Recent Posts

Iraqi Sadrists envision role as broker of next government

After once threatening to sit out the elections, the Sadrist movement has embarked on a media and political campaign to increase election turnout. Muqtada al-Sadr’s Sairoon political bloc pledged on Sept. 30, to implement its program for state administration within three years if it wins the post of prime minister …

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Qatar expresses support for ‘free and fair elections’ in Libya

Some Libyan politicians are concerned that the country’s historic elections scheduled for Dec. 24 could be delayed. The Qatari government reiterated its support Thursday for Libya’s transitional government and the upcoming elections. The State of Qatar “expressed hope that free and fair elections would be held to achieve the aspirations …

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Turkey’s Airstrikes in Syria, Iraq

Turkey appears to be maneuvering to expand an Islamic state in Syria and Iraq. The same Turkish government that claims to counter “terrorism” through its fight against the Kurdish PKK has supported ISIS in the region for years. “The ability of ISIS to become a functioning state so quickly is …

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Can Iraq’s Parliamentary Elections Bring Change?

Despite new electoral system and process, elections may deliver far more modest outcomes than the people demand and need. On October 10, Iraq will hold national parliamentary elections, the fifth national elections since Iraq adopted its 2005 constitution. And despite waning expectations about what these elections might accomplish, they remain …

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LUKOIL Ups Stake In Shah Deniz Project In Caspian Sea

PJSC LUKOIL announced Thursday the conclusion of an agreement on acquiring 15.5% interest in the Shah Deniz natural gas project in the Azerbaijan sector of the Caspian Sea from PETRONAS. The value of the transaction will amount to $2.25 billion, and the completion is subject to fulfilment of conditions precedent, …

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