Once again the question of "exclusive territorial jurisdiction" has raised its ugly head.
An American Lodge was founded at the beginning of Word War One when American troops on active service abroad wanted to meet together at a time of danger and conflict. This Lodge went into dormancy in 1975.
30 years later, in 2005, it was announced that it was to be reactivated (reponed) in the Iraq theatre of war so that American troops could meet in harms way, as Masons, in love and unity.
Although no official reason has been given, "permission" for this Lodge to be activated has been refused (described by those involved as "showing the finger").
Apparently there is a concern that if existing Masons join, or candidates are initiated, they will fall foul of the "exclusive territorial jurisdiction" rule of the Confederation of Grand Masters of Masons of North America, as Iraq is not their "place of residence".
It cannot be acceptable to deny Freemasons their Freemasonry, when they probably need it the most, rather than deal with this self-imposed problem of "exclusive territorial jurisdiction".
See:
http://www.dcmetronet.com/landseaandairlodge1iraq/
and:
http://www.cemab4y.blogspot.com/