Nine months after holding elections and three months after government formation, Iraq remains without ministers of defence, interior, education and justice. Vacancies in the ministries responsible for security and justice raise concerns about the stability of a country that has emerged from a bitter battle against ISIS and internal armed conflict. The absence of a strong minister of education is an indicator of how much the educational sector in Iraq has regressed. The vacuum at these four ministries casts a shadow over Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi's efforts to lead. Even more importantly, keeping the ministries of defence and interior without clear leadership weakens any efforts to limit the role and influence of militias and armed groups.
The lack of appointments is due to political infighting and deal-making at the cost of having the best candidate for the job. At the heart of the disagreement is the insistence of the Al Binaa bloc, led by former prime minister Nouri Al Maliki, on the appointment of Falih Al Fayyadh to the position of Minister of Interior. This is the same Falih Al Fayyadh who was the official head of the Popular Mobilisation Forces, or Hashd Al Shaabi, in the previous government. Mr Al Fayyadh's appointment would mean a further step in solidifying the presence and influence of militias, mainly backed by Iran, in Iraq's security apparatus.
While Al Binaa is insisting on Mr Al Fayyadh, the names floated for minister of defence have largely been ill-equipped to lead the ministry. Under the disastrous sectarian carving up of positions within Iraq, the ministry is meant to be led by a Sunni, yet the politicians being suggested have no political backing, let alone military standing. This is not for the lack of competent candidates. Figures such as Khalid Al Obeidi, who got more than 80,000 votes in the last elections, making him the second most popular figure, and the leader of the elite Golden Brigade, Abdel Wahab Al Saadi, who was instrumental in defeating ISIS and is hugely popular, are not even in the running. Competence and popularity in the security sector often work against candidates in Iraqi politics, as they can undercut armed groups in the shadow security apparatus.
The lack of agreement on the most suitable candidates for the ministries mentioned stems from the dysfunctional political system: infighting in elections is brought into loose coalition governments. This remains the Achilles heel of Iraqi politics – cabinets are formed by competing parties who do not have a sure political platform or strategic vision for the country. Members of the same government have a vested interest in undermining it. Without serious reform of the political system and a strict system of checks and balances, this vicious circle will continue.
One further destabilising issue that has yet to be resolved is that of the future of the Kurdistan region and its armed forces, the Peshmerga. On Sunday, British Defence Senior Adviser Lt Gen Sir John Lorimer was in the Kurdistan region attending a military parade for the Kurdish armed forces, with a renewed pledge from the UK to keep supporting them. However, co-ordination between the Peshmerga and Iraqi forces has lagged behind and could be a source of confrontation without continued political efforts.
Yet, not all is bad. Security has improved in Baghdad and many of Iraq's cities. According to the UN, 32 Iraqi civilians died as a result of conflict or terrorism in December 2018. That used to be a daily figure not too long ago. Major suicide bombings that would kill up to 200 people a day at the height of Iraq's sectarian war are thankfully a much rarer occurrence. However, it is a thin veneer of stability. Organised crime, targeted killings and death threats continue to plague the country. Just last week, a well-regarded journalist for Al Hurra Iraq, Samer Ali Hussein, was killed after repeated death threats. This followed the killing of Emad Jabar, owner of the popular Laymounah restaurant, which has also been blamed on militias with a parliamentary presence.
Iraq is wrestling with internal political divisions against a backdrop of heightened US-Iran tensions. After US President Donald Trump’s visit to Iraq, where he did not meet a single Iraqi leader, Iran has been playing up divisions between Baghdad and Washington. Mr Trump’s visit to Al Asad Air Base without any Iraqi consultations has complicated matters for the government. Mr Al Maliki’s bloc has now demanded that Mr Abdel Mahdi address questions from parliament on the number of American troops in the country and how long they will remain there.
In an attempt to improve relations, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made a surprise visit to Baghdad, where he met with Iraq's president, prime minister and speaker of parliament. Yet assurances of continued engagement are not enough, as American interest in maintaining Iraqi stability is questioned. Days after Mr Pompeo's visit to Baghdad, Iran's foreign minister Javad Zarif was in the Iraqi capital, with a political and economic delegation. Tehran is keen to maintain economic leverage in Iraq as American and international sanctions bite. Last November, Iraq was among a handful of countries given a 45-day waiver from the sanctions. Speaking in Abu Dhabi, US Special Representative for Iran and Senior Policy Advisor to the Secretary of State Brian Hook said the US will not be issuing further waivers, which can further complicate matters for Baghdad, especially as Tehran expects its neighbour to take its side. Without an independent minister of interior, and internal disagreements escalating, Iraq will find it even more difficult to stand up to an antagonised Iran.
Europe’s rearming plan
- Suspend strict budget rules to allow member countries to step up defence spending
- Create new "instrument" providing €150 billion of loans to member countries for defence investment
- Use the existing EU budget to direct more funds towards defence-related investment
- Engage the bloc's European Investment Bank to drop limits on lending to defence firms
- Create a savings and investments union to help companies access capital
The%20specs
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Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
ALRAWABI%20SCHOOL%20FOR%20GIRLS
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Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street
The seven points are:
Shakhbout bin Sultan Street
Dhafeer Street
Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)
Salama bint Butti Street
Al Dhafra Street
Rabdan Street
Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)
If you go...
Flying
There is no simple way to get to Punta Arenas from the UAE, with flights from Dubai and Abu Dhabi requiring at least two connections to reach this part of Patagonia. Flights start from about Dh6,250.
Touring
Chile Nativo offers the amended Los Dientes trek with expert guides and porters who are met in Puerto Williams on Isla Navarino. The trip starts and ends in Punta Arenas and lasts for six days in total. Prices start from Dh8,795.
DUBAI CARNIVAL RESULTS
6.30pm Handicap US$135,000 (Turf) 2,410m
Winner Dubai Future, Harry Bentley (jockey), Saeed bin Suroor (trainer).
7.05pm UAE 1000 Guineas Listed $250,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
Winner Dubai Love, Patrick Cosgrave, Saeed bin Suroor.
7.40pm Dubai Dash Listed $175,000 (T) 1,000m
Winner: Equilateral, James Doyle, Charles Hills.
8.15pm Al Bastakiya Trial Conditions $100,000 (D) 1.900m
Winner Laser Show, Kevin Stott, Saeed bin Suroor.
8.50pm Al Fahidi Fort Group Two $250,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner Glorious Journey, James Doyle, Charlie Appleby.
9.25pm Handicap $135,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner George Villiers, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
HIJRA
Starring: Lamar Faden, Khairiah Nathmy, Nawaf Al-Dhufairy
Director: Shahad Ameen
Rating: 3/5
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20M3%20MACBOOK%20AIR%20(13%22)
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
The specs
Price, base: Dh228,000 / Dh232,000 (est)
Engine: 5.7-litre Hemi V8
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 395hp @ 5,600rpm
Torque: 552Nm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.5L / 100km
The years Ramadan fell in May
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
The specs
Price, base / as tested Dh135,000
Engine 1.6L turbo
Gearbox Six speed automatic with manual and sports mode
Power 165hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque 240Nm @ 1,400rpm 0-100kph: 9.2 seconds
Top speed 420 kph (governed)
Fuel economy, combined 35.2L / 100km (est)
Abu Dhabi GP schedule
Friday: First practice - 1pm; Second practice - 5pm
Saturday: Final practice - 2pm; Qualifying - 5pm
Sunday: Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (55 laps) - 5.10pm
Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
Three ways to boost your credit score
Marwan Lutfi says the core fundamentals that drive better payment behaviour and can improve your credit score are:
1. Make sure you make your payments on time;
2. Limit the number of products you borrow on: the more loans and credit cards you have, the more it will affect your credit score;
3. Don't max out all your debts: how much you maximise those credit facilities will have an impact. If you have five credit cards and utilise 90 per cent of that credit, it will negatively affect your score.
FIXTURES
Saturday, November 3
Japan v New Zealand
Wales v Scotland
England v South Africa
Ireland v Italy
Saturday, November 10
Italy v Georgia
Scotland v Fiji
England v New Zealand
Wales v Australia
Ireland v Argentina
France v South Africa
Saturday, November 17
Italy v Australia
Wales v Tonga
England v Japan
Scotland v South Africa
Ireland v New Zealand
Saturday, November 24
|Italy v New Zealand
Scotland v Argentina
England v Australia
Wales v South Africa
Ireland v United States
France v Fiji
UAE jiu-jitsu squad
Men: Hamad Nawad and Khalid Al Balushi (56kg), Omar Al Fadhli and Saeed Al Mazroui (62kg), Taleb Al Kirbi and Humaid Al Kaabi (69kg), Mohammed Al Qubaisi and Saud Al Hammadi (70kg), Khalfan Belhol and Mohammad Haitham Radhi (85kg), Faisal Al Ketbi and Zayed Al Kaabi (94kg)
Women: Wadima Al Yafei and Mahra Al Hanaei (49kg), Bashayer Al Matrooshi and Hessa Al Shamsi (62kg)
ANATOMY%20OF%20A%20FALL
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Itcan profile
Founders: Mansour Althani and Abdullah Althani
Based: Business Bay, with offices in Saudi Arabia, Egypt and India
Sector: Technology, digital marketing and e-commerce
Size: 70 employees
Revenue: On track to make Dh100 million in revenue this year since its 2015 launch
Funding: Self-funded to date
Know your camel milk:
Flavour: Similar to goat’s milk, although less pungent. Vaguely sweet with a subtle, salty aftertaste.
Texture: Smooth and creamy, with a slightly thinner consistency than cow’s milk.
Use it: In your morning coffee, to add flavour to homemade ice cream and milk-heavy desserts, smoothies, spiced camel-milk hot chocolate.
Goes well with: chocolate and caramel, saffron, cardamom and cloves. Also works well with honey and dates.
