'We know that the violence in Iraq will continue': Obama

Calgary Herald  ::  2009-07-01

Violence has spiked in Iraq as the June 30 deadline approached, with more than 250 people killed in a series of recent bombings over the past two weeks.   

Happy National Sovereignty Day, Iraq. Sorry About The Mess

The Huffington Post  ::  2009-07-01

War On Iraq was a paltry 96 pages. Will Pitt lovingly referred to it as a "beer coaster." Still, everything in that book turned out to be correct. There were no weapons of mass destruction. There were no centrifuge parts. The bio-weapons were past their expiration date. Saddam Hussein had no connection to al-Qaeda (they hated him). Oh, yeah. There was also that part about how removing the Iraqi president from power would plunge that nation into civil war and ethnic division the likes of which it had never seen. Stay tuned.   

After the U.S. leaves, will the glue stick?

Haaretz.com  ::  2009-06-30

Another problem is the bureaucratic corruption, which has a decisive impact on Iraq's ability to finance its own budget. This is especially true given that according to Washington's projections, Iraq will be able to fund itself wholly from oil revenues only in another six or seven years.   

Tim Collins: Only a leap of faith will unite Iraq

The Independent  ::  2009-06-29

Whatever happens, I believe Iraq will stand. I hope that the West is wise enough to allow some latitude to the Iraqi government to do what is needed to stabilise the difficulties of going it alone. I hope the Iraqis can take the leap of faith that is needed together – all Iraqis, Sunni, Shia, Turkomen Kurd and Christian, to be the nation we all need and pray for in the region.  

Iraq trembles as US troops pull back

The Sunday Times  ::  2009-06-29

Al-Dhari, the sheikh from the Association of Muslim Scholars, is among numerous opposition Iraqis who have condemned the withdrawal arrangements as a sham. “What is the point if the enemy leaves your house only to move next door, where he can still monitor your movements and behaves as if he continues to live with you?” al-Dhari asked.   

General: US Troops to ‘Encircle’ Iraqi Cities ne 30 Pullback Troops Won't Be Going Far

Anti War.com  ::  2009-06-29

Maj. Gen. Caslen expressed concern about the recent spike in massive bombings, and also seemed unsure if the Iraqi government could take over for the US troops inside the cities.  

New U-turn on Iraq War inquiry as Miliband says it WILL be able to blame key players

Daily Mail  ::  2009-06-26

Former foreign secretary Sir Malcolm Rifkind also attacked the 'disgraceful' lack of military experience and mocked Mr Brown for going 'into reverse' on privacy,'We have seen a retreat such that we have not seen since Napoleon's retreat from Moscow and it should be remembered that eventually led to his Waterloo,' he said.  

Maliki and His Team & Followers Trying to sale Iraq: Firms competing in Iraq's first bid round

Reuters  ::  2009-06-26

Maliki's government preparing to sale Iraq oil as they sold Iraq. Thirty-two of the world's biggest energy companies have qualified and paid to compete in Iraq's first bidding round for oil and gas contracts since the U.S.-led invasion in 2003.  

The Other War

Democracy Arsenal  ::  2009-06-26

And parts of northern Iraq continue to be beset by ethnic and sectarian violence that could engulf the rest of the country in a new wave of warfare, but there is little prospect of a political resolution being offered any time soon to settle competing claims in the disputed province of Kirkuk. . . Also languishing are statutes regarding foreign investment, the environment, elections, price fixing, political corruption, consumer protection, intellectual property rights, building codes and even the design of a new national flag.  

Kurds May Get Their Way With Sinopec

The Wall Street Journal  ::  2009-06-26

Sinopec is paying about $16 a barrel of proven and probable reserves. The average for African and Middle Eastern deals in 2008 -- a year with triple-digit crude prices -- was under $5 a barrel, according to consultants IHS Herold and Harrison Lovegrove & Co.