World roundup: January 23 2023

Stories from Kuwait, Sweden, Argentina, and elsewhere

INTERNATIONAL

In today’s global news:

• Worldometer is tracking COVID-19 cases and fatalities.

• The New York Times is tracking global vaccine distribution.

MIDDLE EAST

IRAQ

Iraqi security forces carried out a raid in Baghdad over the weekend targeting a ring of smugglers allegedly moving dollars to Iran in violation of US sanctions. The operation was apparently ordered by Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed al-Sudani at the behest of US officials, who are pressuring him to do more to interdict dollar smuggling as part of what could be a test of his willingness to go against Tehran. Sudani came into office as the PM candidate of the Coordination Framework, a political coalition that has close ties with Iran, but like every Iraqi PM he’s got to walk the line between Iran and the other foreign power that influences Iraqi politics, the US. He seems to be emphasizing his cooperation with the latter of late, which at some point could generate a backlash within the CF.