After more than 23 years under the scope of UN Chapter VII following its invasion of Kuwait in 1990, Iraq finds itself closer than ever to getting out from under that chapter and gaining more independence in controlling its money, importing weapons, and — above all — getting recognized as a fully sovereign country.
On June 19, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon recommended to the UN Security Council that Iraq be taken out from under Chapter VII and that its outstanding issues with Kuwait be resolved in accordance with UN Chapter VI regulations.