Announcement of the largest bloc

[Butifldrm]

The policy of
infallible calls for the selection of the three presidencies after the end of the life of parliament and calls for a meeting

 Twilight News    

 22 minutes ago

 

The President of the Republic Fuad Masoum on Saturday, the blocs winning the legislative elections that took place recently by accelerating the selection of new heads of parliament, the Republic and the Council of Ministers, calling for those blocks at the same time to hold a meeting to discuss the requirements of the next phase.

This claim, and the call in a statement issued by the Presidency of the Republic on the occasion of the end of the legislative life of the Iraqi Council of Representatives in its third session.

The Iraqi Council of Representatives in the last day of the legislative age, a deliberative session to discuss the counting and manual counting of the recent elections as the Presidency of the Council directed the General Secretariat of the Council to transmit the recommendations of the report of the fact-finding committee to the parties concerned to deal with them formally.

The Committee announced in a report presented at today's deliberative session on the existence of fraud accompanied the legislative elections that took place last May, demanding the cancellation of the results of the elections in full.

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Aram Sheikh Mohammed announced earlier today the end of the third session of parliament and the current legislative age of the current council.

In a statement, the Presidency of the Republic urged the Independent High Electoral Commission to exert its utmost efforts to complete its legal procedures guaranteeing the announcement of the final results of the elections.

It called on the political forces and citizens to abide by the utmost vigilance and to assume the highest degree of responsibility to spare the country any problems or crises that might harm the supreme national interests during this period and until the announcement of the final results of the elections and the ratification of the Federal Court in preparation for the next session of the Council of Representatives, "He said.

The Presidency of the Republic in its statement, "political blocs accept the results of counting and counting manual decision of the Federal Court," asserting "the obligation of the political blocs all the constitutional dates for the convening of the first parliamentary session to ensure the election of the presidency of the House of Representatives, During the period approved by the Constitution. "

 

He called on the main blocs to meet in the coming days to discuss the requirements of the next phase and discuss ways to develop the state administration and institutions and respect the people's will to protect the foundations and foundations of the democratic system. Federal ".

The Independent High Electoral Commission announced earlier in the day that "based on the meetings held by the Commission (judges delegated) for the period from 28 to 30/6/2018, which examined the things necessary for the procedures of manual counting and sorting in accordance with the Third Amendment Law of the Law The elections of the Iraqi Council of Representatives No. 45 of 2013 and the decision of the Federal Supreme Court number 99, 104 and 106 / Federal / Media / 2018 on 21/6/2018 and after the examination of complaints and appeals and official reports related to the decision as follows:

1 - Determine the electoral centers and stations where the process of counting and manual counting of all governorates, based on complaints and appeals and official reports related.

2 - The process of manual counting and sorting begins on Tuesday, 3/7/2018 and is conducted in the presence of the members of the Independent High Electoral Commission and within the electoral office of the governorates of Kirkuk, Sulaymaniyah, Arbil, Dohuk, Nineveh, Salah al-Din and Anbar respectively and starting from the province of Kirkuk on that date, Provinces are followed by the dates determined by the Commission, and the funds that have been transferred to Baghdad, will be counting and sorting in Baghdad.

3 - The process of manual counting and counting of the offices of external elections to the countries of Iran, Turkey, Britain, Lebanon, Jordan, the United States and Germany and take the necessary action by the Commission and related parties to transfer the ballot boxes to Baghdad, and if this is not possible for any reason, In this regard, the process of counting and sorting in the presence of observers of the United Nations and representatives of embassies of foreign countries and agents of political parties and international and local observers and media and the Ministries of Defense and Interior ensure the process of manual counting and sorting in full.

Keywords: 

http://www.shafaaq.com/ar/Ar_NewsReader/db9d962b-506c-4abb-908e-089e03d31f45

[yota691]

Presidency calls the main blocks of the meeting discusses the requirements of the next phase {expanded}

Release date: 2018/6/30 21:04 • 86 times read

(Baghdad: Al-Furat News) President Fuad Masum called on Saturday the main blocs to meet in the coming days to discuss the requirements of the next phase.

"On the occasion of the end of the third session of the House of Representatives on Saturday, the Presidency of the Republic expresses its sincere thanks and appreciation to all members of the House of Representatives and the Presidency of the Republic for all their hard work and the services rendered to them," said a presidential statement. Serve their people and their homeland over the past four years. " 
The Presidency urged, according to the statement, "the Independent High Electoral Commission to make every effort to complete its legal procedures guarantor to announce the final results of the elections," calling on political forces and citizens to "
And called on the political blocs to accept the results of counting and counting manual decision of the Federal Court, "stressing that" the commitment of all political blocs constitutional times for the convening of the first parliamentary session to ensure the election of the Presidency of the Council of Representatives, the election of the President of the Republic, and then assigned the candidate of the largest bloc to form the government during the period Approved by the Constitution ". 
"It supports the decisions of the Independent High Electoral Commission and the Council of Commissioners judges and procedures to announce the final results of the elections, it calls the main blocs to a meeting in the coming days to discuss the requirements of the next phase and discuss ways to develop the State administration and institutions and respect the will of the people to protect the foundations and assets of the federal democratic system" .
The second deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, Aram Sheikh Mohammed, announced after the adjournment of the parliamentary session of parliament held today, the end of life and the work of the parliament's current legislative session.

[yota691]

Masoum calls for the selection of the three presidencies and calls for a meeting of political blocs

 

 

 

Number of readings: 12559 30-06-2018 08:59 PM

 

 

30-06-2018 08:59 PM 

 

The President of the Republic Fuad Masum, on Saturday, the political blocs to 'accept' the results of sorting and counting manual decision of the Federal Court, while calling for a meeting in the coming days to discuss the requirements of the next phase .

"On the occasion of the end of the third session of the House of Representatives on Saturday, the Presidency expresses its sincere thanks and appreciation to all members of the Chamber of Deputies and its Presidency for all their hard work and services to serve their people," Masoum said in a press release. And their homeland over the past four years, urging the Electoral Commission to make every effort to complete its legal procedures guarantor to announce the final results of the elections '.

He called on the political forces and citizens' to adhere to the utmost vigilance and to take the highest degree of responsibility to spare the country any problems or crises that may harm the national interests during this period and until the announcement of the final results of the elections and the ratification of the Federal Court in preparation for the next session of the next session of the House of Representatives and constitutional functions '.

He added Masoum in his statement 'We call on the political blocs to accept the results of counting and counting manual decision of the Federal Court, stressing the' must be committed to all political blocs constitutional times for the convening of the first parliamentary session to ensure the election of the Presidency of the Council of Representatives, During the period approved by the Constitution '.

He called on the main blocs to 'meet in the coming days to discuss the requirements of the next stage and discuss ways to develop the state administration and institutions and respect the will of the people to protect the foundations and foundations of the federal democratic system.

[blueskyline]

ttps://www.alghadpress.com/news/اخبار-العراق-السياسية/164457/الصجري-الاضداد-الثلاثة-امريكا-وايران-والسعودية-اتف................

 

Al-Sijri: "The Three Opposites" America, Iran and Saudi Arabia have agreed to return Iraq to the square of sectarianism and nationalism

Iraq News Now

13:07

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BAGHDAD (Reuters) - 

The "three opposites" - Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United States - agree for the first time on Iraq, which is a return to "the national sectarian square," the MP said on Saturday, stressing the need to form a national government representing all components against Effective parliamentary opposition.
Al-Sajri said in his speech to "Al-Ghad Press", on the re-counting and manual sorting "We are with the counting and manual counting by the Electoral Commission, but the decision of the Federal Court set the re-counting of stations for which complaints were submitted only, and this decision is binding for all." 

"The recent attempts to extend the life of parliament are desperate attempts for many of the losers and losers who are trying to find a legal cover for their stay under immunity so as not to reach them justice and justice later, but their attempts failed." 

On the alliances and the formation of the government, Al-Sagri said, "The coalition of Iraqi forces after the final agreement includes about 45 deputies, either the other Sunni blocs, a joint unit with Iyad Allawi, and two blocs are the Islamic Party and the bloc of former Defense Minister Khalid al-Obeidi joined with the block Abadi."

He pointed out that "the pure Sunni bloc that represents the component is the Iraqi coalition bloc, and this bloc will go to the national space to form a government with other components." 

"We are talking today about the formation of a government to bring us back to square one, which consists of a pure Shiite bloc and another Sunni and a third Kurdish, but we want to bring Sunnis and Shiites and Kurds as a whole in one block to form a government." 

"There is a US-Iranian-Saudi pressure to return us to the sectarian quagmire. For the first time, the three rebels in the region agree on a matter for Iraq, which is to reshape the 2003 map, which we reject," he said. 

Al-Sajri called on neighboring countries and the United States to "

"The participation of everyone in the government means providing lawyers in parliament from all sides to defend the government, so there will be no difference," he said. 

"Let us draw the political map by ourselves, we know that everyone has interests and we tell them to have your economic interests with the next government and strategic interests with the Iraqi people, do not plead with the Iraqis to impose your will," he said. 

The MP said that the coalition of forces that the solution to form a strong and effective government is that "the Sunnis are divided into two or three blocs, as well as the Shiites and Kurds, and the bloc that collects the required number form the government and the rest of the blocks will be effective parliamentary opposition and not marginal monitoring the government's work during the first six months of life.

"During these six months if the government fails to perform, the opposition produces a new coalition to change or change any minister and replace him with another candidate of the same component, because there is a commitment to this matter can not get out of it, where it must be prime minister of the Shiite component and the presidency of parliament for the year And the presidency of the republic to the Kurds. "

 

 

[Butifldrm]

• Politician

Fahmi: We are going to form a government that meets the aspirations of the citizen and provides services to him

10:10 - 01/07/2018

0

 

  

Information / Baghdad ..

The secretary of the Communist Party of Iraq and leader of the coalition of the Raed Fahmi, Sunday, that his coalition is moving towards forming a government that meets the aspiration of the Iraqi people and provide the services and government reforms that he demanded, pointing out that everyone is waiting to ratify the election results in order to form alliances and the implementation of the approved government program.

Fahmy said in a statement to Al-Maaloumah that "the alliance of the past is going to form a strong reformist government that works to eradicate corruption and provide the citizen with services, reconstruction and job grades." He pointed out that "there is a government program that is agreed between the coalitions to implement it over four Years, in which the authority of the state and the law is above all to modify the course adopted over the past years. "

He added that "the candidates who won the elections can not exercise their work or hold any meetings inside the parliament before the announcement of the results of counting and manual counting and approval."

He stressed that "the meetings today are at the level of heads of blocs in order to agree on the political process," noting that "talk about the existence of alliances between the political blocs is premature where the alliances will be real after the ratification of the election results."

Fahmy pointed out that "the next government will not be like the previous governments, where it will work according to a national program agreed between the allied political blocs to form a government." End 25 n

http://www.almaalomah.com/2018/07/01/322525/

[yota691]

Masoom calls for the selection of the three presidencies after the end of the parliament and calls for a meeting

Readers

 

 

Masoom calls for the selection of the three presidencies after the end of the parliament and calls for a meeting

 

01-07-2018 03:22 PM

 

The Euphrates -

 

The President of the Republic Fuad Masum, the winning blocs in the recent legislative elections to accelerate the selection of new heads of parliament, the Republic and the Council of Ministers, calling for those blocks at the same time to hold a meeting to discuss the requirements of the next phase. 

This claim, and the call in a statement issued by the Presidency of the Republic on the occasion of the end of the legislative life of the Iraqi Council of Representatives in its third session. 

In a press statement, the Presidency urged the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) to exert every effort to complete its legal procedures guaranteeing the announcement of the final results of the elections. 

It called on the political forces and citizens to abide by the utmost vigilance and to take the highest degree of responsibility to spare the country any problems or crises that may harm the national interests during this period until the announcement of the final results of the elections and the ratification of the Federal Court in preparation for the next session of the House of Representatives and its constitutional functions '. 

The Presidency of the Republic in its statement 'political blocs accept the results of sorting and counting manual decision of the Federal Court', stressing 'the obligation of the political blocs all the constitutional dates for the convening of the first parliamentary session to ensure the election of the presidency of the House of Representatives, During the period approved by the Constitution '. 

He called on the main blocs to meet in the coming days to discuss the requirements of the next phase and discuss ways to develop the state administration and institutions and respect the people's will to protect the foundations and foundations of the democratic system. Federal '. 

The Independent High Electoral Commission announced earlier in the day that 'based on the meetings held by the Commission (judges delegated) for the period from 28 to 30/6/2018, which examined the things necessary for the procedures of manual counting and sorting according to the Third Amendment Law of the law The elections of the Iraqi Council of Representatives No. 45 of 2013 and the decision of the Federal Supreme Court number 99, 104 and 106 / Federal / Media / 2018 on 21/6/2018 and after the examination of complaints and appeals and official reports related to the decision as follows: 

1 - Determine the electoral centers and stations where the process of counting and manual counting of all governorates, based on complaints and appeals and official reports related. 

2 - The process of manual counting and sorting begins on Tuesday, 3/7/2018 and is conducted in the presence of the members of the Independent High Electoral Commission and within the electoral office of the governorates of Kirkuk, Sulaymaniyah, Arbil, Dohuk, Nineveh, Salah al-Din and Anbar respectively and starting from the province of Kirkuk on that date, Provinces are followed by the dates determined by the Commission, and the funds that have been transferred to Baghdad, will be counting and sorting in Baghdad. 

3 - The process of manual counting and counting of the offices of external elections to the countries of Iran, Turkey, Britain, Lebanon, Jordan, the United States and Germany and take the necessary action by the Commission and related parties to transfer the ballot boxes to Baghdad, and if this is not possible for any reason, In this regard, the process of counting and sorting in the presence of observers of the United Nations and representatives of embassies of foreign countries and agents of political parties and international and local observers and media and the Ministries of Defense and Interior ensure the process of manual counting and sorting in full.

[yota691]

The coalition of law sets its position on the nomination of a prime minister

Readers

 

 

The coalition of law sets its position on the nomination of a prime minister

 

01-07-2018 03:19 PM

 

The Euphrates -

 

A member of the coalition of state law, the names of al-Musawi, on Sunday, statements attributed to one of the media, that the coalition of state law has no candidate for prime minister. 

Al-Moussawi said in a press statement that this statement is false and irrelevant. The State of Law coalition has a political agenda and not just a coalition to nominate ministers, as well as the leadership of the list and the public who see them as the most appropriate and experienced to lead the country. She explained that the real statement that I said in it, that in the days of election propaganda did not have any coalition candidate, and said we wait for the results and each incident in a timely manner, indicating that the media took the first section and the second one. 

Al-Moussawi called on the media to 'be careful in the transfer of statements and not to cut and change the content, because this process will understand two things, either to serve other political parties competing for the coalition of the rule of law, either to target the coalition, and in both cases is unacceptable'.

[Butifldrm]

Newspaper reveals the presence of prominent Sunni leaders in one of the neighboring countries

7 hours ago

 

 

Al-Sharq Al-Awsat newspaper reported on Sunday the presence of prominent Sunni leaders in Turkey to form a prominent political bloc in preparation for entering into talks to form the next government.

The newspaper quoted a source described by the politician as saying on July 1, 2018 that "the outgoing parliament speaker Salim al-Jubouri has been in Turkey for two days with a group of Sunni leaders, notably Jamal al-Karbouli, leader of the party and Ahmed Abdullah al-Jubouri Governor of Salah al-Din and Khamis Khanjar Arab project owner and Saad Al-Bazzaz the media and the well-known politician and owner of Al-Sharqiya channel.

He added that the reason for the existence of these Sunni leaders is for the purpose of agreeing to a prominent Sunni bloc of more than 45 deputies, representing the blocks represented by these leaders, to be joined by other Sunni leaders after the announcement of the agreement, which may take place within the next two days in the capital Baghdad .

The source told the newspaper that "Istanbul is just a place suitable for all to hold such an agreement and not more, and there is no meeting with any official or non-official in Turkey."

He added that "the agreement is about the formation of a bloc of Sunni blocs did not address any political issues related to roles and positions and any such thing."

http://www.nrttv.com/Ar/News.aspx?id=1897&MapID=2

[Butifldrm]

"Abadi" declares a condition for the alliance between Sadr and Maliki

 

 Twilight News    

 

 32 minutes ago

 

 

"The alignment" of the Sadrists led by Moqtada al-Sadr, on Sunday, a condition to accept the entry of a coalition of the rule of law, led by Nuri al-Maliki to an alliance with the list, "Saroon," speaking at the same time on understandings led by Sadr to form the largest coalition in parliament. 
"Moqtada al-Sadr has announced his openness to all the headlines, but according to the data and introductions that took place in the previous stage, it seems that Sadr's methodology and his project completely contradict with the person of al-Maliki," the deputy minister of the party said. 
He added that "Sadr did not hide his reservation on Maliki's performance during the past eight years as years characterized by a kind of stirring sectarianism and internal strife and loss of civil peace, and the introduction of the country wars."
Al-Abbadi said that "Sadr said that Maliki's rule marked the sale of two-thirds of the territory of Iraq, and Maliki's government was accused that it was a cause of sectarian strife and the entry of the call and fall of Iraq and Mosul, in addition to wasting billions and not to provide what benefits the people, 
"But in theory and principle, the state of law can enter the coalition but without" Maliki, but the acceptance of al-Maliki as a person this is completely rejected and final in the next phase. " 
With regard to Sadr's orders to restructure the" Peace Brigades, "said Abadi," The goal of restructuring is The organization of this configuration to fit the next stage " 
He pointed out that" Iraq after the elections need to prepare for a new stage, and the exclusive armament and strengthening of the state, as well as the development of this popular formation and raise the level of professional and organizational, to suit the requirements of the next phase and the reform project. "
On the understandings to form the next government, the Sadrist leader said that "the equations in Iraq complex, and is not hidden from the follower in the Iraqi issue there are external interventions, mostly negative." 
He pointed out that "the Sadrist position of external interventions that they are negative and always interventions from any third party unfortunately, shopping in the sustainability of the negative situation, and the persistence of corruption and the current corrupt and corrupt authority that ruled Iraq last period." 
"Today, al-Sadr seeks to arrange national understandings to form a government. There are important understandings with a history, beginning in 2012, and understandings on a national basis to form a government, which will be considered as a demand for the formation of the government is a popular demand.
And the leader of the Sadrists, that "the Iraqi scene identified by the popular movement, which began in 2012 and distinguished by a meeting between the Sadrist and the civil current, which established a national project, and that the meeting of the parties this was the result of negotiations for more than two years. 
The deputy secretary-general of the Party of Integrity, "After the elections and the victory of others in the government, will be more opportunity to complete the reform project and real reforms needed by the Iraqi street and demanded by the Iraqi people, so here is clear the next scene." 
He stressed that "Sawson insists on forming a government of technocrats with Iraqi decision, believes in the sovereignty and independence of Iraq, and be the Iraqi decision and believes in the sovereignty of the people and the citizen. It also believes in the rights of citizenship, equality and social justice.

 

Keywords: 

http://www.shafaaq.com/ar/Ar_NewsReader/79f6f30e-8281-4510-8c9d-3a358a5791d7

[yota691]

The caretaker government!

02/7/2018 12:00 am  Ibrahim Abadi  Before the country entered into the crisis of contesting the legitimacy of the elections until the final decision on the results of the elections was transferred to the judges' authority, not the authority of the Electoral Commission, months earlier, the expectations were that Iraq would not witness the birth of a new government with the specific constitutional dates. It will take a long time, due to these expectations was due mainly to the multiplicity of blocks and electoral regulations, and fragmentation of the previous alliances, which dominated the sectarian or national character without much success, for what is known as transit blocs. It was clear that a constitutional imbalance is responsible for this situation, the formation of the largest bloc and the nomination of this bloc to the Prime Minister, whether elected or not elected, this imbalance allowed many politicians to be aspiring prime minister, and allowed the blocks to compete for this position, And difficult to the last moment, to win a large share of the government's formation in exchange for the waiver of the post of prime minister, this dilemma of Iraq's democratic, which turned into a political disease is difficult to cure, the authors of the Constitution escaped tyranny and dictatorship to a form of twisted democratic construction that held things difficult and important The task of forming the government is an arduous task, fraught with foreign intervention, pressures, bargaining and deals, which increase the burden of governance and burden the governors, weaken the confidence of the governed and make the game of power and deliberation a matter for politicians and not for the people and voters. And until the coming government emerges and the Iraqis see an effective government they have to wait a long time until the train reaches the final stage of the election process, between the ratification of the election results and the signing of the results of the recent negotiations between the political blocs and parties, that the elections alone does not resolve the matter of government and government and must (tutelage) The political outcome of the government produced by the agreements, not the form of coalition governments, which are formed in many countries in our world, the distribution of the votes between the parties and multiple blocs. Yes, he may say, "What is wrong with that?" The formation of the government in Belgium took 11 months. In Germany, Chancellor Merkel needed several months to announce her government. In Israel, it takes months to form governments. Why are we in a hurry? We are like them and we are still in the first democratic period after decades of tyranny and lack of experience in democratic practice !!! , And this is a sound statement at first sight and correct in terms of formality, but in essence there is a great risk committed by the political class and is taking time in marathon negotiations in order to win a share in the government to be a window in his decisions, which proved the facts that it was useful to politicians and did not benefit The voters who elected them, which accumulated layers of mistrust and frustration and increased the gap between the politician and the citizen and spread cases of despair and despair and the desire to rebel and the willingness of violence and to forgive every decision and plan and law and action taken by the government or parliament, lost prestige of governance and weakened the value of laws and policies, The politician is a platform for ridicule, ridiculed by the politicized media and ridiculed by the simple man of the street, and ended with the weakness of the state and its weakness in the face of fierce challenges that impose the discipline of citizens and the power of politicians and the effectiveness of the executors and authority in the eyes of all. When the governments continue to perform their duties, they are pursuing a government and an outgoing prime minister. We fear the country and its people for the futility of the abusers, the traitors, the terrorists and the corrupt. This calls for wise behavior, renunciation of the struggle and fierce competition for power, speeding up the formation of government programs, plans and projects, And the sharing of influence, people are no longer able to adjust their emotions, and the wise politician who prefers to read the events before they are distracted by their wrath.

[yota691]

Al-Sadr’s deal with Iran proxies proves Iraqi elections were a farce

Al-Sadr’s actions prove that the political process has gone beyond the realm of the farcical to the dangerously dysfunctional.

Sunday 01/07/2018

Political posturing. Iraqi Shia cleric and leader Muqtada al-Sadr in Najaf, on June 23. (AFP)

While casual observers of Iraq were filled with hope that May’s elections would lead to change and usher in a new era of the curtailment of foreign meddling — particularly Iranian — those hopes have been dashed a little more than a month later.

The winner of the elections, Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr and his alliance of secularists and communists, campaigned on an anti-corruption platform and the promise that he was anti-Iranian. Al-Sadr has instead declared his intention to form a governing coalition with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi’s Victory Alliance bloc, which came in third in the vote, and the staunchly pro-Tehran Conquest Alliance list headed by long-time Iranian stooge Hadi al-Amiri.

So much for sticking to campaign promises.

As I wrote last June, and despite the excited buzzing from the mainstream media that attempted to portray al-Sadr as a unifying figure in Iraqi politics, the Shia cleric is a pragmatist and not a nationalist. Al-Sadr was keenly aware that the Iraqi people — whether Sunni, Shia or any other demographic — were sick and tired of foreign meddling in their country’s affairs, particularly from neighbouring Iran, which has become a bigger shot-caller in Iraq than Baghdad.

Feeding off this mass discontent, al-Sadr positioned himself as an anti-Iran political force, promising to draw Iraq out of Tehran’s sphere of influence. The cleric did this despite Tehran’s long-term support for him and his various Shia jihadist militias that wreaked havoc across central and southern Iraq, perpetrating some of the worst sectarian atrocities in modern Iraqi history.

Due to Iran’s belief that al-Sadr did not have the political weight required for its machinations, Tehran gave him the cold shoulder and favoured his rivals, such as former Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki and militant jihadist leaders such as Amiri.

Al-Sadr capitalised on Iraqis’ natural anti-Iran sentiments, wide-scale disillusionment with the political process and a catastrophically low voter turnout of 44% to rebrand himself as the Iraqi version of Barack Obama, a change candidate armed with religion and guns.

His success allowed him to show his usefulness to Tehran’s mullahs once more. Considering the United States has walked away from the woefully inadequate nuclear deal negotiated by the Obama administration, Iran was getting jittery about losing influence in the linchpin to its regional success — Iraq.

In comes al-Sadr, pragmatically and shamefully betraying the few Iraqis who did vote, by aligning himself with Amiri, whose Badr Organisation is all but certain to maintain its grip of power on the Interior Ministry and all the police and intelligence forces that come with it.

Al-Sadr showed the Iranians that he was far from spent as a resource to them by winning an election that their other proxies ensured was boycotted by more than 55% of the electorate due to rampant corruption, incessant violence and the industrialised violation of human rights and the dignity of the Iraqi people over the past 15 years.

Al-Sadr’s actions prove that the Iraqis who boycotted the vote were right to do so and that the political process has gone beyond the realm of the farcical to the dangerously dysfunctional, allowing for the continued rape of Iraq’s human and natural resources and its continued subordination to the will of Iranian interlopers.

This shameful turn of events may have sealed the fate of Iraq’s “democracy.” Voters know that their vote means nothing because their political elite will curse each other before every election, only to kiss and make up afterwards so they may all profit at the expense of the normal Iraqi citizen.

[danielchu]

Well we ALLLL know how that turned out !!! good bye obama... hello sadr! 

[yota691]

02-07-2018 01:31 PM

Coalition of 3 Kurdish parties to compete with Barzani Party headed by the region

 

 

 

The former MP of the Movement for Change, Sherine Raza, on Monday, announced the alliance of the Kurdish opposition, including the Change Movement and the Islamic Group and the Alliance of Democracy and Justice led by Barham Saleh to run for the presidency of the province, indicating that the Kurdistan Democratic Party led by Massoud Barzani is the favorite in the event of non-alliance. 

"The three parties are still part of an electoral alliance that ran the parliamentary elections in the province of Kirkuk in a unified manner and is likely to run in the elections of the presidency of the Kurdistan region in a unified manner to enable the candidate unified to compete." 

She added that "the announcement of the Kurdish alliance may announce ahead of the elections in the region to be held on September 30 next," indicating that "the Kurdistan Democratic Party is still the best for the presidency of the region according to polls and results achieved in the parliamentary elections in the absence of concerted efforts."

[yota691]

"Abbadi": Sadr stipulated the alliance with the rule of law without "Maliki"

Readers

 

 

"Abbadi": Sadr stipulated the alliance with the rule of law without "Maliki"

 

02-07-2018 02:08 PM

 

The Euphrates -

 

The situation of the party 'integrity' of the Sadrists led by Moqtada al-Sadr, on Sunday, a condition to accept the entry of a coalition of state law, led by Nuri al-Maliki to an alliance with the list of 'Suron', while at the same time on understandings led by Sadr to form the largest coalition in parliament.

"Muqtada al-Sadr announced his openness to all the headlines, but according to the data and introductions that took place in the previous stage, it seems that Sadr's methodology and his project completely contradict with the person of al-Maliki," the official Tasnim said. Adding that 'Sadr did not hide his reservation on Maliki's performance during the past eight years as years characterized by a kind of stirring sectarianism and internal strife and loss of civil peace, and the introduction of the country wars'.

"Al-Sadr said that Maliki's rule marked the sale of two-thirds of the territory of Iraq, and Maliki's government was accused that it was the cause of sectarian strife and the entry of the call and fall of Iraq and Mosul, in addition to wasting billions and not to provide what benefits the people, 
"But in theory and principle, the state of law can enter within the coalition, but without 'Maliki, but the acceptance of Maliki as a person this is totally rejected and final in the next phase'. 
With regard to Sadr's orders to restructure the 'Peace Brigades', Abadi said that 'the aim of the restructuring is to arrange and organize this formation to suit the next stage'. 
He pointed out that 'Iraq after the elections need to prepare for a new stage, and the exclusive armament and strengthening of the state, as well as the development of this popular formation and raise the level of professional and organizational, to suit the requirements of the next phase and the draft reform'.

On the understandings to form the next government, the Sadrist leadership said that 'the equations in Iraq are complex, and is not hidden from the follower in the Iraqi issue there are external interventions, mostly negative'. 
He pointed out that 'the Sadr stance of foreign interventions that it is negative and always interventions from any third party unfortunately, the shopping in the sustainability of the negative situation, and the persistence of corruption and the current corrupt and corrupt authority that ruled Iraq last period'.

"Today, Sadr seeks to arrange national understandings to form a government, there are important understandings and have a history, started in 2012, and understandings on a national basis to form a government, which will be given that the demand to form a government is a popular demand. 
And the leader of the Sadrists, that 'the Iraqi scene identified by the popular movement, which began in 2012 and distinguished by a meeting between the Sadrist and the civil current, which established a national project, and that the meeting of the parties this was the result of negotiations for more than two years. 
"After the elections and the victory of the government, there will be a greater chance to complete the reform project and carry out real reforms needed by the Iraqi street and demanded by the Iraqi people, so the next scene will be clarified," he said. 
He stressed that 'Sosron insists on forming a government of technocrats with Iraqi decision, believes in the sovereignty and independence of Iraq, and that the Iraqi decision and believes in the sovereignty of the people and the citizen, and also believes in the rights of citizenship and equality and social justice.

[Floridian]

Abadi" declares a condition for the alliance between Sadr and Maliki

July 1, 2018

Twilight News

5 minutes ago

“The alignment” of the Sadrists led by Moqtada al-Sadr, on Sunday, a condition to accept the entry of a coalition of the rule of law, led by Nuri al-Maliki to an alliance with the list, “Saroon,” speaking at the same time on understandings led by Sadr to form the largest coalition in parliament.

“Moqtada al-Sadr has announced his openness to all the headlines, but according to the data and introductions that took place in the previous stage, it seems that Sadr’s methodology and his project completely contradict with the person of al-Maliki,” the deputy minister of the party said.

He added that “Sadr did not hide his reservation on Maliki’s performance during the past eight years as years characterized by a kind of stirring sectarianism and internal strife and loss of civil peace, and the introduction of the country wars.”

Al-Abbadi said that “Sadr said that Maliki’s rule marked the sale of two-thirds of the territory of Iraq, and Maliki’s government was accused that it was a cause of sectarian strife and the entry of the call and fall of Iraq and Mosul, in addition to wasting billions and not to provide what benefits the people,

“But in theory and principle, the state of law can enter the coalition but without” Maliki, but the acceptance of al-Maliki as a person this is completely rejected and final in the next phase. ”

With regard to Sadr’s orders to restructure the” Peace Brigades, “said Abadi,” The goal of restructuring is arranging and organizing this configuration as appropriate for the next phase. ”

He pointed out that” Iraq after the elections need to create a new phase, and the inventory of weapons and the strengthening of the state, as well as the development of this popular formation and raise the professional and organizational level, as appropriate for the next phase of the requirements and the project of reform. ”

and the current understandings of the formation Accredited government To him, he said the leader of the Sadrist ” The equations in Iraq are complex, no secret supervisor in Iraqi affairs and the presence of external mostly negative interventions.”

He pointed out that ” the Sadrist position of foreign interventions as negative and always interference from any third party, unfortunately , shopping in the permanence of the negative situation, And the persistence of current corruption and the rule of corrupt and corrupt authority that ruled Iraq last period. ”

He said,” Today: “Today, Sadr seeks personal and urgent, to arrange national understandings to form a government, there are important understandings and history, began in 2012, and understandings on a national basis to form The government, which will be considered as the composition requirement The government is a popular demand.

And the leader of the Sadrists, that “the Iraqi scene identified by the popular movement, which began in 2012 and distinguished by a meeting between the Sadrist and the civil current, which established a national project, and that the meeting of the parties this was the result of negotiations for more than two years.

The deputy secretary-general of the Party of Integrity, “After the elections and the victory of others in the government, will be more opportunity to complete the reform project and real reforms needed by the Iraqi street and demanded by the Iraqi people, so here is clear the next scene.”

He stressed that “Sawson insists on forming a government of technocrats with Iraqi decision, believes in the sovereignty and independence of Iraq, and be the Iraqi decision and believes in the sovereignty of the people and the citizen. It also believes in the rights of citizenship, equality and social justice.

Keywords:

http://www.shafaaq.com/ar/Ar_NewsReader/79f6f30e-8281-4510-8c9d-3a358a5791d7

Edited July 2, 2018 by Floridian

[SocalDinar]

The Next Phase in Iraq’s Transition

By Daniel Benaim Posted on July 2, 2018, 11:52 am

Getty/AHMAD MUWAFAQ/AFPIraqi girls walk holding their national flag towards a ceremony for the re-opening of the Bab al-Saray market in the old city of Mosul on January 11, 2018.

Download the PDF here.

•  

This brief is based on a series of meetings held in Baghdad and the Shi’ite holy city of Najaf in late May 2018 as part of a research effort to study Iraq’s political, security, and economic situation and the next steps in U.S. policy toward Iraq. The research trip included interviews with Iraqi figures in politics, security, economics, and religion, including former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki; militia leader Hadi al-Ameri; senior ayatollahs in Najaf; former Defense Minister Khaled al-Obeidi; Labor Minister and prime ministerial hopeful Mohamed Shia al-Sudani; advisers to Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi; Sunni tribal sheikhs; university professors in Kufa; Kurdish Gorran party members; and Sunni politicians aligned with Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr’s electoral bloc.

The research trip, conducted with Dr. Michael Rubin of the American Enterprise Institute, came at a moment when the Iraqi political system was processing the electoral success of Moqtada al-Sadr and wondering whether his role in forming the next Iraqi government offered a chance to address longstanding problems of corrupt sectarian governance. Baghdad’s political elites were struggling with how to translate campaign promises of jobs and clean, nonsectarian governance into viable economic reforms and improved governance. Iraqis expressed little apprehension to the author about continued U.S. troop presence and security partnership, and most who were interviewed recognized the United States’ continued influence in Iraqi politics alongside Iran’s. Nearly all were also eager to see the U.S.-supported diplomatic opening between Iraq and Saudi Arabia mature into deeper cooperation. However, as the threat of the Islamic State recedes, several Iraqis expressed questions to the author about the nonmilitary dimensions of U.S. engagement and worried that rising U.S.-Iranian tensions would ultimately harm Iraq. These findings inform this brief’s recommendations that the United States should redouble its efforts to engage and compete in Iraq; sustain close security cooperation to ensure the Islamic State does not return; push and assist the next Iraqi government to make headway on economic reform, anti-corruption, and ties with Riyadh; insulate Iraq from zero-sum U.S.-Iranian competition; and define a robust agenda for nonmilitary cooperation.

What follows are some specific findings along with recommendations for the continuing path forward.

General assessment

Signs of progress

• Iraqis continue to contest political power peacefully via elections and are poised to transfer power to the next elected government in the months ahead.
• A nationalist mood and rhetoric, which emphasizes equal citizenship over sectarianism, has taken root.
• Security continues to improve as commercial activity returns and the Islamic State lays low.
• Saudi Arabia has forged promising new cross-sectarian ties with Iraqi Shia leaders.
• Vibrant independent institutions such as the Shia clerical “marjaiyah” in Najaf remain bulwarks against sectarian conflict and Iranian domination.
• Despite the ups and downs of Iraq’s early government formation, the United States remains better-positioned than many observers realize to exercise influence inside Iraq. This is due to valuable security cooperation between the U.S. and Iraq, as well as the lead role America plays in connecting Iraq to an international military coalition, international financial institutions, and Gulf Arab partners.

Causes for concern

• Iraq continues to miss the opportunity to deliver on anti-corruption election rhetoric.
• The near-universal allegations of electoral fraud reflect widespread and bitter mistrust of Iraq’s political system.
• There are increased risks that Iraq’s halting economic reforms will not survive higher oil prices, leaving Iraq dangerously unprepared to find work for the million-plus Iraqis entering the labor force each year.
• Predominantly Shia militias, some with troublingly close ties to Iran, continue to penetrate the Iraqi state, and may help form the next Iraqi government. Americans and Iraqis continue to talk past one another about the problems militias pose to Iraq’s future.
• Iraq’s leaders have left unanswered the question of how the country will transition from short-term stabilization in the liberated areas where the Islamic State took hold to address both long-term reconstruction needs and the two million Iraqis who are still displaced.

In Baghdad and Najaf, the sense of both forward progress and lingering worry about Iraq’s long-term trajectory were palpable. Iraqi politics has moved beyond the fight against the Islamic State and last year’s crisis over Kirkuk to look forward. However, several interviewees wondered how, absent better governance and economic solutions, Iraq could avoid another descent into insurgency or internal conflict.

Key findings

Iraqis in Baghdad want no part of a U.S.-Iran fight

In the wake of the Trump administration’s exit from the Iran nuclear deal, Iraqis in Baghdad were nearly unanimous in reiterating a consistent message: “Not on our ground.” If the United States feels compelled to fight Iran, it should not do so on Iraqi soil. Iraq’s relationships with its top security partners in Washington and Tehran are too important and internal stability is too fragile for Iraq’s largest partners to treat its territory as a geopolitical battleground

Iraq’s reconciliation with Saudi Arabia is promising, but needs a push under the next Iraqi government

For years, the United States pleaded with Saudi Arabia to engage Iraq and show up to counter Iranian preeminence inside Iraq rather than withdrawing to make it a self-fulfilling prophecy. Today, the opening between Saudi Arabia and Iraq has led to an unprecedented level of dialogue between the two countries. But Iraqis have seen little in the way of Saudi aid and investment to rebuild Iraq. Saudi Arabia has discussed building factories and a much-anticipated soccer stadium, both of which Baghdad and Washington still hope will materialize.

Significant opening of ties, but a struggle to finalize deals

Meetings between Iraqi and Saudi defense chiefs and interior ministers, as well as Saudi firms showing up at a Baghdad trade fair represent something new and consequential in relations between the two countries. But it has been a struggle for both sides to finalize investment contracts.

The United States should help the next Iraqi government advance from meetings to deal-signings

Significant gains have been made already, thanks in part to the United States’ facilitating role. It will be important for the United States to have plans in place to catalyze Baghdad-Riyadh ties as the next Iraqi government takes office.

Iraqi Shia politicians are still wary of the country’s reconciliation with Saudi Arabia

Some Iraqi Shia politicians were less optimistic about Iraq’s opening with Saudi Arabia than during a previous visit last October. This may be in part because they see Riyadh as supporting their political rival, Moqtada al-Sadr. So far, Saudi Arabia and Iraq have been able to insulate their rapprochement from escalating regional tensions. However, several Iraqis complained to the author about Washington’s support for the Saudi-led military campaign in Yemen. In fact, Iraqis’ complaints on this subject were more consistent and intense than those about the U.S. embassy opening in Jerusalem or the violence on Israel’s border with Gaza.

As Iraqi politics accommodates a growing role for Moqtada al-Sadr, the United States will need to do the same

During the series of meetings, Iraqi political elites were coming to grips with the news that Moqtada Sadr’s Sairoon bloc had won the most seats in parliamentary elections.¹ Iraqi television featured wall-to-wall coverage of Sadr’s every move and utterance. In interviews with the author, a few prominent Iraqis dismissed Sadr as an unsteady demagogue “rented” by Saudi Arabia or pointed to his supporters’ past violence. One educated young Iraqi lamented to the author, “Populism hit us, and now it’s our turn to have a [hothead] who tweets emojis.” A senior cleric in Najaf reminded us, “demagogues come and go, but we outlast them all.” But most others the author interviewed, recognizing his electoral achievement, sought to give him time and space to test his promises to reform Iraqi politics, advance a nationalist agenda, and work constructively with the United States despite his refusal to talk directly to Americans.

A countervailing mood of nationalism

A surprising cross-section of Baghdad elites expressed openness to test whether Sadr’s bloc and its nationalist anti-corruption agenda could pry loose the vise-grip of corrupt political parties on governance. (Notably, this sentiment was expressed before Sadr announced his alliance with Hadi al-Ameri). These elites acknowledged Sadr’s inconstancy but several said he finally found a message for Iraq’s moment: a newfound conviction, or at least a sincere opportunism. Many saw his trip to Saudi Arabia in 2017 as an inflection point in his political evolution and believed Sadr now received Saudi help.² Still, several Iraqis voiced sentiments that Sadr was “not on someone else’s agenda”; “The difference with Moqtada is he is a Shia Arab but he doesn’t belong to Iran”; and “Like Trump, he’s exuberant and brave—they should be friends.” Asked how Iraqis in Baghdad and Najaf reconciled Sadr’s growing role with past episodes such as the 2003 killing of Grand Ayatollah Majid al-Khoei—which is believed by many to be the work of Sadr supporter—most Iraqis were determined to treat these events as history.³

Direct talks with Americans are likely to take time

Regarding Sadr’s unwillingness to talk directly to Americans, Iraqis pled for time and patience. Interviews with Iraqis on this subject yielded the following explanations: “He’s a religious man”; “It’s not his brand to talk to Americans”; and “Be patient; [communication with the U.S.] will happen when it needs to.” Iraqis made clear to the author that Sadr’s acolytes in government would be empowered to speak to Americans. Iraqis suggested the United States has channels to engage in dialogue with Sadr’s chosen representatives, including via Saudi Arabia. However, Sadr’s avoidance of Americans and his political cooperation with militia leaders close to Iran post-elections will likely damage his standing in Washington. He campaigned on anti-corruption, nonsectarian citizenship, and independence from Iran—all issues that the United States and Prime Minister Abadi support.⁴ However, Sadr then confounded expectations and formed an initial post-election partnership with a sectarian militia leader close to Iran, before forming another partnership with Abadi. All of which presents an awkward situation: Sadr won’t talk directly to Americans or reliably caucus with U.S. partners. But his political success has made him indispensable to any potential coalition of moderate Shia should his alliance with harder-line factions falter.  Regardless of where he lands, Sadr may well try, as he has done in the past, to find creative ways to influence politics but maintain opposition credibility.

Iraq’s Shia clerical “marjaiyah” in Najaf remains an independent institution and a bulwark against Iranian domination—but its stabilizing role may be in flux

Najaf is home to the clerical “marjaiyah,” a vibrant center of Shia religious learning that attracts adherents and clerics from across the world. Our meetings there revealed an institution full of open intellectual debate and in the midst of rethinking its role in Iraqi politics.

A pre-election statement made by Najaf’s most senior religious leader proved controversial with Iraqi politicians 

Before the elections, Najaf’s widely-respected Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani issued a statement that asserted Iraqis’ right to vote but broke from past practice in not demanding that they do so. Sistani’s statement also condemned political corruption. Several politicians complained that this statement dampened turnout—which was officially recorded at 44 percent but rumored to be much lower—and thereby advantaged Sadr’s tighter social networks.⁵

Quietism is resurgent in Najaf

The “yellow light,” approach regarding political participation expressed by some Shi’ite clerics in interviews is consistent with Najaf’s traditional brand of political quietism, which separates religion from politics and contrasts with Iran’s revolutionary theological concept of clerical rule. Several clerics expressed a dislike of politics and noted the exceptional circumstances of civil war and terrorist insurgency under which Najaf had previously intervened in Iraq. After several centuries of survival under Sunni domination, 15 years of Shia-majority rule, and the receding of Iraq’s recent crises, Najaf appeared to be articulating—and Iraqis debating—its proper distance from the rough-and-tumble of politics. Given Najaf’s stabilizing role in Iraqi politics, this arms-length approach may prove to be cause for concern. 

Iraq’s security has significantly improved—at least for now

Large-casualty terrorist attacks have been exceedingly rare by Iraqi standards.⁶  Baghdad’s shopping malls are open and reportedly crowded. When political and security officials were asked why there have not been more attacks most pointed to a combination of improved intelligence and speculation that the Islamic State has made a tactical decision to stay quiet and await opportunity.

Key security U.S. priorities include bolstering Iraqi border forces and Counterterrorism Service training

The meetings noted several key U.S. efforts required to help Iraq address its security needs.

• Professionalize Iraqi border forces, including both the border guard and army
• Move from urban combat to “wide area support,” which would give Iraqis the capabilities to move quickly and cover larger swathes of territory
• Help Iraqis keep the pressure on the Islamic State through targeted military operations against the group’s remnants
• Return the Iraqi Counterterrorism Service (CTS) from an elite light infantry force to their original intelligence-driven counterterrorism mission
• Train the Iraqi Air Force, which conducted its own anti-Islamic State airstrikes over Syria, but still requires significant U.S. advice and support
• Help Iraq train a new special forces capability akin to the U.S. Army Rangers which, unlike CTS, will be overseen by Iraq’s minister of defense.

Iraqis political elites are receptive to a respectful U.S. diplomatic and military role

Iraqis are accustomed to U.S. role, alongside Iran’s, in government formation

The United States has to walk a tightrope when it comes to exerting its preferences and exploiting Iran’s overreach without being seen as interfering. (More than one Iraqi lamented in interviews that U.S. and Iranian interference egged on the other.) During the series of meetings, most Iraqis felt that the requirement for both U.S. and Iranian buy-in for the next Iraqi prime minister was intact even if some chafed at the notion that it should be. It is a proposition that could well be tested if Sadr’s political partnership with militia leader Hadi al-Amiri bears fruit while Sadr’s partnership with U.S.-friendly leaders, such as prime minister Abadi, do not.

Iraqis interviewed were receptive to continued U.S. troop presence

The American troop presence in Iraq did not emerge as a campaign issue. Indeed, Iraqis noted that, for months, Sadr has exercised rhetorical restraint when it comes to the United States. This could always change, but no concerns were expressed to the author about U.S. troop presence during the meetings in Iraq.

While the United States has enduring influence, Iraqis sense the lack of a nonmilitary U.S. strategy for future relations

The U.S.-led military coalition, international financial institutions, and a conduit to Gulf investors present an attractive proposition and serve as the foundation for continued U.S. influence. Iraqi political elites, accustomed to bombastic rhetoric, dislike but largely discount President Donald Trump’s attempt to ban Iraqis from entering the United States and campaign threats to steal Iraq’s oil. Of much more concern to Iraqis was a complete lack of clarity regarding U.S. intentions for future engagement beyond military cooperation and jockeying for power against Iran.

The United States and Iraq continue to talk past one another regarding predominantly Shia militias

A recurring theme among Iraqis—and not only Shia—is how differently Americans and Iraqis view the country’s militias. It is clear that a better dialogue is needed.

Iraqis and Americans understand militias very differently

Professors at al Furat al Awsat Technical University near Najaf recounted stories of students’ battlefield valor. For them, these students, not high-profile Iranian operative Qassim Suleimani, represent the face of Iraqi militias. While few Iraqis agree, many Western anti-Iran hawks view Suleimani as the movement’s patron and leader.

U.S. may want to shift its rhetoric on militias in a manner that resonates with a majority of Iraqis

During one of an interview—after a jeremiad on the unfairness of the lack of U.S. airstrikes or tanks to support militias—even an Iraqi militia leader close to Iran recognized the need for forces like his to be subordinate to the Iraqi state and the rule of law. Others expressed hope that, over time, the Iraqi state would be able to reassert control and downsize the militias. Nobody ventured to the author a persuasive rationale or even a ballpark estimate when it came to just how many militiamen Iraq actually needed in peacetime. On the other hand, nobody agreed with former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson’s line that militias should be disbanded immediately.⁷ To gain resonance with Iraqis, U.S. officials may want to shift the terms of their dialogue to recognize the contributions of militia forces against the Islamic State as a perquisite to talking practically about the problems large militias can pose to Iraq in peacetime. This approach is preferable to painting militias as fundamentally malign Iranian proxies, which rings hollow to most Iraqis.

Iraq’s economic reform plans are in jeopardy, due to high oil prices and political horse-trading

Several Iraqis expressed concerns about the future of the tenuous International Monetary Fund-driven efforts at economic reform instituted by Prime Minister Abadi. Iraq’s IMF deal locks in some measures and who holds key economic ministries still matters to which reforms can be sustained. However, rising oil prices bode poorly for change, as do the lack of interest in market-friendly reforms among the Shia bloc who received the most votes.

Jobs are a priority

As the Islamic State recedes, Iraqis are increasingly worried about creating jobs for the 1 million Iraqis who enter the labor force each year. At present, oil accounts for more than 90 percent government revenues; but this revenue source will eventually end. Iraq needs a plan for new revenue sources and employment opportunities.

There are real fears of a “lost generation”

Forty percent of Iraqis were born after 2002, and several political and religious leaders worried about a lack of animating ideology or purpose for this group and the risk that poses for creating a “lost generation.” In an interview with the author, one Iraqi expressed that this generation is endangered by “triangle of death”—corruption, sectarianism, and terrorism.

Economic issues present opportunities for U.S. engagement

Sadr and his team are rumored to have cited economics and technology as areas where they are keen for U.S. cooperation. This could be an opportunity worth exploring. Already, there is Iraqi demand for engagement on these issues—if the United States can help the next government find the clarity, capacity, and political courage to match it.

Secondary anti-Iranian sanctions are a potential looming issue

Another iceberg that could sink U.S.-Iraq economic relations is the prospect of future anti-Iran sanctions. Iraqis in the meetings said they were surprised to see a prominent Iraqi banker recently placed on a sanctions list. It is unclear if Iraqis have fully grasped the prospect of additional secondary sanctions, given the posture of the current White House and Congress.

Iraqis expressed a strong demand for anti-corruption measures and technocratic governance—but few convincing plans

As government formation negotiations advance, Iraqis wonder whether the longstanding dream of progress toward nonsectarian technocratic government might really be possible. Historically, in Iraq, idealistic campaign rhetoric gives way to partisan deal-making that turns ministries into patronage-mills. Strong demand was expressed by interviewees for such measures, but there was neither confidence nor compelling plans to bring this nonpartisan vision into practice.

Iraqis want a more professional and technocratic government

A broad spectrum of Iraqi political leaders seemed determined to choose experts for cabinet positions for the next Iraqi government—and to forge a “national program” based on “policies rather than personalities.”

Plans to deliver cleaner governance are underwhelming

Many Iraqis acknowledged the lack of an adequate legal framework to counter corruption but tended to look to the next government to set the tone via qualified, nonpartisan cabinet officials; harsh anti-corruption edicts by the next prime minister; and a sense of accountability from voters who made this a defining issue. The Iraqi technocrats who were interviewed had a few compelling ideas to improve government, such as replacing cabinet ministries’ inspectors general, which include party loyalists and others holding jobs for more than a decade. Iraq could make strides toward less politicized governance by insisting that inspectors general belong to different political parties than the ministers they oversee. Iraqis participating in the meetings were optimistic about incremental progress, but wary of meaningful change. As one ruefully quipped, “Everyone’s against corruption, and everyone’s corrupt.”

Policy recommendations

Show up to engage and compete in post-Islamic State Iraq

The United States has the enduring interests and resilient sources of influence to play a constructive role inside Iraq. Without heavy-handedly alienating Iraqis, the Trump administration should make clear its support for diplomatic efforts in the field to engage and compete to shape Iraqi politics.⁸ U.S. interests include empowering Iraqi nationalists and public servants to push back against sectarianism, militia-ism, and corruption, and for independent and inclusive Iraqi governance.

Insulate Iraq from a zero-sum U.S.-Iran fight

The U.S. push back against Iran’s domination of Iraq—apart from specific issues such as leakage of American weapons to militias—is best achieved through intensified engagement that taps into Iraq’s nationalist mood to strengthen Iraq’s sovereign institutions.

Push the next Iraqi government and Saudi rulers to go from rapprochement to results  Iraqis are hopeful about relations with Saudi Arabia, but they worry it will not translate into actions to rebuild and stabilize Iraq. The United States has unique leverage and insight with both sides to ensure that it this rapprochement leads to results.

Patience is warranted in building ties with Sadr

Moqtada al-Sadr has made himself an indispensable player in Iraqi politics. He is unlikely to either live up to the best hopes raised by his campaign rhetoric or down to the worst fears raised by his past. While actively pursuing its interests in government formation, the United States should exercise strategic patience in building direct ties with Sadr.

Continue close U.S. security cooperation with Iraq

The presence of a small U.S. troop contingent can be a critical element to Iraq’s future stability and professional military capability to fight terrorists. The United States should continue to honor Iraqis’ sensitivities regarding permanent bases and training rather than direct combat. This should include continued work with the Kurdish Peshmerga and Iraqi local police.

Define with the next government a U.S. agenda for nonmilitary cooperation with Iraq, and champion Iraqi economic reforms

Most Iraqis have little sense of U.S. priorities beyond fighting the Islamic State and countering Iran. Nevertheless, they are hungry for economic cooperation and technical assistance. This presents an opportunity to extend U.S. influence and challenge Iran’s. Because of Iraq’s disaffected populations and the fiscal challenge of sustaining its military readiness, discarding nascent economic reforms would put Iraq’s security at risk. The United States should vocally support these reforms and seek out partners to advance them.

Challenge the next Iraqi government to follow through on anti-corruption efforts

Iraqi candidates, especially Sadr, were vocal about this issue and remained so post-elections.  The United States should challenge the next Iraqi government to make headway—without launching polarizing prosecutions of political enemies—and offer technocratic advice and potential solutions to make headway in combating corruption.

Conclusion

While the world’s attention has shifted to other conflict zones in recent years, Iraq still matters for the United States. It remains on the frontlines of three interlocking struggles: the long-term fight against extremist groups such as the Islamic State and its successors; the struggle to protect sovereign countries from Iranian domination, including via the local militias it cultivates; and the challenge of proving that different sects and ethnicities can still live peacefully together in today’s Middle East. America has an interest in each one of these goals, as well as the capacity—with limited investments of resources and attention—to help Iraqis advance all three. Recent meetings with Iraqis highlighted both the immensity of the challenges ahead and emerging opportunities for partnership in helping Iraqis meet them. As Iraq’s next government forms, the United States can exercise constructive influence toward an inclusive, effective government that addresses the roots of its citizens’ discontent. Iraqi politics have reached a consequential juncture. After investing so much to defeat the Islamic State, the United States must now continue to engage and compete to shape what comes next in Iraq.

 

https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/security/reports/2018/07/02/453034/next-phase-iraqs-transition/

[Floridian]

I admit I didn't read the whole thing, but skimming through it, it doesn't sound so good.

Opinions anyone?

[SocalDinar]

Maliki and Former President Obama made a huge mistake letting our troops leave Iraq.  To give our troops immunity would have been far cheaper than to not and letting Daesh get such a strong foothold in Iraq. President Obama could have forced the issue but he did not so Iraq must rebuild.  But the good news is that we know they will rebuild.

I dont see this as being a negative article at all.

[ChuckFinley]

Guy was in over his head. Every service member and those who served could see that coming, with the exception of Kerry.  

[mr.unlikely]

They used it as a political tool to win votes from the left knowing full well the political vacuum it would cause. Even though it was the Bush administrations deadline for troop withdrawal, Obama should have just said no to Maliki. It wasn’t like Maliki had an army to resist with. Also we did build the largest embassy in the world over there so I seriously doubt the Bush administration had any plans of leaving. Ya gotta have an exit strategy to get Congress on board, then renegotiate when the time comes. Sadly Barry went and fd that all up.

[ChuckFinley]

Well, I will be happy when the dust settles and we see who the players are.  

Edited July 2, 2018 by ChuckFinley

[CSM (R) Thack]

2 hours ago, ChuckFinley said:

Guy was in over his head. Every service member and those who served could see that coming, with the exception of Kerry.  

Roger that!!🇺🇸

[yota691]

Kurdish deputy: Kurdish blocs will not enter alliances before the announcement of the final results of the elections

 2018-07-03 08:41:51 

The leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party, Mohsen al-Saadoun, said on Tuesday that the Kurdish blocs will not ally with other blocs until after the final results of the elections. 
The Sadoun said that "a delegation of Kurdish parties, held a round of talks with the political blocs and winning lists in Baghdad, but has not been a coalition with any bloc, so far, because the Kurds are waiting for what is emerging in the coming days, the process of counting and sorting the hand of the ballot boxes and the situation of the country Political ", pointing out that" the process of counting and sorting the hand may change some of the results of the election after appeals to the judiciary, whether the number of seats or people within the winning lists, so the move to make alliances will be in the light of the results of the new elections The 
"KDP will negotiate With the tossed M winning future on the government program, constitutional and times. "

[yota691]

Karbouli explains to Basnews the reasons for «problems» within the «Sunni House»

Revealing efforts to resolve ...

 

 

 03/07/2018 - 12:33

 

 

 

The leader of the movement, Mohammed al-Karbouli, on Tuesday explained the reasons for the "problems" in the Sunni House, he said.

Al-Karbouli told Basnews that "the problems in the Sunni House are for the positions, so the house is not unified, but it reaches the point of separation between the leaders of the house," as he put it.

He revealed efforts to heal the existing rift, saying: "We work during the current period and the next, to end the differences within the Sunni house, and unite."

^{Mohammed Al Karbouli}

On the alliances and formation of the largest bloc, the leader of the "solution" movement pointed out that "the understandings that took place between the political forces will crystallize into an official alliance." But the announcement of the coalition depends on the ratification of the Federal Court on the results of the recent parliamentary elections. .

[yota691]

Allawi awaits a "road map" and sets the date for alliances

 

 Twilight News    
 32 minutes ago

The Vice President and leader of the National Coalition Iyad Allawi, on Tuesday, he is waiting for the rest of the political parties a road map for future alliances.

The media office of Allawi said in a statement to the News Agency that the latter received at his office on Tuesday the Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Iraq Maxime Maximov, where they discussed the developments of the situation at the regional level, especially regarding the course of the Palestinian issue and the Syrian file, Promote bilateral cooperation in economic and educational fields ".

"The political leaders in the country should put forward a road map for the next stage and the form of government expected to build the state and ways to address previous mistakes and existing crises," Allawi said.

"We are now waiting for reactions on that vision to verify intentions to promote the Iraqi reality and meet the requirements of the masses or continue the approach of quotas and marginalization and exclusion."

Allawi said that "what is witnessed in the political arena is a basic understandings between some forces," while pointing out that "alliances will emerge when the announcement of the final results," he explained that "the National Coalition will not engage in any sectarian or sectarian project and will remain true to its principles and constants Patriotism under which it was founded. "

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