The funds mostly come from corrupt politicians and those seeking to avoid US sanctions By Hudhaifa Ebrahim An informed source in Banque du Liban, Lebanon’s central bank, told The Media Line that more than $18 billion belonging to Iraqi politicians, the Iraqi government, and the Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq have “evaporated” due to the banking crisis in Lebanon.
Read MoreEdited by Amatzia Baram, Achim Rohde, and Ronen Zeidel Acknowledgment This book is the product of cooperation between Palgrave Macmillan and the Center for Iraq Studies at the University of Haifa, Israel. We are grateful to Ms. Farideh Koohi-Kamali and Ms. Robyn Curtis of the editorial staff of Palgrave Macmillan for their guidance and effective management. The Center fo
Read MoreIntroduction Economic cooperation aimed at gradual integration between Iraq and other Arab countries is highly desirable from Iraq’s perspective. In 2021, the leaders of Iraq, Egypt, and Jordan held their fourth summit in Bagdad to further the new endeavor for economic cooperation and integration, the ABC Agreement. This section of the report evaluates the new initiative
Read MorePoliticians have failed to form a new government nearly a year after the last elections. Baghdad just saw its worst militia clashes in years. And despite vast oil wealth, the state can’t provide basic services. BAGHDAD — On most days in the Iraqi capital, jackhammers and electric drills provide the soundtrack to a construction boom, with multistory restaurants taking shape a
Read MoreSummary In July 2022 Iraq marked its longest period without a government since an election, exceeding its previous record of 289 days. A caretaker government is in place, however. As of August, it is now more than 320 days since the 2021 elections, and political uncertainty has continued to grow. In June 2022, the largest Shia political bloc in the Iraqi parliament, led by
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