Rend Al-Rahim

[شبكة الإعلام العراقي @iraqmedianet]

رند الرحيم لـ #المحايد: العراق اليوم عاد الى الصدارة في السياسة الامريكية

[Rend Al-Rahim @rendrf]

@GilgameshAnkido Ouch!

[Rend Al-Rahim @rendrf]

Iran penetrates the state not only through militias. What is less visible are the mutual-interest, largely economic, ties between non- militia groups and Iran that work their way through state agencies.

[Aymenn J Al-Tamimi @ajaltamimi]

I am in Iraq & find notion of a decline in Iranian influence unsubstantiated. Outside observers can have distorted view of role pro-Iran armed groups play in people’s daily lives (wrote about that recently). But they’re embedded in the state & serve as important ally for Tehran.

[Rend Al-Rahim @rendrf]

@MUNQITHDAGHER يعيش في عالم افتراضي

[Rend Al-Rahim @rendrf]

Terrific game tonight. The real hero was Spain’s goalee. Pure genius

[Rend Al-Rahim @rendrf]

Fascinating. Plus ca change..

[Tamer Badawi تامر بدوي @Tamerbadawi1]

Iranian influence in Iraq.

[Rend Al-Rahim @rendrf]

Reposting my piece published when PM Zaidi’s visit was announced in late June. In it I discuss why the PM will face difficulties in meeting US expectations, especially extracting Iraq from Iranian influence. Bottom line: US will put Zaidi under scrutiny

https://t.co/3ON09aQivh

[Rend Al-Rahim @rendrf]

It’s near impossible to make the bigwigs pay in years. A more practical deal: confiscate their assets, make them go into voluntary and comfortable exile and ban them from ever practicing politics in Iraq. Then start w a clean slate.

[Michael Knights @Mikeknightsiraq]

Unpleasant - strict accountability will save iraq much more money in the long run.

Make the corrupt pay in years - they are far less likely to risk that than a monetary fine.

[Rend Al-Rahim @rendrf]

Another drawback to giving amnesty is that the judiciary loses the opportunity to track the networks of theft and embezzlement, and to apprehend other culprits.

[Rend Al-Rahim @rendrf]

Spot on Victoria, on both counts. This is what happened with Noor Zuhair: he returned a small portion of the embezzled funds, suffered no punishment, and went scot free, now enjoying the rest of the loot

[Rend Al-Rahim @rendrf]

Spot on Victoria, on both counts. This is what happened with Noor Zuhair: he returned a small portion of the embezzled funds, suffered no punishment, and went scot free, now enjoying the rest of the loot

[Victoria J. Taylor @VictoriaT_]

This is important to keep an eye on. While I get the desire to recoup funds, the lack of more serious punishment is problematic. For one, how could you determine the extent of theft and whether the full amount of stolen money is returned? It does not seem that this would deter corrupt activity if everyone understands they can just pay back part of the money, but suffer no real consequences.

[Rend Al-Rahim @rendrf]

I would add that, in all probability, the new-found energy of the judiciary is due to strong prompting from the US, rather than being self-driven.

[Michael Knights @Mikeknightsiraq]

100% @harith_hasan. Useful corrective.

[Rend Al-Rahim @rendrf]

@harith_hasan @BeirutCalling Agree, this is significant but hardly a game-changer. I would add that the arrest operation most likely took place with the approval and possibly assistance of the US. I find it interesting that Faiq Zaidan is out of the country

[Rend Al-Rahim @rendrf]

My piece on the future of US-Iraq relations ahead of PM Al-Zaidi’s anticipated visit to Washington. The article discusses US expectations and constraints faced by the new PM.

https://t.co/3ON09aQivh

[Rend Al-Rahim @rendrf]

My article published today. A New US-Iraq Relationship? - Middle East Institute https://t.co/3ON09aQQkP

[Arab Center Washington DC @ArabCenterDC]

Imad K. Harb commemorates the #Lebanese civil war of 1975-1990 on its 50th anniversary and briefly discusses its causes, developments, and outcomes. @harb3imad

https://t.co/050Jn2yiuK

[Rend Al-Rahim @rendrf]

The complex situation in Syria today parallels Iraq after October 2003. Same backlash against a new order, same confessional dimension to the conflict, and similar ideological clash. Terrible repetition

[Rend Al-Rahim @rendrf]

@CraigMurrayOrg He’s going to turn it into the Riviera of the E Mediterranean. With help of course from RE developers Kushner and Witcoff and maybe a few Israelis. Mar a Largo, only bigger

[Arab Center Washington DC @ArabCenterDC]

#Hezbollah is unlikely to be able to force the new Lebanese government to adopt the slogan of "army, people, resistance." https://t.co/grCJwzAQhF

[Michael Young @BeirutCalling]

What happened yesterday in Lebanon? Quite simply, #Hezbollah tried to reassert its power, but the results were decidedly mixed. However, a priority is that Nawaf Salam form a government and not allow the party to exploit the vacuum. Mine for Diwan: https://t.co/mK3XlpBpfc

[Middle East Program @WilsonCenterMEP]

[READ] Following the passing of the amendment to Iraq’s Personal Status Law 188, @rendrf’s warnings about its devastating impact on women, children, and Iraqi society as a whole are now a stark reality.

Full article ⬇️

https://t.co/DsZPX8ISrL