Politics
After the Sadrists stormed the Green Zone and declared a sit-in, the chances of Iran's proxies forming the Iraqi government have diminished
With the Sadrists resorting to street protests and storming parliament for the second time in days, tensions between the two rival factions have intensified
With the Sadrists resorting to street action and storming parliament for the second time in a matter of days, tensions between the two poles of competition (the Sadrist movement and the coordinating framework) have increased.
In a clear indication of the Sadrist movement’s determination and seemingly irreversible decision to prevent the Coordination Framework from forming the government, the movement’s supporters escalated their media rhetoric in conjunction with practical steps reflected in today’s (Saturday’s) demonstrations.
Most data on the developments indicates that the Sadrist movement will prevent any attempt by the Coordination Framework forces to organize a session to elect the President of the Republic, which is a constitutional requirement to proceed towards forming the new government by the Framework’s candidate, Muhammad Shia’ al-Sudani, or anyone else.
According to sources close to the Sadr movement, the movement's leadership will not allow the formation of any government, regardless of the names presented by the coordinating framework, whether it be the announced candidate for the next government, Shia al-Sudani, or anyone else, unless the mistakes that occurred are corrected.
Among the corrective steps demanded by the Sadrists is the cessation of the political use of the Iraqi judiciary after decisions that hindered the formation of a national majority government by the Sadrist bloc, which won the most votes in the last election. Therefore, supporters of the Sadrist movement will continue their open sit-in inside the parliament until justice is restored to its rightful owners, according to statements by a leader in the Sadrist movement, in reference to the injustice that has befallen the movement.
It is likely that the Iraqi judiciary will resort to taking "corrective" decisions that may bring the resigned Sadrist MPs back to their seats.
But the demands of the Sadrist movement will not stop at this point. Rather, among the slogans they raised was the freezing of the work of the constitution, which requires the votes of two-thirds of the members of parliament to pass the election of the president of the republic, in contrast to giving the confidence of the members to the prime minister with the votes of half plus one.
Such a decision would enable the Sadrist movement to easily form its government in coordination with its Sunni (Sovereignty Alliance) and Kurdish (Kurdistan Democratic Party) allies.
In a statement issued today by the Coordination Framework Forces, they called on those they called “the masses of the Iraqi people who believe in the law, the constitution, and constitutional legitimacy” to demonstrate peacefully in defense of the state, its legitimacy, and its institutions, forgetting that they were the first to impose a siege around the Green Zone and tried to storm it in protest against their loss in the parliamentary elections that took place in October of last year.
The call for a coordinating framework does not seem to have any value, and it will not receive a response from the masses, as it lacks a popular base qualified to organize large demonstrations capable of imposing its demands on the responsible authorities in the Iraqi state.
The support of the leaders of the coordinating framework in Baghdad is limited to members of the Popular Mobilization Forces and militias allied with Iran. These do not constitute a numerical weight that qualifies them to match the broad popular base of the Sadr movement, in addition to their lack of a central leadership capable of mobilizing its audience, as is the case with the leaders of the Sadr movement.
In contrast, the framework could invite large numbers from other provinces, which could have serious repercussions on the security situation in the western and northwestern provinces of Iraq, where the militias and Popular Mobilization Forces factions that control the security situation will be obligated to withdraw the majority of their members to Baghdad, which could give ISIS an opportunity to regain control over areas of those provinces.
But what may be the most dangerous aspect of the repercussions of what is happening is the convergence of the interests of the coordination framework with the interests of the ISIS organization, and the implicit agreement to transfer the conflict to the western and northwestern provinces of Iraq to send a message to the Sadrist movement and the active forces that the danger of ISIS has returned again, and is now at the door, and that any clash between the Shiite forces means opening the doors for ISIS to regain control over Iraqi cities again.
Politics
An armed man in military uniform was arrested near the Capitol before the State of the Union address
Capitol Police arrested a young man armed with a rifle and military gear who attempted to approach the Capitol building, a week before President Trump's State of the Union address. Details of the incident are available here.
In a security incident that triggered a state of alert in the US capital, Washington, the Capitol Police announced the thwarting of a possible attempt to threaten security near the Congress building, where security personnel were able to arrest an armed young man who was carrying a rifle and military equipment, at a very sensitive time in the American political arena.
In details of the incident revealed by Capitol Police Chief Michael Sullivan, authorities arrested an 18-year-old man after he suddenly ran toward the Capitol building carrying a loaded rifle. Sullivan explained that the suspect arrived at the scene in a white Mercedes, which he parked near the Capitol complex before getting out and rushing toward the building. Fortunately, the incident resulted in no injuries, as the young man immediately complied with police orders to drop the weapon and surrender.
Initial investigations revealed disturbing details regarding the suspect's equipment; he was wearing a military jacket and gloves at the time of his arrest. A search of his vehicle uncovered additional gear, including a helmet and a gas mask, suggesting a possible premeditated plan or intent to escalate the situation. The ongoing investigation will determine the true motives behind this act.
This incident is particularly significant given its timing, coming just one week before President Donald Trump is scheduled to deliver his annual State of the Union address to Congress. This address is one of the most important political events in the United States, bringing together members of the House of Representatives and the Senate, Supreme Court justices, and other high-ranking officials, which typically places the area around the Capitol under heightened security measures and exceptional protection protocols to ensure the safety of the nation's leaders.
This incident underscores the ongoing security challenges faced by law enforcement agencies in Washington, D.C., particularly around key federal buildings. For years, the Capitol Police have intensified their presence and defensive strategies to counter individual and organized threats, ensuring that security breaches that could jeopardize American democracy or the safety of lawmakers are not repeated. The swift response of security personnel in this incident highlights their high level of preparedness to address sudden threats.
Politics
The Crown Prince receives a message from the President of Kazakhstan to enhance bilateral cooperation
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received a written message from the President of Kazakhstan concerning bilateral relations, which was received by Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan in Riyadh.
His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, received an important written message from His Excellency President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The message focused on ways to strengthen and develop the close bilateral relations between the two brotherly countries and to propel them towards broader horizons in various fields.
His Highness Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, Minister of Foreign Affairs, received the message during his official meeting today at the Ministry's headquarters in Riyadh with His Excellency Yermek Kosherbayev, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan. During the meeting, they reviewed aspects of joint cooperation and ways to enhance them in a manner that serves the interests of both countries and their friendly peoples.
The depth of Saudi-Kazakh relations
This message comes amidst the active diplomatic efforts underway in relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Kazakhstan, two countries bound by deep-rooted historical ties based on shared values and mutual respect. These relations are gaining increasing importance in light of global geopolitical and economic shifts, as Kazakhstan is the largest country in Central Asia and a key strategic partner for the Kingdom in this vital region.
Prospects for economic and investment cooperation
Economically, the two countries possess tremendous potential for cooperation, particularly in the energy sector. Both Saudi Arabia and Kazakhstan are major global oil producers and active members of the OPEC+ alliance, which strengthens their joint coordination to ensure the stability of global energy markets. Furthermore, Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 opens up vast opportunities for mutual investments in mining, infrastructure, food security, and renewable energy, aligning with Kazakhstan's development goals.
The importance of political coordination
On the political front, the exchange of messages between the two leaderships reflects a mutual commitment to continued consultation and coordination on regional and international issues of common interest. The Kingdom plays a pivotal role in promoting stability in the Middle East, while Kazakhstan serves as a vital bridge between Asia and Europe, making the strengthening of their partnership a cornerstone of security and stability in both regions.
The reception was attended on the Saudi side by the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Political Affairs, Dr. Saud Al-Sati, and the Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to the Republic of Kazakhstan, Faisal Al-Qahtani, reflecting the high-level diplomatic interest in the outcomes of this meeting and the future steps that will result from it to strengthen the strategic partnership.
Politics
New Mexico investigation into Epstein's ranch: details of the historic decision
New Mexico opens a formal investigation into Jeffrey Epstein's Zorro Ranch. Learn about the legislative committee's efforts to uncover human trafficking networks.
In a decisive legal and legislative move, lawmakers in the US state of New Mexico passed new legislation aimed at launching a comprehensive and extensive investigation into the events that transpired behind the walls of Zorro Ranch, the sprawling estate associated with the late disgraced sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. This step comes in response to growing demands from human rights groups and the public for transparency regarding the network Epstein operated in secrecy.
Bipartisan fact-finding committee
Under the new legislation, a special bipartisan commission will be formed in the state legislature. This commission will have broad powers to gather evidence, subpoena witnesses, and, most importantly, provide a secure platform for survivors to testify about the egregious abuse they suffered at the ranch. The ranch is located in a remote area about 48 kilometers south of Santa Fe, which for many years kept it largely out of scrutiny.
"Zorro Ranch": The Mysterious Castle
This ranch holds particular significance in the context of federal and local investigations, as it spans thousands of acres and includes a sprawling mansion and a private airstrip. The property has long been suspected of being a major hub for the human trafficking operations with which Epstein was accused. This move is the first of its kind at the state level to directly target activities that took place on the property, aiming to determine whether local individuals or others facilitated or covered up these crimes.
A complex historical and legal context
This investigation comes at a time when the Jeffrey Epstein case continues to generate widespread international controversy, particularly following his death in his Manhattan jail cell in 2019, officially ruled a suicide. This effectively prevented a trial that would have revealed many secrets. However, the recent release of court documents related to Virginia Giuffre's lawsuit against Epstein's associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, has brought the case back into sharp focus, revealing a vast network of connections involving politicians, financiers, and celebrities.
The importance of the investigation and its expected impact
Observers believe the New Mexico investigation holds immense symbolic and legal significance. It not only seeks to hold accountable potential perpetrators who may have escaped federal scrutiny, but also aims to close the legal loopholes that allowed these abuses to continue for years. Furthermore, the investigation sends a powerful message of support to the victims, affirming that justice does not expire and that the death of the main suspect does not mean the case is closed as long as there are survivors demanding their rights.
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