Latest news with #US-Iraq
Shafaq News
4 days ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
CF member stresses need for US coordination despite tensions
Shafaq News – Baghdad The planned withdrawal of US forces from Iraq by 2026 is unlikely to proceed as scheduled, Rahman al-Jazairi, a prominent member of the Iraqi Coordination Framework (coalition of ruling Shiite parties), told Shafaq News on Wednesday. Al-Jazairi suggested that the existing US-Iraq security agreement may be revised to reflect evolving strategic needs. He emphasized the necessity of continued coordination with Washington despite political friction, citing Iraq's limited radar coverage and underdeveloped air defense capabilities. He added that the Coordination Framework (CF) will convene next week to reassess its approach, with most members supporting a de-escalation strategy and postponing major decisions until after Iraq's parliamentary elections on November 11. According to al-Jazairi, messages encouraging restraint and dialogue have been delivered to Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani and other key political figures. Influential leaders—including Ammar al-Hakim, Head of the Wisdom (Al-Hikma) Movement, and Nouri al-Maliki, Leader of the State of Law Coalition—are reportedly backing a more pragmatic course aimed at preserving internal stability. His remarks follow growing US concerns over a draft law being debated in Iraq's Parliament that would grant formal legal status to the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF)—a state-affiliated paramilitary coalition established in 2014 to combat ISIS. At a press briefing attended by Shafaq News on Tuesday, US State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce warned that the proposed PMF Authority Law could significantly alter the security relationship with Baghdad. She described the bill as a measure that would empower Iran-linked factions and groups designated by Washington as 'terrorist organizations.'
Iraq Business
30-07-2025
- Business
- Iraq Business
Atlantic Council announces New Head of Iraq Initiative
From the Atlantic Council: The Atlantic Council announced that Victoria J. Taylor, former deputy assistant Secretary of State for Iraq and Iran, will be the new director of the Iraq Initiative within its Middle East Programs. Taylor brings a distinguished background as a national security leader with over two decades of experience in the Middle East and Europe. A career member of the Senior Foreign Service, Taylor also served at US Department of State as the director for North African Affairs, as the deputy director for Western Europe, in the Office of Iranian Affairs, and on the Turkey Desk. She also served at the National Security Council as the director for Balkans, Caucasus, and Black Sea Affairs, and abroad as the deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy in Croatia, as well as in postings in Tunis, Tbilisi, Islamabad, and Lahore. "At a moment of significant regional change, Iraq's security and economic development remain critical for regional stability and for advancing broader US interests in the Middle East," Taylor said. "I'm excited to join the Atlantic Council team and build on the Iraq Initiative's work to strengthen the US-Iraq partnership and help build a sovereign, secure, and prosperous Iraq." As director of the Iraq Initiative, Taylor will lead the Council's work on Iraq, providing policy recommendations and analysis to US and regional policymakers and business leaders that advance Iraq's regional integration, stability, and democratic and economic development, as well as broaden Washington's understanding of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region and Iraq's minority communities. "The Atlantic Council is well-positioned to shape the conversation around the future of a critical MENA country like Iraq and the future of bilateral relations between Washington and Baghdad," said William Wechsler, senior director of the Atlantic Council's Middle East Programs. "Under Taylor's leadership, we will be able to become one of the main conveners of policy discussions and producers of thought-leadership on Iraq in a time of important regional upheaval." Taylor hails from Springfield, Missouri. She holds a bachelor's degree in international relations and diplomatic history from the University of Pennsylvania and a master's degree in development studies from the London School of Economics and Political Science. She speaks French, Mandarin, Russian, and Urdu.
Shafaq News
01-07-2025
- Business
- Shafaq News
US-Iraq collaboration deepens despite "anti-American" sentiment
Shafaq News – Baghdad/Washington Despite escalating armed groups' attacks and deep-rooted public opposition, Iraq and the United States are pushing ahead with renewed security and energy collaboration. According to a report by the Atlantic Council, even without the current conflict between Israel and Iran, the prospects for future US-Iraq relations have often appeared dim. Due in part to the reduced threat from ISIS, and also to public opposition to US military presence under Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR), Washington and Baghdad agreed to reduce the role of US forces in combating ISIS and transition to a new security relationship. The report said that hostilities intensified in Iraq following US backing of Israeli operations in Gaza after October 7, 2023, prompting a wave of anti-American demonstrations and attacks on US-affiliated businesses. These developments, coupled with scaled-back military coordination, narrowed the space for broader cooperation. Nonetheless, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani's April 2024 visit to the US signaled an effort to deepen strategic ties. In Houston, he signed agreements granting American energy companies preferential treatment over Chinese firms, and concluded deals with US defense contractors for equipment and training.
Shafaq News
21-06-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iraq urges US to prevent Israeli Airspace violations
Shafaq News/ The Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs renewed its call on Saturday for the United States to take urgent action to prevent Israeli aircraft from violating Iraqi airspace. According to a statement by the Iraqi Foreign Ministry, during a meeting with Steven H. Fagin, the chargé d'affaires at the US Embassy in Baghdad, the Deputy Foreign Minister for Bilateral Relations, Mohammed Hussein Bahr Al-Uloom, expressed Baghdad's deep concern over what he described as repeated Israeli incursions into Iraqi skies. 'A recent breach of sovereignty was recorded on Friday, when Israeli warplanes reportedly flew over the holy cities of Najaf and Karbala, continuing southward.' Bahr Al-Uloom stressed that the infringement 'not only undermines Iraq's sovereignty but also poses a direct threat to civil aviation safety,' particularly over Basra International Airport, which is currently the primary air gateway for returning stranded Iraqi citizens and outbound travelers. 'This is a matter of national security and the safety of civilian air traffic,' he emphasized. He also urged the US to 'take all necessary measures to halt these violations and enhance Iraq's capacity to deter threats to its sovereignty, territory, and airspace,' citing the 2008 US-Iraq Strategic Framework Agreement as the foundation for cooperation on such matters.
Mint
12-06-2025
- Business
- Mint
Hindustan Zinc, Hindalco to NALCO: Why were metal stocks in the red today? Analysts decode factors & top stock ideas
Metal stocks: Amid the sharp crash in the Indian stock market today, June 12, metal counters emerged as one of the top casualties, with the 15-constituent Nifty Metal index declining 1.55%. However, this fall comes on the heels of a nearly 4% rally seen in the last one week. Among the 15 metal stocks in the index, 14 closed in the red. Welspun Corp, APL Apollo, Tata Steel, SAIL, Vedanta and NMDC were among the top index losers, shedding between 2-3%. Hindalco, Hindustan Zinc, Adani Enterprises and NALCO also emerged among the losers, down between 0.5% to 1.75%. Jindal Stainless shares were the only ones to defy the weakness in the metal pack and the overall broader market. Analysts largely attributed the fall to profit taking amid a lack of conclusive outcome on the US-China trade deal talks and growing tensions in the Middle East. "Metal stocks started getting into profit-taking zone, driven by the rise in uncertainty in the geopolitical situation, headlined with US-Iraq as well as no clear direction on US-China deal talks. Despite 'frameworks' being reported, concrete outcomes are missing," said Prashant Tapse, Senior (VP) Research at Mehta Equities. Despite today's profit taking, the metal index is in an uptrend for the second month in a row. While it saw a massive fall in April amid a tit-for-tat tariff war between the world's two largest economies, reports of a trade truce brought investors back to metal counters. "Ongoing uncertainties and stalled tariff talks have kept metal stocks volatile. The US-China trade conflict has raised concerns about global demand and supply chain disruptions, impacting metal prices and stocks negatively. China's stimulus measures have been a key driver for metal demand globally. Recent disappointing or unclear stimulus announcements from China, particularly regarding its property sector, which is a major consumer of metals, have dampened hopes for a sustained recovery in metal demand," said Vaibhav Vidwani, Research Analyst at Bonanza. Market dynamics such as profit-taking after previous rallies has also led to selling pressure on Indian metal stocks and the Nifty Metal index, Vidwani added. Going ahead, Tapse expects choppy trading and volatility in metal stocks in the short term, as they are likely to swing with headline news. Technically, he sees more pressure in the metal space, Tapse said, adding that one can use dips as entry points in stocks like JSW Steel and Tata Steel. Meanwhile, Vidwani prefers Hindustan Zinc amid a bullishness in the silver prices. "Hindustan Zinc is the stock we are bullish on because Hindustan Zinc have +15% revenue contribution of silver, and we can expect upward movement in the near term in silver prices, which will support the revenue growth and net profitability of the company, as per the Bonanza analyst. Disclaimer: This story is for educational purposes only. The views and recommendations made above are those of individual analysts or broking companies, and not of Mint. We advise investors to check with certified experts before making any investment decisions.
