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L'o S S E Rvator E Romano
Price € 1,00. Back issues € 2,00 L’O S S E RVATOR E ROMANO WEEKLY EDITION IN ENGLISH Unicuique suum Non praevalebunt Fifty-third year, number 19 (2.646) Vatican City Friday, 8 May 2020 Higher Committee of Human Fraternity calls to join together on 14 May A day of prayer, fasting and works of charity The Holy Father has accepted the proposal of the Higher Commit- tee of Human Fraternity to call for a day of prayer, of fasting and works of charity on Thursday, 14 May, to be observed by all men and women “believers in God, the All-Creator”. The proposal is addressed to all religious leaders and to people around the world to implore God to help humanity overcome the coronavirus (Covid- 19) pandemic. The appeal released on Sat- urday, 2 May, reads: “Our world is facing a great danger that threatens the lives of millions of people around the world due to the growing spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic. While we reaffirm the role of medicine and scientific research in fighting this pandemic, we should not forget to seek refuge in God, the All-Creator, as we face such severe crisis. Therefore, we call on all peoples around the world to do good deeds, observe fast, pray, and make devout sup- plications to God Almighty to end this pandemic. Each one from wherever they are and ac- cording to the teachings of their religion, faith, or sect, should im- plore God to lift this pandemic off us and the entire world, to rescue us all from this adversity, to inspire scientists to find a cure that can turn back this disease, and to save the whole world from the health, economic, and human repercussions of this serious pan- demic. -
Injury and Death During the ISIS Occupation of Mosul and Its Liberation: Results from a 40- Cluster Household Survey
RESEARCH ARTICLE Injury and death during the ISIS occupation of Mosul and its liberation: Results from a 40- cluster household survey Riyadh Lafta1, Maha A. Al-Nuaimi2, Gilbert Burnham3* 1 Department of Community Medicine, Al Mustansiriya University, Baghdad, Iraq, 2 National Center for Research and Treatment of Blood Diseases, Baghdad, Iraq, 3 Department of International Health, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America a1111111111 * [email protected] a1111111111 a1111111111 a1111111111 Abstract a1111111111 Background Measurement of mortality and injury in conflict situations presents many challenges com- OPEN ACCESS pared with stable situations. However, providing information is important to assess the Citation: Lafta R, Al-Nuaimi MA, Burnham G impact of conflict on populations and to estimate humanitarian needs, both in the immediate (2018) Injury and death during the ISIS occupation and longer term. Mosul, Iraq's second largest city, was overrun by fighters of the Islamic of Mosul and its liberation: Results from a 40- State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) on June 4, 2014. In this study, we conducted household sur- cluster household survey. PLoS Med 15(5): veys to measure reported deaths, injuries, and kidnappings in Mosul, Iraq, both during the e1002567. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal. pmed.1002567 occupation of the city by fighters of ISIS and the months of Iraqi military action known as the liberation. Academic Editor: Peter Byass, Umeå Centre for Global Health Research, Umeå University, SWEDEN Methods and findings Received: November 22, 2017 Mosul was overrun by ISIS forces on June 4, 2014, and was under exclusive ISIS control for Accepted: April 13, 2018 29 months. -
Substance Use Among High School Students in Erbil City, Iraq: Prevalence and Potential Contributing Factors
Research article EMHJ – Vol. 25 No. 11 – 2019 Substance use among high school students in Erbil City, Iraq: prevalence and potential contributing factors Nazar Mahmood,1 Samir Othman,1 Namir Al-Tawil 1 and Tariq Al-Hadithi1 1Department of Community Medicine, College of Medicine, Hawler Medical University-Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (Correspondence to: Nazar A. Mahmood: [email protected]). Abstract Background: Substance use among adolescents, especially smoking and alcohol consumption, has become a public health concern in the Kurdistan Region, Iraq, in the past 10 years. Aims: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of substance use and certain associated factors among high school students in Erbil City, Kurdistan Region, Iraq. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a multistage cluster sampling technique to collect a sample of 3000 students. A modified version of the School Survey on Drug Use from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime was used for data collection. Binary logistic regression models were used to identify risk factors for substance use. Results: The lifetime prevalence rates of cigarettes smoking, waterpipe smoking and alcohol consumption were 27.6%, 23.6% and 3.7%, respectively. Male gender, age 17–19 years, smoker in the family, and easy accessibility of cigarettes were significantly associated with cigarette smoking. Factors significantly associated with waterpipe smoking were male gen- der, age 17–19 years, waterpipe smoker in the family, waterpipe smoker friend, and easy accessibility. Male gender, alco- hol dependent in the family, alcohol-dependent friend, easy accessibility of alcohol, and low family income were signifi- cant predictors of alcohol consumption. -
Freedom of Expression in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq
@ Metro Centre; Hevi Khalid (Sulaymaniyah December 2020) Freedom of Expression in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights May 2021 Baghdad, Iraq “Recent years have seen progress towards a democratic Kurdistan Region where freedom of expression and the rule of law are valued. But democratic societies need media, activists and critics to be able to report on public issues without censorship or fear, and citizens also have a right to be informed.” - UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet, 12 May 2021 “Transparency, accountability and openness to questioning is vital for any healthy democracy.” - Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Iraq, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, 12 May 2021 2 Contents I. Executive summary ...................................................................................................................................................... 4 II. Mandate ........................................................................................................................................................................ 4 III. Methodology ................................................................................................................................................................. 5 IV. Legal Framework .......................................................................................................................................................... 5 i. Applicable International -
Babylonian Populations, Servility, and Cuneiform Records
Journal of the Economic and Social History of the Orient 60 (2017) 715-787 brill.com/jesh Babylonian Populations, Servility, and Cuneiform Records Jonathan S. Tenney Cornell University [email protected] Abstract To date, servility and servile systems in Babylonia have been explored with the tradi- tional lexical approach of Assyriology. If one examines servility as an aggregate phe- nomenon, these subjects can be investigated on a much larger scale with quantitative approaches. Using servile populations as a point of departure, this paper applies both quantitative and qualitative methods to explore Babylonian population dynamics in general; especially morbidity, mortality, and ages at which Babylonians experienced important life events. As such, it can be added to the handful of publications that have sought basic demographic data in the cuneiform record, and therefore has value to those scholars who are also interested in migration and settlement. It suggests that the origins of servile systems in Babylonia can be explained with the Nieboer-Domar hy- pothesis, which proposes that large-scale systems of bondage will arise in regions with * This was written in honor, thanks, and recognition of McGuire Gibson’s efforts to impart a sense of the influence of aggregate population behavior on Mesopotamian development, notably in his 1973 article “Population Shift and the Rise of Mesopotamian Civilization”. As an Assyriology student who was searching texts for answers to similar questions, I have occasionally found myself in uncharted waters. Mac’s encouragement helped me get past my discomfort, find the data, and put words on the page. The necessity of assembling Mesopotamian “demographic” measures was something made clear to me by the M.A.S.S. -
The Politics of Security in Ninewa: Preventing an ISIS Resurgence in Northern Iraq
The Politics of Security in Ninewa: Preventing an ISIS Resurgence in Northern Iraq Julie Ahn—Maeve Campbell—Pete Knoetgen Client: Office of Iraq Affairs, U.S. Department of State Harvard Kennedy School Faculty Advisor: Meghan O’Sullivan Policy Analysis Exercise Seminar Leader: Matthew Bunn May 7, 2018 This Policy Analysis Exercise reflects the views of the authors and should not be viewed as representing the views of the US Government, nor those of Harvard University or any of its faculty. Acknowledgements We would like to express our gratitude to the many people who helped us throughout the development, research, and drafting of this report. Our field work in Iraq would not have been possible without the help of Sherzad Khidhir. His willingness to connect us with in-country stakeholders significantly contributed to the breadth of our interviews. Those interviews were made possible by our fantastic translators, Lezan, Ehsan, and Younis, who ensured that we could capture critical information and the nuance of discussions. We also greatly appreciated the willingness of U.S. State Department officials, the soldiers of Operation Inherent Resolve, and our many other interview participants to provide us with their time and insights. Thanks to their assistance, we were able to gain a better grasp of this immensely complex topic. Throughout our research, we benefitted from consultations with numerous Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) faculty, as well as with individuals from the larger Harvard community. We would especially like to thank Harvard Business School Professor Kristin Fabbe and Razzaq al-Saiedi from the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative who both provided critical support to our project. -
Q: It's September 23, 2008, and We're Talking to Lieutenant
United States Institute of Peace Association for Diplomatic Studies and Training Iraq PRT Experience Project INTERVIEW #48 Interviewed by: Marilyn Greene Initial interview date: Sept.23, 2008 Copyright 2008 USIP & ADST Executive Summary Began work late 2007 with six-member PRT for Najaf, Karbala and Diwaniyah, located at the REO, Hillah. Later, the PRT split into three separate teams. Diwaniya moved to FOB Echo. Karbala and Najaf were able to go to their provinces, which were PIC provinces. These were the first two established in independently controlled provinces. Meant they were removed from Coalition Force presence. I was with Karbala PRT, located in Husseiniyah, adjacent to an Iraqi military compound, 13 kilometers from Karbala. Used contracted security escorts, either Blackwater or Triple Canopy. Another alternative was using DOD helicopters, which was preferred because it was simpler. PRT mission: expand governance capacity and efficacy; expand economic development; help in the equitable execution of the rule of law; expand central services capacity. Thought OPA worked OK, saw it as providing general direction and coordinating efforts of different PRTs. Especially appreciated their provision of excellent BBAs, plus good Justice and Agriculture people. OPA helped develop maturity models: where we are now, where we wanted to be in six months or 12 months, and what roadmap we would use to get from here to there, and what resources we would need to get there. Looking at the broad spectrum of PRTs all over Iraq, OPA would say ‘They’re doing very good in economic reform in Najaf, but I see in Karbala they’re having a hard time getting industrial expansion going, maybe we should get them additional resources to meet their goal.’ And that’s what I saw as OPA’s function. -
UK Leaves Poorest to Balance the Budget
Friday 16th April 2021 • £2.40 • €2.70 Subscribers only pay £1.94 www.thecatholicuniverse.com UK leaves poorest to balance the budget Faith leaders united in attacking plans to slash foreign aid at time world is still reeling from Covid-19 pandemic Nick Benson They stress that “we must not walk Cardinal Vincent Nichols and the Arch- by on the other side”. bishop of Canterbury have joined Chancellor Rishi Sunak has de- forces to condemn cuts to the UK’s scribed the cut as a ‘temporary’ meas- Aid budget, saying that the move will ure to cope with the deficit caused by do “real damage” to Yemen, Syria, the Covid-19 pandemic, and that the South Sudan and other countries in 0.7 per cent target would return when crisis. finances allowed. The decision has also been attacked However, some MPs fear that the by Catholic aid agencies, who pointed reduction could be permanent. out that in the USA, President Biden “Saying the Government will only has asked Congress to increase aid do this ‘when the fiscal situation al- spending, saying it was crucial the lows’ is deeply worrying, suggesting Pope adds condolences as he world’s wealthiest nations acted to that it will act in contravention of its help the poorest as they struggled to legally binding target,” the Church come to terms with the impact of leaders said. Covid-19. “This promise, repeatedly made salutes Duke’s public service The UK government has said it even during the pandemic, has been would not meet the 0.7 per cent target broken and must be put right.” Nick Benson “commitment to the education -
Iraq Bleeds: the Remorseless Rise of Violence and Displacement by Ashraf Al-Khalidi and Victor Tanner
FMR IRAQ SPECIAL ISSUE populations. However, as the scope On a regional level, the humanitarian between sister UN agencies in of the humanitarian crisis is beyond crisis has implications in terms these countries have begun. the current response capacity of of outflow, security and access the GoI, the UN will increase its to vulnerable groups. Therefore Ambassador Ashraf Jehangir Qazi, current humanitarian activities to neighbouring countries and their a senior Pakistani diplomat and match the increasing needs where NGO communities should be engaged former ambassador to the USA, possible. To that end, the UN is and included in determinations of is the UN Secretary-General’s committed to working directly responses. Humanitarian corridors Special Representative for Iraq. with governorates, districts and between these countries need to community leaders, to ensure that be developed and preliminary The web portal for UN agencies interventions are tailored to the discussions regarding coordination working in Iraq is at www.uniraq.org unique circumstances in each district. 1. www.irffi.org Iraq bleeds: the remorseless rise of violence and displacement by Ashraf al-Khalidi and Victor Tanner “I will never believe in differences between people,” the young rule of law. This was especially true man said. “I am a Sunni and my wife is a Shi’a. I received of Shi’a communities, which had suffered so much under Saddam. threats to divorce her or be killed. We have left Dora now [a once-mixed, now Sunni-dominated neighbourhood in central Even today, many ordinary people Baghdad]. My wife is staying with her family in Shaab [a Shi’a still do not think in terms of civil war. -
A Tale of Two Cities the Use of Explosive Weapons in Basra and Fallujah, Iraq, 2003-4 Report by Jenna Corderoy and Robert Perkins
December 2014 A TALE OF TWO CITIES The use of explosive weapons in Basra and Fallujah, Iraq, 2003-4 Report by Jenna Corderoy and Robert Perkins Editor Iain Overton With thanks to Henry Dodd, Jane Hunter, Steve Smith and Iraq Body Count Copyright © Action on Armed Violence (December 2014) Cover Illustration A US Marine Corps M1A1 Abrams tank fires its main gun into a building in Fallujah during Operation Al Fajr/Phantom Fury, 10 December 2004, Lance Corporal James J. Vooris (UMSC) Infographic Sarah Leo Design and Printing Matt Bellamy Clarifications or corrections from interested parties are welcome Research and publications funded by the Government of Norway, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A tale of two cities | 1 CONTENTS FOREWORD 2 IRAQ: A TIMELINE 3 INTRODUCTION: IRAQ AND EXPLOSIVE WEAPONS 4 INTERnatiONAL HumanitaRIAN LAW 6 AND RulES OF ENGAGEMENT BASRA, 2003 8 Rattling the Cage 8 Air strikes: Munition selection 11 FALLUJAH, 2004 14 Firepower for manpower 14 Counting the cost 17 THE AFTERmath AND LESSONS LEARNED 20 CONCLUSION 22 RECOMMENDatiONS 23 2 | Action on Armed Violence FOREWORD Sound military tactics employed in the pursuit of strategic objectives tend to restrict the use of explosive force in populated areas “ [... There are] ample examples from other international military operations that indicate that the excessive use of explosive force in populated areas can undermine both tactical and strategic objectives.” Bård Glad Pedersen, State Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Norway, 17 June 20141 The language of conflict has changed enormously. their government is not the governing authority. Today engagements are often fought and justified Three case studies in three places most heavily- through a public mandate to protect civilians. -
Operation Inherent Resolve Lead Inspector General Report to the United States Congress
OPERATION INHERENT RESOLVE LEAD INSPECTOR GENERAL REPORT TO THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS JANUARY 1, 2021–MARCH 31, 2021 FRONT MATTER ABOUT THIS REPORT A 2013 amendment to the Inspector General Act established the Lead Inspector General (Lead IG) framework for oversight of overseas contingency operations and requires that the Lead IG submit quarterly reports to the U.S. Congress on each active operation. The Chair of the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency designated the DoD Inspector General (IG) as the Lead IG for Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR). The DoS IG is the Associate IG for the operation. The USAID IG participates in oversight of the operation. The Offices of Inspector General (OIG) of the DoD, the DoS, and USAID are referred to in this report as the Lead IG agencies. Other partner agencies also contribute to oversight of OIR. The Lead IG agencies collectively carry out the Lead IG statutory responsibilities to: • Develop a joint strategic plan to conduct comprehensive oversight of the operation. • Ensure independent and effective oversight of programs and operations of the U.S. Government in support of the operation through either joint or individual audits, inspections, investigations, or evaluations. • Report quarterly to Congress and the public on the operation and on activities of the Lead IG agencies. METHODOLOGY To produce this quarterly report, the Lead IG agencies submit requests for information to the DoD, the DoS, USAID, and other Federal agencies about OIR and related programs. The Lead IG agencies also gather data and information from other sources, including official documents, congressional testimony, policy research organizations, press conferences, think tanks, and media reports. -
The Yazidis Perceptions of Reconciliation and Conflict
The Yazidis Perceptions of Reconciliation and Conflict Dave van Zoonen Khogir Wirya About MERI The Middle East Research Institute engages in policy issues contributing to the process of state building and democratisation in the Middle East. Through independent analysis and policy debates, our research aims to promote and develop good governance, human rights, rule of law and social and economic prosperity in the region. It was established in 2014 as an independent, not-for-profit organisation based in Erbil, Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Middle East Research Institute 1186 Dream City Erbil, Kurdistan Region of Iraq T: +964 (0)662649690 E: [email protected] www.meri-k.org NGO registration number. K843 © Middle East Research Institute, 2017 The opinions expressed in this publication are the responsibility of the authors. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying, recording, or any information storage or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of MERI, the copyright holder. Please direct all enquiries to the publisher. The Yazidis Perceptions of Reconciliation and Conflict MERI Policy Paper Dave van Zoonen Khogir Wirya October 2017 1 Contents 1. Executive Summary ............................................................................................................................4 2. “Reconciliation” after genocide .........................................................................................................5