bkeiller

I think having over capacity is strategic planning, in case any fields are disrupted in Iraq or elsewhere. They are probably also speculating on increased demand from India and China, especially if the US economy keeps its momentum going? As for the prices, I don't think the Saudis will be up for another price battle with the US frackers. It harmed more than it healed.

This has got to be one of the strangest titles on a thread that I have seen here.

Absolutely. We don't need to untangle the knot ... simply cut it.

Maliki is the gordian knot ... .

Once Abadi is voted back in, he will have a mandate to deal with Maliki and a whole host of other issues. Will the RV hit before then?

Folks have said this before, that there is going to be an increase of smoke and mirrors to avoid a run on the currency. Smoke and mirrors = soon.

Hunted around for some updates. I think the credit rating sites work on a subscription model. So, all other updates are second or third tier by the time we read them in the press. The following link is a good one to add to your 'Iraqi favorites' folder: http://www.tradingeconomics.com/iraq/rating

Maliki is tainted and needs to repatriate all the money he siphoned off from his fellow Iraqis. Then, after that, he has permission to stop breathing.

http://www.kitabat.com/ar/page/14/04/2017/97687/غارات-أقل-وتقدم-بطيء-بأسلحة-خفيفة-استراتيجية-جديدة-لاكمال-تحرير-الموصل.html Friday , April 14, 2017 Advanced Iraqi forces, over the past few days, slightly in the western side battles for the city of Mosul, through the liberation of three neighborhoods of Morocco, Yarmouk and mills, while the region is still the most difficult, the old Mosul, under the control of "Daesh", despite the lapse of more than two weeks to encircle . What is happening, according to a member of parliament and a military expert, it is an application for "difficult and complex new strategy" based on the reduction of air strikes, and progress slowly in residential neighborhoods, and the use of light weapons, in order to avoid civilian deaths and the destruction of infrastructure, especially in the wake of the massacre in theneighborhood "New Mosul" , but "Daesh" managed to take advantage of the change fighting strategy by targeting forces snipers and rocket shelling. Civilians and infrastructure new strategy, adopted by the Iraqi forces, is the slow progress in the neighborhoods of the center of the west side of the city, fighting and light weapons; in order to avoid casualties among civilians, according to Ali Mutaiona, a member of the Security and Defense Committee in the Iraqi parliament. Mutaiona said that "Iraqi forces have adopted this new strategy for progress in the western side of the city neighborhoods, after the killing of civilians in the new neighborhood of Mosul , " west of the city, home to some 1.5 million people, mostly Sunnis. Mystery still surrounds the death of dozens of civilians inside their homes in this neighborhood, on March / last March 17, where the international coalition said it had launched an air strike in this neighborhood on the same day at the request of the Iraqi government, which was denied by Baghdad, accusing "Daesh" at the same time the implementation of the bombing has caused this "massacre." Iraqi MP said that "Iraqi forces are currently using light weapons, through penetration into residential neighborhoods; to protect civilians and infrastructure .. The new strategy has achieved its objectives over the last few days." He guessed Mutaiona that " the western side of the connector battles may end within weeks .. progress , albeit slow , it is a disease, Iraqi forces will be able to resolve the fighting in the western side during a period not exceeding weeks." The western side of Mosul , smaller than its eastern side area, where 40% of the total area of the city, but the population density of the largest, since the United Nations estimates the number of its residents by about 800 thousand people, displaced them 285 thousand, according to the announcement by the International Organization last Tuesday. Snipers in an attempt to slow the progression of the attacking forces in the largest and last bastion of him in Iraq, uses "Daesh" many methods, most notably the snipers and shelling missile and suicide car bombs, especially after reducing the use of aerial bombing by the Air Alliance International and Aviation Iraqi, according to Khalil al - Naimi, an officer a retired colonel of the Iraqi army. Al - Nuaimi added that "over the last few days managed to " Daesh "to take advantage of the change that has occurred on the western side of the connector battles, Fmhor federal police completely turned off, and the focus of the leadership of the band ninth of the army almost turned off, except the focus of counter - terrorism forces, which rely on street fighting claw its way, a difficult and complex strategy. " He continued explaining that "Daesh began relying entirely in the fighting on the snipers and shelling missile sites Iraqi forces gathered, has quite a few The organization number of foreign hunters, and eliminate them, under the new strategy , which reduced air strikes, it takes longer time." Iraqi forces are still more than two weeks old besieging the Mosul area, the center of the west side, which includes many neighborhoods of high population density and narrow streets and complex military vehicles can not enter; what makes the soldiers exposed to the snipers "Daesh". Attack on Tal Afar , and unlike the western side of the connector battles, it is preparing "popular crowd" to launch a massive attack using various weapons, and with support from the Iraqi air; to break into Tal Afar spend 60 kilometers west of the city of Mosul. Said Kamal al - Saadi, a leader of the "popular crowd", that "spend Talfr quite different from the western side of the connector neighborhoods .. There are open spaces within the judiciary, and the number of civilians in which a few sites, organize" Daesh "diagnosed by us, but at the same time , we expect fierce battles. " Saadi said that " the majority of factions of the popular crowd will participate in the liberation of Tall Afar .. We have full information about the size of preparations" Daesh "in the vicinity and within the district of Tal Afar .. elements of the organization does not intend to withdraw from the judiciary, so it will be a tough battle." According to local and international reports on human rights that civilians in Mosul and its environs live humanitarian conditions very poor; due to the siege imposed months ago, the scarcity of food and potable water, as well as the lack of semi - basic services.

The UN must have cashed the check already. Roll on Chapter 8!

These psychopaths do not deserve a square inch on this Planet.

Security Nineveh declares Iraqi forces controlled 75% of Ayman al-Mosul Sunday April 9, 2017 20:37 Sunday April 9, 2017 20:37 Alsumaria News / Nineveh security committee in the Nineveh provincial council, announced Sunday that the Iraqi security forces took control of 75% of the right side of the city of Mosul , as indicated readiness of those forces to break into the old neighborhoods in the city. Committee Chairman Mohammed al - Bayati said in an interview Alsumaria for News, said that " the security forces have achieved great successes in the liberation of Ayman al- Mosul, and the battles are going as planned , " pointing out that "our forces took control of 75% of the right side in Mosul." Abadi announced edit the entire left side of the connector and calls to accelerate the restoration of the right Security forces liberated Aljmash neighborhood in Mosul continues to progress in Nabi Younis neighborhood Al - Bayati said that " the security forces were preparing to storm the ancient city of all axes, which is currently besieging Al - Nouri mosque and the minaret of the humpback completely , " noting that " the reason for the slowdown forces in the liberation of the old neighborhoods is to preserve the lives of civilians." He explained that "Daesh controlled neighborhoods (Najjar 17 July, the July 30 Arab, Tanak) and parts of Alzenjla new door and area hospitals , " he said, adding that "with the liberation of these neighborhoods have Ayman al- Mosul editor completely, and the remaining areas of Baaj and a number of areas other outside the city center. " The military cell media announced on Sunday (April 9, 2017), for editing Mills neighborhood in the right coast of the city of Mosul and the Iraqi flag over the buildings. Mosul , Nineveh Security Committee of Nineveh CouncilMohammed al - Bayati , head of Nuri mosque Baaj Alsumaria News http://www.alsumaria.tv/news/200371/أمنية-نينوى-تعلن-سيطرة-القوات-العراقية-على-75-من-أ/ar?utm_campaign=magnet&utm_source=entity_page&utm_medium=related_articles

https://www.bloomberg.com/quote/CL1:COM WTI crude is up almost $5 per barrel since 3/27/2017, when it was $47.73. Keep on rising! Crude Oil & Natural Gas INDEX UNITS PRICE CHANGE %CHANGE CONTRACT TIME (EDT) 2 DAY CL1:COM WTI Crude Oil (Nymex) USD/bbl. 52.24 +0.54 +1.04% May 2017 4/7/2017 CO1:COM Brent Crude (ICE) USD/bbl. 55.24 +0.35 +0.64% Jun 2017 4/7/2017

http://www.tradingeconomics.com/iraq/rating Iraq | Credit Rating Standard & Poor's credit rating for Iraq stands at B- with stable outlook. Fitch's credit rating for Iraq was last reported at B- with stable outlook. In general, a credit rating is used by sovereign wealth funds, pension funds and other investors to gauge the credit worthiness of Iraq thus having a big impact on the country's borrowing costs. This page includes the government debt credit rating for Iraq as reported by major credit rating agencies. 4/8/2017 Agency Rating Outlook Date Fitch B- stable Mar 13 2017 TE 25 stable Apr 16 2016 IE 25 stable Apr 16 2016 Fitch B- negative Mar 03 2016 S&P B- stable Sep 03 2015 Fitch B- stable Aug 07 2015

This is finally getting exciting, after 10+ years of waiting!!

The Kurds might be providing a push we have been waiting for?

Nice price for oil just now, too. That has got to be helping? Crude Oil & Natural Gas Index Units Price CL1:COM WTI Crude Oil (Nymex) USD/bbl. 52.24 CO1:COM Brent Crude (ICE) USD/bbl. 55.24

EMERGING MARKETS Outlook upgrade could help push Iraq's economic evolution to its next step Dawn Kissi | @dawnkissi 7 Hours AgoCNBC.com 22 SHARES Phototreat | iStock/360 | Getty Images Baghdad War-torn Iraq recently got an unexpected boost on its way to becoming an investment hot spot, which may take its next step sooner than conventional wisdom suggests. Even as military forces wage a fierce offensive against ISIS, global ratings agency Fitch upgraded last month Iraq's outlook to stable, based largely on the country's improving public finances. To be sure, Iraq's B+ credit rating is still deeply entrenched in speculative, or junk territory. The low rating reflects what Fitch analysts called political risk and instability associated with the conflict-ridden country that's "among the highest faced by any sovereign rated by Fitch." Yet as a marker for big institutional buyers like hedge funds and sovereign wealth arms, Fitch's vote of confidence could mark the start of a broader shift among investors about Iraq's long-term potential. The upgrade could be pivotal for a country still considered besieged, but considered by a handful of savvy market watchers to be a potential diamond in the rough. "Some analysts say that investors believe that with solid oil reserves and other sectors to build upon, Iraq could have serious growth potential," said Stephen Simonis Sr., chief currency consultant at online currency broker FXDD Global. "Clearly this can be looked at from either side, as the willing investor will point out the huge risk/reward possibility as the upside is very enticing," Simonis told CNBC. "The doubting investor will say the region remains too unstable and the situation remains far too volatile." Azad Lashkari | Reuters Kurdish Peshmerga forces advance in the east of Mosul to attack Islamic State militants, October 17, 2016. Iraq remains a country to approach with caution, analysts say, roiled by an ISIS insurgency and civil strife. Yet Fitch's revised outlook could be a green light for buyers of Iraq's assets, especially at a time when smaller institutional and private investors are seeking long-term opportunities. In fact, Iraq's stock market has already been running with at full steam since at least last year, with investors discounting an end to a bloody conflict that's lasted since the 2003 invasion. Some are looking ahead to the reallocation of military spending and the potential boost to infrastructure spending and economic revival. While foreigners have been mostly absent from the equity market for the month of March, some are already looking for signs that the Fitch decision could reverse this dynamic. "Overall, foreign interest in Iraq continues to go through a transformational change in the eyes of global institutional investors," Ahmed Tabaqchali, chief investment officer of Asia Frontier Capitals Iraq Fund, told CNBC. In fact, Iraq's sovereign risk premium has narrowed in an environment of rising yields, just after the country tapped capital markets with a second $1 billion bond offering. "It seems logical to conclude that this implies favorable interest in Iraq and that it would likely be followed by foreign direct investment and eventually by equity inflows," Tabaqchali said. Although Iraq joined other OPEC members in a production cut — a challenge for the country's oil-reliant economy — some analysts believe the oil sector is managing to stay afloat in an environment of lower prices. — Reuters contributed to this article. http://www.cnbc.com/2017/03/30/outlook-upgrade-could-help-push-iraqs-economic-evolution-to-its-next-step.html

Daesh deployment of women snipers over the buildings west of Mosul 5 minutes ago Iraqi News National Center Brief NNC- revealed a security source in Nineveh province, Sunday, for the publication of the "Daesh" a number of Guenasath of the feminist element above the high-rise buildings to impede the progress of the security forces in the right side of the city of Mosul, as he emphasized that the organization relied on this technique greater rhythm a number of casualties among civilians who are being held as human shields. The source said in a press statement, said that "the organization of Daesh terrorist published a number of Guenasath They are women from the battalion Alkhosina over a number of buildings in neighborhoods experiencing battles on the right coast, west of Mosul," noting that "the end of the deployment of snipers is to delay the progress of security forces on the one hand and to block the resolution of the battles. " The source, who requested anonymity, that "the losses suffered by the terrorist organization in the liberation of Ayman Mosul battles led him to rely on women after the death of a large number of Guenasih, including the leader of the Chechen battalion called Abu Hafs al-Chechen." The source added, "One of the methods of organizing Daesh is the detention of dozens of civilians in large homes and deploy Guenasath over them," pointing out that "when targeting the site where spreads elements Daesh the victims are civilians, and this is what did the organization in more than one location." The source noted, "the organization put car bombs in the streets and when targeted to explode and cause serious damage to civilians who are being held in those houses the terrorist organization that transports them to it." https://mangish.net/داعش-نشر-نساء-قناصات-فوق-مباني-غرب-المو/

Jubouri: oil and gas law is still pending did not resolve his order 19:31:36 2017-04-02 | (Voice of Iraq) - Baghdad , said House Speaker Salim al - Jubouri, Sunday that the oil and gas law is still not closed its mind, noting that the law is the backbone to regulate the relationship between the center and the region and producing provinces. Jubouri said in Iraq Energy Forum held in Baghdad , said " the draft oil and gas law , which represents a light legislative work laws and since 2007 has not resolved his order by the government and the House of Representatives , " noting that " the law is still pending and that it is no longer a final form of compound it was withdrawn several times. " He added Jubouri that " the project has come under intense political bickering , " he said, adding that " the law is the backbone to regulate the relationship between the center and the region and producing provinces and the regulatory framework for national and foreign investment in the sector." It is noteworthy that the Ministry of Oil has called, in the 17th of December 2014, to speed up thelegislation of the oil and gas law, to regulate the relationship between thegovernments inBaghdad and Erbil, and ensure thedistribution ofoil imports to the provinces producing almost guarantees their rights, while the Basra Governorate Council renewed demand involvement tomaintain contracts file oil to ensure financial and administrative entitlements. Read more: http://www.sotaliraq.com/latestnews.php?id=399810#ixzz4d7SSjUNy

They really want the benefits of Article 140. Here is a Kurdish view of that from 2012, which is still relevant: http://ekurd.net/mismas/articles/misc2012/6/kirkuk739.htm

Air power and shelling to stop? Limiting it to small arm combat (e.g., Door2Door fighting) by the militarized police at this point?

Warning to the Iraqis .. Daesh gather his forces in the north of Baghdad, to carry out attacks on civilians 26-03-2017 04:30 PM Number of readers: 2954 East News - The security committee in the Baghdad Provincial Council, warned on Sunday of attacks by al-Daesh on the capital as a result of the presence of the mobility of some elements of the organization in the north of the province. The committee member said Saad logistical in a press statement, said that the 'terrorist elements are trying to regroup north of the capital after Anksarha in Salahuddin province'. He added that "these terrorists are stationed in the northern areas of the capital, such as viewing areas, Taji and suburbs northwest of Baghdad ', noting that' these terrorists is a member of the security forces and conducting operations are continuing to prosecute some of them have been arrested." He explained the logistical, that 'these elements are planning to launch terrorist attacks on the capital. " - See more at: http://www.alsharqiaa.com/index.php?page=article&id=21357#sthash.ZNQfmDq5.dpuf

Now, someone is taking the piss!?

@Jaygo. We posted almost exactly at the same time there!