Iraqi Kurdistan independence referendum has regional powers on edge: The Arab League has passed a resolution declaring that a planned 25 September referendum by the Kurdish Regional Government in Iraq would be an affront to Iraqi sovereignty, reports AMAY. Regional powers have been on edge since the semi-autonomous region decided to push through the referendum despite objections by the central Iraqi government. Turkey and Iran are already beating the drums of the war over it. If independence is approved by the Kurds, we may be looking at some more regional instability, as this would be the biggest shift in the region since the emergence of Daesh. Not to mention the impact this may have on global oil markets.

Japan’s Foreign Minister Taro Kono also urged Arab League nations not to allow North Korean workers into their countries, according to The Mainichi. His speech addressing the Arab League came at the first ministerial dialogue between the bloc and Japan. As we noted yesterday, Egypt announced major steps to cut ties with the DPRK.

…And speaking of the Arab League meeting of foreign ministers, we haven’t seen this many insults being lobbed since the days of Qaddaffi. Qatari Foreign Minister Sultan Al-Muraikhi took swings at countries blockading Qatar with comments that were as subtle as a sledgehammer, the NYT reports. Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry rejected the statements immediately calling them “baseless insults.”