reforms aimed at diversifying economic activities in line with the objectives of the government program that we voted on in the Council as an integral part of our vote on the government cabin headed by Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani.”
He also stressed “the priorities, programs and projects adopted in the general budget for the years 2023-2024-2025 and the government procedures followed up by the Finance Committee with the aim of implementing investment projects before approving the budget and completing the requirements of new and continuing projects.”
Al-Samarrai continued, “The committee hosted the general managers of government banks and discussed the role of these banks in the development process and economic sectors such as real estate, industrial, agricultural and the private sector, in addition to holding a series of meetings with the governor of the Central Bank to find ways and practical in providing hard currency for commercial purposes, which is moving at a scientific and professional pace.”
He pointed to “the continuous follow-up with the Ministry of Finance and customs and tax authorities in order to achieve their business and collect revenues efficiently, and focus on the importance of the unified treasury account in collecting revenues and determining the actual balance of spending and managing it in order to achieve the principle of transparency.”
Al-Samarai renewed “his support for the measures taken by the government to achieve growth in the economy and work to improve the Iraqi economy and its repercussions on the development sectors, and efforts to develop investment in the oil and gas sectors,” stressing that “the Finance Committee continues to exercise its regulatory and legislative functions in accordance with technical and professional frameworks and will spare no effort in continuing its support for government programs to reach the implementation of sustainable development projects and goals.”
"RV UPDATE" BY CLARE, 20 MAY
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