Friday, May 10, 2019

Iraq snapshot

Friday, May 10, 2019.  Stolen goods on FACEBOOK, ex-prime ministers plotting to return to power and so much more.



A major bombing in Baghdad yesterday.  AFP reports, "At least eight people were killed and 15 wounded in a suicide bombing at a market in eastern Baghdad on Thursday, a security official said. It was later claimed by the Islamic State (ISIS)."  AP adds, "Hakim al-Zamily with the Sadrist political movement, which enjoys wide support in Sadr City, said lax security was to blame and that IS cells are taking advantage of slackened security measures in Baghdad."  It was a suicide bomber so that's actually nine deaths.  It's a major bombing and a major refutation of the false claim that ISIS has been defeated.  Which explains -- though it doesn't justify -- why the Iraqi government tried to lie about the bombing.  Margaret Griffis (ANTIWAR.COM) notes, "Baghdad Operations Command confirmed the bombing at first, but later claimed that the explosion was controlled and injured no one."  Hard to successfully lie about this when the governments of both Kuwait and Turkey have condemned the attack.  XINHUA notes, "The attack took place at rush time in the evening just after Iftar meal, or the break of the daylight fasting in holy month of Ramadan."

ISIS?  Is it going to be the excuse to keep US troops in Iraq?  So far, it has been.

At what point is the Iraqi government expected to defend itself from ISIS?  This is the (US-installed) government, remember, that let Mosul be occupied for 3 years.

On the topic of US troops in Iraq, ALSUMARIA reports that US Senator Marco Rubio has screwed up again.  He's stated there are 50,000 US troops on the ground in Iraq.  Are there?  Could be.  If there are, Marco wasn't supposed to tell.  If there aren't, too late, he's created an international incident.  Iraqi MP Sabah al-Taloubi is calling for the Iraqi government to clarify and states if Marco was accurate, that is a problem for Iraq.

Kata'ib Hezbollah & Asaib Ahl al-Haq are Shia militias equipped,trained & directed by ’s IRGC. If they attack our 50,000 U.S. personnel and/or our facilities in it should be considered no different than a direct attack by Iran.





Marco's statement was, "If they attack our 50,000 US personnel and\or our facilities in Iraq, it should be considered no different than a direct attack by Iran."  Now most likely Marco is including embassy staff, etc.  The 50,000 personnel is not supposed to be the number of troops.  But he wasn't clear and that falls on him.  Tensions are high in Iraq currently and a US senator making statements that are inflaming is already causing problems before you factor in that these statements are intended for Iraq and most Iraqis do not speak English.


There is a strong push for war with Iran and Marco is part of that push so maybe his 'mistake' isn't really one?

Also worth contemplating is Nouri al-Maliki's recent reaction.  Former prime minister and forever thug Nouri has always been close to Iran.  That's not a bad thing in the abstract.  Iran shares a border with Iraq.  The two countries need to get along and often do.  But note this report from NATIONAL IRAQI NEWS AGENCY:

The head of the state of law coalition, Nuri al-Maliki confirmed the importance of keeping Iraq out of any regional or international conflict and respect its sovereignty.

A statement by Maliki's office quoted him as stressing during a meeting with US Assistant Secretary of State for Near East Affairs David Satterfield, the "importance of strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries," noting that "Iraq adopts bilateral relations with the countries of the world, and meet common challenges. "

He stressed "the importance of keeping Iraq out of any regional or international conflict and the need to respect its sovereignty, and adopt the dialogue approach to resolve all crises and conflicts, and that Iraq is not a starting point to attack others."

The meeting reviewed the strategic partnership relations between Iraq and the United States and the mechanisms of enhancing joint cooperation. He also discussed the issues and challenges in the region, the efforts to reach political solutions to them, as well as the efforts to fight terrorism.

In turn, Satterfield praised the relations and joint work done during the time of Maliki's premiership, praising his great role in developing bilateral relations.




Reading the above, two things stand out.  First David Satterfield is quite the whore.  Nouri is a thug.  He should be in prison.  He steals the money of the Iraqi people, his persecution of them created the conditions for the rise of ISIS, the list of his crimes are many.  But there's David playing footsie with him.  Second, Nouri clearly wants to be prime minister again.  In fact, he wants to be it right now.

If you're not getting what's going on, you missed the limited roll out by empire functionary -- that's why he's friends with Thomas Friedman -- Robert Fisk.  Fisk isn't a reporter, he's a pretender.  He pretended to care about Iraq and then ran from it even while details were emerging about the murder of the woman he claimed was his friend.  Whatever, Robert.  A few days ago, he had a report on Hayder al-Abadi.  Who?  Exactly.  Hayder is the worthless puppet that followed Nouri.  He vowed to end corruption, he never even tackled it.  Barack Obama installed him as prime minister.

The international press told you he was wonderful -- remember, empire building takes a lot of whores.  He wasn't wonderful and that's why he lost the election that was supposed to be a sure thing according to the international press.  It's funny how the international press, time and again, fluffs for a Nouri or a Hayder -- or whomever the US installs.  You'd think they listen to the Iraqi people but they don't, do they?  Which is why they have egg on their faces over and over.

So Robert showed up to feign interest in Iraq but really to do the roll out for Hayder's attempt to return as prime minister and  it's a rah-rah piece that ignores facts such as the people of Iraq didn't want him, other politicians like movement leader and Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr didn't want him.  But if Robert Fisk had to be weighed down by facts, he'd never achieved the tiny bit of fame he has -- or rather had.  You can only milk I-spoke-to-bin-Laden for so long.  Especially when the bulk of your over-praised commentary (passed off as reporting) really offered so damn little.


Reality tends to emerge -- slowly, but it does emerge.  Even for Donald Trump who appears to have discovered that John Bolton, swinger though he may be, is no one to listen to.


Trump lost confidence Bolton who suggested it was going to be an easy task to overturn revolutionary process in Venezuela & return the nation back to the oligarchy. But just look at the freaks outside embassy in D.C. & you can see why the people have resisted that element.





Jacob G. Hornberger (INFORMATION CLEARING HOUSE) offers:

Pity President Donald “America First” Trump, Secretary of State (and former CIA Director) Mike Pompeo, National-Security Advisor (and Cold War fanatic) John Bolton, and Special U.S. Representative to Venezuela (and Cold War fanatic) Eliott Abrams. Knowing that the American people have grown weary with their forever wars in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Libya, and Yemen, these four interventionists can’t decide whether to initiate a new war against Venezuela or against Iran or against both. They just know that they want a new war, an exciting war, a winnable war against a poor Third World country, a war that will cause Americans to forget about the ongoing fiascoes in the Middle East and Afghanistan and that will hopefully restore America to greatness through “mission-accomplished” conquest, bombing, death, destruction, and regime-change. One can easily imagine the arguments that must be taking place in the White House: “Iran! They ousted our Shah from power!” “No, Venezuela! It’s part of the worldwide communist conspiracy to take over America!”
Ideally from their standpoint, the choice will be made easier for them if either Iran or Venezuela strikes first. After all, let’s not forget that the Constitution, which is supposedly the law of the land, requires a congressional declaration of war before the president and his army can wage war. Moreover, after World War II, the Nuremberg War Crimes declared it to be a war crime for one nation to initiate an attack on another nation.

Not that any president concerns himself with the Constitution and with Nuremberg principles. Trump knows that he can violate that section of the Constitution with impunity. He knows that while Congress might impeach him for “collusion” with the Russians or with the nebulous crime of “obstructing justice,” there is no possibility that Congress will impeach him for intentionally violating the declaration-of-war restriction in the Constitution. He also knows that there is no possibility that the U.S. Supreme Court, whose responsibility is to enforce the Constitution, will be anything but passive and deferential to any war initiated by the president.


In other news, the war that has destroyed Iraq has been wonderful for those who want to steal antiquities and who want to profit from stolen goods.




Along with AL-MONITOR's video report above, there's the reality that FACEBOOK is a tool for stolen goods as well.




Researchers say looted antiquities from Iraq, Syria and elsewhere in the Middle East are being offered for sale on Facebook





James Gant (DAILY MAIL) reports:


Ancient treasures 'looted by ISIS' are being 'offered for sale on Facebook', researchers have claimed.
Professor Amr Al-Azm, who teaches Middle East history and anthropology at Shawnee State University in Ohio, said there are at least 90 Facebook groups and tens of thousands of members linked to the illegal trade.
ISIS stole from historical sites as its so-called caliphate spread across the Middle East, with it also granting other raiders access for a 20 per cent tax.


Iraq is beset with problems and they're stuck with one ineffectual prime minister after another.  Moqtada al-Sadr offers more reality than all the ex-prime ministers combined.


Sheikh Sabah Al-Saadi delivered a copy of Sayed Muqtada al-Sadr’s statement containing his concern about rising regional tensions, his vision of a regional role for in resolving disputes and proposals to end the armed conflicts and crises.


Sheikh Sabah Al-Saadi delivered a copy of Sayed Muqtada al-Sadr’s statement containing his concern about rising regional tensions, his vision of a regional role for in resolving disputes and proposals to end the armed conflicts and crises.



Tensions are rising.  That's why Nouri and Hayder think they can jump back in as prime minister.  Adel Abdul-Mahdi is yet another ineffectual prime minister.  Seven months after becoming prime minister, he still doesn't have a full Cabinet.  More importantly, he still doesn't have a Minister of Defense or a Minister of the Interior.  He can't govern.  He's a failure and the smell of failure has Nouri and Hayder circling, desperate to be back in control.

In the US, the presidential election will take place in 2020.  There are six women seeking the Democratic Party's presidential nomination.  Some are raising serious issues.



  1. It is critical that we understand the importance of engaging with other nuclear powers with respect and in a spirit of cooperation rather than conflict. As president I will work to end the cold war and decrease tensions that are bringing us closer to nuclear catastrophe.
  2. I will put service above self, bringing the spirit of servant leadership back to Washington, to ensure our government is truly of, by and for the people. Join me in taking a stand against the powerful forces of greed and corruption.
  3. On MSNBC: “I’m a soldier. I’ve served over 16 years in the Army National Guard. I know first-hand the cost of war, and that is why I’m running for president.”
  4. Let’s show our appreciation to teachers as they choose to put service above self, as they teach & care for our kids. We need to pay them more & give them the tools they need to do their job. We thank them today & EVERY DAY for their service & sacrifice
  5. 18 years, thousands of dead, trillions of dollars. We’re right back where we started. Our leaders have failed us. It’s time our troops in Afghanistan came home.
  6. Happy National Nurses Day! Nurses live a life of service, caring for others, that is so vitally needed in our world today. Please RT to show our deepest aloha, respect and appreciation for their skill and sacrifice
  7. We need to take the trillions being spent on regime change wars, the new Cold War & arms race, & reinvest those dollars in the needs of our communities--quality healthcare for all, protecting the environment, improving education, rebuilding our crumbling infrastructure, & more.





  • We should not let issues around Mueller report, impeachment or the economy distract our attention from the dangerous saber rattling coming out of the Trump administration toward Iran and Venezuela. I will make a major statement shortly.
  • We got to the 65,000!!!!
  • My 2d Detroit Town Hall – Monday, 5/13 … bring your questions/concerns. Moderated by Rep Leslie Love (D-10). Detroit Unity Temple, 17505 2nd Blvd. 7PM.
  • You bet.
  • I strongly oppose the nomination of Patrick Shanahan. A 30yr executive at Boeing aircraft is not who should be heading the Department of Defense; someone whose background lies in corporate defense contracting is exactly who should not be running the show.
  • My Town Hall on Criminal Justice Reform and Policing in Black, Brown and Marginalized Communities. With former Detroit Chief of Police Ralph Godbee. Saturday May 11, 10am
  • We need to rise up.
    0:54
    10.2K views
  • Thanks so much for the interview !
  • This says it all: “I heard a gunshot,” said Makai Dixon, 8, a second grader who had been training for this moment, with active shooter drills and lockdowns, since he was in kindergarten. “I’d never heard it before.” Not one American should find this acceptable. Not one of us.
  • There are things America needs to atone for, such as a streak of violence which has been part of our national character from our earliest days. Our unwillingness to look deeply at this keeps us from becoming what we are capable of becoming. Today let's atone & ask for forgiveness
  • Another school shooting in Denver. Once again our NRA-owned senators & congressmen will offer thoughts & prayers & yet do nothing. I pray for the victims & for those who love them. And I pray for forgiveness for a country that puts gun sales before the safety of our own children.



  • Valuing working Americans means supporting the unions that make our communities strong. It was a pleasure meeting with leaders from while I was in Nevada this week, and I'm looking forward to many more conversations on how we can keep fighting for working families.
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  • This isn’t a game, or a hypothetical threat. It’s why I’m drawing a line in the sand on our judiciary—our next president has to.
  • Insurance companies denied coverage to Karl and Wendy when they needed it most. Their story proves that when we let private insurance companies call the shots, the results are inhumane. We must expand access through Medicare For All—not make devastating cuts to coverage.
  • No one should ever have to make the impossible choice between a paycheck and caring for a loved one. SB 1 would have brought thousands of New Hampshire families paid leave—what every family deserves. Governor Sununu's veto is a disgrace.
  • Reproductive rights are civil rights, and the next president needs to fight for them. Help guarantee my spot in the debates so this issue is put center stage—where it belongs:
  •   Retweeted
    History was made when and I sat down together to discuss issues relating to lgbtq people! Thanks
  • Women should be trusted to make their own medical decisions, including abortion, without interference from politicians. Full stop.
  • I’m in, .
  • What's happening in Georgia, Alabama, and state legislatures across the country is nothing less than a coordinated assault on women's reproductive rights, and we can't afford not to take the threat seriously. Women's lives are on the line.
  • Can't wait to be back in New Hampshire this weekend! Check out our events and RSVP at . Hope you can join us!
  • Riley Howell at UNC-Charlotte last week, Kendrick Castillo at STEM School Highlands Ranch this week. Neither should have had to be a hero. They should still be here. This has to stop.



  • The following sites updated: