Some Good News From Iraq.

"Iraqi MPs have approved new defence and interior ministers, completing a unity government that is battling the spread of Islamic State militants.

Mohammed Salem al-Ghabban, a Shia, was appointed interior minister, while Khaled al-Obeidi, a Sunni, was confirmed as defence minister.

IS controls large parts of the country, and has been making gains despite US-led coalition airstrikes.

On Friday, a curfew was imposed in the city of Ramadi amid fierce fighting.

The vote by Iraqi MPs will be a big relief both inside and outside Iraq after weeks of wrangling, says BBC Arab affairs editor Sebastian Usher.

A more inclusive cabinet is seen as an essential first step in countering IS fighters, particularly among Iraq's Sunni minority, our correspondent adds."  BBC

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This is truly hopeful.  The Iraqi Army is now trying to move north from Baghdad against Tikrit and the Beiji refinery.  We will learn something from ther success or failure.  West of Baghdad the government and IS are still fighting over control of Ramadi.  This is another key fight that will have a major psychological effect on the outcome of the war.  pl

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-29674440

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Curfew in Iraqi city amid fears of advance by Islamic State

Iraq MPs approve two key ministers

Comments

[FB Ali]

I agree that the news about Iraqi army operations sounds hopeful - if they succeed.

However, I doubt that the appointment of al-Obeidi will have any significant impact on Sunni attitudes. He is part of the Sunni 'establishment' that made its deal with the Shia and prospered under their rule. To ordinary Sunnis they would appear tainted.

[bth]

This is a link to an article quantifying the degraded ISIL refining capacity due to airstrikes. http://petroglobalnews.com/2014/10/u-s-airstrikes-cut-islamic-state-oil-production-by-50000-bpd/ Refined fuel must be in short supply. If ISIL has to begin importing gasoline then cash flows reverse quickly.

A few artillery shells on BIA keeps the ISIL scare up but it doesn't pay the bills. A state-let needs funds.

I'm going to take a wild guess that the next easy source of cash flow for ISIL is going to come from an attempt to seize Kurdish oil fields. But such a move would require ISIL to fix its forces and occupy a geographic area vulnerable from the air.

Alternately if one were really cynical and thought Erdogan in league with ISIL then one might see Turkey making such a move under pretext?

[turcopolier]

FB Ali

IMO the Iraqi Army and militias around Baghdad will run when and if IS gives them a hard push. IMO IS is withdrawing from Kobane voluntarily. pl

[Piotr, Poland]

Little offtopic, but not completely:

31 suicide bombers in Iraq in 45 days and 46% of them are Saudis.

https://twitter.com/zaidbenjamin/status/523512729395793920

[Haralambos]

All, at the risk of being off-topic massively on this thread but perhaps on-topic, since it relates to US policy-makers' delusions, (willful?) ignorance, and wishful thinking, I will post this brief clip related to Russia and the current situation in the Ukraine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=LexhW8SCM2c

One key to me is the "I barely got a history degree from the University of South Florida" admission as if that is an excuse for a lack of basic understanding of recent history and policy let alone any sense of history and geography as they relate to warfare. How can anyone like Rear Adm. John Kirby rise that high? I know Col. Lang has explained elements of this in the past, but I wonder if this level of ignorance and hubris are fueling current policy assessments and decisions.

But then he is just a sailor in uniform with numerous ribbons and a spokesman for Hagel, who is political appointee. I had greater hopes for Hagel, the PNAC seems to still be dominant policy.

[turcopolier]

Haralambos

IMO an active duty officer should not be press spokesman for SECDEF. This is an inherently political job. Kirby is strictly a PR guy and an obvious lightweight, probably in more ways than one. http://www.defense.gov/bios/biographydetail.aspx?biographyid=330 pl

[Haralambos]

Col.,
Thanks. I am not surprised. Correct me if I am wrong, but I thought both active-duty soldiers and officers had an obligation to avoid public party-affiliation at one time, or so my father lived and related.

[turcopolier]

Haralambos

Yes. Hagel either does not know that or this twerp doesn't make him feel uncomfortable. pl

[The Beaver]

@ Piotr

If they are suicide bombers and as such they are pushing daisies somewhere , or scattered around , then how come this owner of that tweet has got all their details ?

[Piotr, Poland]

Maybe he is one of the "accredited journalists" to IS? I don't know his sources, but found him rather reliable

[Poul]

I'm sceptical if the new minister of interior is a particular good choice.

Mohammed Salem al-Ghabban is a member of the Badr Organization and given that group's activities in killing Sunnis in Baghdad. I have a hard time seeing Sunnis not being nervous. Hadi Al-Amiri will be running things though his proxy.