Synopsis

We'll see what develops. I find it hard to imagine any country would run a substantial portion of their forces and armament into a guaranteed impact with tactical nuclear weapons - even if it was in a near by country. If not the whole force wiped out, the nuclear fall out would make the region uninhabitable for decades to centuries to come. If this opinion piece is reasonably accurate, either they are on some sort of self annihilation mission or are just plain out of touch with reality or they have some guarantee(s) (either real or faked) there will not be certain destruction from the tactical nukes and the success of their mission is guaranteed. Just like anything else, as stated in the opinion piece, maybe a bunch of misinformation out there to distract from something else and what is really going on. And just when things seemed to be looking good.....................maybe it is looking better than we can imagine and what we want may just happen instead!

An article above states, "The Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq has announced that there are 130 trillion Iraqi dinars in circulation in the Iraqi street." If these were all 25,000 notes, there would be 5.2 billion notes on the Iraqi streets. If Iraq has nominally 36 million people, there would be about 144 25,000 IQD notes for every man, woman, and child in Iraq. At an exchange rate of 1,182 IQD/USD, this totals 110 billion USD equivalent or 3,060 USD in IQD for every man, woman, and child in Iraq. This doesn't consider the dedollarization that has been happening and the other currencies that may potentially be presently used in Iraq. The term "Iraqi street" is likely very broad. I can't imagine, though, there is that much IQD on the streets of Iraq. Something doesn't look right here. Here is where I got the Iraq population information: http://countrymeters.info/en/Iraq

An article above states, "He said Sadr, who share his political bloc with 3 portfolios Abadi government "must proceed with the formation of a government of technocrats without leaning to the ruling party and we will go to the demonstrations and sit-ins if not implemented the required reforms at all levels." And waved Sadr to withdraw confidence from the government Abadi If you do not apply the reforms, stressing the need for "the formation of a government of technocrats within 45 days. After a year of its formation if not implemented its new program we will resort to change," saying non-implementation of the reform program, "a betrayal of Iraq." 45 days is a month and a half and will put the completion of the technocrat installation at the end of April 2016. Looks like Sadr is saying he is supporting Abadi for one more year after that to, say, around April 30, 2017. Another article above states, "Fired the cleric Moqtada al-Sadr on Saturday, its economic reform project, and called for the installation of a new Governor of the Central Bank and the support of the agricultural and industrial sectors and small businesses." I am trying to figure from the tone what urgency al-Sadr is placing on installing Dr. Shabibi (although not mentioned here) as the CBI Governor. Maybe by the end of April 2016? From another article above, "The leader of the Sadrist movement holds al-Maliki responsible for the deteriorating situation in Iraq and the government has the choice between acceptance of his project 'reformist' and withdraw." Pretty sure Maliki will be sweating bullets very soon, if not so already. I suspect announcements like this will foster alignment between the people, Parliament, and the Judiciary and urgent action to do the house cleaning of Maliki and those associated with him. I also suspect Maliki will be spouting off very soon like an electrocuted kangaroo jumping around in a rubber room. From the last article above, "Aldhlki He stressed that "its call for activating the role of the task of the judiciary and timely because the judicial institution containing impurities hinder their work and therefore need to be active and take to carry out his duties," stressing that "the main pillars of the power of the judiciary is limiting arms possession state." Maybe he is stating here that the judiciary has to be cleaned out soon so that they can have the appropriate judicial processes and people in place for the upcoming trials. All in All, looks like the fires to get things done have been lit pretty high! Looks like an eventful season at least for the next month and a half!

Is this some sort of way Luigi1 works what he believes to be the slot or vending machine? Open Sesame........................... And out come out all the hot steamy goat nuggets???!!!

The article stated, "Zarif added after the word his Saudi counterpart: "We can not rule out any of the other Iran and Saudi Arabia from the area .. We are ready to work with Saudi Arabia .. I think it could be Iran and Saudi Arabia have common interests in Syria."" This seems to be similar language to what Saudi Arabia and Iran were using in the Islamic Conference about a month ago. We'll see what they do to quell the factional and sectarian conflicts beyond mere words as mere words is all they used in the past.

Yota - Much Thanks for the update and kudos for all the great and valuable articles you bring over! Looks like tomorrow could be an eventful day with Sadr's announcement!

Looks like what Abadi is doing dove tails with the religious leaders' speeches and the will of the people. Hopefully the changes will come very soon so the demonstrations do not turn violent and Iraq moves on toward a cohesive entity.

Sandfly - I'll be giving you the emeralds, too!

The article states, "Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi on Friday with business leaders and representatives of German companies a number of political, economic and security issues on the Iraqi arena, including the launch of the industrial cities project." Part of the Marshall plan after WWII was to rebuild the infrastructure bombed out in Germany. Looks like Germany has an opportunity here to pay it forward.

The article states, "This requires the National Defense Authorization signed by President Barack Obama in November the law, the administration presented to lawmakers strategy to defeat Aldoaash by 15 February." 15 February is a national holiday - President's Day. So, maybe Tuesday, February 16 we'll see what the strategy is to defeat Aldoaash.

The ball is a rollin'! Next week could be an interesting week with the ministers replacements and drive to implement the reforms.

I wonder if those mood splotches on the screen are the very mildly depicted anticipated aftermath of a 50 cal round? al-Baghdadi won't show up no mo on some stinkin' screen after that!

Just like with Japan and Germany after WWII with their war machine proponents, it will take Iraq a couple generations to purge all the Baathist affiliations and influences. If Maliki is stirring the pot, which he is, then I suspect he and his affiliates will not be around much longer to see their intentions come to fruition and experience a quite different fate. The article states, "Anbar «Quds Al-Arabi»: revealed local tribal sources told «Al Quds Al Arabi» clan Ghurair received substantial financial support from the Iraqi Vice President Nuri al-Maliki to form a new awakening led by the brother of the representative of Izzat al-Douri abroad, the leadership of Qatar, Iraq, Abdul Samad Ghurairy to meet the organization « Islamic State »which had made ​​some progress in the recent attacks launched in the vicinity of Haditha District, caused heavy losses in the ranks of the Awakening clans Aljgayevh and Albu Nimr." Izzat al-Douri was killed in a large scale military operation on April 17, 2015 and was one of the most wanted included in the famous deck of cards. More information to link Maliki to the country's atrocities. Looks like we'll have to wait and see what uproar, if any, this causes with the Iraqi people. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Izzat_Ibrahim_al-Douri

I agree, Laid Back. I'm pretty sure the progress of the reform measures will be back in the news soon, after a few of the obstacles are removed, as well as the progress of the new banking system. All this drama playing out in Iraq is like some sort of soap opera. Hopefully there are no entrepreneurs in Iraq or elsewhere taking notes on all this for upcoming Iraqi soap opera scripts. I don't think I'd want to see any of those soap operas and have a replay of all this!

Snow - This isn't some sort of goat nugget Dinar Thug was referring to, is it? I'm not biting into one of those like this guy looks like he's about to do no matter how it is packaged or what it does - No Way - Not Me!

Yeah, wish he'd get distracted with all the goat nuggets, or whatever he's bringing over, and enjoy the "treats" all by hisself.

Yeah, not sure I'm such a good surgeon. Maybe he could try this a knock some good sense in whatever is left - assuming there is some. Seems like some folks are just plain way out there. Why they want to be that way, I'll likely never know. Hopefully, I won't see this on the street. Never know, maybe the wrong area is addressed and corrective action is needed. All in all, honors to you two for all the samity and tempering you bring to the site!!! :salute:

I'm sorry, the procedure was pretty messy and I am not sure it achieved the intended result. We'll see.

Luigi1 - You have -825 (ruby) votes. Are you trying for some sort of record? Typically, folks try to increase the emerald vote count. Could you explain your reasoning here? In my experience, studies are just that - studies. The studies may include a recommendation but the recommendation may or may not be applied - ever. These folks, like Delta, have an accuracy rate close to guesses people try to use for lotto tickets - with a much higher success rate.

I fully agree with you. I am expecting the bottom to drop out of the dinar value before the IQD revalue to rattle and shake off all the IQD holders possible.

Looks like the heat is really turned up high on Abadi. Looks like something will happen soon. Real soon.

The first article stated, "The spokesman said the Information Office of the Prime Minister, that "the change will not be achieved unless blocs agree to keep partisan ministers and achieve reform and restructure the economy and give consent to Ebadi to make the change," adding that "Abadi will announce the names of the ministers after parliamentary approval for students to change and will announce details of the time ". This, "said the Iraqi National Coalition, Wednesday, that the individual and partisan and sectarian interests overcome the interest of the country, asserting that al-Abadi difficult for him to form a government of technocrats"" SgtFuryUSCZ, I couldn't agree with you more! The statement "achieve reform and restructure the economy" is hopefully a shot over the bow. Indirectly, the articles appear to be targeting the ministers as the antithesis of reform and restructuring the economy. There are likely other significant issues such as the Kurdistan independence sabre rattling, etc. The last article stated, "The MP said the honest we hinted Cluster / balances News /, that "change is to be conducted by Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi opportunity of the political blocs and the parliament to prove Massalanh with the Iraqi people," adding that "there is considerable resentment from the people of the government's performance." Are the natives getting fed up and restless? Hope so. All told, if Abadi's is projected to be taken out of office as another article from Reuters state is a potential, then there is nothing like a crisis that will help Abadi remain in office and complete the job. The question is, what is this crisis and when will it happen?

I didn't realize before reading these articles that the flood waters from the collapse of the dam would have a direct impact on the city of Mosul. This could be an explanation for why the coalition ground troop military action on Mosul was suspended. I do not want our troops anywhere near the ensuing flood waters should the dam actually collapse! Maybe let nature take it's course? I sure hate any catastrophe to fall on the innocents in and around Mosul and further downstream. Point number three above is interesting how ISIS is referenced.

It is a great time hanging around on the DV fourums. Um......... What's for dinner? Um......... What is that? Um......... Is it any good? Um......... What's on TV tonight? Actually, hanging around on the DV forums is much better and educational. At least you have to think (at least a little bit) and participate instead of just stuffing the face and switching off the mind to, well, mindless entertainment for the most part.