In light of the recent conflicts in the area, the oil and gas industry in Iraq has suffered many transformations and it is clear that many of them have influenced the security of the country. Lately, the United States are said to have contributed with advice on security matters and oil infrastructure, mainly because there have been several attacks on pipelines. Baghdad authorities are making efforts to stabilize the economy, but the situation remains tense and there are still few optimistic prospects. The US Energy and State Department has announced a collaboration with Iraqi authorities, with a view to offer protection from frequent attacks in the area. It is a notable event, not only at a local scale, but also on a global one. Oil and gas companies all over the world have already picked up the news and are interested in finding out how this will affect their activity.
The official involved in this collaboration is deputy prime minister Hussein al-Shahristani, who has announced that foreign troops will help acquire oil equipment. Moreover, he said that these troops will protect pipelines in the north, which have reportedly been under terrorist attacks and oil installation in the area was delayed for this reason. After a period of growth, export levels diminished last year, the official cause for this being unfavorable weather conditions and improper maintenance. There have even been reports of bombing in the northern region and pomping was stopped. The aim of the agreement between Iraq and the USA is to protect these pipelines from similar attacks and also to ensure that they benefit from proper maintenance and safety of transport. In his speech, Hussein al-Shahristani stated that foreign troops will not be involved in the development of security plans.
Iraqi authorities have also announced earlier this year that they will take measures against the Kurd and Turk companies who have taken oil out of the country without the Iraq's authorization. The situation is definitely tense in the area, and the oil and gas industry will probably suffer even more changes in 2014. So far, this information is not readily available everywhere and those who want to stay up to date with everything that is happening will need more than the local daily news report. Fortunately, there are several online portals that offer daily information about the state of events in the oil industry, not only in key regions such as Iraq, but also around the world.
The situation is prone to social and political bias, which is why it is important to read the news from an objective news website. While not all sources might present inaccurate information, many will choose to omit some sides of the story, so you should keep that in mind when choosing your news portal. The conflict between the Kurds and the Iraqi officials is definitely one of the highlights in the Middle East and those who are interested in these events should definitely read daily updates. There are many sources of information online and apart from traditional news websites you can also find several blogs and specialized portals. Groshan Fabiola
Showing posts with label Mideast. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mideast. Show all posts
Monday, May 05, 2014
Friday, August 29, 2008
Democracy Is Alive And Well In Northern Iraq
There is a saying among the Kurds: "No friends but the mountains." The reason for this seems to be due to their past misfortunes brought on by ruler after ruler through the years. Even as recently as Saddam's regime, this pattern continued. Yet, instead of being bitter, they are leaders in changing their country for the better. They believe in a Democratic form of government much like we Americans cherish. Today there is opportunity in the Kurdish section of Iraq. They have preserved their culture, language and way of life. Saddam did great harm to the Kurds but he didn't kill their spirit. He hurt them but thankfully they survived. I was fortunate to have lived amongst them for over a year recently. In this wonderful place, known as Kurdistan, the natives live a happy liberated life now. They are building up their area and providing a better life for their citizens.
Tracing their history, a visit to the land of the Kurds is a trip through Biblical history. The prophets: Nahum, Jonah, Habakkuk, and Daniel are all buried within the vast borders of this land. I was fortunate to have visited the burial grounds of Noah, the Lost Village and waterfalls while living there for over a year recently. After centuries, the people fell to the forces of Alexander, and later became traders along the Silk Road. The Mongols would make them prisoners, the Ottomans who would then make them princes. At the end of WW I, the Kurdish people were finally promised independence. Instead, Kurdistan was parceled out among Turkey, Syria, Iran and Iraq. They are neither Arabs, nor Turks, and certainly not Persians. They are majority Sunni Muslims, but are a different nation indeed. Kurds are a different ethnic group because of that background and because of the suffering they have seen.
They have a completely different outlook. They are accustomed to living with people of many different religions and cultures. As in the days of old, you will find in the hearts of the people, ethnic and religious tolerance. They are a beacon of hope for oppressed people in the Mideast. They are not unkind to others like in other parts of Iraq and other neighboring countries. In Kurdistan, you see churches beside mosques. There are Christians, Armenians, Yezidies, Muslims, and Jews. They are all welcomed as neighbors and friends. They have been living together for ages and this shows how understanding the Kurdish people are.
They don't disrespect people with different religious views or different customs. They treat others the way they expect to be treated. If I had the say, I'd let them rule the rest of the country and I know they would ensure peace and justice for all. Knowing how to create a robust economy is just another aspect that would help improve the livelihood of the new nation. They would instill good will to all the people of Iraq, the way God intended.
John Sprague is an American currently working in the mideast. He enjoys writing and working on his websites in his free time. He has a new site at http://marketingkindreds.com. His website has photos of the mideast and marketing articles that you may be interested in viewing.
Tracing their history, a visit to the land of the Kurds is a trip through Biblical history. The prophets: Nahum, Jonah, Habakkuk, and Daniel are all buried within the vast borders of this land. I was fortunate to have visited the burial grounds of Noah, the Lost Village and waterfalls while living there for over a year recently. After centuries, the people fell to the forces of Alexander, and later became traders along the Silk Road. The Mongols would make them prisoners, the Ottomans who would then make them princes. At the end of WW I, the Kurdish people were finally promised independence. Instead, Kurdistan was parceled out among Turkey, Syria, Iran and Iraq. They are neither Arabs, nor Turks, and certainly not Persians. They are majority Sunni Muslims, but are a different nation indeed. Kurds are a different ethnic group because of that background and because of the suffering they have seen.
They have a completely different outlook. They are accustomed to living with people of many different religions and cultures. As in the days of old, you will find in the hearts of the people, ethnic and religious tolerance. They are a beacon of hope for oppressed people in the Mideast. They are not unkind to others like in other parts of Iraq and other neighboring countries. In Kurdistan, you see churches beside mosques. There are Christians, Armenians, Yezidies, Muslims, and Jews. They are all welcomed as neighbors and friends. They have been living together for ages and this shows how understanding the Kurdish people are.
They don't disrespect people with different religious views or different customs. They treat others the way they expect to be treated. If I had the say, I'd let them rule the rest of the country and I know they would ensure peace and justice for all. Knowing how to create a robust economy is just another aspect that would help improve the livelihood of the new nation. They would instill good will to all the people of Iraq, the way God intended.
John Sprague is an American currently working in the mideast. He enjoys writing and working on his websites in his free time. He has a new site at http://marketingkindreds.com. His website has photos of the mideast and marketing articles that you may be interested in viewing.
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