Jamal Kochar: If the government is forced, it will adjust the value of the dinar against the dollar
link only in Kurdish news
د. Iraqi parliamentarian Jamal Kochar has warned that Iraq is facing a cash crisis and that if the government is forced, one of the options is to adjust the value of the dinar and appreciate the dollar.
The video for this My FX Buddies Blog post is below here:
د. Iraq has huge currency reserves of about $108 billion and no revenue crisis, but is facing a "cash crisis" because the three-year budget was a big mistake, turning the planned deficit into a deficit, Kochar said It is real and the fall in oil prices has had a big impact.
Regarding the government's measures to fill the budget deficit, Dr. Jamal Kochar outlined several scenarios, one of which is to change the value of the dinar.
“One of the options is that it may be far away, but if the situation continues, they may resort to changing the value of the dinar and the dollar.
"This is a very dangerous option," he said, but experience shows that governments, when forced, put the burden on citizens and increase taxes and prices to stay in power.
In another part of his speech, Dr. Jamal Kochar said that the Iraqi Council of Ministers is discussing a bill to reduce high salaries (special ranks), but has not yet become law
More severe than the 1991 embargo... What is the nature of the American sanctions threatening Iraq?
Hoshyar Zebari, a leader in the Kurdistan Democratic Party, stated that the United States has threatened Iraq with sanctions even harsher than those imposed in 1991, including the SOMO company, the Central Bank, and other institutions .
Zebari said in a televised interview followed by Al-Sa’a Network, “America has confirmed that it will not deal with any government that includes representatives of some factions listed on the terrorism or sanctions lists of the Treasury Department, and they will not deal with any government, even with ministries occupied by those affiliated with the factions .”
He added that "America has threatened sanctions against SOMO, the Central Bank, and dollar flows, sanctions that are more severe than the 1991 embargo," noting that "Washington has confirmed that it will not finance any regime or government that violates its sanctions ."
Earlier, US President Donald Trump stated that Iraq might be making a grave mistake by reinstating former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki as head of the next government .
He added that "the United States will stop helping Iraq if he is elected, and if we are not there to provide assistance, Iraq will have no chance of success, prosperity, or freedom
The Central Bank of Iraq clarifies the mechanisms for dealing with the dollar in all its issuances.
Media Office,
February 16, 2026
Parliamentary move to host the Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq to discuss "salaries and citizens' income"
On Monday, MP Duha Al-Bahadli, from the National Approach bloc, revealed a parliamentary move to host the Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq, Ali Al-Alaq, to discuss the reasons for the fluctuation in cash liquidity and mechanisms for addressing it.
Al-Bahadli told Shafaq News Agency that "the purpose of the meeting is to inform the MPs in detail about the reasons for the fluctuation in cash liquidity, the mechanisms for addressing it, and the extent of the efficiency of monetary policy in facing the current challenges, in addition to ensuring that no financial crisis and its impact are reflected on the salaries of employees, or the state’s obligations."
She continued: "Also to review the measures taken to ensure market stability and protect the purchasing power of citizens," noting that "the date of the meeting will be determined later by the Council Presidency."
She pointed out that "the House of Representatives is exercising its oversight role with full responsibility, and there will be a commitment to complete transparency and reassuring the Iraqi public regarding the financial and monetary situation."
It is noted that informed sources revealed yesterday, Sunday, the worsening financial liquidity crisis in Iraq, confirming that the available resources are no longer sufficient to secure the payment of salaries for employees and retirees during the coming period.
Sources who spoke to Shafaq News Agency reported that the government was forced to withdraw about 20 trillion dinars from Al-Rafidain Bank, in addition to between 7 and 8 trillion dinars from Al-Rasheed Bank, as well as withdrawing about 7 billion dollars from another bank, along with sums of money from industrial and agricultural banks, in order to cover salaries during the past months.
She explained that these measures have led to the depletion of a large portion of the liquidity available in government banks, which makes the option of delaying the payment of employee salaries strongly on the table during the next stage if urgent financial solutions are not found to contain the crisis.
She pointed out that the continuation of these conditions may exacerbate the financial crisis, especially with the existence of observations related to mismanagement, waste of public money and suspicions in some files, which calls for taking urgent reform measures to ensure financial stability and secure the salaries of employees and retirees on their specified dates.
Iraq increases its holdings of US Treasury bonds by more than $1 billion
The US Treasury Department announced on Monday that Iraq's holdings of US bonds have increased by more than $1 billion, reaching approximately $40.8 billion in December 2025.
According to official data from the US Treasury, which was audited and analyzed by Shafaq News Agency, “Iraq’s holdings of US Treasury bonds for December 2025 increased by $1.1 billion, reaching $40.8 billion, after being $39.7 billion during the previous month.”
She added that this holding increased by 74% compared to January 2025, when Iraq’s holdings of bonds amounted to $23.4 billion.
In the Arab world, Saudi Arabia topped the list of countries holding the most US bonds with a value of $148.8 billion, followed by the UAE with $101 billion, and then Kuwait in third place with $50.3 billion.
The data indicated that the largest holders of US bonds are Japan with $1.202 trillion, followed by the United Kingdom with $888 billion, then China with $682 billion, and then Belgium with $481 billion.
The total holdings of US Treasury securities by countries in December 2025 amounted to approximately $9.355.4 trillion, an increase of $736.1 billion from the same month in 2024, which was $8.619.3 trillion.
Parliamentary move to host the Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq to discuss "salaries and citizens' income"
MP Duha al-Bahadli, from the National Approach bloc, revealed on Monday that a parliamentary initiative is underway to summon the Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq, Ali al-Alaq, to discuss the reasons for the fluctuations in cash liquidity and the mechanisms for addressing them.
Al-Bahadli stated that "the aim of the summons is to provide MPs with a detailed explanation of the reasons for the fluctuations in cash liquidity, the mechanisms for addressing them, and the effectiveness of monetary policy in confronting current challenges, in addition to ensuring that any financial crisis does not negatively impact employee salaries or the state's obligations."
She continued, "It is also to review the measures taken to ensure market stability and protect citizens' purchasing power," noting that "the date of the summons will be determined later by the Speaker of Parliament."
She emphasized that "Parliament is exercising its oversight role responsibly, and there will be a commitment to complete transparency and reassuring the Iraqi public regarding the financial and monetary situation."
It is worth noting that informed sources revealed on Sunday that the financial liquidity crisis in Iraq has worsened, confirming that available resources are no longer sufficient to secure the payment of salaries for employees and retirees in the coming period.
Sources reported that the government was forced to withdraw approximately 20 trillion dinars from Rafidain Bank, in addition to between 7 and 8 trillion dinars from Rasheed Bank, as well as about $7 billion from another bank, along with funds from industrial and agricultural banks, to cover salaries over the past few months.
They explained that these measures have depleted a significant portion of the available liquidity in government banks, making the option of delaying employee salaries a strong possibility in the coming period if urgent financial solutions are not found to contain the crisis.
They indicated that the continuation of this situation could exacerbate the financial crisis, especially given concerns about mismanagement, the squandering of public funds, and suspicions surrounding certain files. This necessitates urgent reform measures to ensure financial stability and guarantee the timely payment of salaries for employees and retirees.
Iraqi-UAE consortium to build $700 million 'WorldLink' fast data cable network
The project would comprise an undersea cable from Fujairah in the UAE to Iraq's Faw Peninsula on the Gulf, which will then run overland north to the Turkish border
An Iraqi-Emirati consortium plans a $700 million subsea-and-terrestrial data cable linking the United Arab Emirates to Turkey via Iraq, one of the backers said, just over a week after the announcement of a Saudi-backed fiber-optic project in Syria.
Gulf neighbors Saudi Arabia and the UAE are racing to tap into the demand for connectivity in the region and to attract investment into data centers.
The Iraqi-UAE project, branded WorldLink, would comprise an undersea cable from Fujairah in the UAE to Iraq's Faw peninsula on the Gulf, which will then run overland north to the Turkish border, Ali El Ekabi, head of Iraq's Tech 964 —one of the three members of the consortium —told Reuters.
El Ekabi said the project would be privately funded, take four to five years to complete, and target "hyperscalers, international carriers, and AI applications."
It aims to ease congestion on existing east-west data routes and reduce transit times versus paths that run through the Suez Canal.
The Emirati foreign ministry did not respond to requests for comment.
Besides Tech 964, WorldLink's sponsors include Iraqi-Kurdish DIL Technologies and UAE-based Breeze Investments, according to El Ekabi, who is the son of Iraqi real estate billionaire Namir El Ekabi.
It is the second such new project planned in the region. Saudi Arabia and Syria announced on February 7 plans to set up a fiber-optic network under a wider investment package.
The project was described as a roughly $1 billion push to rehabilitate Syria's infrastructure and position it as a data route between Asia and Europe.
Iraq, which is trying to market itself as a stable transit corridor after decades of conflict, launched a $17 billion "Development Road" rail-and-road plan in 2023 to connect Faw to Turkey.
Want to Support My FX Buddies?
.png)
Support My FX Buddies Big or Small I appreciate it all
BuyMeACoffee CashApp:$tishwash
https://paypal.me/tishwash
.jpeg)
Major crisis in Iraqi Parliament: Kurds protest session
The Iraqi Parliament session became the scene of a violent clash between Parliament Speaker Heybat Halbusi and his Deputy Farhad Atrushi.
Farhad Atrushi protested by asking "Where is the balance?" and Halbusi replied, "Do whatever you can."
During the 10th session of the Iraqi Parliament, while discussions were being held on routine issues, Iraqi Parliament Speaker Heybat Halbusi took an "unexpected" step and turned the hall into a battleground.
The chaos broke out after Halbusi demanded a vote on the appointment of the Chief of General Staff and the Mayor of Baghdad.
These two issues were not previously on the agenda, but were added to the agenda with the signatures of 72 MPs.
Atrushi: This is a practice, where is the balance?
Iraqi Parliament Speaker Heybat Halbusi showed the list of signatures and announced that they would vote first for the Baghdad Municipality and then for the Chief of General Staff.
Halbusi quickly began the vote and said, "It has been accepted."
At this, Deputy Speaker Farhad Atrushi stood up and intervened.
Atrushi stated that these appointments were not based on a political agreement and asked, "Mr. Speaker, there was no agreement on this issue. Where is the political balance?"
Halbusi responded, "I am committed to the internal process, this item has been added to the agenda."
'Do what you can'
When Atrushi shouted, "We do not accept this," Halbusi responded sharply, saying, "Do what you can."
At this, Etrushi called on other MPs and continued his protest as follows:
"By God, we do not accept this! This is not a parliament and what you are doing is not a vote.
We do not accept anything!"
A critical post for the Kurds
The issue of the Chief of the Iraqi General Staff is of strategic and symbolic importance for the Kurds.
In the new Iraqi army that was formed after 2003, this post was in the Kurdish quota.
Kurds held this post until 2015, but since then this position has been in the hands of the Shiite component.
Kurdish factions believe that this vote is an attempt to completely steal the Kurdish share in the state.
The parliamentary session ended in a major crisis after Kurdish MPs protested and walked out of the hall.
Advisor to the Prime Minister: Public finances for 2026 have entered the practical implementation phase.
Attention is focused on revenue indicators and public spending patterns as the clearest measure of economic stability. With the continued flow of oil revenues, the issue of salaries has emerged as a top priority for a large segment of society, and assurances have been given that salaries are secured.
The Prime Minister's financial advisor, Mazhar Muhammad Salih, stated that "public finances for 2026 have entered the practical implementation phase of the provisions of the amended Federal Financial Management Law No. (6) of 2019, which mandates securing monthly resources of the highest priority to cover mandatory expenditures, primarily employee salaries, pensions, and social welfare allocations, estimated at approximately (8) trillion Iraqi dinars per month."
These obligations constitute the core of current social spending, necessitating meticulous liquidity management and strict regulation of spending priorities, especially given the application of the (1/12) rule of actual current expenditures for the previous year (2025) in the absence of a valid annual budget.
Full decisions of the Cabinet meeting
Initial understandings reached among the Kurds to present a unified candidate to Baghdad
Jamal Khalil, a member of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, confirmed today that “political consultations between his party and the Kurdistan Democratic Party are still ongoing,” noting that “significant progress has been made, resulting in an agreement in broad outlines to go to Baghdad with one candidate for the presidency.”
Khalil told Al-Maalomah News Agency that “the dialogues between the two sides are progressing positively and have managed to create the appropriate political conditions for agreeing on a common figure,” indicating that the current understanding has not yet reached the stage of official announcement, pending the completion of some technical and political details.
He added that "both sides are working to accelerate the pace of meetings and bring viewpoints closer, in light of their awareness of the importance of unifying the Kurdish position within Baghdad to enhance the chances of national consensus in the upcoming constitutional entitlements."
He pointed out that "agreeing on a single candidate represents clear progress compared to previous stages that witnessed a divergence in proposals," noting that "the official announcement may be made as soon as the understandings related to balances and alliances within Parliament are finalized."
These developments coincide with escalating political activity to resolve the presidential issue, amid expectations that the anticipated Kurdish consensus will expedite the presidential election and end the political deadlock.
The Kurds agree on a single candidate for the presidency... a significant step that could end the political chaos.
The Iraqi political scene is witnessing intense activity regarding the presidential election, amid increasing pressure to fulfill constitutional requirements in a way that strengthens political stability and ensures respect for the constitution. This activity involves reaching preliminary understandings that would allow for the selection of a consensus candidate representing all Kurdish parties before heading to Baghdad, in a move aimed at ending the political deadlock and rearranging priorities within the federal government.
Mayada al-Najjar, a member of the Kurdistan Democratic Party, affirmed on Tuesday that the position of President of the Republic is one of the most important sovereign positions in the country due to its direct connection to protecting the constitution and ensuring adherence to its implementation, stressing that this position has become a stable political custom for the Kurds.
Al-Najjar told Al-Maalomah that “no candidate for this position can be put forward by the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan or other Kurdish forces without a comprehensive Kurdish political consensus,” noting that “a unified Kurdish position is a fundamental condition for resolving the entitlement and preventing a recurrence of previous disputes that affected the formation of the federal authorities.”
She added that “former President Barham Salih did not achieve any tangible accomplishments during his time in office,” stressing that “the next phase requires a figure with a political vision capable of strengthening the balance of power and consolidating constitutional stability.” She also noted that “the ongoing dialogues between the Kurdish forces are witnessing significant progress, amidst efforts to reach a consensus candidate who enjoys unified support before heading to Baghdad.”
In a related context, Jamal Khalil, a member of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, confirmed that “political consultations between his party and the Kurdistan Democratic Party are still ongoing,” noting that “significant progress has been made, resulting in an agreement in broad outlines to go to Baghdad with a single candidate for the presidency.”
Khalil explained that “both sides are seeking to accelerate the pace of meetings and bring viewpoints closer, given their awareness of the importance of unifying the Kurdish position within Baghdad to enhance the chances of national consensus in the upcoming constitutional entitlements,” indicating that “agreeing on a single candidate represents clear progress compared to previous stages that witnessed a divergence in proposals, and it will be officially announced after the completion of understandings related to balances and alliances within Parliament.”
These developments come at a time when the Iraqi public is awaiting a decisive step towards ending the political deadlock, amid expectations that the anticipated Kurdish agreement will contribute to expediting the presidential election and strengthening internal political stability, while keeping the presidential file under the scrutiny of all political forces to ensure a comprehensive national consensus.
On one condition... Maliki threatens to withdraw, and Al-Shatri tops the list of candidates to succeed him.
As the political deadlock continues to grip Iraq, new information and reports have revealed the conditions set by the leader of the State of Law Coalition, Nouri al-Maliki, in exchange for withdrawing his candidacy for the position of Prime Minister, coinciding with talk of intense international pressure to exclude him from the scene.
In this regard, Mahmoud al-Hayani, a member of the Coordination Framework, told Kurdistan24, "Nouri al-Maliki is prepared to withdraw his candidacy on one condition only: that the leaders of the Coordination Framework unanimously or by majority vote request him to do so." Al-Hayani emphasized that al-Maliki has no intention of backing down under any external pressure, stressing that the decision remains contingent upon consensus within the Shia political bloc.
On the other hand, media sources reported that a new American message was sent to the leaders of the Coordination Framework last night, in which Washington clearly expressed its opposition to Nouri al-Maliki assuming the premiership again, stressing its categorical rejection of this option.
Should Maliki withdraw, political analysts suggest a shift in the chances of other candidates. Ali Fahd, a member of the Hikma Movement, revealed that Hamid al-Shatri's name is now being floated as the strongest alternative candidate. Fahd explained that "al-Shatri has the best chance because he enjoys wider acceptance and is less controversial both domestically and internationally."
The information also indicates that Maliki’s withdrawal from the race may directly weaken the chances of candidate Mohammed Shia al-Sudani of obtaining the position, thus opening the door to entirely new options.
So far, the meetings of the coordination framework aimed at resolving the issue of the prime ministership are still suspended, without setting a date for them to be held soon, which reflects the depth of the divisions and internal disagreements among the Shiite forces regarding the personality of the next prime minister.
Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq: 7 parties within the framework are demanding the withdrawal of al-Maliki's nomination.
A member of the political bureau of the Asaib movement stated that there are 6 parties within the coordination framework who oppose the nomination of Nouri al-Maliki for the premiership, expecting that a seventh Shiite party will join the front of those demanding the withdrawal of the nomination tonight .
Al-Shihani said in a televised interview followed by Al-Sa’a Network: “I contacted 3 of the leaders of the framework who voted in favor of Al-Maliki at the framework meeting, and I found that they were very concerned about the recent threats, and they said frankly that they have a new opinion regarding Al-Maliki’s nomination .”
He continued: “Through calculations I made regarding those who reject al-Maliki’s nomination, starting with Sadiqun, I found 6 leaders who reject it, and I was told that there is a seventh who will join them tonight in the matter of withdrawing the nomination,” noting that “the American threats included imposing sanctions on the Ministries of Defense and Foreign Affairs, in addition to the Central Bank and SOMO .”
He pointed out that "the Kurds and Sunnis will not come to parliament to vote for a president who would task Maliki with the premiership, and today the respected Maliki is supposed to 'fear God' in his dealings with the Iraqis, and he is worthy of that ."
He asked: "Why do we condemn today the impact of the American decision on the Sunnis and Kurds, and not criticize the Shiites who are influenced by the blessing that comes from Iran?"
Office: Pay attention to defense and foreign affairs.
“Withdrawing al-Maliki’s nomination”... Tonight, request number 7 will appear on the Asa’ib account.
Amid the Shiite framework's inability to hold a meeting despite successive attempts since Sunday, a member of the Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq movement's political bureau said that the American threat, which began to indicate the punishment of Iraqi ministries such as Defense and Foreign Affairs, caused positions to change rapidly, to the point that the parties opposing Nouri al-Maliki's nomination for the premiership became 6 members of the coordinating framework, after it was only 3. Moreover, Hussein al-Shehani, who was speaking in a dialogue with journalist Ali Imad, which was followed by 964 Network, expects a seventh Shiite party to join the front demanding the withdrawal of the nomination tonight.
Hussein Al-Shehani:
I contacted three of the leaders of the framework who voted in favor of Mr. Maliki at the framework meeting, and I found them very concerned about the recent threats. They said frankly that they had a new opinion regarding the nomination of Mr. Maliki. Through calculations I made of those who rejected the nomination of Mr. Maliki, starting with Sadiqun, I found 6 leaders who rejected it, and I was told that there is a seventh who will join them tonight, regarding the issue of withdrawing the nomination of Mr. Maliki.
The US threats included imposing sanctions on the Ministries of Defense and Foreign Affairs, the Central Bank, and SOMO.
I say, “God help the framework” if it changes its choices. There will be voices of support from the Brotherhood within the State of Law coalition, especially those close to Maliki. Today we have moved beyond the issue of being influenced by the tweet.
The Kurds and Sunnis will not come to parliament to vote for a president who would appoint Mr. Maliki as prime minister. Today, Mr. Maliki, the respected one, is supposed to “fear God” in his dealings with the Iraqis, and he is worthy of this.
Why do we condemn the Sunnis and Kurds today for being influenced by the American decision, and not criticize the Shiites who are sometimes influenced and “enjoy” the blessing that comes from Iran? For example, if an explicit prohibition came from Iran - God forbid that Iran would do that - like Trump’s tweet, then they would certainly be influenced.
A major company plans to support electricity networks in Syria and Iraq.
Siemens Energy plans to support the rebuilding of electricity networks in Syria and Iraq, by playing a larger role in the two countries affected by wars and a lack of investment.
According to details seen by the specialized energy platform (based in Washington), the German company confirmed that half of the current electricity networks in the Middle East region will need a comprehensive upgrade in the coming years.
Expanding and upgrading electricity networks, as well as increasing electricity storage capacity, is crucial to tripling renewable energy capacity by 2030.
Without upgrades, these networks are unlikely to support renewable energy, which is intermittent and requires greater reliability to ensure security of supply.
Electricity networks in Syria and Iraq
Commenting on the rebuilding of electricity networks in Syria and Iraq, Siemens Energy’s new regional director, Hussein Shukri, confirmed that high-level discussions had taken place with senior Syrian officials, but he did not disclose whether Siemens Energy would develop projects in cooperation with other parties.
Syria is currently generating less than 20% of its pre-war electricity production, after large parts of its grid were destroyed.
Siemens Energy had built several major power plants in Syria before the war, including the Deir Ali power plant with a capacity of 1.5 gigawatts, the largest in the country.
Shoukry said in an interview with The National newspaper: "We will certainly play our part in the reconstruction of Syria... We will not leave Syria alone... We will provide assistance, and we will be present, whether in the field of gas or the electricity grid."
n Iraq, Siemens Energy plans to work with its partners to add around 14 gigawatts of production capacity as financing options gradually improve.
The company currently has an installed production capacity of 11.65 gigawatts in Iraq.
Shoukry added: "We have a large number of projects under development, and their success depends largely on the speed of the government's response and the speed of providing the necessary funding."
Shoukry noted that outdated infrastructure remains a major challenge, at a time when governments across the Middle East are racing to expand electricity generation as a result of data center-driven growth.
Increased electricity production in the Middle East
Siemens Energy is seeking to increase electricity production in the Middle East. The company has approximately 117 gigawatts of production capacity in the region, including installed assets and projects under construction, according to details seen by the specialized energy platform.
Saudi Arabia accounts for approximately 33 gigawatts of total production capacity, of which approximately 20 gigawatts are installed, in addition to approximately 13 gigawatts under contract or implementation, including 7.6 gigawatts of gas-fired power plants, for which new contracts have been signed.
In the United Arab Emirates, the company has an installed capacity of approximately 13 gigawatts.
Shoukry said: "In the UAE, although no official contracts have been signed yet, we are conducting ongoing discussions and continuing to assess opportunities as projects progress through the approval stages."
Siemens Energy recorded its highest ever level of gas order volumes in the first quarter of the year, with the group's orders rising by a third to €17.6 billion ($20.8 billion) in the first three months of the year.
(Euro = 1.18 US dollars).
Orders in the Europe, Middle East and Commonwealth of Independent States region rose by 17.5% to €8.135 billion ($9.6 billion), giving the region the largest share of the total value of orders.
Shoukry said that despite the shift in focus towards the increasing demand for artificial intelligence, the energy transition remains critically important for security.
The new regional director believes that the current trend towards investing in increasing production capacity to meet demand may slow the introduction of renewable energy and delay hydrogen projects, which were considered essential in the region for decarbonization.
These projects have now been delayed because governments have prioritized supplying national grids with electricity directly, but Shoukry expects hydrogen to return to the forefront once the systems stabilize.
Siemens Energy is developing turbines capable of burning a highly concentrated mixture of hydrogen, with some units currently operating on about 50% hydrogen, while others are approaching their full capacity in this area.
Azadea chooses Iraq to launch a fashion brand, considering it a long-term "strategic" location.
The Azadea Group announced its entry into Iraq with a select portfolio of leading brands, asserting that Iraqi society is "vibrant and ambitious" and appreciates quality, elegance, and global experiences, while pledging to provide job opportunities for talents and youth, develop skills, and enhance governance standards.
“With this expansion, customers in Iraq will have direct access to a selection of the world’s most famous names in fashion and lifestyle, within interactive stores and an integrated shopping experience that seamlessly blends physical branches and digital channels from day one,” the group said in a statement.
She explained that "as part of the first phase of its entry into Iraq, Azadea will offer a wide range of international brands, including the entire Inditex range: ( Zara Pull&Bear, Massimo Dutti, Bershka Stradivarius, Oysho, Zara Home and Lefties ).
The portfolio will also include the PAUL brand , along with other global brands such as Reserved , Boggi Milano , and Michael Kors , to give shoppers in Iraq a diverse mix of trendy fashion, high-end essentials, and lifestyle-inspired collections that reflect their aspirations and evolving tastes.
She explained that "the group's inaugural project will be in Iraq Mall, where about 20 stores will be opened within a large retail space, introducing modern store concepts, global operating standards, and advanced technologies in the retail sector to the Iraqi market."
Commenting on this expansion, Azadea Group Chief Operating Officer Waleed Shaheen said, “Our entry into Iraq is not just a geographical or investment expansion, but a strategic step to connect with a vibrant and ambitious community that values quality, style, and global experiences. We look forward to bringing our brands closer to customers in Iraq and contributing to the development of the retail market through innovation, service excellence, and long-term commitment.”
The group pledged that it "will work to provide job opportunities for Iraqi talents, invest in developing professional skills, and enhance governance standards and operational excellence, reflecting its long-term approach to developing markets and making a positive contribution to the communities in which it operates. Operations are scheduled to begin on February 19, 2026."
She explained that "this entry is a significant milestone in the journey of the retail sector in Iraq, in response to the growing demand from a youthful segment that is aware of fashion, and seeks access to global brands and more advanced shopping experiences that are closer to their needs."
As part of its commitment to providing a seamless and integrated experience supported by digital solutions, Azadea will launch zara.com and zarahome.com
Customers will be able to shop seamlessly between physical stores and online platforms, in an integrated experience that reflects Azadea’s regional expertise in combining fashion, technology and service excellence.
It is worth mentioning that the Azadea Group, a leader in lifestyle retail, owns and operates more than 40 international brands under the franchise system in the Middle East and Africa region. Since its establishment in 1978, the group has succeeded in building a wide network of stores representing the most prominent international names in the fashion, accessories, food and beverage, home furnishings, sporting goods and lifestyle, beauty and cosmetics sectors.
Completing the procedures related to the employment form for the Central Bank staff
The Federal Public Service Council confirmed on Tuesday that the procedures for the employment form for the Central Bank's staff have been completed.
The council stated in a statement that "the head of the Federal Public Service Council, Muhi Murtadha Al-Qazwini, received the two members of the House of Representatives, Haider Muhammad Al-Mutairi and Hussein Sahib Mahdi, on Tuesday, to discuss the issue of employing holders of higher degrees and top graduates covered by Laws 59 and 67."
He added, "The visit included following up on the procedures related to the job code system, where the two deputies were briefed on the latest developments related to the employment of the segments under discussion. In this regard, the Speaker of the Council provided a detailed explanation regarding the challenges facing the work of the Council and the ways in which it deals with them, in order to ensure the accuracy of the work and the smooth flow of procedures."
He continued, “The Central Bank’s needs for job grades were discussed, and the Chairman of the Council explained that the Council has completed the procedures for the employment form for the Central Bank’s staff, and the date of its launch will be discussed in the upcoming Civil Service Council sessions,” stressing his determination to complete all files related to the employment of those who are eligible, and to intensify his efforts in coordination with the relevant authorities to complete all technical and technological procedures.
Donald Trump Is Forcing a Reset in Iraqi Politics
On Jan. 27, Donald Trump issued an ultimatum to Baghdad. Noting that Iraqi lawmakers were considering “reinstalling” Nouri al-Maliki as prime minister, Trump delivered an uncompromising verdict: “Because of his insane policies and ideologies, if elected, the United States of America will no longer help Iraq.”
These words were enough to end the prospects of Maliki, who had secured the nomination of the largest parliamentary bloc, the Coordination Framework (CF), to form the next government. This came more than two and a half months after the parliamentary elections on Nov. 11. That spell of political paralysis was not unusual. Under Iraq’s system, elections do not grant the party that wins the highest number of seats the automatic first opportunity to form a government. Instead, this right goes to the largest parliamentary bloc formed after the elections.
Maliki’s State of Law Coalition came in third, with 29 seats. Thanks to intense behind-the-scenes deal-making, Maliki outmaneuvered current Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani (whose party had gained the largest share of the vote) and managed to secure the nomination. This triumph seemed even more improbable given Maliki’s deep unpopularity and his divisive politics. Initially, though, it seemed that none of this would be enough to block his path to the premiership.
Trump’s intervention immediately changed everything. So why was it so effective? The reality is that the U.S. still has ample leverage over the government in Baghdad. Washington could start by simply closing the account at the U.S. Federal Reserve Bank of New York where Iraqi oil revenues are deposited and protected from the enforcement of numerous compensation judgments stemming from Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait – protection granted under a U.S. presidential order issued in 2003 and renewed annually. Closing this account would deprive Iraq of access to the oil revenues it earns from global markets, quickly triggering a financial collapse. According to 2025 figures, thesef-Iraq-s-87B-revenue-in-
There is now a broad consensus in the Iraqi political scene that Maliki has lost any hope of returning to office. Yet he continues to press ahead with his candidacy, claiming a populist mandate to resist “American interference” even while promising to appease the Trump administration. He has signaled a willingness to dismantle Iran-aligned armed factions, distance Iraq from Iranian influence, and build positive relations with America’s new regional ally, post-Assad Syria. Iraqis remember well, however, that it was Maliki who played a central role in creating the militias and drawing Iraq into Iran’s sphere of influence. He was also, at first, scathing about the rise of ex-jihadi Ahmed al-Sharaa to the Syrian presidency – until he wasn’t.
Trump’s stance echoes an earlier (though subtler) American rejection of Maliki. In 2014, the Obama administration declared that it would halt military aid to Iraq if Maliki won a third term as prime minister. The Americans blamed Maliki’s polarizing politics for weakening Iraq amid the threat from ISIS, which ultimately managed to conquer a third of the country. Washington’s position effectively sidelined Maliki. Over the following four years, under the U.S.-backed premiership of Haider al-Abadi, Iraq managed to regain some stability and liberate its territory from ISIS control in 2017, creating a general sense that the country had overcome the worst and that better years lay ahead.
It soon became clear, however, that the ruling Shiite alliance continued to allow the Iran-aligned militias to expand their political, economic, and institutional influence – not least thanks to Maliki. Today, as a result, members of these factions run ministries, contest elections, and secure increasing parliamentary representation. Iran has effectively achieved dominated Iraq’s political institutions. This is not only bad for Washington; it is bad for Iraqis, too.
The Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023, the strong Israeli response, and Trump’s return to the presidency have all driven a shift in U.S. policy toward Iraq. Until 2025, Washington pursued a strategy of patient – and ultimately futile – cooperative investment in successive Iraqi governments in order to help them thwart Iranian influence. That effort did not bear fruit. Now the Americans have abandoned that supportive approach in favor of peremptory demands: Iraq must dismantle Iranian influence within its borders and can expect negative consequences if it fails to do so. This is precisely the message Secretary of State Marco Rubio conveyed to Al-Sudani in a series of phone calls last year. Trump’s public no-confidence measure represents the culmination of this pressure-based strategy, one that places full responsibility for Baghdad’s choices squarely on Iraq itself.
Although Maliki remains committed to his candidacy, the Iraqi political class understands that defying the Trump administration would amount to political and economic suicide. The ex-prime minister’s chances have evaporated.
Yet the latest news has merely served to obscure the deeper question: Is there any potential prime minister actually capable of dismantling Iranian influence? The natural addressee of this question is none other than the Shiite alliance itself. Only by agreeing on this objective would it be in a position to provide the necessary political cover and institutional support for the next prime minister to carry out this task. The key question, then, is whether Trump’s rejection of Maliki will finally push the alliance to do the right thing.
Araghchi: We have reached an understanding on the main principles of the talks with Washington
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi announced on Tuesday that an understanding had been reached with the United States on key principles during the indirect talks in Geneva.
According to Iranian media outlets, including Video News Agency, Araqchi stated, "We held more serious discussions than in the previous round. The atmosphere was constructive, and various ideas were presented and thoroughly discussed."
He added, "This round was much better than the first, and we will proceed according to the established plan. We have witnessed positive developments in the negotiations with the United States compared to the previous round."
He also indicated that "an understanding has been reached on the main principles of the talks with the United States."
Tehran confirms its readiness to remain in Geneva for days or weeks until a final agreement is reached with Washington.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ismail Baghaei confirmed on Tuesday that the Iranian delegation is prepared to stay in Geneva for several days or even weeks to reach a final agreement with the United States on the Islamic Republic's nuclear program.
