U.S. Congress in Baghdad: Talks with Al-Sudani
the whole thing is good
A congressional delegation arrives in Baghdad for talks with Al-Sudani on stability and deepening relations.
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani received a US Congressional delegation in Baghdad on Wednesday, including Republican Representative Darin LaHood and Democratic Representative Steve Cohen. During the meeting, they discussed ways to develop bilateral relations between Iraq and the United States, enhance cooperation in the energy and investment sectors, and discuss regional developments and Iraq's role in supporting dialogue and consolidating stability.
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Al-Sudani's office said in a statement:
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani received a delegation from the US Congress today, Wednesday, including two members of the House of Representatives: Republican Darin Lahoud and Democratic Steve Cohen. They discussed developing bilateral relations and ways to enhance them in various fields.
His Excellency welcomed the visiting delegation's visit to Baghdad and commended their efforts to strengthen bilateral relations, particularly within the framework of the Strategic Framework Agreement. He also emphasized Iraq's keenness to enhance joint cooperation with the United States, particularly in the areas of energy and investment.
The situation in the region was reviewed, with the Prime Minister highlighting Iraq's firm and supportive stance toward dialogue to establish security and stability and expand the scope of the relationship to include various sectors.
For their part, the congressional delegation expressed their admiration for the progress achieved in Iraq in terms of construction and stability. They thanked Iraq for its close cooperation in the fight against terrorism, praised the level of relations between the two countries, and considered them essential to the United States. They described Iraq as an important partner, and affirmed the US administration's desire to cooperate closely with Iraq and work with it to achieve stability throughout the region.
Within 3 years, the Central Bank doubled its gold holdings.
The structure of the Central Bank of Iraq's assets witnessed a significant shift between 2022 and 2025, with the bank doubling its share of gold reserves.
Economic expert Munir Al-Obaidi explained in a post monitored by Dijlah News that “the distribution structure of the Central Bank of Iraq’s assets witnessed clear changes between 2022 and 2025, as the percentages of contribution of different categories to the total assets changed during this period.” He pointed out that “securities maintained their position as the largest component of assets at 27% in 2025, but this percentage represents a significant decrease compared to 2022, when it was 37%.”
Chairman of the Securities Commission: Iraq is steadily moving towards building a developed economy.
Chairman of the Iraq Securities Commission, Faisal Al-Haimus, affirmed on Wednesday that Iraq is steadily moving towards building an advanced economy based on conscious leadership and strategic planning.
In a speech delivered during the national forum held under the slogan "Leading the Future," Al-Haimus said, "Technology and human capital are the foundations of sustainability, and digitization is no longer an option, but rather a strategic national project that enhances efficiency, preserves transparency, and expands the base of financial inclusion." He stressed that "Iraq is steadily moving towards building an advanced economy based on conscious leadership and strategic planning."
He added, "Holding the forum at this time reflects a deep awareness of the economic and technological challenges and transformations," stressing that "the future is not made by chance, but by will and planning, and that the visions and recommendations emerging from the forum will be an additional building block in the journey of an ambitious nation seeking to consolidate its regional and international standing."
Investment Authority: Iraq is among the safest environments
Chairman of the National Investment Commission, Dr. Haider Makiya, affirmed that Iraq is among the safest investment environments, while Prime Minister's Advisor, Hussein Allawi, stated that Iraq has achieved $102 billion in foreign direct investment.
On the sidelines of a workshop titled "Security and Investment: Integrating Roles Towards an Attractive Capital Environment," held Wednesday, Makiya told Al Sabah that Iraq will witness the implementation of strategic infrastructure projects using an investment approach, noting that these projects will maximize government revenues once operational.
He stressed that the future will bring a lot in the field of investment for this country.
For his part, Prime Minister's advisor, Hussein Allawi, said that Iraq has secured foreign investment estimated at $102 billion.
During a workshop held jointly by the Security Media Cell of the Joint Operations Command and the Iraqi Investment Authority, Allawi told Al-Sabah that these investments were made possible due to the country's security and stability, noting that the coming months will witness a qualitative development in the quality of investments.
He explained that Iraq's development path has been achieved as a result of security achievements, resilience, and the development of institutional work within the government apparatus, facilitating investors' access to all licenses and support, law enforcement, and production in the housing, tourism, industry, agriculture, and other sectors.
Meanwhile, the head of the Security Media Cell at the Joint Operations Command, Lieutenant General Dr. Saad Maan, considered Iraq to be one of the most secure countries in the region and the world.
Maan added to Al-Sabah that the capital, Baghdad, is one of the few cities in the region that continues its activities until the morning, noting that all security problems have decreased significantly in recent years. He added that terrorism and the capabilities of groups have declined significantly and have become a marginal issue. Maan also pointed out that there has been a noticeable decrease in criminal offenses, accompanied by significant work by the Ministry of Interior and its other formations to reduce the level of crimes, explaining that the security services have allowed for strengthening citizens’ confidence in the security services, and arrests of criminals and suspects are now carried out in record time due to intelligence efforts and surveillance cameras. Monitoring.
He pointed out that Iraq is a safe and stable country, and is highly prepared for investment, proposing the formation of a media operations room with the Investment Authority.
The International Development Bank launches the first smart branch in Iraq.
The new branch, located within the International Development Bank's General Administration Building on Abu Nuwas Street in Baghdad, will be accessible to all customers as the country's first fully integrated digital banking experience.
The smart branch provides its customers with a unique way to complete their banking transactions within minutes, whether for individuals, companies, businessmen, investors, entrepreneurs, or content creators. This is achieved through an integrated suite of digital services, including opening bank accounts and deposits, withdrawing and depositing funds, depositing bank checks and requesting the issuance of checkbooks, requesting the issuance of bank cards, transferring funds between accounts, purchasing gold ounces, printing account statements, settling loans, receiving content creator profits, and other innovative services.
The branch also allows customers to speak directly with customer service representatives via audio and video, ensuring a more interactive and flexible banking experience and addressing customer needs immediately.
The Director of Marketing at the International Development Bank, Wissam Al-Amri, stated, "The launch of the smart branch reflects our commitment to placing our customers at the heart of our priorities by providing innovative and easy-to-use banking solutions that enable them to manage their financial needs efficiently and at any time. We believe this step represents a qualitative shift in banking services in Iraq and strengthens the International Development Bank's position as a leader in innovation and digital transformation."
With this pioneering step, the International Development Bank consolidates its position as the first Iraqi bank to launch a smart branch, keeping pace with global developments in the banking sector and affirming its commitment to providing the best financial solutions to its customers
https://www.youtube.com/
embed here:
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Banking without employees and available 24 hours a day.
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I've heard, seen, and gone all week long.
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I'll see you. Come with me.
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Smart Branch
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[Applause]
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With this smart branch, you can not only open an account or check
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your balance or withdraw money. The services here are a world of
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A second level of digital transactions
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and banking. Let's see all the services the smart branch provides
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to the bank's customers:
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individuals, companies, merchants, investors
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businessmen and business owners on the internet, content creators, and all these services.
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Without an employee, various transactions can be completed in minutes, starting from
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Opening a bank account, opening a deposit account, withdrawal, and deposit
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Money deposit, check, requesting a checkbook,
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And also requesting a card, and transferring money between
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Bank accounts and purchasing gold coins Printing
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Account statements, loan settlements, and receiving
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Content creator profits and all these services are gone
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You can find them at the smart branch for all people of different
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categories, and not just these. You can talk with a single touch
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With a customer service representative, voice and video, wherever you are
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This is the International Development Bank's smart branch
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Inside the General Administration Building on Ibnwas
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Smarter transactions and fewer procedures
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Random hit
Someone who wants to give people the impression that he knows everything will live his life in a difficult situation. He will always be afraid to say, "I don't know." This fear will make him say whatever comes to his mind and ramble blindly.
For some time now, I've been watching Iraqi politicians and analysts speak about the American political landscape, particularly regarding Iraq, with a certainty that Thomas Friedman would envy. I believe that if any of them were a member of the US Congress, they wouldn't be able to speak with such relaxed certainty.
As soon as this politician or that analyst is asked about America’s position on a particular detail in the Iraqi scene, you see him jumping in as if he had just left a dinner with Trump, creating scenarios in which heads of state participate, aircraft carriers move, maps change, and peoples flee in a scene of resurrection whose main and sole cause is that the man is unable to utter this merciful sentence: I don’t know!
Yesterday, during a meeting between Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani and Congressmen Darin LaHood (Republican Party) and Steve Cohen (Democrat Party), the discussion centered on the billions of dollars the US intends to invest in Iraq, particularly in the energy sector. Both sides discussed strengthening bilateral relations and their commitment to sustaining cooperation between the two countries.
In politics, and indeed in almost everything else, the hidden is subsumed by the declared, and the inner is identified by the outer, not the other way around. There are always secrets, behind-the-scenes affairs, and positions not made public to the general public, but their discovery is achieved through logical deductions, not haphazard speculation.
CBI Signs Cooperation Agreement with Al-Hadba University
The Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) branch in Mosul has signed a cooperation agreement with Al-Hadba University to strengthen collaboration with academic institutions.
The agreement includes delivering lectures on financial inclusion, organising scientific seminars, and supporting the publication of research. The CBI will also provide the university with its latest reports and publications.
Separately, the university announced that its President, Prof. Badi Ali Ahmed, and Dr. Hussein Lazem Al-Zaidi, Director of the CBI's Nineveh branch, signed the agreement to expand cooperation in research, training, and knowledge exchange.
The initiative will offer practical training opportunities for students and faculty, support research projects, and contribute to economic development.
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Meta and Google at Iraq's First Internet Governance Forum
Meta and Google Join Local Stakeholders at Iraq's First Internet Governance Forum
Baghdad will host the country's first Internet Governance Forum (IGF) on 30-31 August, bringing together global and local voices to shape Iraq's digital future. Organized under the official United Nations IGF framework, the event marks a milestone in Iraq's engagement with international internet policy and governance.
Technology companies including Meta and Google will participate, reflecting international recognition of Iraq's growing digital landscape and economy. The Forum is also supported by the Prime Minister's Office, the Ministry of Communications, the Communication and Media Commission, and the Central Bank of Iraq.
The IGF model creates a platform where government institutions, global technology companies, and local stakeholders can engage in constructive dialogue. Discussions will focus on issues such as connectivity, digital safety, innovation, and the future of Iraq's digital infrastructure.
The event is organized by Tech4Peace, an Iraqi organization known for nearly a decade of work in digital literacy, combating misinformation, and advocating for a safer and more inclusive online environment.
To register and learn more, please visit the official Internet Governance Forum Iraq website at the following link: https://igfiraq.com/
Baghdad has tied itself to Iran, endangering Iraq’s future
The Iraqi government’s close ties to Iran are becoming an increasing vulnerability at a time of significant geopolitical change in the region.
When Israel and the United States launched a bombing campaign against Tehran’s nuclear program in June, Iran-aligned forces that have spent years building their influence and arsenals in neighboring Iraq were oddly silent. Yet despite their decision to stay out of the so-called “12-day war,” pro-Iranian groups still have far-reaching influence in Baghdad, while co-existing with U.S. forces and bases.
These competing pressures have long obliged Iraqi leaders to navigate a delicate balancing act. The country, often seen as the lungs through which Iran breathes, constitutes a strategic zone of influence and a key node in a region-wide Iranian network of proxies and allies—a network whose other members have been severely degraded since October 7, 2023. Yet Iran’s conflict with Israel is far from resolved—indeed, it has entered an unprecedented and dangerous phase, potentially placing Iraq in the eye of a regional storm.
At the heart of the current crisis is Iraq’s complicated and multi-layered relationship with Iran. Iraq hosts a range of Iranian-backed militias under the banner of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), some of which have been implicated in attacks on U.S. military bases and on Israel. These militias serve as key parts of Iran’s regional network, and in the past Tehran has mobilized them to target Western interests and Israel. At the same time, the U.S. continues to maintain a military footprint in Iraq, making the country a potential flashpoint in the event the militias were to harm U.S. personnel.
The PMF functions as an extension of the Islamic Republic in Iraq, a military and ideological conduit that allows Tehran to exert military pressure on its rivals in both Iraq and the region, in addition to using Iraq’s institutions to circumvent U.S. sanctions. The groups that comprise the PMF, while technically state-sanctioned, operate outside of the Iraqi armed forces’ chain of command, answering directly to Tehran. What is more, they have a documented history of attacking U.S. personnel.
Since October 7, 2023, the Iranian regime’s domestic and regional standing has taken a dramatic hit as allies such as Syria’s Assad regime fell to opposition groups and Lebanon’s Hezbollah became severely degraded. Although Iraq’s PMF likely feel both an emotional and strategic pull to join any confrontation that pits Iran against Israel and the U.S., the organization’s relatively muted response to the recent escalation, particularly that of its most battle-hardened, Iran-aligned ideologues, indicates that these groups do not want to test Israel’s current military momentum—or expose their own limitations.
Indeed, such a move could be catastrophic for Iraq. The Trump administration has the PMF in its cross-hairs, and like the Biden administration, is not averse to striking these militias—it has done so on several occasions, particularly along the border with Syria. Similarly, while Israel has not executed a comprehensive campaign within Iraq, it has in the past struck targets within Iraqi territory. In the event of another conflagration, PMF involvement may trigger a wider response from the U.S. and Israel, while also extending Trump’s renewed policy of “maximum pressure” on Iran deep into Iraq.
The Trump administration has shown little tolerance for Iranian influence in Iraq, as evidenced by its decision to end Baghdad’s waiver to import Iranian electricity, forcing Iraq into a painful and ill-prepared energy transition. The administration has accused the state-owned Rafidain Bank of processing payments for Yemen’s Houthis, which is designated as a terrorist group by the United States, and has also placed sanctions on several Iraqi banks that are complicit in allowing Iran to circumvent U.S. sanctions. In response, it has threatened to sanction the Iraqi state as a whole, which would have devastating consequences for Iraq and exisential implications for the state.
A PMF Comeback?
This pressure also has political ramifications, especially for Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, who faces the challenge of managing deteriorating relations with the U.S., while fending off domestic rivals and appeasing powerful Iran-aligned blocs. In this precarious position, Sudani would struggle to avoid responsibility were the PMF to undermine U.S. interests or target U.S. personnel.
Indeed, Sudani has been accused of either enabling the ascension of Iran-aligned groups or turning a blind eye to their widening grip on Iraq and its institutions since he came to office. According to recent reports, smuggling networks—especially those operating under the PMF’s protection—have flourished since Sudani took office, and it has not escaped Washington’s attention that Sudani has used oil exports to penalize the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), while enabling the economic empowerment of the PMF. Sudani has also ignored a significant increase in PMF drone attacks on the KRG since the ceasefire between Israel and Iran came into effect on June 24. At best, Sudani is guilty of acquiescing to this campaign and the PMF’s attempts to re-assert itself; at worst, he is directly complicit.
U.S. officials have reportedly pressured Baghdad to restore Kurdish oil exports via a pipeline through Türkiye, as part of efforts to undercut Iran’s shadow economy. Yet the federal government’s continued tolerance of black-market operations directly undermines those goals and strengthens Tehran’s proxies. Internally, the stakes are even higher, given the uncertainty surrounding the future of the PMF. Speculation over the possible ouster of PMF chairman Falih al-Fayyadh has exposed deep fractures within Iraq’s ruling Shiite political class. Some factions seek to integrate the PMF more formally into state structures, reducing Tehran’s grip. Others, particularly those aligned with Iran, view such efforts as a threat to their power.
Any misstep in managing these tensions could ignite an intra-Shiite conflict, which may further erode Iran’s influence and open up gaps for Washington to restore its influence in Iraq and capitalize on Iran’s wider regional decline. The Trump administration’s pressure campaign could also be leveraged to condition aid, energy cooperation, and international legitimacy on Baghdad taking measurable steps to curtail the PMF’s autonomy, integrate militias into the regular armed forces, and prosecute the PMF’s illicit networks and operations, which Iran uses to circumvent sanctions.
Should Sudani appear too deferential to Washington, he risks alienating influential Shiite groups. If he leans too heavily toward Tehran, he could provoke punitive actions from the U.S., potentially including military strikes. Containing the PMF is easier said than done, but the Iraqi prime minister will have to provide tangible evidence that he is not an enabler of the organization, as former Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi did during his time in office. Kadhimi won plaudits in Washington for standing up to the militias and although this did not address the problem, it did narrow the space in which the PMF could function and flourish.
Iraq is at a crossroads. Continuing to placate and appease the PMF risks tethering Iraq’s fate to that of the Islamic Republic’s. Aligning more closely with the U.S. opens opportunities for economic growth, regional integration and international legitimacy. Iran, on the other hand, is an isolated state on a downward trajectory –– the war markedly highlighted Iran’s inability to draw on support from Russia and China, despite its attempts to cultivate strategic ties with both countries and the wider global south. The future Iran offers Iraq threatens to return the country to the 1990s, when it was hit with Western sanctions, struggled to recover from war and suffered widespread deprivation.
Due to the dollar exchange rate difference, the judiciary recovers two billion dinars from two violating companies.
The Supreme Judicial Council revealed, on Wednesday, the recovery of two billion dinars for a financial fraud crime. The Judicial Media said in a statement received by Basra 365, that “the Second Karkh Investigation Court recovered an amount of two billion Iraqi dinars for a financial fraud crime.” He added, “The amount was recovered from two companies that violated the law to obtain the difference in the dollar exchange rate through fraudulent money transfers outside the country.” He continued, “The Second Karkh Investigation Court, with great efforts and under the supervision of the first judge of the court, recovered this amount,” noting that “these efforts are continuing to take legal action against the rest of the companies that follow an illegal method to obtain large profits and harm public funds.
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