Technological Chokepoints: The New Battleground of Global Power

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Technological Chokepoints: How to Balance Resilience and Leverage in a Weaponised Economy. From semiconductors to digital infrastructure, control over critical technologies is reshaping economic security and geopolitical leverage. LONDON, April 22 ( Kurdish Policy Analysis ) – Control over critical technologies such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence systems, and digital infrastructure is increasingly shaping geopolitical power, as governments seek to balance economic resilience with strategic leverage in a more fragmented global economy. A report by Tony Blair Institute for Global Change highlights how “technological chokepoints” — areas where supply chains are highly concentrated or dominated by a small number of actors — have become central to economic statecraft. These chokepoints include advanced semiconductor manufacturing, cloud computing infrastructure, and critical software ecosystems, where a handful of countries and companies maintain disproportionate control over...
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Sadiqoon accuses US of blocking dollar transfers to pressure Baghdad


MP says Washington is exerting financial pressure on Baghdad amid political talks over next prime minister as reports claim $500 million in oil revenues were blocked.

SULAIMANI,IRAQ, April 22 (Kurdish Policy Analysis) – An Iraqi lawmaker from the Sadiqoon Bloc on Wednesday accused the United States of pressuring Iraq through the obstruction of dollar transfers, warning the move could disrupt salary payments for public employees and retirees.

MP Habib al-Halawi told Shafaq News that Washington has applied “direct and indirect pressure” on successive Iraqi governments since 2003, without achieving its stated objectives.

He linked the alleged financial restrictions to ongoing political negotiations in Baghdad, suggesting they are intended to influence the Shiite Coordination Framework, the largest parliamentary bloc, in its efforts to select the next prime minister.

The bloc includes several influential factions, among them Asaib Ahl al-Haq, which is designated under U.S. sanctions.

Al-Halawi said Iraq’s parliament is preparing legislation aimed at safeguarding what he described as national sovereignty, adding that legal advisers are drafting measures to counter foreign interference in financial and political affairs.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Wall Street Journal reported that the United States had blocked the transfer of approximately $500 million in Iraqi oil revenues to Baghdad. The report cited U.S. concerns over what it described as Iraq’s “slow progress” in curbing Iran-aligned armed factions operating within the country.

Neither the U.S. Treasury Department nor Iraqi financial authorities immediately commented on the reported suspension of funds.

The dispute comes amid continued tensions between Baghdad and Washington over the presence and influence of armed groups aligned with Iran, as well as Iraq’s reliance on dollar access through U.S.-linked financial channels.

#Iraq #USA #DollarTransfers #Baghdad #Sanctions #OilRevenue #MiddleEastPolitics #Iran #Economy

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