Al-Nusairi: 2025 indicators: a strong economy, a recovering dinar, and developing banks.
Economic and banking advisor Samir Al-Nusairi confirmed that his predictions, made in previous articles and statements, that our economic indicators in 2025 herald a strong and robust economy based on the availability of foreign currency reserves exceeding $108 billion and 163 tons of gold, sufficient to cover imports for 18 months.
The video for this My FX Buddies blogpost is below here:
Acurrencies after leaving the electronic platform at the el-Nusairi said in an interview with Al-Eqtisad News that the local currency issued amounted to approximately 100 trillion dinars, and our dinar is recovering and gradually returning towards an exchange rate against the US dollar towards the equilibrium price targeted by the Central Bank. Our banks are developing and proceeding at a steady pace in accordance with the Central Bank’s strategy for reform, development, digital transformation and compliance with international standards. The number of Iraqi banks that have banking relations and accounts in solid international correspondent banks and deal with them directly in foreign transfers has reached approximately 20 banks and deal in multiple foreign at the end of 2024.
He explained that the Central Bank is making great efforts to qualify, develop and assist other banks to join the twenty banks mentioned above, pointing out that it is closely monitoring the reality of monetary policy applications and the Central Bank’s procedures, and its close monitoring of international economic variables and their impact on the Iraqi economy and compliance with international standards that allow Iraq to be regular in the global banking system and control the movement and safety of foreign currency trading. The banks’ commitment to implementing the new foreign transfer instructions and addressing obstacles as soon as possible has led to refuting the extremist and pessimistic views that say the exchange rate crisis will continue and our situation will be like that of Lebanon, Iran, Syria and Turkey when the dollar devoured the local currencies of these countries.
He explained that through our precise knowledge of the Central Bank's monetary policy applications, its coverage of the entire demand for the US dollar in the trading market and through its various official outlets, and its control over the distribution of cash dollars according to a new method that the US Treasury praised and considered a globally advanced method for distributing the US dollar, and this is what I confirmed in my previous articles, that the dinar will recover and the crisis is temporary despite all the external and internal reasons.
At the end of his speech on the Central Bank, Al-Nusairi hoped that the next phase would be an evaluation and analysis phase of the achievements made in 2023 and 2024, and a re-evaluation of operating banks and licensed and unlicensed exchange offices, reclassifying them and developing their work in all fields in 2025. He also hoped that stability would be maintained in the financial and monetary system and that important steps would be taken to stimulate and enable the banking sector to contribute to investment and development, as stated in paragraph 7 of axis twelve in the government program for reforming the financial and banking sector, because banking reform is the beginning of comprehensive economic reform.
The Minister of Planning appears in Parliament to discuss the ministry's work and prepare budget schedules.
The Parliamentary Finance Committee hosted Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Planning, Mohammed Ali Tamim, on Wednesday to discuss the ministry's work details and the preparation of budget schedules.
A statement by the Finance Committee, received by Al-Eqtisad News, stated that “the committee, headed by MP Atwan Al-Atwani, hosted today the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Planning, Mohammed Ali Tamim. The representatives, the Chairman and members of the Finance Committee, listened to a detailed explanation given by the Minister about the details of the Ministry of Planning’s work and the important results it has achieved, foremost among which is the completion of the population census project, which represents one of the most important future projects for Iraq.”
She added that "Tamim spoke about the ministry's role in preparing the budget, including its investment component," noting that "MPs raised a number of questions regarding the preparation of budget schedules, mechanisms for monitoring spending and project implementation."
The Minister of Planning announces the completion of the preparation of the budget tables and their submission to the Council of Ministers.
Tamim said in a press statement, "The budget schedules do not include any new projects, but they do include funding for ongoing projects."
For his part, Chairman of the Parliamentary Finance Committee, Atwan Al-Atwani, said, "We are determined to activate the General Authority for Monitoring the Allocation of Federal Revenues."
Minister of Planning Mohammed Tamim announced on Wednesday the completion of the 2025 budget tables and their submission to the Council of Ministers.
The office of the head of the parliamentary finance committee, Atwan Al-Atwani, stated in a statement seen by Al-Eqtisad News that "the committee, headed by Atwani, hosted Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Planning Mohammed Tamim to discuss maximizing non-oil revenues."
Al-Atwani emphasized that "the Finance Committee noted a clear flaw in the estimation of non-oil revenues. By amending the law of the General Authority for Monitoring the Allocation of Federal Revenues, we seek to assess the extent of revenue from investment of state assets and other revenue streams, so that we can have a clear picture when formulating the country's financial policy."
He added, "The committee is determined to activate the work of this important constitutional body and grant it broader powers so it can assume its responsible national role."
He expressed his "concern over the halt in listing projects and the delay in financing ongoing projects," noting that "these reasons are a dangerous prelude that could lead us back to the problem of stalled projects."
The statement added, "The meeting reviewed a number of proposals and ideas agreed upon between the Finance Committee and the Minister of Planning regarding adding tasks and duties to the General Authority for Monitoring the Allocation of Federal Revenues and granting it expanded powers to review revenue estimates and plan for their collection."
He pointed out that "the meeting addressed the issues of the suspension of project listings, the delay in funding ongoing projects, the governorates' financial entitlements, and the delay in announcing the results of the population census."
For his part, the Minister of Planning said, "His ministry has completed its preparation of the 2025 budget schedules, and we have sent them to the Council of Ministers." He noted that they "do not include any new projects, but do include funding for ongoing projects."
The Minister of Planning added, "The results of the general population census are fully ready, and their delay depends on the arrival of some data related to the Kurdistan Region."
Sending budget tables to the Cabinet
The government issued new assurances on Wednesday regarding the country's financial situation. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Planning, Mohammed Tamim, announced the completion of the 2025 budget schedules and their submission to the Council of Ministers. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister's Advisor for Financial Affairs, Mazhar Mohammed Salih, confirmed that Iraq's public finances are resilient to oil price fluctuations.
The Ministry of Finance, for its part, ensured financial stability by disbursing salaries on time, as well as disbursing pensioners' salaries before Eid al-Fitr. In a meeting with the Parliamentary Finance Committee, the Minister of Planning confirmed that the schedules include funding for ongoing projects without adding new ones.
According to information published by "Al-Sabah", the (2025) budget is expected to reach about (200) trillion dinars with an estimated deficit of (64) trillion dinars. For his part, the financial advisor, Mazhar Muhammad Salih, explained that Iraq is hedging against oil price fluctuations, and that the first quarter of (2025) passed without financial turmoil, while ensuring the stability of salaries and social care, in addition to implementing service projects.
Saleh pointed out that "the price of a barrel of oil in the Federal Budget Law for the three years, issued pursuant to Law No. (13) of (2023), was set at about (70) dollars, which ensures the stability of public revenues despite global economic challenges."
Al-Sudani's advisor speaks to Al-Jabal about the reason for the delay in sending the 2025 budget tables and the date of their arrival to Parliament.
On Wednesday, March 26, 2025, Mazhar Mohammed Saleh, the financial and economic advisor to the Iraqi Prime Minister, revealed the reason for the delay in submitting the 2025 budget tables to the Iraqi Parliament, while predicting when they will reach Parliament.
Saleh told Al-Jabal platform that the reason for the delay in sending the budget tables to the Iraqi Parliament is the legislative agreement on the amendment made to the Federal General Budget Law No. 13 of 2023 (the Triennial Budget) by the Parliament on February 2 of this year, which concerned Article 12 of the budget, particularly those related to the region’s oil contracts. The amendment was made and published in the Official Gazette.
Saleh pointed out that "the amendment aims to appoint a specialized international technical advisory body to calculate the fair estimated costs of producing and transporting oil in the Kurdistan Region and for each field separately, to preserve national wealth, enhance actual federal revenues, and enable the State Oil Marketing Organization (SOMO) to make optimal use of and diversify export outlets."
He added: "Accordingly, revenues must be adjusted and expenditures recalculated in the total 2025 general budget tables. Despite the slight delay, it has not affected the country's financial life at all. The first quarter will end with a high level of financial stability and discipline, as budget commitments in public spending, both operational and investment, have been implemented in a balanced manner and in accordance with a coordinated circle of consultation and communication between the executive and legislative authorities on the one hand, and between fiscal and monetary policies on the other."
The Iraqi Prime Minister's financial and economic advisor concluded by saying, "It is expected that these financial tables will be presented to the House of Representatives after the Eid al-Fitr holiday."
Missile buildup: Iran flexes military muscle amid regional tensions
On Tuesday, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) unveiled a vast underground missile facility, showcasing its advanced arsenal in what it described as a key step in bolstering the country’s military capabilities.
The facility, located deep within mountainous terrain, houses thousands of ballistic missiles, including the Kheibar Shekan, Sejil, Emad, Qadr, and Haj Qassem models, according to Iranian state media. Footage broadcast on Iranian television displayed missiles fueled by both liquid and solid propellants, underscoring Tehran’s expanding offensive and defensive capabilities amid heightened regional tensions.
Iran’s Chief of Staff declared that the country’s military strength now surpasses “dozens of times” the scale of its “True Promise 2” operation. He asserted that Iran’s defense expansion is “outpacing its adversaries’ ability to address their vulnerabilities, leaving them at a strategic disadvantage.”
"The enemy will remain behind in the balance of power," he said, emphasizing Iran's commitment to advancing its missile program despite international scrutiny.
Iran’s military buildup is driven by longstanding geopolitical rivalries, particularly with Israel, as well as economic and strategic pressures exacerbated by international sanctions. These constraints have pushed Tehran to develop defense technologies, with its missile program serving as a cornerstone of its deterrence strategy.
The country’s support for proxy groups—including Hezbollah and the Houthis—further shapes its military posture, frequently bringing it into indirect conflict with regional adversaries.
According to the Global Firepower Index, Iran ranks 14th in global military strength among 145 countries, boasting approximately 610,000 active personnel. Its air force operates 551 aircraft, while its ground forces include 1,996 tanks and over 65,000 armored vehicles. Iran’s navy fields 37 ships, including seven submarines.
Regional Finance: Tomorrow, Thursday, we will begin distributing employee salaries for the current month of March.
The Ministry of Finance of the Kurdistan Regional Government announced on Wednesday that the amount allocated to finance employee salaries for the current month of March has been received.
The Ministry of Finance said in a statement monitored by Al-Masry, "Today, Wednesday, March 26, 2025, an amount of 954,880,467,779 dinars was transferred to finance the March salaries of employees and retirees in the Kurdistan Region."
The statement added: "This amount was transferred to the Ministry of Finance's account at the Erbil branch of the Central Bank of Iraq. This amount is the same amount requested by the Ministry of Finance in the Kurdistan Regional Government to fund employee salaries without any deductions." It noted that "tomorrow, Thursday, will witness the start of the distribution of employee salaries for the current month of March."
Federal Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani instructed the Ministry of Finance in the federal government to distribute March salaries to employees in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region before Eid al-Fitr.
Iran breaks the norm and removes the American flag, leaving the Israeli one underfoot (photo)
A video clip broadcast by official Iranian media showed the Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, Major General Mohammad Bagheri, and Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh visiting a new missile city of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' Aerospace Force, where the Israeli flag was placed at the feet of the military commanders.
According to Iran's Ensaf News Agency, the American flag is usually also trampled on during these occasions. However, during the leaders' visit, only the Israeli flag was drawn on the ground and placed under the feet of Major General Bagheri and General Hajizadeh, commander of the IRGC's Aerospace Force.
On the eve of US President Donald Trump's inauguration ceremony, early this year, the US flag was removed from the grounds of the Iranian government building.
Al-Sudani discusses debts owed to investment companies supplying electricity to Iraq.
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani discussed on Wednesday the debts owed to investment companies that supply Iraq with electricity.
The Prime Minister's media office stated in a statement seen by Al-Eqtisad News that "Al-Sudani chaired a meeting that included representatives from the Ministries of Oil, Electricity, and Finance to discuss the debts owed to investment companies that supply Iraq with electricity."
According to the statement, Al-Sudani directed that "the Ministry of Electricity begin paying the dues of investment companies that supplied electricity over the past period, in kind, with the payment mechanism relying on granting these companies gas oil."
Iraq signs deal with BP to boost Kirkuk oil production
On Wednesday, the Ministry of Oil and British company BP signed a contract for the development and production of four oil fields in Kirkuk in presence of the Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Al-Sudani
According to a statement from Al-Sudani's media office, the contract included the rehabilitation and development of the four fields (Kirkuk, Bai Hassan, Jambur, and Khabbaz) to enhance hydrocarbon reserves and increase crude oil production, with the goal of reaching a peak production rate of 420,000 barrels per day.
The contract included also the utilization of associated gas, by upgrading and expanding the North Gas Company's facilities to produce 400 million standard cubic feet per day, as well as establishing a 400-megawatt power plant, the statement noted.
Last month, the Iraqi PM’s office announced signing an agreement with BP to develop and rehabilitate the same fields.
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Iraq Implements Global Transit System TIR from April
Iraq will implement the global transit system TIR from 1 April 2025, marking a significant step in enhancing logistics and international trade.
According to state-run Iraqi News Agency (INA), the Border Ports Commission announced that the system will streamline cross-border transport, strengthening Iraq's position as a key trade hub in the Middle East.
The TIR system is expected to play a crucial role in the Development Road project, linking southern and northern Iraq while providing an efficient trade corridor connecting Asia, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Turkey, and Europe.
Logistics firms are prepared to launch TIR operations from locations such as Mersin, Turkey, to Gulf countries via Umm Qasr Port. Initial trials indicate that the journey could be completed in under a week-compared to 14 days via the Red Sea or 26 days if ships reroute around Africa.
Transport Minister Razzaq Muhibis Al-Saadawi highlighted that TIR implementation, supported by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani and facilitated by the International Road Transport Union (IRU), will reduce transport times by 80% and costs by 38%, offering substantial economic benefits and job creation. Over the past two years, Iraq has developed its transport infrastructure to maximise TIR's impact on trade and the national economy.
IRU Secretary-General Umberto de Pretto welcomed the initiative, stating that TIR has facilitated secure trade for nearly eight decades. He anticipates that Iraq's integration into the system will enhance regional economic connectivity and streamline freight movement. The system's electronic pre-declaration (TIR-EPD) will integrate with Iraq's Uruk platform, enabling cargo monitoring via GPS and enhancing security through regular checkpoints.
TIR, governed by a United Nations convention and managed by IRU, is designed to ensure smooth, cost-effective, and secure international trade.
In 2023, Iraq became the 78th country to accede to the United Nations TIR Convention.
Al-Mandlawi: Iraq is witnessing stability and has an attractive environment for investments.
First Deputy Speaker of Parliament Mohsen al-Mandalawi affirmed on Tuesday that Iraq is interested in developing its relations with its brothers, neighbors, and friends. He also stated that Iraq invites reputable companies to invest in Iraq and benefit from its internal stability and attractive environment.
The media office of the First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Mohsen Al-Mandalawi, said in a statement received by Al-Maalouma that “Al-Mandalawi received the Turkish Ambassador to Iraq, Anil Bora Inan, and his accompanying delegation to discuss a number of important issues at the local and regional levels, as well as bilateral relations and ways to strengthen them in various fields.”
He stressed, according to the statement, that "Iraq is interested in developing its relations with its brothers, neighbors, and friends, and provides significant facilities for solid companies to invest in the country. He called on them to take advantage of the internal stability and attractive environment to expand their participation and presence, particularly in the areas of developing the energy and electricity sectors, improving infrastructure services, and strengthening their economic partnership to serve common interests."
Al-Mandlawi called for urgent, high-level dialogue between the governments and parliaments of the region's countries to address threats that destabilize regional security and stability, and to work seriously to prevent the expansion of the conflict, deter the Zionist occupation forces from implementing their malicious plans, and to work together to stop the crimes of genocide in Gaza, and to condemn the ongoing violations of the autonomy of Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen.
MP: America has no other means of pressuring Iraq than economic means.
Member of Parliament Amer Hussein confirmed on Wednesday that America has no other cards than the economic card and financial pressures to confront Iraq with in order to exert pressure and achieve its goals.
Hussein told / Al-Maalouma /, “America has no other cards than the economic cards against Iraq if it wants to tighten the noose on the country, such that it will move towards restricting the movement of Iraqi funds held in American banks.”
He added, "The American side has the economic card to play with Iraq, as it is possible to prevent dealings with certain companies and restrict financial transactions, but such a siege cannot be resorted to by Washington without justifications that push it to such options."
He explained that "America will not be able to re-exert pressure on Iraq through the security aspects related to the terrorist ISIS, and therefore it is working on the economic card to achieve its interests." End
An economist details potential US punitive measures against Iraq.
Economics professor Saleh Rashid confirmed on Wednesday (March 26, 2025) that America is trying, through its current economic war, to use all the punitive means at its disposal through its large financial and economic infrastructure, indicating that Washington has many cards to play in the Iraqi scene.
Rashid told Baghdad Today, "The American strategy after Trump's arrival at the White House relied directly on economic sanctions as the most effective means of achieving the Greater Middle East project, which represents a lifeline for Israel by securing its influence in the region and pushing it to digest what remains of the Palestinian people's rights."
He added that "Washington is facing a different formulation of economic warfare, employing all the punitive means at its disposal through its extensive financial and economic infrastructure," noting that "Washington has many cards at its disposal in the Iraqi arena, including sanctions on banks and the flow of funds. Consequently, we may witness an attempt to narrow economic paths, which will inflame the Iraqi street and put direct pressure on the Iraqi government."
He pointed out that "Washington seeks to separate Baghdad from Iranian influence, as it views Baghdad and Tehran as one arena."
Noting that "if the central government does not take steps to restructure the contentious issues related to the factions and the Popular Mobilization Forces, we expect more stringent economic sanctions, which may include withdrawing companies or obstructing the operations of investment companies, especially in the energy sector."
He explained that "if companies feel that Iraq's environment is unsafe and unstable, they will withdraw their investments, which will have repercussions for the energy sector and other services, especially since the Iraqi people need these investments to develop their capabilities, whether in the energy sector or in other sectors."
Rashid emphasized that "Iraq faces major challenges in the coming period, and all expectations are open," noting that "Washington's resort to withdrawing companies from southern Iraq and the central Euphrates is likely to achieve three goals. The first is to pressure Baghdad to continue distancing itself from Iranian interests, and to try to position Baghdad as part of its pivot in the Middle East. In addition, it is to ensure that the largest investments in Iraq are for American companies, or at least companies from countries allied with it."
Last February, the Central Bank announced details of its meetings with the US Treasury and the US Federal Reserve.
The Central Bank of Iraq stated in a statement received by Baghdad Today that "the first quarterly meetings of 2025 with the US Treasury Department and the US Federal Reserve, held in Dubai with the participation of international auditing and consulting firms (EY, K2 Integrity, Oliver Wyman), have concluded. The meetings culminated in praise for the steps taken by the Central Bank of Iraq and the Iraqi government to reform the banking sector."
He added that the most important steps taken were the development of the US dollar cash distribution system in Iraq, which they considered the most closely monitored and controlled system in the world, limiting manipulation and smuggling of US dollars.
The qualitative shift in foreign exchange transactions and the steps taken by the Central Bank of Iraq to address the risks associated with these transactions have now risen to the level of transfers carried out by international banks.
The Central Bank explained that consulting firms EY and Oliver Wyman reviewed plans to reform and upgrade the public and private banking sectors in line with international standards and facilitate the integration of Iraqi banks into the international financial network.
The Central Bank, according to the statement, emphasized the need to ensure adherence to the bank's official channels for the latest news and to avoid transmitting inaccurate information, such as reports that some Iraqi banks are subject to international sanctions. This is because transactions carried out by banks operating in Iraq depend heavily on the confidence of international correspondent banks in the Iraqi banking sector.
Two informed sources reported last February that the Central Bank of Iraq would ban local banks from dealing in dollars.
Reuters quoted the two sources as saying, "The Central Bank of Iraq will ban five local banks from dealing in dollars at the request of the US Treasury."
The two sources added, "Three payment services companies will be banned from dealing in dollars, in accordance with a request from the US Treasury."
They pointed out that "the US submitted its request due to serious monetary violations and the smuggling of dollars out of the country."
Washington and the Balance of Power in Iraq: A Strategy of Pressure and Balance Without Sunni Military Support
Political science professor Mahmoud Azou revealed the outlines of the US interests in Iraq on Wednesday (March 26, 2025), stressing that Washington will not support the formation of a Sunni military force, but will instead rely on a pressure strategy to achieve a political balance that serves its interests.
In an interview with Baghdad Today, Azou explained that "talk about US President Donald Trump supporting some Sunni forces to transform them into strong competitors to the Shiite parties in parliament is unlikely," noting that "the Republicans do not believe in this approach, but rather prefer to pressure other parties to ensure gains for the Sunni component without the need to form an independent military force."
He pointed out that "this approach is not new. Washington used it previously in 2005 during the drafting of the Iraqi constitution, when it exerted pressure to ensure Sunni participation in the political process."
Azou added, "US policy toward Iraq is based on limiting the influence of Shiite factions without resorting to supporting a Sunni military force, which is evident in the messages Washington sends to the Iraqi government."
He explained that "Trump prefers to achieve balance through government institutions, rather than supporting any unofficial forces that might influence the political landscape."
He emphasized that "Washington views Iraq as a strategic ally and economic resource, and does not see it as a threat to its regional interests. However, at the same time, it does not support the formation of alliances that threaten its influence." He continued, "US policy may sometimes tend to support the Iraqi government through 'antibiotics,' i.e., creating a political balance without clear bias toward any party."
Azou pointed out that "US foreign policy has recently undergone fundamental changes, which have confused some of its allies, such as Canada and the European Union," noting that "these shifts will also impact Iraq, but they will remain within the general framework of the Republican approach to managing the region."
Transformations in the Digital Landscape in Iraq by 2025
In recent years, the world has witnessed rapid developments and dramatic transformations in its digital worlds and spaces. Technology tools in general, and social media in particular, have become an essential part of human existence and a cornerstone of daily interactions at various levels and aspects that shape life.
Digital platforms are no longer merely a means of communication between individuals, as was their purpose at the time of their inception. They have become a direct reflection and true embodiment of prevailing political ideas, patterns of economic consumption, cultural patterns, societal trends, and personal behaviors in the majority of countries worldwide that use these technologies.
In this context, Iraq cannot be excluded from the map of changes taking place regarding its digital landscape, which is being swept by a hurricane of unprecedented transformations and changes whose consequences and development trajectory across all age groups cannot be ignored. According to the latest reports issued by the Digital Media Center (DMC), the number of social media users in Iraq reached 34.3 million in 2025, representing 73.8% of the total population. This reflects continued growth and rapid progress in the use of platforms and reliance on digital applications as a means of entertainment, communication, and interaction, as well as an effective tool for expressing opinions, presenting ideas, building and organizing social and professional relationships, following news, and creating a new pattern of business transactions.
The results of the Center's report require in-depth analysis, deconstructing its main themes, and examining the significance of these numbers to understand their implications for politics, economics, society, and culture, in order to address them in a sound, realistic, and thoughtful manner.
At a first glance, we discover that the most prominent feature of this report is not related to the growth and increase in the number of users. What happened was an expected event in light of the global trend towards digitization. Rather, its most important aspect relates to the changes occurring in the patterns of use of various digital platforms and users' interest in and reliance on them in their lives. Some platforms, such as TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat, have witnessed varying degrees of increase in user numbers, while others, such as YouTube and Facebook Messenger, have declined. This reflects a shift in user preferences and interests, as well as a change in the ways users interact with content. LinkedIn has also seen significant growth in its user numbers, demonstrating a growing interest in professional networking and employment via virtual space.
From my perspective, as a specialist in this field, there are four aspects that can be drawn from this report. We can arrive at these findings by analyzing its content, exploring its dimensions, and understanding its impact on the various intellectual trends it reflects on the ground. These are as follows:
First: The Growth of TikTok and the Dominance of Short-Form Content
One of the most prominent digital phenomena in Iraq is the remarkable rise of TikTok, which has added 2.35 million new users in one year, bringing its total number of users to 34.3 million. The platform's ability to attract audiences can be seen through its ease of use, interactive content, and short clips, which quickly capture users' attention and appeal to the new generation's mood. Influencers are also paying close attention to the platform, making TikTok a thriving environment for them and for content creators, who enjoy a wide following of millions of users. This also applies to Instagram and Snapchat, but without the same growth seen on TikTok.
Second: The Decline of YouTube and Trends in Long-Term Video Viewing
YouTube has seen a decline in its user base, falling from 22.8 million in 2024 to 22.3 million in 2025. This change coincided with the rise of TikTok, indicating the potential for audiences to shift toward short-form video platforms and generate faster financial revenue, as offered by TikTok. Despite this decline, YouTube still enjoys a passionate audience that follows its content in various fields, such as education, entertainment, sports, fitness, beauty, fashion, human development, programming, music, arts, tourism, travel, science, experiences, and more.
Third: The Flourishing of LinkedIn and Interest in Professional Networking
I believe I was one of the first to write about LinkedIn in Iraq. In an article titled "LinkedIn, the Real Site Iraqis Need" (June 21, 2018), I pointed out the importance of Iraqi youth's interest in this platform due to the scientific and educational material it provides, as well as promising job opportunities.
One of the striking and positive aspects of the Digital Media Center's report is the clear Iraqi trend and interest in this platform over the past few years. The number of its users has increased to 2.3 million, an increase of approximately 400,000 people over the previous year. This trend is due to a growing awareness of the platform's importance, particularly with regard to practical employment opportunities, which has made LinkedIn the primary platform for job searches. Many companies, institutions, and entrepreneurs have also begun to rely on it as a primary tool for recruitment and networking with professionals, leading to the growth of entrepreneurship, the expansion of business networks, and the building of professional relationships.
Fourth: The shift toward messaging apps instead of Facebook Messenger
The decline in the number of Facebook Messenger users to 15 million (a loss of 700,000 users compared to last year) indicates that users are turning to instant messaging apps, such as WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal, and others, and relying on them for communication, contact, and even business management. These apps offer features that users consider superior to Facebook Messenger.
These changes I have identified above undoubtedly raise several fundamental questions about the nature of the digital landscape in Iraq, its map, its trajectory, its future trends, the platforms that control it, its relationship with users, and the impact this will have on various sectors, from interaction in political circles and their complexities, to media, marketing, and commerce, and finally, social and personal behaviors.
I believe that the near future will witness the continued rise of platforms that focus on short videos, such as TikTok, while other platforms will seek to focus more on this type of clip. LinkedIn is also expected to continue its rise and develop in line with the growing interest in digital transformation in Iraq and its impact on daily interactions. I also anticipate more prudent government efforts to issue regulations and legislation that seek, through their provisions, to regulate this digital space and address the challenges it faces and the loopholes through which it operates, in order to reshape the digital landscape in Iraq in a manner consistent with the world's virtual spaces.
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