An economist says banks' manipulation of profits is exacerbating the "hoarding crisis" and liquidity shortage.
Economic expert Salam al-Zubaidi warned on Thursday of the repercussions of some state-owned banks altering the terms of agreements with depositors. He emphasized that this ill-considered measure has resulted in reduced profits for citizens and discouraged them from depositing funds, exacerbating the phenomenon of hoarding and the country's liquidity crisis.
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Al-Zubaidi told Al-Maalouma, “There are numerous complaints from citizens regarding the reduced profits they receive when depositing their money, which contradicts the initial terms of the agreement with the bank.” He explained that "the main problem lies in the ill-conceived management decisions that unilaterally change previous contracts."
He added that "these practices have led to a loss of confidence in the public banking sector, encouraging citizens to hoard their money at home and in businesses, away from the formal banking system." He pointed out that this "hoarding" poses a significant challenge to the Iraqi economy, as approximately 87% of the circulating cash (around 95 trillion dinars) remains outside the formal banking system.
He explained that "the phenomenon of hoarding money has caused a major liquidity crisis and negatively impacted banks' ability to finance and lend, thus harming overall economic growth in the country." He called for "urgent measures to restore confidence in the banking system by adhering to existing agreements and ensuring transparency in financial transactions."
Parliament will hold a session next week to elect the president of the republic.
A parliamentary source revealed on Thursday the date of the session to elect the President of the Republic in the Iraqi Parliament, indicating that the date came after several meetings with the political blocs.
The source told Shafaq News Agency that "the Speaker of Parliament held meetings with the political blocs to convene a session to elect the President of the Republic within the specified constitutional timeframe."
He added that "the session will be held either on Monday or Tuesday of next week, before the end of the constitutional deadline," explaining that "before the session to elect the president of the republic, there will be a parliamentary session held on Sunday to discuss the security situation and securing the Iraqi borders, in the presence of the Ministers of Interior and Defense and the security leaders, and that the session will be private and closed."
The Iraqi Parliament Presidency announced in the middle of this month the names of the candidates who met the legal requirements to run for the position of President of the Republic of Iraq, based on the provisions of Article (4) of the Law on the Provisions of Nomination for the Position No. (8) of 2012, and their number reached 15 candidates.
Later, the Federal Court ruled on the appeals of the candidates for the position, and reinstated 4 names as candidates for the position, bringing the final number to 19 candidates.
A meeting and dinner brings together Al-Sudani and Savaya in Baghdad
An informed source revealed on Thursday that Trump's envoy, Mark Savva, arrived in Baghdad, where he was received by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani at his office.
The source told Video News Agency that al-Sudani and Savva held an official meeting and also dined together during the meeting, which took place at the Prime Minister's office.
Breaking | Sources to Iraq Observer: Trump's envoy to Iraq, Savaya, has already arrived in Baghdad and met with al-Sudani at a working dinner.
According to multiple sources, US President Donald Trump's envoy to Iraq, Mark Savaya, has already arrived in Baghdad.
These sources, speaking to Iraq Observer, said Savaya met with Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani for a working dinner on Thursday evening.
The anticipated visit of the US envoy was preceded by a series of statements he made through a number of tweets on his official X account, focusing on combating the rampant corruption in the Iraqi state and drying up its sources.
In the past few days, Savaya has also posted a series of photos of his meetings with US President Trump, the Secretaries of War and the Treasury, and other US officials, along with comments about his intention to address a number of crises facing Iraq.
No official statement has yet been issued by the Iraqi government regarding the start of the visit and its agenda.
Minister of Finance Meets With World Bank Delegation
Iraq’s Minister of Finance met yesterday with the World Bank delegation for the Middle East and North Africa to discuss cooperation opportunities and economic reform in Iraq.
With a shared vision of economic reform and expansion of major development programmes, Iraq’s visible commitment to streamlining banking procedures to create an attractive environment for investments, enhancing the role of the private sector to reduce imports, and maximising non-oil revenues by automating tax and customs systems and enhancing public treasury resources was at the centre of the discussions.
Minister Mohammed highlighted the leading role of the private sector as a strategic objective in Iraq’s economic development to ensure the resilience of the Iraqi economy, alongside the importance of partnerships with international institutions to advance the national economic landscape.
The World Bank’s International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD)
and the International Development Association (IDA) have 23 projects in Iraq with a total commitment of $ 6.64 billion dollars including in areas such as infrastructure, health, and transport.
The Central Bank of Iraq sold $70 billion in hard currency over 10 months.
The Central Bank of Iraq revealed on Thursday the volume of its hard currency sales during the first ten months of 2025, which amounted to about $70 billion.
The bank stated, in a statistic seen by “Al-Sa’a”, that “total sales amounted to $67 billion and 272 million, distributed as $64 billion and 969 million for foreign transfers, compared to $2 billion and 303 million as cash sales.”
He noted that “hard currency sales during this period recorded an increase of 7.5% compared to the same period in 2024, which amounted to $62 billion and 581 million at that time.”
Trump appreciates Iraq's efforts in supporting regional stability during this sensitive period.
The Prime Minister's Media Office stated in a statement, a copy of which was received by Al-Furat News, that: "Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani received, today, Thursday, the US President's Special Envoy to Syria, Thomas Barak, during which the situation in the region and developments in the Syrian arena were discussed."
Al-Sudani stressed "the importance of security in Syria for Iraq and the region, and the need for cooperation in order to establish stability and ensure the unity of Syrian territory."
He also noted the "constructive partnership between Iraq and the United States in combating terrorism, laying the foundations for economic cooperation and sustainable development, and supporting bilateral and regional efforts for prosperity in Iraq and the region."
For his part, Barak conveyed to Al-Sudani, according to the statement, the appreciation of the US President for the Iraqi government’s efforts in supporting stability in the region and managing Iraq’s positions during this sensitive stage.
He also praised the steps taken by the Sudanese government and the performance of the Iraqi security forces in combating terrorism, as well as Iraq’s openness to international investments and the establishment of economic interdependence, which constituted an important factor for stability.
Iraqi agreement with an American company to invest in and develop the Hamrin oil field
On Thursday, the North Oil Company discussed with a delegation from the American company HKN, during an expanded meeting held at the company's headquarters, the prospects for investment and development of the Hamrin oil field.
According to a statement from the company, received by Shafaq News Agency, “During the meeting, which was attended by the company’s Director General, Amer Khalil Ahmed, the technical and economic details of the project were discussed within the licensing rounds, in a way that contributes to raising production levels and maximizing the benefit from national resources, in line with the Ministry of Oil’s strategies aimed at developing the oil sector and increasing its efficiency.”
The statement noted that the meeting was attended by a number of specialists from technical and engineering bodies, where plans related to developing oil reservoirs in the field, rehabilitating surface facilities, and improving production systems were reviewed, in addition to discussing the proposed timetables for implementing the project in accordance with the latest standards adopted in the global oil industry.
The economic and contractual aspects of the project were also discussed, in order to achieve the best economic feasibility for the country, and to ensure efficient implementation and sustainable production in the medium and long term.
In this regard, oil expert Ali Khalil told Shafaq News Agency that "the Hamrin field is one of the promising fields in northern Iraq," noting that "its oil reserves are estimated at billions of barrels, making it an important element in the national production map."
He added that "the field extends geographically between the governorates of Kirkuk and Salah al-Din, and is characterized by the multiplicity of its oil reservoirs, but its development requires modern technologies and global expertise to raise extraction rates and reduce costs."
Khalil explained that “involving an American company like HKN contributes to the transfer of advanced technology, improved reservoir management, as well as the development of field infrastructure, which will positively impact increased and sustainable production, stressing that the success of the project depends on good contract management and ensuring the highest economic benefit for the country.”
The Hamrin oil field is one of the old fields that has not been fully utilized in recent decades, as it currently relies on limited potential compared to the size of its reserves, making its development project a strategic step to enhance oil production in the north of the country and support the national economy.
This meeting is part of a series of technical and coordination meetings aimed at ensuring the success of the investment and development project of the Hamrin oil field, and strengthening partnerships with reputable international companies, in order to support development plans and advance the Iraqi oil sector.
Trump's envoy after meeting with al-Sudani: Iraq's assistance in Syria is indispensable.
On behalf of the US President and Secretary of State, US Presidential Envoy to Syria Thomas Barrack expressed his deep appreciation to the Iraqi government, commending its exceptional leadership within the international coalition to defeat ISIS, and its unwavering willingness to contribute to protecting the international community from the ongoing threat posed by ISIS detainees.
Following his meeting with Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, Barak said, “We are deeply honored to thank the Iraqi government for its exceptional leadership within the international coalition to defeat ISIS and for its unwavering willingness to help protect the international community from the ongoing threat posed by ISIS detainees.”
He added, in a post on the “X” platform, which was followed by the 964 network , that “Iraq’s vital contributions to promoting stability in Syria, and in the entire region, are indispensable. They reflect a deep commitment to collective security, and pave the way for a more peaceful, prosperous and united future for all our common neighbors.”
Trump's envoy arrives in Baghdad... Washington thanks the Sudanese
He touched on Syria and economic exchange
US President's Special Envoy to Syria, Tom Barak, arrived in Baghdad, where he was received by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani. They discussed the situation in the region and developments in Syria. Al-Sudani stressed the importance of security in Syria for Iraq and the region, and the need for cooperation to establish stability and ensure the unity of Syrian territory. Barak, for his part, conveyed the US President's appreciation for the Iraqi government's efforts in supporting stability in the region and managing Iraq's positions during this sensitive stage.
In a statement, a copy of which was received by Network 964 , the Prime Minister’s office said, “Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani received today, Thursday, the US President’s Special Envoy to Syria, Thomas Barak. During the meeting, they discussed the situation in the region and developments on the Syrian scene, where the Prime Minister stressed the importance of security in Syria for Iraq and the region, and the need for cooperation to consolidate stability and ensure the unity of Syrian territory.”
According to the statement, Al-Sudani also pointed to “the constructive partnership between Iraq and the United States in the field of combating terrorism, establishing the foundations of economic cooperation, sustainable development, and supporting bilateral and regional efforts for prosperity in Iraq and the region.”
For his part, Barak conveyed to the Prime Minister “the appreciation of the US President for the Iraqi government’s efforts in supporting stability in the region and managing Iraq’s positions during this sensitive period,” according to the statement.
The statement continued, noting that Barak “praised Mr. Sudani’s steps and the performance of the Iraqi security forces in combating terrorism, and Iraq’s openness to international investments and the establishment of economic interdependence, which constituted an important factor for stability.”
The Central Bank signs a memorandum of understanding with the Iraqi Media Network to enhance institutional cooperation and financial awareness.
The Central Bank of Iraq initiated the signing of a joint memorandum of understanding with the Iraqi Media Network, in a step aimed at expanding the frameworks of cooperation and institutional integration between the two sides, and highlighting the banking sector and monetary policy in the country, in a way that contributes to enhancing financial awareness and consolidating confidence in the Iraqi financial and banking sector.The memorandum was signed by His Excellency the Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq, Mr. Ali Mohsen Al-Alaq, and the President of the Iraqi Media Network, Mr. Karim Hammadi, where the Governor of the Central Bank stressed the importance of the pivotal role of national media in building community awareness, and the need to regulate the media message, given its direct impact on maintaining trust between state institutions and citizens.Al-Alaq pointed out that many foreign institutions base their perceptions of the Iraqi reality and its various sectors on what the media reports, which may sometimes lead to an inaccurate picture of the country's reality, stressing the importance of institutional coordination to highlight the true picture of developments in the national economy and the banking sector.The Central Bank Governor also reviewed the successes achieved by monetary policy in reducing inflation rates, supporting the banking system and the housing sector through multiple initiatives, as well as supporting the industrial sector, which contributes to enhancing economic stability and achieving sustainable development.For his part, the head of the Iraqi Media Network, Karim Hammadi, appreciated the initiative of the Central Bank of Iraq to sign this memorandum, stressing the network’s readiness to support initiatives related to the banking sector in various programs, to raise the level of financial awareness among citizens, and to show a positive image of Iraq and its financial institutions.Hammadi pointed to the importance of the role of national media in enhancing confidence in the banking sector and reflecting the efforts of state institutions, praising the efforts made by the Central Bank of Iraq in developing the banking system and enhancing financial stability, and the pivotal role it plays in supporting the national economy.This memorandum comes within the framework of the Central Bank of Iraq’s keenness to strengthen the partnership with national media institutions, in a way that serves the public interest and contributes to consolidating confidence in the Iraqi financial and banking sector.
“Maliki’s Return”: U.S. State Department Confirms Ongoing Consultations with Baghdad on Government Formation
The U.S. State Department said in a statement to Alhurra that Washington is closely monitoring the process of forming the Iraqi government and is engaged in ongoing consultations with senior Iraqi leaders on the matter.
In response to questions sent by Alhurra via email regarding the possibility of former Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki returning to head the government, a State Department spokesperson said that consultations with Iraqi leaders are continuing as part of the process of forming a new government in Iraq.
The spokesperson did not mention Maliki by name when commenting on Alhurra’s question about the impact of his potential return on Iraqi-U.S. relations. However, the spokesperson expressed the hope that, under the leadership of President Donald Trump, the process would lead to outcomes that support Iraq’s stability and serve the shared interests of both countries.
Over the past week, Maliki’s name has emerged as the sole candidate for the position of prime minister in Iraq, following the withdrawal of his primary rival, current Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani.
After the announcement of the results of the 2025 elections in November—where Sudani’s coalition won first place with 46 seats out of the parliament’s total of 329 seats, and Maliki’s State of Law coalition secured 29 seats—both men put forward their names as candidates for the premiership.
Maliki and Sudani are members of the Coordination Framework, an umbrella grouping that includes most of the Shiite factions that won seats in the elections—including political wings that possess armed militias loyal to Tehran—with a combined total of around 180 seats. It was the Coordination Framework that brought Sudani to power in 2022.
The Coordination Framework was expected to officially announce Maliki’s nomination last Monday, but internal disagreements prevented this from happening, according to a political source who spoke to Alhurra.
The source, who requested anonymity, said that two factions within the Coordination Framework oppose Maliki’s return to power, and that Maliki is currently trying to persuade them to reverse their position.
Maliki served two terms as prime minister between 2006 and 2014. His critics say his time in office was marked by the consolidation of power, a deterioration of trust among Iraq’s social components, and a decline in relations between Baghdad and Washington. He is also blamed for the security collapse that paved the way for the rise of ISIS.
Despite these criticisms, Maliki—known for his political acumen—managed to reassert himself on the political scene in subsequent years by quietly building influence through his relationships with armed militias loyal to Tehran, as well as by maintaining extensive leverage within state institutions that he was able to establish during his two terms in office.
Commenting on the type of relationship the United States seeks with Iraq, a State Department spokesperson said that Washington, under President Trump’s leadership, aims to build a U.S.–Iraq relationship that aligns with American interests. More importantly, Iraqi leaders must recognize that involving Iranian-aligned terrorist militias in the Iraqi government, in any form, is incompatible with establishing a strong partnership between the United States and Iraq.
The spokesperson added that “the United States has consistently emphasized the need to dismantle armed groups that pledge allegiance to a foreign agenda, because doing so undermines Iraqi sovereignty, weakens Iraq, endangers Iraqis and Americans, and drags Iraq into regional conflicts.”
Armed groups linked to Iran are considered one of the most sensitive issues to which the United States has attached clear importance during the Trump administration, with U.S. officials repeatedly warning that these factions pose a threat to Iraq’s stability and to American interests in the region.
Washington has continued to pressure Baghdad to restrain these militias from targeting U.S. bases or interests and to prevent the use of state resources to advance external influence—a reference to Iran.
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US Envoy to Iraq Calls Corruption the “Disease” Undermining Stability
Mark Savaya says dismantling corruption networks is essential to restoring Iraqi sovereignty and weakening militias.
Mark Savaya, the United States president’s special envoy to Iraq, said on Wednesday that corruption lies at the core of Iraq’s instability and must be confronted decisively if the country is to be stabilized and militias dismantled.
In a statement posted on his official X account, Savaya argued that while militias are often treated as the central problem, they are in fact a byproduct of a deeper and more entrenched system of corruption.
“Militias are a symptom. Corruption is the disease,” he said, stressing that meaningful reform must begin with targeting illicit financial networks.
Savaya said he has detailed knowledge of how corrupt money is channeled through complex structures that extend beyond senior officials.
According to him, illicit funds frequently move through layers of lower-level actors, including family members, friends, guards, drivers, and intermediaries, a system designed to provide insulation and plausible deniability while remaining fully functional.
He described the corruption apparatus as a highly sophisticated and deliberately constructed network that has been active for more than two decades. Savaya said the system has repeatedly bypassed regulations, compliance mechanisms, and international auditing frameworks, allowing it to operate with relative impunity.
According to the US envoy, these corruption networks have played a critical role in financially empowering, protecting, and sustaining Iranian-backed militia groups in Iraq.
He warned that without dismantling these financial lifelines, efforts to restore Iraqi sovereignty and weaken armed groups would remain ineffective.
Savaya emphasized that any serious attempt to stabilize Iraq must focus on shutting down major sources of corrupt funding, including fake payrolls, fraudulent loans, and fictitious assets.
“Without that,” he said, “every other effort will fail.”
His comments come amid ongoing debates within Iraq and among international partners over governance reform, state authority, and the long-term challenge posed by militias and entrenched corruption.
The Twitter post
https://x.com/Mark_Savaya/
If Iraq is to be fixed, corruption must be confronted first and decisively. Militias are a symptom. Corruption is the disease. I know in detail how illicit money is channeled. It does not flow only through senior principals. More importantly, it moves through layers of lower level actors such as family members, friends, guards, drivers, and intermediaries. This structure creates insulation and deniability while keeping the system fully operational. This is a highly complex and deliberately constructed network that has been active for more than two decades. It has successfully bypassed regulations, compliance frameworks, and international auditing mechanisms. Through this system, Iranian backed militia groups have been financially empowered, protected, and sustained. Any serious effort to stabilize Iraq, restore sovereignty, and dismantle militias must begin with dismantling the corruption networks that finance and protect them. The sources of massive corrupt money such as fake payrolls, fake loans, and fictitious assets must stop. Without that, every other effort will fail.
The Sudanese man arrives at Ain al-Assad base after taking it over from the international coalition.
The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, arrived today, Wednesday (January 21, 2026), at Ain al-Assad base in western Anbar province, days after it was fully handed over by the international coalition forces fighting ISIS.
The Prime Minister’s Media Office stated in a statement received by “Baghdad Today” that Al-Sudani’s visit came at the beginning of a field tour to assess the readiness of the armed forces units holding the Iraqi-Syrian border strip, and to review the levels of preparedness and field movement of the formations and units deployed in the operations sector.
The statement indicated that the Sudanese witnessed the takeoff of a squadron of four F-16 fighter jets, as part of a tactical exercise that included reconnaissance, surveillance, and the execution of air patrol and rapid response missions.
The statement added that the armed forces had taken full control of Ain al-Assad base a few days ago, in accordance with the agreement concluded between Iraq and the United States of America in 2024, and had completed the deployment and positioning in the sector of duties and operations according to the plans drawn up.
Finance Minister: We seek to reduce the oil dominance over the general budget
Finance Minister Taif Sami confirmed on Wednesday the effort to reduce the oil sector's dominance over the general budget.
The ministry stated in a statement received by “Al-Eqtisad News” that “Minister of Finance Taif Sami Mohammed received today a high-level delegation from the World Bank for the Middle East and North Africa region, where the two sides reviewed prospects for joint international cooperation to support the reform program currently being pursued by the Iraqi government and to expand the map of major development projects in the country.”
During the meeting, the Minister of Finance affirmed that "the Ministry is committed to creating an attractive environment for foreign and local investments by simplifying financial and banking procedures and providing all necessary facilities to stimulate the movement of money and business, thereby ensuring sustainable development that positively impacts the level of services provided to citizens," stressing that partnership with international institutions represents a fundamental pillar in the strategy to advance the national economic reality.
According to the statement, "The meeting witnessed a discussion of the executive steps to activate the role of the private sector as a pivotal partner in the economic development process by providing technical and financial support for vital projects that contribute to creating job opportunities and modernizing infrastructure."
Sami explained that "empowering the private sector and giving it a leading role in the economic cycle is a strategic goal that we seek to achieve in cooperation with the World Bank to ensure the resilience of the Iraqi economy and its ability to face global challenges," noting that the ministry attaches paramount importance to stimulating the productive and industrial sectors to reduce total dependence on imports and localize international expertise in Iraqi institutions.
The discussions also focused on mechanisms to maximize non-oil revenues through the automation of tax and customs systems and the strengthening of public treasury resources to ensure long-term financial stability. Sami indicated that "the Iraqi government is determined to carry out deep structural reforms aimed at diversifying sources of national income and reducing the dominance of oil over the general budget by activating electronic collection and controlling border crossings."
An economist says that program and performance budgeting has been a defunct option since 2008.
Nouri told Al-Furat News Agency that he had reviewed the experiences of Asian and Gulf countries, including the UAE, and stressed that the budget had been implemented experimentally in some ministries, including the Federal Financial Control Bureau, as indicated by the Financial Management Law.
He added that "the Ministry of Finance did not proceed with implementing this type of budget, which prompted many academics and the IMF team to describe the current budget as 'political rather than economic'."
The economist pointed out that "the central bank plays a key role in guiding banks towards lending and supporting small and medium enterprises in the private sector."
He stressed that "determining the exchange rate is within the powers of the Central Bank, according to its assessment of the economic situation, and not the Ministry of Finance."
Government advisor: We are still in the middle of tax reform.
Advisor to the Prime Minister, Abdul Hussein Al-Anbaki, confirmed that good steps have been taken in the tax reform process, noting that the procedures are “halfway through.”
Al-Anbaki said in a press statement : “Talking about the existence of a fixed strategy for economic reform is inaccurate, as Iraq has witnessed the preparation of more than 16 strategies and roadmaps for economic reform since 2009.”
He explained that “the work continued until the last government, which was the government of Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, where the focus was on some aspects of economic reform, including tax reform, which included the Supreme Committee, and we were able to put in place a number of good steps, but we are still in the middle of the road and need to complete them.”
The path to tax reform
Al-Anbaki expressed his fear that “the new governments will follow the approach of previous governments by leaving projects incomplete and starting anew, as if there were no previous scientific or intellectual output or visions for economic reform.”
He pointed out that “all visions are available, but the problem lies in the institutional structure, in addition to the absence of economic specializations, as people from other specializations are handling the file, which leads to repeated mistakes.”
He added that “economic reform has been delayed for too long due to temporary appeasement and populist policies, under governments that operate within short time periods without long-term thinking,” explaining that “Iraq, since 2003 until now, has not achieved long-term requirements, which necessitates working in two directions; short and long term; because neglecting the long term leads to the fragility of the state and exposes it to crises and global changes.”
Economic policy is being run in reverse.
He stated that “Iraq has not been able, during the past 23 years, to create a financial lever to protect the economy from crises, as economic policy is managed in reverse, where spending expands with the expansion of the economy and contracts with its contraction, contrary to economic theories that assume that the state should intervene with expansion during periods of contraction and with contractionary policy during inflation.”
He pointed out that “as an expert in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) for more than 15 years, Iraq has provided important outputs for economic reform, including a roadmap for restructuring state-owned enterprises in 2015, which was highly praised in Paris, but it has not been implemented.”
He stressed, “the importance of reactivating the relationship with international organizations to find out where the world has reached in economic reform, especially in the field of the digital economy, in which Iraq is still lagging behind.”
He explained that “the International Tax and Investment Organization (ITIC) has emphasized the role of tax reforms in attracting foreign direct investment, as the lower the cost of compliance, the greater the opportunities to attract investors.”
He stressed that “this requires a great effort and a comprehensive improvement of the business environment, not just tax reform.”
Market prices rise despite stable dollar exchange rate
Despite the stability of the dollar exchange rate in recent weeks, local markets are witnessing a rise in the prices of goods and commodities, which has raised concerns among citizens and prompted questions about the reasons for this rise, and whether it is due to the practices of traders and monopolies, or to external factors affecting the local economy.
Economic expert Ziad al-Hashemi confirmed to Al-Sabah newspaper that the price hikes are not solely linked to the exchange rate, but rather to several other contributing factors. He explained that the increased costs of imports and supply chains from manufacturing centers, along with higher transportation, storage, customs duties, and taxes, have directly impacted the prices of goods in local markets, particularly those imported from Asia. He added that merchants are adding what is known as a "risk cost" due to their expectations of a decrease in imports while demand remains high, leading them to price goods accordingly, whether imported or locally produced.
Al-Hashemi pointed out that the local market suffers from structural fragility, leading to rapid price fluctuations in response to any economic or political change, without any real price stability. He added that weak government oversight is a major factor allowing some traders to operate unchecked, setting unfair profit margins focused on maximizing gains, in addition to engaging in partial monopolies that weaken competition within the market. He also noted that the political situation plays a role in influencing market movements, as anxiety about the composition of the next government affects consumer confidence and alters the volume of demand and trading activity.
For his part, economist Duraid Al-Anzi told Al-Sabah newspaper that the local market is not like other traditional markets, and that price increases are not always linked to the dollar, inflation, or fees and taxes. He explained that some commodities, such as gold and silver, rise in price independently of market fluctuations, and that the majority of products in the market are imported, including cars, meat, clothing, and other goods. Al-Anzi pointed out that the private sector possesses considerable power that enables it to manipulate prices and control import and trade activity.
Al-Anzi affirmed that the internal political situation is relatively stable, but it faces internal and external threats that are gradually impacting sales, particularly in the residential and commercial sectors. He added that weak control over capital and cash flow places the Iraqi economy outside the complete control of the Central Bank and the Ministry of Finance, thus empowering the private sector to manipulate prices according to its own interests.
In another analysis, Dr. Sadiq al-Rikabi, director of the Global Center for Development Studies, stated that the price hikes are directly linked to the implementation of customs tariffs on imported goods in recent weeks. He explained to Al-Sabah newspaper that merchants who imported goods at higher prices began selling them to consumers at those prices, causing a direct increase in costs. He added that some merchants diverted their import routes to ports in the Kurdistan Region to circumvent the tariffs, resulting in delays in the arrival of some goods and incurring additional costs that were reflected in higher prices.
Al-Rikabi pointed out that partial monopolies and the exploitation of the crisis by some merchants contributed to the continued rise in prices. He emphasized that the crisis was not artificial, but rather a result of the rapid implementation of the customs tariff law, which disrupted the market and led to a sudden surge in prices. He added that the timing of the tariff implementation, coinciding with a decline in oil revenues, reinforced the perception of a financial crisis, further exacerbating the price increases.
For his part, the Prime Minister’s Advisor for Financial Affairs, Dr. Mazhar Muhammad Saleh, said that the fluctuation in exchange rates in the black market during the recent period is due to two main factors. The first is the geopolitical influence in the region, especially the Gulf region, where the threat of war and energy market fluctuations have escalated, which is directly reflected in the movement of the market.
He added to Al-Sabah, saying: The second factor is another type of “colorful noise” in the information market, which is one of the problems that affect exchange markets, especially as a result of the organizational restructuring in the matter of customs tracking and the application of the ASYCUDA system, which are digital systems that improve control over the flow of import trade, in addition to modifying a limited package of customs duties.
Saleh pointed out that Iraq has a high commodity stock sufficient to meet the needs of durable goods for up to three years, but price expectations in the black market affect the prices of this stock according to the new price structure, noting that some goods, especially inelastic ones, are directly affected by the fluctuations of the parallel market, and this is reflected on the end consumer through the rise in adaptive prices.
He added that maintaining a stable standard of living despite the effects of the black market is achieved through a stable supply of goods at fixed prices, based on the official exchange rate (1,320 dinars to the dollar). This is accomplished through the expansion of quality retail outlets and a price defense policy, which helps counter the parallel market's impact on the pricing system.
Saleh emphasized the success of consumer cooperatives and hypermarkets in absorbing waves of inflation and price expectations, making them an effective trade policy for calming the market and ensuring price stability.
Artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and economic impact
The world has entered a new era, dubbed "post-traditional security," where cyber warfare is no longer confined to the classic concepts of conflict between states and militaries. Instead, it has transformed into a continuous, complex, and hybrid digital conflict, where artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, and the Internet of Things (IoT) intertwine to create an unprecedented threat landscape. This shift necessitates a redefinition of security, sovereignty, and deterrence, making digital knowledge and technological superiority the decisive factors in conflict management, rather than reliance on geographical borders or traditional military power.
The national security of countries worldwide has come under digital attack. Cyberattacks are no longer limited to military infrastructure or government information systems; they now extend to power grids, transportation networks, smart cities, hospitals, and vital supply chains. Disrupting a power plant, breaching a water network, or crippling an intelligent traffic system can lead to widespread economic and social paralysis, weakening a state's ability to protect its citizens and making civil society part of the battlefield, either as a direct target or an unintended intermediary in the attack.
In the military field, cyberattacks now include:
Disabling command and control (C2) systems and military communications systems.
- Disabling or remotely controlling missiles and drones.
- Hacking surveillance and intelligence networks and manipulating intelligence information.
Disrupting military logistics supply systems, leading to a complete operational paralysis.
In addition to attacks on the economy and critical infrastructure, the billions of globally connected devices often have weak protection, making them ideal targets for cyber-physical attacks that can:
- Factories and vital industrial sectors have stopped operating, causing huge economic losses.
- Disruption of banks and electronic payment systems, threatening national and global financial stability.
- Power grids and transportation systems are disrupted, affecting international trade and logistics.
An attack on a single element of this network could infiltrate and paralyze an entire economic network, which directly links the economy to national security and makes countries more vulnerable to complex digital crises.
The effects of cyberattacks are not limited to military and economic aspects, but extend to social security, as attacks can lead to:
Disabling smart hospitals and vital medical devices, which directly threatens the lives of patients.
- Breaking into water and electricity networks, creating real humanitarian crises.
- Using generative artificial intelligence to manipulate public opinion, spread misinformation, and influence elections and public policies.
In this way, the citizen becomes part of the digital battlefield, and social security becomes an integral element of comprehensive cybersecurity.
Here, artificial intelligence has become the main driver and mastermind of cyber operations, playing a dual role:
Defensive role: Analyzing abnormal behaviors, predicting attacks before they occur, operating self-adaptive defense systems, and managing complex attacks at speeds beyond human capabilities.
Offensive role: Development of automatically mutating malware, psychologically accurate phishing attacks, and offensive botnets that automatically collaborate on a large scale.
The conflict has turned into a continuous algorithmic race between attack and defense, in a time environment faster than human intervention, paving the way for the emergence of self-operating cyber wars where humans become observers, not perpetrators.
Quantum computing poses an existential threat to traditional cybersecurity, as it can:
- Decrypting sensitive communications for banks, governments, and militaries at tremendous speed.
- Processing massive amounts of data in real time to make accurate offensive decisions.
- Enabling countries with quantum supremacy to redraw the global balance of digital power.
Global races to develop post-quantum cryptography are coming to meet this challenge, while the emergence of quantum artificial intelligence will add another dimension to the conflict, as it can analyze attack and defense scenarios in seconds and make complex multi-level decisions, which may create a self-driving digital war without direct human intervention, and here the strategic balance is broken.
Sophisticated cyberattacks on militaries can lead to:
Disabling command and control (C2) systems and military communications.
- Disabling or remotely controlling missiles and drones.
Disrupting intelligence and surveillance systems, leading to a loss of true field visibility.
- Executing simultaneous attacks on multiple levels via quantum artificial intelligence, creating a digital warfare scenario with no direct human line.
The sophistication of the attacks, the use of distributed networks, and intelligent systems make it difficult to pinpoint responsibility precisely, weakening traditional deterrence and posing unprecedented legal and ethical challenges. Attacks can be carried out through third parties, international networks, or mobile algorithms, making the response both limited and highly complex.
Today's world is redefining the concept of national security:
The weapon is no longer a rifle, but an algorithm capable of disrupting vital infrastructure.
The field is no longer a border, but a connected network of digital systems.
Security superiority depends on digital awareness, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing, not just traditional military power.
Cyber warfare in the post-traditional security era is non-linear, continuous, and rapidly evolving, where security becomes a matter of ongoing risk management. Addressing this type of conflict requires:
- Building advanced technical frameworks for cyber deterrence and offensive defense.
- Developing comprehensive national cybersecurity strategies that include economic, social and military aspects.
- Establishing international legal and ethical frameworks to determine responsibilities and reduce escalation.
- Focus on proactive preparedness and comprehensive governance to ensure the state's ability to withstand complex digital attacks at all levels.
Head of the Administrative Board of the Forum Baghdad Economic
Venezuela's acting president is expected to visit the United States.
A senior US official stated that Venezuela's acting president will visit the United States soon.
Delcy Rodriguez will be the first sitting Venezuelan president to visit the United States in more than a quarter of a century, with the exception of presidents who attended United Nations meetings in New York.
This invitation reflects a sudden shift in relations between Washington and Caracas since US special forces carried out an operation that led to the arrest of President Nicolas Maduro and his transfer to a US prison to face drug trafficking charges.
Rodriguez was Maduro's deputy and a prominent figure in the anti-U.S. Venezuelan government, before changing course after taking over the interim presidency.
The official remains subject to US sanctions, including asset freezes.
But with a fleet of U.S. warships deployed off her country's coast, Rodriguez allowed the United States to broker the sale of Venezuelan oil, promised to facilitate foreign investment, and released dozens of political prisoners.
A senior White House official said Rodriguez will visit Washington soon, but a date has not yet been set.
Rodriguez stated shortly afterward during a meeting with local officials, "We are engaged in a dialogue process and are working with the United States, without any fear, to confront our differences and difficulties (...) whether they are highly sensitive or less sensitive, and to deal with them through diplomatic channels."
On Wednesday, Rodriguez unveiled a reorganization of the armed forces, appointing 12 high-ranking officers to regional commands, according to a military commander via Telegram.
Rodriguez had also previously appointed the head of the intelligence service as the new commander of her presidential guard.
The last visit to Washington by a sitting Venezuelan president dates back to the 1990s, before the late leftist leader Hugo Chavez took power.
The visit to the United States, which has not yet been confirmed by Venezuelan authorities, has caused problems for Rodriguez within the government, which includes officials opposed to what they describe as American imperialism.
Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello and Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez still wield considerable influence in the country, and analysts say their support for Rodriguez is not a given.
Trump so far seems content to allow Rodriguez and much of Maduro’s government to remain in power, as long as the United States has access to Venezuela’s oil, which has the world’s largest proven crude reserves.
The National Center for Administrative Development at the Ministry of Planning is discussing with Masdar Technology the adoption of the “Your Signature” platform to enhance digital transformation in government institutions.
The National Center for Administrative Development and Information Technology at the Ministry of Planning discussed ways to enhance digital transformation in government institutions by adopting the “Your Signature” digital platform, during a meeting between the center’s management and Masdar Technology for Systems and Software Services, the developer of the “Your Signature” platform.
The Director General of the Center, Dr. Hussein Ali Dawood, confirmed that this approach comes in implementation of the directives of the Minister of Planning, Dr. Muhammad Ali Tamim, and within the framework of implementing the National Strategy for Digital Transformation, and in line with the National Center for Administrative Development and Information Technology’s work plan for 2026. He pointed out that the “Your Signature” platform represents an advanced step in the path of digital transformation, as it aims to convert paper transactions into automated electronic transactions. He noted that the platform’s services are not limited to electronic signatures only, but include an integrated system for managing workflow, which contributes to improving institutional performance, raising the efficiency of administrative procedures, and enhancing the principles of governance and transparency.
The meeting included discussions on prospects for joint cooperation between the two sides, and a review of the platform's technical capabilities and its role in supporting digital government projects, contributing to simplifying procedures, expediting transactions, and improving the quality of services provided to citizens, in line with the requirements of modern management and the shift towards smart government work.
Conflicting interpretation of an Iranian message regarding Maliki: WillSavaya attend the "framework" session on Saturday?
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The Shiite alliance enters the final stretch of the battle
Over the past few days, the Coordination Framework has received conflicting messages from Tehran and Washington regarding the name of the next prime ministerial candidate.
Political assessments indicate that the matter may be resolved early next week, either in favor of Nouri al-Maliki, leader of the State of Law Coalition, or by proposing a compromise candidate acceptable to the conflicting parties.
As of the time of this report, two key factions within the Shiite alliance still oppose Maliki's candidacy for the premiership. The Coordination
Framework has reached a political impasse due to Maliki's insistence on running, while his opponents have exhausted all means of pressure and maneuvering without achieving a decisive breakthrough. Political sources suggest that a meeting of the Coordination Framework scheduled for next Saturday will be pivotal for two main reasons: First, the arrival of an Iranian message that has been interpreted in contradictory ways by both the pro- and anti-Maliki camps. Second, the meeting coincides with the visit of US President Donald Trump's envoy to Iraq, Mark Savaya, who is expected to deliver a significant political message. While a political source close to a pro-Maliki faction, who requested anonymity, stated that "the Iranian message endorsed Maliki's selection," another source from a camp described as "neutral" offered a different interpretation, suggesting that "Tehran is preoccupied with its internal and regional affairs and has not intervened as it has in the past, limiting itself to general, indirect signals." This view is reinforced by statements from Husam al-Hassani, a leader in the Hikma Movement, who confirmed in a television interview that "the Iranian message did not support a specific name but rather advocated for the principle of consensus," explaining that its essence was: "Put your trust in God regarding what you have agreed upon." Maliki's movements and Washington's messages : Over the past 48 hours, Maliki intensified his meetings with leaders of the opposition camp, meeting separately with Ammar al-Hakim, leader of the Hikma Movement, and Qais al-Khazali, leader of Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq, in an attempt to bridge the differences regarding the next prime minister, without any clear indications of a resolution. Meanwhile, the American position remains shrouded in ambiguity. A neutral political source says that “Safia will be in Baghdad on Saturday, carrying a message that may not be in Maliki’s favor,” thus opening the door to the option of a “compromise candidate.”
The US envoy recently escalated his rhetoric, stating that “reforming Iraq begins with confronting corruption decisively,” considering “militias to be the symptom, while corruption is the disease.” In a post on the X platform, he described the corruption network in Iraq as “complex and deliberately built over more than two decades,” emphasizing that dismantling it is a prerequisite for restoring stability and sovereignty. According to circulating information, the US envoy is expected to move towards activating a package of decisions that Al-Mada newspaper exclusively published last year, which includes closing most Iraqi banks and keeping only a limited number, no more than “four to six banks,” as part of a strict US campaign to combat money laundering and dry up Iran’s sources of funding. Mark Savia had held a series of meetings with officials in Washington during the past week, which received direct praise from US President Donald Trump, reinforcing the impression that the envoy is operating with a broad mandate and unprecedented powers.
Within Iraq, perceptions of Safia's stance toward the Shiite alliance vary. Some see him as an adversary seeking to undermine its influence, while others consider him a potential partner in reshaping the political landscape according to new equations.
What does the opposition want?
Domestically, Hakim and Khazali remain steadfast in their rejection of Maliki's nomination, as confirmed by Badr Organization leader Mukhtar al-Moussawi.
Al-Moussawi, a member of parliament, told Al-Mada yesterday, "These are still the current positions regarding Maliki, and perhaps they changed Tuesday evening after the latest meeting held by the opposition forces, but I cannot confirm that yet."
Al-Moussawi, whose bloc has not yet announced a definitive position on the crisis, believes that "the problem is not Maliki himself, but rather his inability so far to convince the opposition of its share of the government."
The "Coordination Framework" failed last week to hold two meetings that were supposed to finalize the candidate's name.
Al-Mada observed a clear divergence of opinions within the "Coordination Framework" regarding Nouri al-Maliki's nomination. Some parties believe he is "unsuitable" for the position at this stage, while others consider his selection a potentially "provocative message" given
the repercussions of the Syrian crisis.
The opposition camp believes that the number of seats held by the State of Law coalition does not qualify al-Maliki for the premiership, unless the circulating reports about Prime Minister Mohammed al-Sudani relinquishing his political "points" in his favor prove true. However, Hussam al-Hassani, a leader in the Hikma Movement, denied these assessments, asserting that the "Reconstruction and Development" bloc, headed by al-Sudani, was asked if it was prepared to concede its entitlement to the State of Law coalition in exchange for the prime ministership. His response was decisive: "No, we have our political entitlement."
Al-Sudani had surprised the "Coordination Framework" by announcing his willingness to relinquish the position to al-Maliki, followed by reports of an alliance between the two sides, although the latter has not yet officially confirmed it. However, the opposition camp continues to promote the narrative that al-Sudani is engaging in political maneuvering, placing al-Maliki at the forefront of the crisis to pave the way for
his return to the premiership.
The Shiite alliance has thus far failed to secure a clear stance from the Najaf religious establishment, which has repeatedly refused to intervene in this matter. This is compounded by the silence of Muqtada al-Sadr, leader of the Sadrist Movement, regarding the unfolding crisis. With the prospects of removing al-Maliki through consensus dwindling, his opponents are promoting what they call a "policy
of entrapment
," meaning pushing him to the forefront at the height of the crisis to hold him politically responsible. In this context, Sunni forces have begun launching indirect attacks against him, a notable development after weeks of his name circulating as a potential candidate.
Over the past two days, Mohammed al-Halbousi has continued to level veiled criticisms, reminiscent of al-Maliki's era in power.
In a notable post yesterday, he said, “Those who do not learn from history cannot build the future,” recalling the events of the “Arab Spring” and what accompanied it in Iraq in terms of “crisis management, sectarian incitement, and the arrest of innocent people.” He considered that those policies were used at the time to cover up the escape of senior terrorists from Abu Ghraib prison, which took place during the second Maliki government, in “an incident described as the strangest, which passed without any accountability or condemnation of those responsible
for it.”
He added that the fugitives later managed to occupy and destroy entire provinces before they were reclaimed "through immense sacrifices and the displacement of millions," referring to the tragedy of the Bzeibiz Bridge.
Al-Halbousi added that the scenario is being repeated today amidst regional and international turmoil, through the so-called SDF and its smuggling of ISIS leaders from its prisons, warning of the danger of repeating the same mistakes.
He called on "the wise men of Iraq" to recognize the magnitude of the challenges and adopt a unified national stance that prevents "a return to the past, whatever the reasons," while emphasizing the need to preserve the security, political, and social stability achieved after the defeat of ISIS.
Last Monday, Al-Halbousi had called for the appointment of a figure with broad national acceptance "away from a return to painful, lean days," a statement widely interpreted as referring to Nouri al-Maliki.
Similarly, Sunni leader Ahmed Abdullah Abdul Jabouri (Abu Mazen) stressed that "Iraq cannot afford to turn back the clock," calling for the formation of a national unity government built on trust and partnership, in a post on social media.
Researcher and academic Ziad al-Arar believes that the Sunni position on Nouri al-Maliki assuming the premiership is "diverse and not unified," as it is divided between a genuine rejection of al-Maliki's return to office and other stances that can be described as "political maneuvering," linked to specific demands and conditions, or based on positions al-Maliki has recently taken, particularly his rejection of a
specific Sunni figure assuming the speakership of parliament.
Al-Arar, speaking to Al-Mada, points out that the political voices within the Sunni community opposing al-Maliki's return appear to be more numerous and influential than those supporting him. Furthermore, the Kurdish position has not yet crystallized clearly.
However, he emphasizes that the final decision should remain with the "Shia framework," as it is the body authorized to choose the prime ministerial candidate. He recalls that the framework previously allowed Sunni forces the freedom to choose Mohammed al-Halbousi as Speaker of Parliament.
He adds that Mohammed al-Sudani's move to withdraw or nominate al-Maliki for the next prime minister came, in his view, within the framework of striving to preserve the unity of the "coordination framework" and break the political deadlock. At the same time, he stresses that al-Sudani remains a viable candidate, and that the final outcome will depend on internal political developments, as well as the impact of regional events in shaping the final picture of the Iraqi political landscape.
you can read below here
"Mustafa Al-Dulaimi: The picture of Saddam on Trump's table is pressure on the Green Zone"
(مصطفى الدليمي: صورة صدام على طاولة ترامب هي ضغوط على المنطقة الخضراء)It's a spoken segment (likely from Mustafa Al-Dulaimi, an Iraqi political analyst/commentator) discussing U.S. pressures on Iraqi politics, armed factions, the upcoming government, and references to Saddam Hussein/Ba'ath Party as leverage tactics. English Translation (Natural & Fluid):This is what this kid—this drug dealer—is doing. All of this is just pressure papers against those in the Green Zone, pressure files on business deals, political pressure, nothing more.What’s with Saddam Hussein and his pictures? Saddam Hussein—you ended the Ba'ath Party in Syria, you ended the Ba'ath Party in Iraq, and the Ba'ath Party in Yemen is gone too. >> What messages are in it? I mean, he didn’t send anything >> Just pressure tactics, that’s not the issue. Look, the real problem is these people in the Green Zone. The moment they hear “Ba'ath Party,” they start shaking. But there’s no one there—no one exists at all. >> Yes, by God, you just say “Peace be upon you,” and they tell you, “The Ba'ath Party came to me, the Ba'athists plotted a conspiracy against me.”
And I don’t know, man—there’s no Ba'ath Party, it’s gone. So why are you creating an existence for it? Why are you giving it space? Why are you giving it importance? >> Why didn’t you say something like, “I can repeat what I did to Saddam Hussein with the siege, for example”? Like that kind of message. What happened—what happened first in 2003, Mr. Uday—cannot be repeated in 2026. No, that’s not what I mean by 2003. I mean bringing back the era of the sanctions we lived through in the nineties. I’ll say it again today: Iraq today is considered the first democratic experiment in the Arab region, and the official sponsor of this democratic experiment is America. >> Mm-hmm. Let’s be clear, honestly—everyone knows it.
And the conditions that America has set, as we see, are American conditions that—whether they like it or not—everyone involved will implement. One of the latest conditions is that there will be no participation by armed factions in the next government—no ministers, no undersecretaries, nothing like that. They even reached the point of objecting to the Deputy Speaker of Parliament on this issue. If there’s any scaling back, despite that, the Iraqi government will absolutely implement these conditions.
We’re not saying these are imposed conditions—no, these conditions should have been applied before the elections anyway; they’re unconstitutional. And with all due respect to everyone, the names being floated might be able to implement them. The names being proposed—and with all respect—whoever comes from the strongest position is the one most likely to carry out these conditions. Ultimately, two names were sat down with, negotiations were held, and pledges were taken from them to implement the United States’ conditions. Among those conditions is dissolving the existing factions.
We went through a phase with Mr. Sudani—we experienced Mr. Sudani’s experience. He couldn’t rein in these factions; on the contrary, they grew bigger, became more entrenched, did whatever they wanted to the state, and he stood helpless—unable to deter them, stop them at their limits, dissolve them, or even reach a negotiation stage to integrate them into the existing security apparatus.
But I also think there was a message delivered yesterday—I believe to Mr. Maliki—from the Saudi ambassador. I think it was misunderstood as no objection from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia—or some Gulf states—to him taking the position of Prime Minister, as I understood it, for the next phase. So if there was a veto on Mr. Maliki from some countries (according to messages received from some countries and America), but after this phase, meetings were held with Mr. Maliki and with Mr. Sudani on the most important file: the file of bearing arms outside the framework of the state—which is already contrary to the Iraqi constitution. And no one can argue with America about it, because America is the one that participated in writing the constitution, and no one can say “We can’t do it” because there’s Iraqi money involved. Yeah.
This is a pretty accurate, conversational translation that captures the informal Iraqi dialect (e.g., "يابا" as "man/dude," repetitions for emphasis). The speaker is skeptical of Ba'athist revival fears, sees U.S. pressure (including Trump-era symbolism) as leverage to force disarmament of militias and shape the next Iraqi government, and notes that key figures like al-Sudani failed to control factions while America (as Iraq's "democracy sponsor") dictates terms.
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