MESOP MORNING NEWS HIGHLIGHTS : TODAYS SITUATION IN KRG-SOUTH KURDISTAN IRAQ – 25 Oct 2017 (CLICK FOR FULL TEXTS)

Abadi said Hashd as-Shaabi “is part of the Iraqi institutions,” rejecting Tillerson accusation it’s Iranian proxy.   – Abadi defends role of Iranian-backed paramiltaries at meeting with Tillerson

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi defended the role of an Iranian-backed paramilitary forc… reuters.com  – https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-iraq/abadi-defends-role-of-iranian-backed-paramiltaries-at-meeting-with-tillerson-idUSKBN1CS26X

avatar  Patrick Osgood    – @PatrickOsgood

Honestly I think it’s a mistake not to go to Erbil at this time. Yes, KDP optics will distort, but senior, direct, crisis diplomacy needed. twitter.com/sajadjiyad/sta …   https://twitter.com/sajadjiyad/status/922571199229644801?t=1&cn=ZmxleGlibGVfcmVjc18y&refsrc=email&iid=b4c22f22e0fb4ee4a479ac68c8a93206&uid=2253272407&nid=244+281088008

avatar  Kamal Chomani

Quoted in this & urged the fear of dividing the KRG into two admins, and that the referendum may wind up killing the dream of independence. twitter.com/nabihbulos/sta …   https://twitter.com/nabihbulos/status/922741059553292288?t=1&cn=ZmxleGlibGVfcmVjc18y&refsrc=email&iid=b4c22f22e0fb4ee4a479ac68c8a93206&uid=2253272407&nid=244+285282312

Patrick Osgood liked

Problem with KRG visit would be, who is he going to see? Everyone now divided on party lines. twitter.com/PatrickOsgood/  …   https://twitter.com/PatrickOsgood/status/922571752630255618?t=1&cn=ZmxleGlibGVfcmVjc18y&refsrc=email&iid=b4c22f22e0fb4ee4a479ac68c8a93206&uid=2253272407&nid=244+293670920