A security source reported today, Saturday, that the American base in the Conoco field in eastern Syria was targeted.

This is the third targeting in three consecutive days.  link

Tishwash:  To reduce the threats of the factions.. Washington sends two bombers to the Middle East

 The American magazine “Air and Space Forces”, concerned with air forces, revealed today, Saturday (July 27, 2024), that the American forces sent two giant, newly modified B-52 bombers to the Middle East with the aim of “securing” Saudi Arabia and Jordan from “threats from Iraqi factions.”

The magazine said in a report translated by “Baghdad Today”, “The two modern aircraft that were sent to the Middle East to secure Saudi Arabia and Jordan and test their capabilities as part of a show of force to deter Iran and its arms in the region, took off from an air base in Romania and arrived in Saudi Arabia and Jordan in a flight that lasted thirty-two hours.”

“One of the planes suffered a technical malfunction that forced it to remain at one of the American air bases in Qatar, while the other plane returned to the United States alone to make the necessary adjustments after the testing process, which sources within the Pentagon told the Wall Street Journal aimed to demonstrate the capabilities of the United States to its allies in the region, in addition to putting an end to Iranian threats through its arms,” ​​she said.

The magazine indicated that “the two planes arrived in the Middle East after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to Washington, during which he expressed his concern about the threats posed to Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and some regional countries cooperating with Israel by the Houthis and armed factions in Iraq.”

On Friday, newspapers such as the Jerusalem Post published reports confirming that Washington and Tel Aviv are “concerned” about the threats to the countries of the region from the Iraqi factions and the Houthis, explaining that “the threats are an attempt to put pressure on those countries to close the land trade routes that pass through their territories and on which Israel now depends to finance itself during the war,” referring to five countries, including Saudi Arabia and Jordan, that are extending supply lines to Israel through their territories as a result of the naval blockade imposed by the Houthis on ports in Israel.  link

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Tishwash:  Why did Iraqi militias resume operations against Americans?

Pentagon to Asharq Al-Awsat: No injuries or damage in attacks in Iraq and Syria

Since a drone attack in late January killed three American soldiers in a desert area on the Iraqi-Jordanian-Syrian border triangle, and the US responded with extensive strikes against pro-Iranian factions in Iraq and Syria, Iraqi factions have backed off from their attacks.

Some saw the American response at the time as a “deterrent” message aimed at warning Iran against expanding the conflict in the region, against the backdrop of the Israeli war in Gaza. But last Thursday’s attack on two bases housing forces from the international coalition led by Washington, raised questions about the reasons behind the new “harassment” of American forces.

Pressure and embarrassment for Baghdad

The war in Gaza no longer seemed to be the motive behind the attack, while a Pentagon spokesman downplayed its importance and referred the question of whether it was related to the security agreement signed by Iraqi and American officials in Washington this week to the State Department.

The defense official told Asharq Al-Awsat that questions related to political relations between the United States and Iraq and political relations between the United States and Iran are the responsibility of the State Department.

“Regarding the attacks in Syria and Iraq, one rocket was fired at a military support site in the Euphrates region of Syria. The rocket did not impact the base and no injuries or damage were reported. In Iraq, two rockets were fired at Al Asad Air Base in Iraq. They did not impact the base and no injuries or damage were reported to US or coalition forces,” the official added.

Thursday’s attack came after a security meeting held in Washington to discuss the future of the international coalition forces against ISIS in Iraq, while Iranian-backed armed factions are demanding the withdrawal of these forces.

The US Department of Defense said last Wednesday that the talks “reached an agreement on the concept of a new phase in the bilateral security relationship.”

An Iraqi security official suggested that the attack was intended to “embarrass” the Iraqi government and “pressure” for the departure of the international anti-extremist coalition forces, a demand repeated by the pro-Iran factions.

Messages with regional and nuclear dimensions

Some believe that the attacks are “Iranian messages with regional dimensions,” including the stalled nuclear negotiations file, but why were they renewed at this time, while Iran has not yet arranged its files with its new president and America is preoccupied with its elections?

“Deterrence is never permanent,” said Behnam Ben Taleblu, an Iran researcher at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies in Washington, a Republican-friendly think tank. Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, he added that the halt in attacks by Iranian-backed Shiite militias on American sites in the region came after an “impressive” use of force by the Biden administration in late January after three American soldiers were killed.

But since then, the militias have tested the waters at least three times with missile and drone attacks. The more these attacks are understood, the more they have grown in scope and scale.

“Despite seeing the link between the nuclear and regional challenges that this poses, Tehran is trying to persuade Washington and Europe to separate the files,” Ben Taleblu adds. “To this end, the presidency of Masoud Pezeshkian will be designed to lure the West into a futile nuclear diplomacy, while the increase in Iranian-backed regional attacks will create the impression that there is no end in sight to the cycle of violence in the region other than appeasing Iran.”  link

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Iraq’s billionaire surge, rampant corruption amid economic challenges

The number of billionaires in Iraq rivals that of nine other countries combined, a stark reflection of the deeply rooted corruption within the state.

Corruption has plagued Iraq, exacerbated by the misuse of its budget, which official statements claim has led to the loss of $250 billion over the past 17 years. However, economists argue the actual figure could be nearly double.

The number of billionaires in Iraq rivals that of nine other countries combined, a stark reflection of the deeply rooted corruption within the state.

The Commission of Integrity (COI) is set to reveal the amount of money recovered and the measures taken to prevent further financial waste.

Many Iraqis are calling for transparency regarding governmental agreements, imports, and expenditures. On June 3, 2024, the Council of Representatives approved the amended Federal General Budget Law No. 2024, which allocates approximately 211.9 trillion dinars, a 7% increase from the previous year’s budget.

Former Iraqi Finance Minister Ali Allawi previously stated that out of the over $1 trillion budget from 2003 to 2020, more than $250 billion was lost due to administrative corruption. Economists, however, estimate the loss to be between $400-450 billion, nearly 40% of Iraq’s total budget. This squandered amount could have funded significant infrastructure projects, such as building 400,000 modern schools or 20,000 hospitals.

Experts cite fake and overpriced contracts, corrupt officials, mismanaged investment projects, and poor economic planning as major contributors to the financial drain. Since 2003, Iraq’s workforce has grown from 850,000 to over 4.5 million, yet efficiency in public service sectors remains low, with only about 30% of the budget effectively utilized.

According to Haider Hanoun, head of the COI, Iraq ranks 154th out of 180 countries on the global corruption index. Hanoun admits that enormous sums have been stolen and transferred to international banks, with some funds even financing terrorism. The COI’s 2023 report indicates that over 391 billion Iraqi dinars and $500,000 have been recovered, with an additional 82 billion dinars and $5 million prevented from being wasted.

Iraq’s Poverty Levels

The Strategic Center for Human Rights in Iraq reports that over 10 million Iraqis live below the poverty line, with the 2024 budget failing to support more than one million needy families.

The ongoing economic crisis and the appreciation of the dollar have driven up commodity prices, exacerbating poverty. Southern provinces are particularly affected, with Muthanna Governorate experiencing a 52% poverty rate, followed by al-Diwaniyah, Maysan, and Dhi Qar at 48%. Baghdad and Nineveh have poverty rates of 13% and 34.5%, respectively, while central provinces average an 18% poverty rate.

On July 21, 2023, Labor and Social Affairs Minister Ahmad al-Assad announced government measures to combat poverty, noting that Iraq has fallen 20 places in international rankings.

The economic challenges and rampant corruption in Iraq continue to hinder the country’s development and exacerbate poverty. The COI’s efforts to recover stolen funds and prevent further financial mismanagement are critical steps toward rebuilding trust and ensuring a more equitable distribution of wealth.  link

Mot: ………… they Say — before July Ends!!!

Mot: . Love “”Logic”” – Don’t YOu!!!!