KTFA:
Samson: Russian newspaper: Iran loses control of Iraq
2nd August, 2022
The Russian newspaper “Expert Ru” saw that Iran has lost control of Iraq in a report published today, Tuesday, on the internal conflict in Iraq and the rejection of “Iranian guardianship” over it.
The report stated that Iraq is witnessing unrest. Hundreds of Iraqi Shiite demonstrators stormed the parliament building last week to protest the appointment of a new prime minister. She explained that in the Russian (as well as Western) circles close to the experts, an opinion has been established saying that neighboring Iran is the biggest beneficiary of the US invasion of Iraq.
In the end, however, Iraqi nationalism (or Arabism, if you will) triumphed over religious identity, just as it triumphed during the Iran-Iraq war (when Tehran’s bet on the support of its fellow Iraqi Shiites did not work) for many years. , Iraqis – including Shiites – opposed Tehran’s rule of their country and its incorporation into Iranian geopolitical projects.
According to the report’s author, Georg Mirzagan, the newspaper said that there is now a dilemma. The installation of the pro-Iranian prime ministerial candidate, Muhammad al-Sudani, cannot be considered legitimate, because the main Shiite political force does not recognize him. It is very difficult to suppress this force and its leader.
She also said, the West views this situation with mixed feelings. On the one hand, the United States does not want a government crisis in Iraq, let alone the possibility of civil war. This would lead to a decrease in the volume of oil exported by Iraq, which means increasing the complexity of Western countries’ plans to impose a price ceiling on Russian oil. On the other hand, the West needs Sadr in the context of the US-Saudi-Israeli confrontation with Iran.
According to the newspaper, that is why Western diplomats will now try to kill two birds with one stone, that is, prevent a civil war in Iraq and at the same time persuade the political forces there to reintegrate Al-Sadr into power. Preferably its main player. The only question is how can this be achieved? LINK
***************
Samson: A new drop in oil prices
2nd August, 2022
Oil prices fell again on Tuesday, as investors digested a bleak outlook for fuel demand with data pointing to a decline in global manufacturing as major crude oil producers meet this week to decide whether or not to increase supply.
Brent crude futures fell 77 cents, or 0.8 percent, to $99.26 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate crude futures fell 67 cents, or 0.7 percent, to $93.22 a barrel.
The decline came after Brent crude futures fell on Monday to a session low of $99.09 a barrel, their lowest since July 15.
The benchmark US crude price fell to $92.42 a barrel, the weakest level since July 14.
*************
