[My contact in Iraq update] STEPHEN: Are citizens excited? Are they aware what’s going on? IRAQI CONTACT: Right now all the focus is on September 30th. That’s all the people are talking about. STEPHEN: That’s the date the US military is supposed to leave and Iraq is supposed to regain its full sovereignty. Why is that so important to the citizens? IRAQI CONTACT: It’s the date that will make or break the government. All the militias have to hand over their weapons on or before this date…Most of them…refused to hand over those weapons. The government has already implied they might be clashing with those militias if they refuse to do so…Iran is pushing them to stay…Zaidi is powerless. He has no one to back him up. This parliament mostly consists of militia affiliated members or supporters. STEPHEN: Do you think they will increase the exchange rate soon? IRAQI CONTACT: We have to wait until September 30th… STEPHEN: When we get to the 30th of September, they’re not going to fail. That’s not going to happen. Stephen
