Nusseiri issues his book (Central Bank in the face of the
challenges of economic and financial crisis)
The economic and banking adviser to the Association of Iraqi
Private Banks, Samir al-Nusairi, issued his book entitled
(Central Bank in the face of the challenges of economic and
financial crisis), which documents the Bank's efforts in
supporting the national economy.
Al-Nusairi said in a seminar to present the book, held in
the Central Bank of Iraq and attended by the "Economy News",
that "it is held under the guidance of the Governor of the
Central Bank Ali Al-Allaq to review the book," noting that
"it documents transparently and impartially the Central
Bank's procedures 2015-2017 Has been able to take effective
steps to support the national economy and promote economic
steadfastness. "
He pointed out that "includes ten chapters with 300 pages of
medium-sized pieces containing an overview of the objectives
and positions of the Central Bank of Iraq as stated in Law
56 of 2004, and the challenges facing monetary policy and
financial and economic analysis of the structural imbalance
in the economy in addition to the central crying procedures
in the face of these challenges and overcome The economic
and financial shocks that faced Iraq. "
"One of the chapters discusses the central bank's strategy
for 2016 2020, its five basic goals and its subsidiary,
which has 18 goals," he said. "It includes an assessment and
classification of the banking sector in accordance with
international standards, particularly the classification for
the purpose of selling the currency."
He pointed out that the book deals with the analytical
vision of the objectives of the policy of Iraq and its
instruments and the achievements of the years 2004 and 2017,
as well as contain an important chapter on the challenges
facing the banking sector and how to face them by the
Central Bank of Iraq, The administrative and regulatory
procedures carried out by the specialized departments of the
Bank, which contributed effectively to achieve the direction
of the Central Bank to support the national economy.
He concluded by saying that his latest version contains a
document containing the documents issued by the Central Bank
for combating money laundering and terrorist financing and
its strategy for the years 2016 2020, in addition to the
guidelines for the follow-up and detection of money
laundering, as well as a statistical annex to the tables and
financial statements, Period.
The symposium was attended by the participants of the
symposium, the first of which was the Director General of
the Administrative Department of the Central Bank of Iraq,
Saleh Mahoud, where he praised the book promising scientific
achievement important especially for researchers and science
seekers.
In turn, praised the President of the Association of Private
Banks, Wadih al-Hanal, the role of the Central Bank of Iraq
regarding the establishment of confidence between the
banking sector and the Central Bank.
source
......
Iraqi National Bank: We received 3.2 million dollars from
the branch of the Central Bank in Erbil.
Economy News Baghdad:
The Iraqi National Bank announced that the adequacy of the
capital amounted to 106.65% during the year 2017, stressing
that the bank received 3.2 million dollars and 36.5 billion
dinars of its assets with the branch of the Central Bank in
Erbil.
In reviewing the accounting records and reviewing the nature
of the banking operations carried out by the bank during the
fiscal year, specifically in the matter of auditing and
disclosures prepared for the purpose of calculating the
capital adequacy, the bank said that the ratio of capital
reached 106.65% Based on Article 16 of the Banking Law No.
94 of 2004.
He added that "the bank's balances with the branches of the
Central Bank in both Erbil and Sulaymaniyah have not been
exploited in the operations," stressing that "the bank
received during the month of August 2017 $ 3.2 million in
addition to the amount of 36.5 billion dinars of his
reserves with the branch of the Central Bank of Iraq in
Erbil.
source
..............
Iraq and Kurdistan close to striking Kirkuk oil deal By
Rudaw
Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said on February 27,
2018 that the oil agreement will be made.
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region � The Kurdistan Region and Iraq are
in the final stages of an oil agreement for Kirkuk. It
allows Baghdad to receive the revenue with Erbil receiving a
share, as well as securing payments for Russia�s Rosneft and
Turkey�s BOTAS in order to transport the oil to global
markets, according to the KRG.
Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi revealed on Tuesday
that the two sides have already agreed to resume oil exports
through the KRG's controlled pipeline, but that his
government was waiting for Turkey�s view within 10 days.
Safeen Dizayee, the KRG spokesperson, told Rudaw that no
"concrete agreement" is in place as of yet, but was hopeful
that Baghdad will agree to the KRG-proposed plan.
"In short, the agreement would be on the basis that both
sides, the [Kurdistan] Region, and Baghdad, and the
companies who are related to that amount of oil will receive
the benefits," Dizayee said.
He explained that the KRG can receive a share of the crude
derivatives like fuel from the refineries, plus a revenue
share of the oil exports.
"With regard to the excess in revenues originating from the
sale of this amount of oil [to the international market] �
that ends up in the Iraqi treasury � the KRG would be able
to receive a share of the excess revenues on the basis of
the budget, and the agreement that will be made,� said
Dizayee.
"[Per the agreement] the two companies of BOTAS and Rosneft
would also be able receive their tariffs for exporting oil,
both from within the Kurdistan Region, and inside Turkey,�
he added.
The KRG has an agreement with the two companies to transport
oil through its Kurdistan-Ceyhan pipeline.
"It appears that Baghdad will welcome the agreement, as has
been mentioned by Mr. Abadi himself. It is a suggestion that
was proposed by the Kurdistan Region," Dizayee said,
revealing the details of the deal discussed when the Kurdish
delegation met with Abadi last month in Baghdad.
The KRG is hopeful.
"No concrete agreement has been made over this suggestion.
It remains a suggestion to this date. But it seems that
Baghdad will take it into serious consideration. We hope
that it results into a good agreement."
KRG Deputy PM Qubad Talabani touched on oil while attending
a KRG Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research
event on Wednesday.
"We as Kurdistan Regional Government, have informed them
[the Iraqi government] that Kirkuk oil can be exported
through Kurdistan's oil pipes and be sold, and the income to
be returned to Iraqi government's treasury [so that]
everyone can benefit it, but they have not done so as of
now," Talabani said.
source
Analysis Could elections resolve Erbil-Baghdad energy disputes?
The removal of bans on Kurdistan banks by Iraq�s Central
Bank, attempts to reopen the airports, and the auditing of
the KRG�s civil servants� payroll are positive indications
of improvement in relations between Erbil and Baghdad. On
the other hand, marginalization of Kurdistan at the Iraqi
Reconstruction Conference in Kuwait, Iraq�s continued
pressure on oil companies and signing contracts with
companies without considering the Kurdistan Region are not
positive indications.
Despite this, can the upcoming May 12 elections, with
support from the international community, bring both sides
closer to each other, especially on energy issues?
In addition to international political figures, a score of
investors and companies were invited to the Kuwait
conference. But few were invited from the Kurdistan Region
because of Baghdad�s opposition to Kurdistan benefiting
economically from the conference.
Although excessive corruption and misadministration meant
the conference did not meet its target � bringing in pledges
of $30 billion, far short of the $88 billion goal � the
Kurdistan Region could benefit from the collected funds.
Kurdistan should be given a large share because it played a
significant role in the fight against ISIS and some of its
territory � especially in disputed areas � was demolished.
In addition to this, Kurdistan protected a large section of
Kirkuk province, preventing it from falling into ISIS hands,
and it was a haven for nearly 2 million IDPs.
Iraq is also exerting pressure on the KRG over its contracts
with international oil companies, wanting to sign its own
agreements with them, including Russia�s Rosneft, which owns
a sixty-percent share in the KRG�s pipeline. At the
beginning of this month, Iraq�s Oil Ministry demanded
Rosneft send a delegation to Iraq to discuss its contracts
with the KRG. Oil Minister Jabbar al-Luaibi is also expected
to visit Moscow regarding this.
Despite this, the Kurdistan Region�s oil sector has good
news: Chevron will resume its operations in the Kurdistan
Region, Genel recently announced an increase of forty
percent at Taq Taq oilfield, and Russian companies have not
wavered in their interest.
This good news indicates the KRG can stand against Baghdad�s
plans to some extent.
Iraq realizes that the Kurdistan Region is experiencing a
difficult financial stage � this is a strong point for
Baghdad. But Iraqi parliamentary elections on May 12 may be
a golden opportunity for Kurds because the United States and
the international community are backing Haider al-Abadi�s
re-election.
The United States knows that the formation of any new Iraqi
cabinet requires Kurdish support. This has increased
international pressure on Iraq to make an agreement with the
Kurdistan Region.
The current political situation in the Kurdistan Region, its
disunity and multiple electoral lists, will weaken Kurdish
power in the Iraqi elections, however. The more unified
Kurds are, the more likely it is that Baghdad will be
willing to reach an agreement.
Yadgar Sadeq is an economic journalist, financial market
analyst, and director of media for DCIFX, an investment
company in the Kurdistan Region.
source
URGENT Parliamentary finance reveals new economic
disappointment in Iraq!
Parliamentary finance reveals a new economic disappointment
in Iraq!
(Baghdad: Al-Furat News) Member of the Finance Committee MP
Masoud Haidar revealed the decline of Iraq's economic level
to the level of African countries.
"The economic boom in Iraq is so bad that the Iraqi
financial institution, which is considered a long-standing
institution, has lowered its rating at the level of
international institutions from C to D," Haidar told Al-Furath
television.
"We hoped after cooperation with the IMF and the
International Bank to be on the level of Lebanon, Jordan,
Morocco and Tunisia economically; but we have fallen to the
level of African countries in the economic situation."
Standard & Poor�s on Friday confirmed Iraq�s credit
rating at B- / B with a stable outlook, but predicted a
cut in oil production would affect economic growth in 2017.
The credit rating agency attributed a stable outlook to
expectations of continued budget control efforts in the next
few years.
Standard & Poor�s said the rating received support from
Iraqi oil production being concentrated in areas under the
firm control of the federal government.
source
Kuwait confirmed that Iraq will continue to pay the debt
until 2021
By rami - February 24, 2018
Deputy Foreign Minister Khalid al-Jarallah said that Iraq
will continue to pay the debts of Kuwait until 2021, while
noting that 85 cases between the two countries have been
resolved and left very few of them.
In response to a question about the Iraq reconstruction
conference and a pledge of $ 2 billion, Al-Jarallah said in
a televised interview that �the compensation is nothing, the
payment is something, and the commitments at the Iraq
reconstruction conference are something else.�
He continued: �We sat with the Iraqis and with the United
Nations, and agreed on a payment mechanism, and started
Iraq, and will end in the year 2021.�
He pointed out that �the issues that are still stuck between
Kuwait and Iraq are simple, 85 of which have been resolved
within the framework of Security Council resolutions,
leaving very few (prisoners, property and maritime borders
after point 62).�
source
Dinnarland talk from the
IQDCalls.com/chat room
from sandyf:
My opinion... article 8 is an absolute must... and they
arn't there yet... then when they are eligible...IMF can
take up to 60 days for a yea or nay vote... so we got a
while - Would agree on the first point, Art 8 is a major
bullet point. But it should be remembered the onus is on
Iraq, it is up to them to accept the obligations of Art 8,
they could remove the IMF issues at any point with the
stroke of a pen. It is not about the parallel market rate,
it is about the settlement of international invoices at a
rate that deviates from the official rate. Vietnam had
exactly the same problem and they made it illegal for
companies not to settle the transaction at the official
rate. If companies made loss/profit on buying the dollars
they must show it separately in the accounts. Personally I
think that Iraq is holding on to Art 14 for a reason,
hopefully as part of some other agenda.
The 'black op' theory has been kicking around for some
years, appeared about the same time as the talk of a GCR
being funded by the GCA's.
The Central Bank of Iraq decides to delay the opening of
branches of financial transfer companies
Alsumaria News
Baghdad
The Central Bank of Iraq decided on Thursday to delay the
opening of branches of financial transfer companies.
The bank said in a statement received, Alsumaria News, it
was "decided to wait to grant approval to approve the plan
to open branches of authorized transfer companies in Baghdad
and the provinces during 2017-2018."
"The decision excludes companies that complete the
requirements to convert them to Islamic banks," the bank
said.
The Central Bank of Iraq was established as an independent
bank under its law of 6 March 2004 as an independent body
responsible for maintaining price stability and implementing
monetary policy. It supervises 10 commercial banks, 26
private banks and 16 Islamic banks, as well as 19 foreign
banks. 6 financial institutions and 31 financial transfer
companies.
source
----------
IFC, Central Bank of Iraq to Strengthen Corporate Governance
in Banking Sector
Basnews Iraq
IFC, Central Bank of Iraq to Strengthen Corporate Governance
in Banking Sector
Baghdad, Iraq, IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, and
the Central Bank of Iraq are launching a series of
specialized workshops, starting 2/20/2018 to raise corporate
governance standards in Iraqi banks and strengthen the
country�s banking sector.
IFC�s advisory services team will support the Central Bank
in implementing its new mandatory corporate governance
banking guidelines. IFC will initially train all key
managers in the Central Bank and then roll out workshops to
board members from all the country�s banks. Topics include
understanding the unique nature of governance in the sector,
the right composition of boards, and risk management best
practice.
Aly Al Alaq, Governor of the Central bank said: �Helping
banks implement sound corporate governance practices will
increase the sector�s resilience and sustainability and make
them more investment-friendly, enabling banks to not only
boost efficiency, but also increase profit.�
The initiatives are part of IFC�s strategy to spur private
sector growth in Iraq and scale up support for fragile and
conflict-affected states, where private sector investment is
key. For companies operating in conflict-affected
environments, strong corporate governance can be vital for
sustainability.
�Our aim is to foster a positive corporate governance
culture within which banks in Iraq can operate, to
strengthen the sector and drive growth,� said Ziad Badr IFC
Principal Country Officer in Iraq. �Improved practices help
attract direct investments and ultimately stimulate social
welfare and economic growth.�
IFC has been working to improve corporate governance in Iraq
since 2014. As well as working with local institutions, in
May 2017, IFC launched the country�s first independent
institute of directors the Kurdistani Institute of Directors
(KIoD)�alongside the Erbil Chamber of Commerce and Trade,
which advises on best practice and strengthening the role of
independent directors and boards.
IFC�s advisory work in Iraq focuses on building the capacity
of financial institutions, supporting governments, helping
private firms improve their environmental, social, and
governance standards, and mobilizing private investments
through public-private partnerships.
source
----
Parliamentary finance likely to approve the budget next
Tuesday
Release date: 2/22, 2018
Parliamentary finance likely to approve the budget next
Tuesday
(Baghdad: al-Furat News) revealed the Finance Committee
parliamentary, for important amendments to the paragraphs of
the draft budget law for the year 2018.
"Several amendments have been made to the budget, including
clauses to ensure greater interest to citizens and employees
in general, including the abolition of the paragraph of the
deduction of a percentage of salaries, 3.8%, by general
agreement by the members of the Committee, as well as a
member of the Committee, Majida Abdel Latif Tamimi said in a
press statement. To find an alternative to the decline that
will be caused by this cancellation, in addition to lifting
the restriction on promotions and allowances and delete and
development after it came from the government as a natural
right to the work of the employee.
Tamimi added that "the budget included an increase of 144
billion dinars for the disabled victims of terrorism or
those who responded to terrorism and urged them to sponsor
them, as well as the allocation of 200 million dollars to
establish small and income-generating projects for the
employment of young people instead of remaining unemployed.
Al-Tamimi expected that "the parliament will vote on the
draft budget in the parliament session - scheduled - next
Tuesday."
source
With the approaching date of the elections began the
political blocs to re-structure and organize again to enter
the election season, but there are blocks succeed in
attracting competent and professional figures, which are
highly accepted by the Iraqi street and others fail in that
and remain in place by the inclusion of personalities
predominantly sectarian and national, Bring only states and
crises to the country.
The Iraqi voter has a complete culture and consciousness in
how to choose the national list and competent personalities
capable of change and construction of the country,
especially that the next stage is the stage of construction
and reconstruction and fighting corruption after the
elimination of terrorist organizations in the country.
Iraqi observers have agreed that the most acceptable
coalition for all, whether citizens or politicians, is a
victory alliance. What distinguishes it from the other
coalitions participating in the elections is the inclusion
of the different components of the people and the drop down
of its list in 18 governorates. It also includes
professional and efficient personalities capable of change
in the next stage. Winning the most votes in the upcoming
parliamentary elections.
The alliance of victory led by Prime Minister Haider Abadi,
the largest coalition in the parliamentary elections of
2018, which includes the Virtue Party headed by Abdul
Hussein al-Musawi and an independent bloc led by Hussein al-Shahristani
and the reformist movement headed by Ibrahim Jaafari and the
National Congress headed by Aaras Habib and the Turkmen
Islamic Alliance headed by Jassim Mohammed Jaafar and the
tender movement Headed by Faleh al-Fayyad, and the uprising
rebels headed by Muhannad al-Zirjawi and the bloc of Iraq's
Renaissance and Peace headed by Nawaf al-Jarba. Observers
are likely to win the largest share of the seats.
The deputy of the National Alliance Huda Sajjad told (One
News) that "the slogan of a coalition of victory (unite us
Vntzrna) and its main goal to eliminate corruption and
spoilers of politicians who penetrated the previous
governments and were the cause of the crises experienced by
the country in the time of explosive budgets that did not
benefit the people But pay for these corrupt politicians. "
She added that "Prime Minister Haider Abadi promised the
Iraqi street to eliminate the scourge of corruption, as
promised previously to eliminate the organization calling
for the terrorist," indicating that "what distinguishes the
Nasr coalition that includes national blocs carrying the
young people are able to change and made a real will and
have the ability to build the country And believe that they
have pledged to God, and we believe that this coalition will
win the confidence of citizens and the Iraqi street and
those who want to fight corruption to win in the upcoming
elections.
There are many blocs calling for quotas and division and
Iraq is a booty in their eyes, and the one who distinguishes
from the other alliances the list of all Iraqi provinces and
there is no single list that it will fall in 18 provinces
Which indicates that the coalition of victory blocks
includes the various components of the Sunni, Shiite,
Kurdish, Turkmen and other.
For his part, stressed the strategic expert and Al-Hashemi,
that the alliance Nasr is an important alliance and will be
a difficult figure in the elections as the leader of the
Prime Minister Haider Abadi has important files succeeded in
achieving is to maintain the unity of the country and the
elimination of terrorism and strengthen Iraq's foreign
relations.
Hashemi told (One News) that "the alliance of Nasr could be
a transient alliance of sectarian as a combination of Sunnis
and Shiites, Kurds and Turkmen This is a positive phenomenon
to correct the process of political process," stressing that
although talk about the results of the election is
premature, Will be a difficult figure in the upcoming
elections.
He added that "after the announcement of the election
results will occur very large variables, but most of the
political blocs controlled by foreign agendas. The question
is whether the political blocs can get rid of the influence
of the external player, who may not only accept a national
partnership and not the political majority.
The alliance of the victory of Iraq headed by Haider Abadi,
earlier, determined to correct the course of the political
process and the fight against corruption, while noting that
it is open to all national forces good of all directions.
The coalition said in a statement that it "is determined to
correct the course of the political process and remove them
from quotas and fight corruption," noting that "seeks to
establish a new political path and the building of state
institutions in accordance with the Constitution."
"The battle for construction and reconstruction will begin
after all the land of Iraq has been liberated," the
coalition said, adding that it will "develop the wealth of
the people and invest it to provide the country with
prosperity."
He stressed "his intention to adopt expertise and
professionalism while preserving the participation of all
the people of the provinces in the administration of a
unified Iraq," pointing out that "open to all Iraqi national
forces good of all directions."
Through the announced by the countries participating in the
conference to reconstruct Iraq, which concluded its work in
Kuwait, for financial contributions to the reconstruction of
this country, the amounts made by most of the loans and
investment contributions in projects within the country,
while the amounts accounted for donations a small
percentage. Such loans would increase the country's future
financial burden on repayments.
So far, Saudi Arabia has been allocated $ 1.5 billion for
Iraq reconstruction and Saudi export financing projects,
while Qatar has provided $ 1 billion in loans and
investments.
The UAE and Turkey also provided $ 13.5 billion in loans and
investments, while Kuwait allocated $ 2 billion in loans and
investments.
Thus, we see that the Gulf contributions have had a lion's
share of the total amounts provided to Iraq. Are we facing a
new phase of the real relations imposed by the economic side
between Iraq and the Gulf states? Will Iranian influence
diminish with the beginning of such relations?
On this subject, Professor of Political Science at Al-Nahrain
University, Dr. Bassem Al-Kanani, said: "The Kuwait
Conference is a very important activity and a kind of
response to Iraq, which fought on behalf of the Arab
countries and the world at large against the vicious attack
of organizing the terrorist" Full of Iraq. The reality of
the Gulf-Iraqi relations after the opening of the government
of Mr. Abadi on those countries began to appear through
Kuwait's invitation to hold the conference for the
reconstruction of Iraq. The conference was held in a country
that was and for a previous period damaged by Iraq. It is a
positive sign to move forward with Gulf-Iraqi relations
through realistic diplomacy.
The Gulf states are very interested in the Iraqi market,
which is a thirsty market that receives everything and needs
everything, especially after the destruction of Iraq. The
investment will be realistic. We know that the capital is
smart and hungry at the same time. The Gulf states are good
figures in the global economy and have large capital that
can create investment opportunities in Iraq over the medium
term and have a positive impact on building the country and
contribute to the revival of political and economic
relations between Iraq and the Gulf states.
The United States does not throw the money aside, and it
always tries to immerse others while it is holding the
strings of the game. Gulf funds may be a front for US
activity. The United States also has some observations on
Iraqi political performance, and its size from Iraq's
assistance may have been due to this performance.
We expect to see other economic events, and the United
States may have a bigger role.
The next elections will change the Iraqi political map, to
forget that the last period during which Iraq was unable to
reach an institutional system because of quotas, and the
construction of a rule based on a political majority with an
active opposition to the process of institution-building and
the consolidation of democracy, and through this process
will know where to turn , On the one hand there is a real
ideological influence by Iran on Iraq, and on the other
hand, there is a common rapprochement and blood between Iraq
and the Arabian Gulf, as they are the sons of the one Arab
nation, in addition to the subject of religion that brings
them together, and the presence of capital in the Gulf with
the need of Iraq a All of this will lead us to positive
thinking in starting towards the Iraqi interest.
Iraqi victories remain fragile as US reduces troops
QAIM, Iraq (AP) � From their outpost on Iraq�s westernmost
edge, U.S. 1st Lt. Kyle Hagerty and his troops watched
civilians trickle into the area after American and Iraqi
forces drove out the Islamic State group. They were, he
believed, families returning to liberated homes, a hopeful
sign of increasing stability.
But when he interviewed them on a recent reconnaissance
patrol, he discovered he was wrong. They were families
looking for shelter after being driven from their homes in a
nearby town. Those who pushed them out were forces from
among their �liberators� � Shiite militiamen who seized
control of the area after defeating the IS militants.
It was a bitter sign of the mixed legacy from the United
States� intervention in Iraq to help defeat the militants.
American-backed military firepower brought down the IS
�caliphate,� but many of the divisions and problems that
helped fuel the extremists� rise remain unresolved.
The U.S.-led coalition, which launched its fight against IS
in August 2014, is now reducing the numbers of American
troops in Iraq, after Baghdad declared victory over the
extremists in December. Both Iraqi and U.S. officials say
the exact size of the drawdown has not yet been decided.
U.S. and Iraqi commanders here in western Iraq warn that
victories over IS could be undercut easily by a large-scale
withdrawal. Iraq�s regular military remains dependent on
U.S. support. Many within Iraq�s minority communities view
the U.S. presence as a buffer against the Shiite-dominated
central government. Still, Iranian-backed militias with
strong voices in Baghdad are pushing for a complete U.S.
withdrawal, and some Iraqis liken any American presence to a
form of occupation.
That has left an uncomfortable limbo in this area that was
the last battlefield against the extremists. Coalition
commanders still work with Iraqi forces to develop long-term
plans for stability even as a drawdown goes ahead with no
one certain of its eventual extent.
HEARTS AND MINDS � AGAIN
�Let�s go win us some hearts and minds,� Sgt. Jonathan Cary,
23, joked as he and Hagerty and the patrol convoy set off
from a base outside the town of Qaim, evoking a phrase used
in American policy goals for Iraq ever since the 2003
U.S.-led invasion that ousted Saddam Hussein.
After just a few hours moving on foot across farmland and
orchards to a cluster of modest houses, Hagerty realized the
families he thought were returnees to the area were in fact
newly displaced. Their homes in Qaim had been confiscated by
the government-affiliated Popular Mobilization Forces, or
PMF, made up mainly of Shiite paramilitary fighters backed
by Iran.
�Our end goal is a stable Iraq, right?� Hagerty said later,
back at the base. �But when you see stuff like that, it
makes you wonder if they are ever going to be able to do it
themselves.�
After victories against IS, the PMF has built up a presence
in many parts of Sunni-majority provinces, including western
Anbar. It formally falls under the command of the prime
minister, but some Iraqi commanders accuse the PMF of being
a rival to government power.
PMF flags line highways crisscrossing Anbar. At a PMF
checkpoint outside al-Asad airbase � a sprawling complex
used by both Iraqi and coalition forces � U.S. convoys are
regularly stopped for hours while busloads of PMF fighters
are waved through.
U.S. Marine Col. Seth Folsom works closely with the branches
of Iraq�s security forces � Sunni tribal fighters and the
Iraqi army � who are increasingly concerned about the rise
in power of the PMF. Iran has given no indication of dialing
back its support after the defeat of IS extremists.
�The biggest question I get now is, �how long can we count
on you being here?�� Folsom said of his conversations with
Iraqi commanders and local politicians.
That decision ultimately rests with Iraq�s political
leadership, he said.
�I guess some people could see that as a cop-out, but at the
same time it�s not my place as a lowly colonel to define how
long the U.S. presence is going to be.�
�FORWARD LINE OF FREEDOM�
For the senior officers leading the current fight against
IS, decades of U.S. military intervention in Iraq has
defined their careers.
The top U.S. general in Iraq � Lt. Gen. Paul Funk � served
in Iraq four times: in the Gulf war in 1991; in the 2003
invasion; in the surge when some 170,000 American troops
were serving in Iraq in 2007; and most recently in the fight
against IS.
�It will definitely be positive,� Funk said of the legacy of
the U.S. role against IS in Iraq. �People see their young
men and women out here defeating evil. That�s a positive
thing.�
On a recent flight from Baghdad to a small U.S. outpost in
northern Syria near Manbij � a trip that traversed the heart
of the battlefield with IS for the past 3� years � Funk
described the future of the fight as ideological and
open-ended.
�The problem is people believe it�s already over, and it�s
not,� he said. �Beating the ideology, destroying the myth,
that�s going to take time.�
Touching down outside an orchard on the perimeter of the
Manbij base, Funk exclaimed: �Welcome to the front line of
freedom!�
Funk predicts the ideological fight could take years and
easily require U.S. troop deployments elsewhere. He said
that is one reason he believes it�s so important to visit
U.S. troops on the current front lines � to show them �the
American people believe in their purpose.�
�We have got to recruit the next generation,� he said.
Many of the young U.S. troops interviewed by The Associated
Press said they didn�t know anything about the Islamic State
group when they enlisted.
Rayden Simeona, a 21-year-old corporal in the Marines,
enlisted in 2014, when all he knew about the U.S. military
was from movies and video games.
�I felt like I wasn�t going anywhere with my life, I had no
idea what IS was. I just knew I wanted to go to war,� he
said. Once deployed, he said talk rarely broached the big
questions of �What we are doing here?� or �Why?�
�But I do wonder all the time: Why are we spending all this
money in Iraq?� he said. �There�s probably some greater plan
or reason that someone much higher up than me knows.�
IS THE JUICE WORTH THE SQUEEZE?
Along Iraq�s border with Syria, the two Iraqi forces charged
with holding a key stretch of territory lack direct
communication. Because one force falls under the Defense
Ministry and the other under the Interior Ministry, their
radios are incompatible.
Instead, the troops use Nokia cellphones in a part of the
country where network coverage is spotty to nonexistent.
At the nearby coalition outpost near Qaim, U.S. Army Lt.
Col. Brandon Payne spends much of his time filling
communications gaps by relaying messages between different
branches of Iraq�s military.
�The coordination is not where we hoped it would be,� Payne
said. �But they do talk to each other, and we see that as a
sign of progress.�
Tactical shortcomings within Iraq�s military are partially
what fueled the expansion of the coalition�s footprint in
Iraq in the past three years. As Iraqi ground forces
demonstrated an inability to communicate and coordinate
attacks across multiple fronts, U.S. forces moved closer to
the fighting and sped up the pace of territorial gains.
Despite the caliphate�s collapse, those weaknesses have
persisted. Iraqi forces remain dependent on coalition
intelligence, reconnaissance, artillery fire and airstrikes
to hold territory and fight IS insurgent cells.
Payne regularly shuttles between his base, Qaim and the
Syrian border, meeting with different members of Iraqi
forces to coordinate security and repel IS attacks from the
Syrian side.
�I would say we are still needed,� Payne said. �We are
getting great results with this model, but you see how much
goes into it.�
The base, once a small, dusty outpost, now houses a few
hundred coalition troops and is a maze of barracks, gyms, a
dining facility, laundry services and a chapel.
�At some point, someone much higher up than me is going to
decide the juice is just not worth the squeeze,� Payne said,
referring to the cost of such a large outpost in a remote
corner of the country.
ROTTEN LEADERSHIP
Iraqi army Lt. Col. Akram Salah Hadi, who works closely with
Payne�s soldiers at the Qaim outpost, said coalition
training and intelligence sharing have improved the
performance of his unit. But overall, the U.S. effort in
Iraq gives him little hope for the future.
Corruption in the military, Hadi said, remains as bad as it
was in 2014, when it was seen as a major reason why entire
Iraqi divisions simply dissolved in the assault on Mosul by
a few hundred IS fighters.
Young Iraqi soldiers with ambition and talent can�t rise
through the ranks without political connections. Top ranks
are bloated with officers who have bought their promotions.
Within his division alone, Hadi said he can think of 40
officers with no military background who attained their rank
because of their membership in a political party.
�With leadership like this, the rest will always be rotten,�
he said.
Coalition programs that have trained tens of thousands of
Iraqi troops have largely focused on the infantry, not the
junior officers needed to lead units and instill a culture
of service that will make a professional force.
Folsom, the U.S. Marine colonel, said military power will
not root out corruption or heal Iraq�s longstanding
divisions.
�I have a saying out here,� he added, ��You can�t want it
more than them.��
