[Opinionated Blowhard]

Oil revenue in 2009 would be much lower than in 2008, he added. To compensate, the Iraqi government has already prepared measures to reduce spending next year.

I had to do a double-take when I saw that. After all the American economic advisers infesting Iraq, I can't believe they still have the sanity to reduce spending when revenues decrease. Where is the Iraqi press to claim that al-Maliki hates children and the poor?

[DJ Elliott]

Actually, some of the Iraqi press has started the “bloated” Iraqi Security Forces theme. It started about 10 days ago when they announced the plan to cut the 2009 budget further to match lower oil prices. Budget wars are to be expected...