Shocking photos reveal Saddam Hussein with Trump and Savaya during their meeting! What's going on and what's being planned for Iraq?
The image showed an Iraqi coin bearing the image of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein placed on the table in front of Trump, in a scene described by observers as unusual and carrying symbolic connotations.
Savaya did not comment on the reason for the coin's presence or its background, simply stating, "It was a wonderful day." This opened the door to interpretation and questions about whether the image was intentional or accidental, especially given the sensitivity surrounding symbols associated with Iraq and its political history in the American context.
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Saddam Hussein is "present" on Trump and Savaya's table... Coded messages reshape the contours of the American role in Iraq
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A photo posted by the US Special Envoy to Iraq, Mark Savaya, has sparked a storm of political speculation about the nature of the next phase in the relationship between Washington and Baghdad, after he appeared in a meeting with President Donald Trump accompanied by an old Iraqi banknote bearing the image of former President Saddam Hussein .
Although the date the photo was taken could not be definitively verified, the timing of its publication and its content clearly indicate that it reflects the recent trends of the US administration towards the Iraqi issue.
Savaya commented on the photo, describing the meeting as "a great day with a great man," in a statement that observers considered an official declaration of the beginning of an era of "shock diplomacy" which he is leading with a direct presidential mandate that goes beyond traditional diplomatic frameworks.
Political analysts believe that the presence of the “five dinar” denomination, which has been abolished for decades, on the table of discussion between the president and his special envoy cannot be considered a mere coincidence. Rather, it is a coded visual message directed to the Iraqi interior and regional powers, symbolizing Washington’s desire to see a “strong central state” capable of controlling weapons and securing the borders, in an explicit exposure of the current state of security fragmentation and the dominance of armed factions.
This move reinforces the influence of Savaya, who was appointed in October 2025 with a primary mission focused on undermining the influence of pro-Iranian armed groups and drying up their sources of funding, while simultaneously working to open up major investment opportunities for American companies in the energy and infrastructure sectors, which puts Baghdad before a real test of balancing its international relations.
It is expected that Savaya will adopt a similar approach to what Tom Brack did in recent regional files, where this method is based on “stirring up stagnant waters” through major deals conditional on comprehensive political and security stability, especially what happened in Syria.
While Savaya’s mission is described as extremely complex due to the deep-rooted opposition to Washington in Iraqi decision-making centers, his direct line of communication with the White House gives him the ability to exert unprecedented maximum pressure.
This public appearance, with symbols from Iraq’s past, confirms that the US administration is prepared to cross all traditional red lines and political sensitivities in order to redraw the balances in the region and impose a new reality that ends the state of stagnation that has characterized US foreign policy in Iraq for many years.
The banking sector and the new public
Yasser Metwally
The past year, 2025, witnessed tireless activity at various levels in the pursuit of achieving the desired banking reform in Iraq.
On the one hand, the outgoing government made strenuous efforts to reform the state-owned banks, which included merging some banks and making the decision to split Al-Rafidain Bank into two banks. These measures were described as being part of the reform of the state-owned banking sector.
On the other hand, the Central Bank of Iraq, as the supervisory and regulatory body for the work of private (national) banks, played a pivotal role in advancing the reform of this sector, by taking important steps during 2025, the most prominent of which was bringing in the global company “Oliver Wyman”, which is one of the consulting companies specializing in the development of banking and financial systems.
This contract aims to elevate the private banking sector to meet international standards, especially since Iraq is about to enter a phase of developmental and reconstruction renaissance that requires a robust banking sector capable of meeting the needs of international companies wishing to invest in Iraq, after the wars and crises that the country has gone through that have deeply affected its economic structure.
Oliver Wyman established strict conditions and clear requirements for achieving banking reform, obligating banks to comply and emphasizing that those lagging behind or failing to comply could be forced out of the banking sector. These conditions included: increasing bank capital, encouraging bank mergers, and adhering to international standards for governance, solvency, and risk management.
According to the available data, most banks have responded to these requirements and agreed to bear the costs of consultations and repairs.
This raises a fundamental question commensurate with the scale of this response:
After the banks have fulfilled their obligations, what rights and facilities should they receive to enable them to provide banking services that meet the standards of international banks?
Banking experts believe that successful banking reform is a reciprocal process. After banks commit to the new standards, there is an urgent need for an incentive package to help them conduct their banking activities efficiently, especially since a large portion of banks are still subject to various sanctions.
These stimulus packages include financial and funding support, technical assistance and institutional capacity building, regulatory flexibility and a phased approach to implementing requirements, infrastructure and technological system reforms, and opportunities for growth and regional and international partnerships. The success of banking reform depends not only on enforcement but also on integrating obligations with rights and building a banking environment capable of supporting comprehensive economic development in Iraq.
Finally, reforming the banking sector in Iraq cannot be measured solely by the number of regulations or the stringency of the conditions, but rather by its ability to become a genuine engine for economic development. Banks that have responded to the reform requirements and complied with international standards, in turn, need a supportive regulatory environment and practical incentives that enable them to fulfill their natural role in financing, investment, and driving economic growth. Successful banking reform is a balanced partnership between the regulatory authority and the banks, based on the exchange of obligations and rights, a phased implementation, and addressing structural challenges, foremost among them sanctions, weak infrastructure, and limited financing tools. Without this, reform could transform from an opportunity for advancement into a burden that hinders the sector's effectiveness.
With the start of a new year, the opportunity remains to build a modern, robust Iraqi banking sector that is integrated into the global financial system and capable of meeting the requirements of reconstruction and sustainable development, provided that the reform process is completed with a comprehensive vision that balances discipline and empowerment, and oversight and incentives, in a way that serves the national economy and enhances confidence in the banking system.
Parliamentary signatures to question Taif Sami in 7 cases... documents
Members of the Iraqi parliament began collecting official signatures on Monday to summon Finance Minister Taif Sami to parliament, following oversight concerns regarding financial allocations, appointments, and funding for the provinces and the Kurdistan Region.
According to official letters addressed to the Speaker of Parliament, published by Shafaq News Agency, the request for the hosting is based on the constitutional and supervisory powers of the Council, and in accordance with the provisions of Article (61) of the Constitution, with the aim of questioning the Minister of Finance regarding what the MPs described as “fundamental violations and serious deviations” in the implementation of the Federal Budget Law for recent years.
The documents showed that the most prominent aspects of the hosting relate to the failure to commit to distributing financial allocations fairly and in balance between the governorates, contrary to the provisions of the budget law and the constitution, in addition to the observations of the Financial Control Bureau regarding the reduction of customs revenues and depriving governorates of their legal entitlements.
The questioning also included the failure to implement the provisions of Article (29) of the Financial Management and Public Debt Law, which relates to the financial rights of the governorates, as well as accusations of exceeding the legal ceilings in appointments during the years 2023, 2024 and 2025, and failure to comply with the applicable financial controls.
The documents also pointed to objections to the Kurdistan Region’s funding mechanisms outside of legal conditions, and the disruption of funding for border crossings despite them being an important sovereign resource, which, according to the applicants, caused direct damage to public revenues.
Attached lists showed that dozens of MPs signed the request for the hosting, with handwritten notes demanding that the Minister of Finance be hosted urgently and that the allocations file and the rights of the governorates be discussed.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives is expected to refer the request to the relevant committees in preparation for setting an official date for the hosting session.
Central Bank of Iraq: Currency in circulation rises to more than 93 trillion dinars
The Central Bank of Iraq revealed on Monday that the volume of currency in circulation rose to more than 93 trillion dinars during October of 2025.
The bank stated, in statistics seen by Shafaq News Agency, that the net currency in circulation reached 93.789 trillion dinars in October, an increase compared to September, in which the net currency in circulation recorded 92.185 trillion dinars.
He added that the volume of currency issued by the Central Bank amounted to 101.015 trillion dinars, while the currency in circulation at banks amounted to 7.226 trillion dinars.
He pointed out that the issued currency is the money that the state prints and issues through its central bank for the purpose of circulation, and it includes banknotes of various paper and metal denominations circulating outside the vaults of the central bank.
The bank explained that the high volume of currency in circulation and its scarcity in banks means that citizens resort to hoarding money instead of depositing it in banks, which is an unhealthy phenomenon.
It is worth noting that the Central Bank of Iraq revealed last Saturday that expenditures had increased compared to public revenues during the first 10 months of 2025.
Six measures to protect gold and regulate its market: Mazhar Saleh explains Iraq's vision for national wealth.
Saleh said in a press statement: “The global rise in gold prices has not led to a decline in demand for it in the local market, but rather has contributed to changing its function from an ‘ornamental commodity’ to a ‘savings tool and protection of value,’ stressing the ‘need to adopt a unified national mark and the obligation of modern technical examination to protect household savings.’”
He added that "this functional transformation of the yellow metal makes quality control and government oversight an urgent economic and social necessity, as it protects families' wealth and enhances confidence in the market," indicating that "quick and low-cost procedures, such as the unified national marking and rapid technical inspection, represent sufficient means to restore discipline and reduce manipulation."
Saleh pointed out that “gold remains a symbol of family security and savings for generations in the Iraqi social memory, and with rising prices, it has become part of the tools of unofficial monetary policy, as it is a store of value parallel to the dinar,” noting that “regulating the market is not a formal procedure, but rather a basic condition for building confidence and protecting national wealth.”
Saleh called for "a comprehensive reform of the gold market system, through the adoption of a unified and mandatory Iraqi mark that includes (carat, testing authority, and year of mark), while criminalizing the trading of unmarked gold," stressing "the importance of strengthening oversight through field testing using modern technologies such as (XRF), which reveals the truth about gold immediately without causing any damage to the pieces."
The financial advisor added that "the next stage requires regulating gold smelting and import operations through workshop licensing and tightening border inspection, as well as establishing a national register for gold traders and adopting unified official invoices to reduce undocumented trading," noting that "empowering the consumer through awareness campaigns and effective reporting mechanisms represents a fundamental pillar in this system."
Saleh concluded his remarks by saying: “The institutional completion of the ‘City of Gold’ project has become an urgent necessity, as it represents the official incubator for protecting this great national wealth and providing the highest standards of legal and professional protection for it.”
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Government advisor: A monthly income of less than (700) thousand dinars does
not provide for the requirements of living.
Planning: Any income less than 1,750,000 dinars does not provide a decent living
The issue of poverty in Iraq has been resurfaced after the Ministry of Planning announced that families whose monthly income is less than (700) thousand dinars are classified as poor, which sparked a wide debate among specialists about the realism of this figure in light of the continuous rise in the cost of living.
The spokesman for the Ministry of Planning, Abdul Zahra Al-Hindawi, explained in a statement that the poverty line for one person is 137,000 dinars per month, indicating that “the income of a family consisting of five people, if it is less than (700) thousand dinars, is considered an indicator of poverty, based on the cost of basic needs of food, health care, education and basic services.”
He pointed out that “Iraq succeeded in reducing the poverty rate from (23%) in 2022 to (17.5%) in 2025, as a result of expanding the social protection network, strengthening food security programs and supporting the most vulnerable groups.”
In contrast, the Prime Minister's Financial Advisor, Mazhar Muhammad Salih, stated in a statement reported by Al-Zaman yesterday that "a monthly income of less than 700,000 dinars does not provide for the basic needs of a family of four to five, especially with the rising prices of housing, food, and services." He called for the adoption of policies that boost citizens' real income by subsidizing the food basket and providing essential resources and social incentives. For his part, economic expert Ali Daadoush warned that the minimum cost of living in Iraq is approximately 1.75 million dinars per month, stressing the need to revise the salary scale to achieve greater economic fairness and improve the purchasing power of low-income families.
Economic observers believe that the continued gap between current incomes and the cost of living requires the government to review the adopted poverty line criteria and link them to the actual living conditions, in order to avoid the expansion of poverty and the exacerbation of social pressures in the coming period.
Erbil tells the story of reviving the "gold lira" as an inherited economic refuge
Salar Gharib, who has twenty-three years of experience, begins the journey of converting raw “broken” gold into shiny liras by melting the metal at temperatures ranging from 1300 to 1600 degrees Celsius, after determining the carat with extreme precision to be “21 carat” (91.6% purity), which is the most popular and trusted grade in the local markets.
In keeping with the culture of saving that is deeply rooted in the Kurdistan Region society in all its cities, regions and extensions, and with the increasing demand for the yellow metal as a safe haven for wealth, gold crafting factories in the capital Erbil are witnessing remarkable technical and artistic activity to produce the “gold lira” with local and international specifications, as these small pieces have turned into an economic icon that combines investment value and traditional beauty.
At the heart of a specialized workshop, after the gold is poured into molds to produce longitudinal ingots, the material passes through rolling and pressing machines to form precise gold sheets. Their thickness is measured with sensitive electronic instruments to ensure a consistent weight. Here, goldsmith Salar points out that the 5-gram gold lira is the most sought-after coin among the residents of Erbil. It is cut to a diameter of 80 millimeters before undergoing a purification and drying process in preparation for the final "minting" or stamping under immense hydraulic pressure of up to 1500 bar, which gives it its distinctive visual identity and seal of quality.
When discussing production capacity, the factory managers emphasize that the increasing demand has prompted them to raise the pace of work. The factory produces between 600 and 700 gold liras daily in various shapes and weights, with the possibility of printing more than 4,000 copies of some highly sought-after models. This reflects a revival in the local industry and the ability of craftsmen in Erbil to compete with imports in terms of accuracy and purity.
Experts believe that, looking at the future of the market, this trend towards local manufacturing of gold savings coins not only provides job opportunities for local staff, but also gives the Kurdish consumer an additional guarantee of purity and weight, so that the “Erbil” gold lira remains a solid bridge that citizens cross towards financial stability that defies the fluctuations of paper currencies.
Securities Authority announces the launch of a strategy for the years 2026–2028 to develop the capital market and promote investment.
The Securities Authority announced on Monday the launch of a strategy for the years 2026-2028 to develop the capital market and promote investment.
The head of the Securities Commission, Faisal Al-Haimas, said in a statement received by “Al-Eqtisad News” that “the Securities Commission’s strategy for the years 2026–2028 has been launched, which aims to develop the Iraqi capital market and enhance its efficiency, in a way that contributes to supporting the national economy and creating a stable and safe investment environment in line with international standards and best practices.”
He explained that "the strategy focuses on completing the legislative and regulatory structure of the securities market, foremost among which is following up on the approval of the permanent securities law, which will allow for expanding the horizons of investment in stocks, bonds and other investment instruments included in the draft law."
He pointed out that "the Authority is working to enhance its international standing by fulfilling the requirements for signing a memorandum of understanding with the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) in preparation for moving from associate membership to full membership, and in a way that ensures compliance with international regulatory and supervisory standards."
The head of the authority explained that "the strategy includes attracting foreign brokerage firms and their clients through the exchange platform affiliated with the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange by granting the necessary licenses to enter the Iraqi market and completing the technical linkage procedures with the trading and clearing systems, in addition to preparing clear regulatory and procedural guidelines that ensure compliance and quality of operations."
He added that "the Authority seeks to open up to global securities and commodities markets by granting licenses to local brokers for foreign trading based on the provisions of Regulatory Regulation No. (35) of 2025, which enhances the diversity of investment instruments and raises the efficiency of the market."
He stressed that “the strategy pays special attention to digital transformation by adopting electronic signatures in the transactions of the Authority, the market and licensed companies, which contributes to simplifying procedures and improving the quality of oversight, as well as completing the launch of the custodian activity by following up on the technical requirements and granting the necessary licenses to foreign banks.”
He stated that "the strategy includes developing trading, clearing and electronic monitoring systems and enhancing cooperation with the Central Bank of Iraq to list all financial and banking shareholding companies and with the Ministry of Finance / Insurance Bureau to list insurance sector companies."
The head of the authority pointed out "the importance of monitoring companies' commitment to implementing the corporate governance guide, given its impact on raising the level of institutional performance and enhancing investor confidence, in addition to aligning the authority's objectives with national economic visions and programs aimed at diversifying income sources and increasing revenues."
He concluded by saying, “We emphasize the continuation of intensive media and awareness campaigns to establish a conscious investment culture and enhance public confidence in the Iraqi stock market, which supports the paths of economic reform and sustainable development.”
Kurdistan Region from Davos: $80 billion investment leap and the first steel sheet factory in the Middle East
Mohammed Shukri, head of the Kurdistan Region Investment Authority, said from Davos that the Kurdistan Region pavilion is witnessing wider participation from investors and visitors this year compared to previous years.
Shukri told Kurdistan24 that he hopes to achieve greater results this year by concluding more agreements with major international companies, particularly in the fields of technology and other sectors.
He emphasized that the Kurdistan Region relies on advanced technologies in the agricultural and industrial sectors.
He added that the volume of investments in the Kurdistan Region during 2025 exceeded $80 billion, as investment licenses were granted to 210 projects, making it the most productive year in the field of investment, as the level of investments increased by 400%.
He noted that in 2026 the Kurdistan Region will witness the establishment of the first iron sheet production plant in the Middle East, in a move that reflects growing international confidence in the investment environment in the region.
The Iraqi Credit Bank achieved net profits of more than 26 billion dinars during 2025
The Iraqi Credit Bank announced in its unaudited summary financial statement for the year ending December 31, 2025, that it achieved net profits of 26 billion and 707 million Iraqi dinars, compared to 22 billion and 6 million dinars during 2024, recording remarkable growth in financial performance.
According to the financial statements, total assets amounted to approximately 537 billion and 324 million dinars, compared to 523 billion and 238 million dinars in the previous year, supported by an increase in balances with the Central Bank and other banks, in addition to an increase in investment in subsidiaries, which rose to more than 350 billion dinars.
Increase in operating revenues
The bank recorded net operating revenues exceeding 35 billion dinars during 2025, compared to about 30.8 billion dinars in 2024, while interest and commission revenues amounted to more than 30 billion dinars, reflecting the expansion of banking activity and improved operational efficiency.
Shareholders' equity growth
The financial center statement showed that shareholders’ equity rose to about 384 billion and 477 million dinars, compared to 365 billion and 639 million dinars at the end of 2024, supported by retained earnings and reserves, while the paid-up capital after capitalization amounted to 346 billion and 870 million dinars.
Deposits are rising and liabilities are under control
Customer deposits rose to more than 143 billion dinars, compared to 113 billion dinars in 2024, while total liabilities reached about 171 billion dinars, indicating an improvement in customer confidence in the bank and its financial stability.
Cash flows and expansionary financing
On the cash flow side, the statements showed the use of liquidity in investment activities as a result of increased investment in subsidiaries and the purchase of assets, compared to recording positive flows from financing activities through subscriptions and the transfer of reserves.
Iraq and Qatar sign a memorandum of understanding to enhance cooperation, exchange expertise, and develop areas of military training and coordination.
Iraqi Defense Minister Thabit Mohammed Saeed Al-Abbasi signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Monday with Sheikh Saud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs of Qatar. The MoU aims to enhance cooperation, exchange expertise, and develop training and military coordination to serve the mutual interests of both countries.
A statement from the Ministry of Defense indicated that Al-Abbasi visited Qatar on Monday, leading a high-level security delegation, to strengthen cooperation between the two brotherly nations and discuss ways to develop joint military and defense cooperation.
According to the statement, the MoU was signed during the visit between the Iraqi Ministry of Defense and the Qatari Ministry of Defense. It aims to enhance cooperation, exchange expertise, and develop training and military coordination to serve the mutual interests of both countries
The MoU was signed by Iraqi Defense Minister Thabit Mohammed Saeed Al-Abbasi and by Sheikh Saud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs of Qatar.
According to the statement, this visit comes within the framework of both countries' keenness to strengthen fraternal relations and enhance defense cooperation, contributing to supporting security and stability in the region.
Saviya discusses with US leaders the influence of Iranian-backed factions in Iraq
The US President’s envoy to Iraq, Mark Savaya, reported on Monday that he held a meeting with the Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, and the Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, Joe Kent, regarding Iraqi armed factions supported by Iran and their associated networks .
Savaya said in a post on the “ X ” platform, which was followed by the “Al-Sa’a” network, that “the discussions included the role of Iranian-backed factions and their associated networks .”
He added that "the meeting highlighted the importance of maintaining and strengthening the Iraqi government's efforts over the past year to secure the borders, combat smuggling and corruption, and enhance state authority ."
He indicated that he is "committed to uncovering and prosecuting violations wherever they are found, achieving stability in Iraq, and ensuring its security, in service of Iraqi sovereignty and the well-being of the Iraqi people," stressing that "the Iraqi people will make Iraq great again."
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