Railway of Resistance: A Grand Project to Connect Iran, Iraq, Syria

Mohamad Hasan Sweidan Beyond its positive economic implications, the railway project connecting Iran, Iraq, and Syria will be a geopolitical game changer by connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Persian Gulf. Sir Halford John Mackinder, one of Britain’s most prominent theorists in the field of geopolitics, discusses the significance of land connectivity between nations in…

US Criminal Activities in Asia and North Africa

Viktor Mikhin The United States has personally witnessed its disastrous foreign policy in West Asia in the twenty-first century, from the force landings to the development of its infamous “democracy” to the alleged surgical strikes. The “success” of Washington’s “destabilization” of the continent with fear and destruction over the past 20 years has come at…

Iraq Bans US Dollar Transactions in Latest Move Towards ‘De-dollarization’

The Cradle The Interior Ministry has said that violators of this ban will be subject to legal punishment, including fines and even jail time The Iraqi government issued a ban on 14 May outlawing the use of the US dollar for both personal and business transactions, coming as part of a growing ‘de-dollarization’ trend and an overall…

Iraq: Political Crisis and Solutions

Viktor Mikhin As the world watches the various elections (for instance, the upcoming elections in Turkey) and the transfer of power from one government to another, doubts and criticism of the current “Iraqi Formula” are growing. Iraq, meanwhile, continues to grapple with never-ending crises, fueling speculation both at home and abroad about the need for…

Iraqi Finance Committee Deputy Calls for Diversification Away from US Dollar

Zaher Mousa The Cradle speaks to Iraqi parliamentarian Hussain Mouanes on the various economic, financial, and political challenges facing Sudani’s government. Parliamentarian Hussain Mouanes is a member of the Finance Committee in the publicly-elected Iraqi Council of Representatives. He has been politically active through many different stages of Iraq’s recent history, including the Baathist era, the…

Iraq and Syria to Re-Open Crucial Oil Pipeline

Vanessa Beeley The Kirkuk-Baniyas pipeline revival. An end to US regional resource piracy is finally in sight with Russia and Iran alliance According to various media reports– negotiations are ongoing to revive the strategic Iraqi Kirkuk to Syrian Baniyas oil pipeline. Iraqi Trade Minister Atheer Al Ghurairy has intimated increased efforts by Iraq to develop…

‘Operations Against US Troops Will Continue’: Iraqi Resistance

The Cradle Some of Iraq’s resistance factions have vowed not to adhere to any political agreement which would put a stop to military operations against Washington The Secretary-General of the Asaib Ahl al-Haq resistance faction in Iraq, Qais Khazali, said during a speech on 6 May that the group has carried out 5,000 military operations…

‘Respecting Syrian Sovereignty Paves Way for Stability’

The Cradle The US and Turkish armies still occupy significant portions of Syria illegally, and armed groups still pose a threat to stability The spokesman for the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ahmad al-Sahhaf, said on 5 May that solidarity with the people of Syria, as well as respect for the country’s sovereignty, will pave…

Arab States Call for Withdrawal of Foreign Forces from Syria

Four key regional players have agreed that Damascus should regain control over the entire country The government in Damascus should re-establish the rule of law on all of Syria’s territory, ending the presence of foreign armed groups and terrorists, the foreign ministers of Syria, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, and Iraq said on Monday after meeting…

Shadowy Group Warns of Impending US-Supported Israeli Attack on Iran and its Allies via Iraqi Airspace

Israel is planning a surprise attack against Iran and its allies in the Middle East, a shadowy Iraqi armed group warned on April 27. The group, known as the Islamic Resistance in Iraq – ‘Ashab al-Kahf, said in a statement that the attack will be carried out by the Israeli Air Force, adding that the…

US Bolstering Presence in Iraq to Aid Israel

The Cradle Iraqi resistance group Ashab al-Kahf called on the country’s prime minister to ‘be aware’ of the growing US presence in Iraq Iraqi resistance group, Ashab al-Kahf, issued a statement on Sunday warning that the US military is beefing up its presence in Iraq with the aim of securing Israel. “American intelligence personnel is…

“Saudi Arabia Has an Interest to End All Conflicts in the Middle East”

Steven Sahiounie Interview with Elijah J. Magnier The shifting sands of the Middle East were caught up in a whirlwind last month, as the deal between Saudi Arabia and Iran in China was announced. The two rival powerhouses of the region have decided to work towards peace and prosperity for both nations. How will this…