Trump's envoy begins 2026 with a strong message to those who "wrought havoc in Iraq": Your time is up. He outlined a list of 18 objectives.
Mark Savaya, US President Donald Trump’s envoy to Iraq, sent a congratulatory message to the Iraqi people on the occasion of welcoming the year 2026, in which he expressed his wishes for peace, unity and renewed hope.
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In his message, which he published in Arabic and English via his account on the X platform, Savaya said: “To the people of Iraq, as we welcome the year 2026, I extend to you my sincerest wishes for peace, unity, and renewed hope. Your strength and resilience are an inspiration to the world,” adding that “the new year will bring better opportunities, stability, and a brighter future for all Iraqis.”
The US envoy affirmed that work will continue with the government of the Republic of Iraq within the framework of the Iraqi constitution and law, in order to secure a bright future for Iraq and its people, expressing his hope that 2026 will be the year of the end of instability, the plundering of the country’s wealth, poor services, uncontrolled weapons, smuggling, unemployment, militias, money laundering, corruption, poverty, foreign interference, and all other manifestations of injustice and circumvention of the law.
He added that this message is directed “to those who have spread corruption in the land of Iraq,” stressing that “your time is over and the time of Iraq and the Iraqis has begun,” and emphasizing that Iraq will remain a flag raised high and a source of pride for all its people.
Savaya concluded his message by saying, “We are still at the beginning
We exchange an orange for a hundred olives... The new Syrian currency is a "basket of vegetables," citrus fruits, and grains.
ocial media platforms in Syria have become a stage for biting satire following the official announcement of the new Syrian currency designs, which replace historical symbols with images of agricultural crops, prompting Syrians to dub it a "cash shopping basket." The
currency, described as "paper money," features an olive and an orange, and its price list includes denominations bearing images of oranges, olives, grains, and the Damask rose.
Syrians joked that the government had linked the value of each denomination to the type of "dish" or crop, with one commentator saying: "Now we can exchange an orange for a hundred olives," referring to the absence of real monetary value in the face of exorbitant prices.
Hassan Ali Al-Daghari: Expanding banking services is the focus of the next phase.
Financial expert Hassan Ali Al-Daghari stressed that expanding banking services is an urgent need for the Iraqi economy at the present stage, in light of growing commercial activity and increasing demands of the local market.
Al-Daghari said that Iraqi banks have begun to take clear steps towards developing their financial tools and expanding the scope of their services in line with the ongoing economic transformations.
Al-Daghari explained that expanding modern banking services, such as electronic payment, facilitating account opening procedures, and expanding the branch network, contributes to enhancing citizens' confidence in the banking sector and encourages official transactions instead of relying on cash.
He pointed out that this expansion not only benefits banks, but also supports market activity and provides a better environment for investment.
Matlyk: The technology it employs expands the company's presence in global markets
Matlyk Global confirmed that the advanced technology adopted by the company was the key to horizontal expansion in global markets.
The company's president, Engineer Sami Saghir, said that reputable global markets are responding to quality production in the electricity sector, which is an important axis in building the world's economies.
Saghir stated that the Iraqi market is growing and needs more quality work to strengthen its joints in all regions of the country.
He pointed out that Matlik Company is actively present in this important sector in order to provide the best services, as the company offers solutions to all the challenges facing the Iraqi electricity sector.
The 2025 budget is delayed again amid political anticipation and a new assessment of the financial situation.
The 2025 budget appears to be postponed in practice, given that its passage is linked to the completion of the formation of the next government, coinciding with official talk of financial variables that necessitate a comprehensive reassessment of the structure of revenues and expenditures.
MP Mudhar Al-Karawi determined on Wednesday the fate of the 2025 budget after the completion of the vote on the House of Representatives’ leadership, stressing that proceeding with the budget is directly linked to the formation of the new government.
Al-Karawi said that “after the vote on the Speaker of Parliament is completed, the second phase of the constitutional requirements will begin, which is the election of the President of the Republic, leading up to assigning the candidate of the largest bloc to form the government and then voting on it.”
He then added that “proceeding with the budget, whether for last year or this year, can only be done after the government is fully formed, as the budget will be sent from the government that will be voted on by the House of Representatives.”
He also indicated that “this will open the door to a different interpretation of the nature of the financial situation in the country.”
Al-Karawi pointed out that “the changes brought about by the oil markets will have a direct impact on the budget, especially since more than 90% of its revenues depend on the sale of crude oil.”
He pointed out that “Iraq’s financial situation requires a review of many texts and paragraphs, which makes reducing expenditures inevitable.”
He stressed that “next year’s budget will include difficult decisions imposed by the nature of the current stage and the existing financial challenges.”
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The Iraqi parliament announces the conditions for candidacy for the presidency of Iraq.
The House of Representatives announced on Wednesday the conditions for candidacy for the position of President of the Republic.
The media office of the House of Representatives stated in a statement that, “Based on Articles (2 and 3) of Law No. (8) of 2012 (Law on the Provisions for Nomination to the Position of President of the Republic), the House of Representatives announces the opening of nominations for the position of President of the Republic.”
He added, “Those wishing to run for office who meet the conditions listed below should submit their written applications, accompanied by the original official documents proving that they meet those conditions, along with their CVs, to the Presidency of the House of Representatives, and deliver them to the Legal Affairs Department at the House of Representatives/Conference Palace during official working hours from nine in the morning until three in the afternoon on Wednesday, Sunday, and Monday, corresponding to 12/31/2025 and 1/4/2026, in exchange for a receipt confirming that they submitted the application, the date of submission, and its attachments of documents.”
The office explained that, “Based on Article (1) of the law, the candidate for the position of President of the Republic must meet the following conditions:
First: He is Iraqi by birth and from Iraqi parents.
Second: He is of full legal capacity and has completed forty years of age.
Third: He has a good reputation, political experience, and is known for his integrity, uprightness, justice, and loyalty to the nation.
Fourth: Holding at least a primary university degree recognized by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in Iraq.
Fifth: He has not been convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude.
Sixth: Not subject to accountability and justice procedures or any procedures that replace them.”
MP: The current parliament will enact important laws, most notably the one concerning the Popular Mobilization Forces
MP Hassan Shaker confirmed on Thursday that the upcoming period will witness the passage of a number of important laws within the Council of Representatives, foremost among them the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) Law, noting that these laws represent a top priority for the new parliament.
Shaker told the Information Agency that “Parliament will work to pass laws that serve the segments of society that have made sacrifices, foremost among them the PMF and the security forces,” explaining that “enacting these laws will strengthen the rights of the fighters and grant them privileges commensurate with the magnitude of their sacrifices.”
He added that “the Council bears a great responsibility in completing these laws, along with other reform and service-oriented laws,” stressing that “their passage will constitute an important step in strengthening political and social stability.”
Investment or subjugation? American oil influence in Iraq: economic partnership or political hegemony?
The return of American companies to the heart of Iraq's oil fields is not merely an economic or investment activity; Rather, it appears—in the view of independent politicians and economists—to be part of a long-term influence strategy at keeping Iraq's energy decisions tied to the will of giant corporations that ultimately operate within the political sphere of the United States.
When Chevron entered into the development projects at the Nasiriyah and Balad oil fields, the agreement was not seen as simply a technical partnership to improve production. Observers considered it a step toward establishing an American foothold in the strategic southern oil fields.
The deal—which could raise production to around 600,000 barrels per day—cannot be interpreted in isolation from the political context. The American presence comes at a sensitive moment marked by regional and international competition for influence in Iraq, making oil investment a tool of influence no less important than military bases and security agreements. When companies become political players, as in the case of ExxonMobil's return to giant projects like West Qurna and Majnoon, it reveals that the previous withdrawal was not the end of the American role, but rather a temporary repositioning.
Analysts believe that the company operates not merely on a profit-and-loss basis, but as an economic arm of US energy policy. Its presence in Iraq grants it the ability to influence production trends and exert pressure on Baghdad's relationships with competing Russian and Chinese companies to create balances within the regional oil market that serve US interests.
While Chevron and Exxon have a direct presence, Halliburton, SLB, and Baker Hughes wield even greater influence, controlling drilling and processing technologies, operational and maintenance networks, and the technical expertise upon which national companies rely.
Thus, technical dependence transforms into disguised political dependence; a state that lacks independent operational capabilities lacks full sovereign decision-making power in one of its most vital economic sectors.
Despite the lack of precise figures for US investments, the crux of the debate lies not in the amount of money, but in the nature of the relationship these contracts produce. They reproduce the "oil for influence" model.
Critics fear these contracts will become a tool for political pressure, used during moments of disagreement or tension, so that oil—once again—becomes part of the margin of dependency, not the space of autonomy.
The dilemma, as experts say, does not lie in the entry of foreign companies—the whole world deals with international investments—but rather in the absence of a clear Iraqi strategy for localizing technology, the lack of transparency in contracts, and the conditions for transferring expertise. This favors easy solutions over building independent national capabilities. Instead of transforming investments into an opportunity to build sovereign economic power, there is a fear that they will become a new cycle of external dependency.
Will oil remain a lever of national autonomy, or will it become an instrument of American hegemony, managed under the guise of investment?
Sudani congratulates Halbousi and his deputies: Political stability depends on prioritizing Iraq's interests.
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani stressed on Wednesday the need to work towards achieving the country's higher interests.
A statement from his office, received by (Al-Mada), said that “Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani met with the new Speaker of Parliament, Hebat Hamad Al-Halbousi.”
Al-Sudani congratulated Al-Halbousi and his two deputies, Adnan Faihan Al-Dulaimi and Farhad Amin Atroushi, on their election and gaining the confidence of the representatives, praising this step that enhances the political stability of our democratic system.
He also pointed out the need to work towards achieving the country's higher interests.
The Prime Minister stressed "the need to complete the remaining constitutional requirements in order to continue providing public services to citizens in various fields."
Deputy: Approval of the 2025 and 2026 budgets after the formation of the new government
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Deputy Speaker Mazr al-Karwi stated on Thursday that the 2025 general budget will be discussed after completing the nomination and election of the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Al-Khafaf: The Iraqi economy is currently stable.
Financial and economic advisor Wahbi al-Khafaf confirmed on Thursday that the Iraqi economy relies primarily on oil resources, describing it as a rentier economy and somewhat precarious. However, he also emphasized the unlikelihood of an economic crisis in Iraq at present.
Speaking to the Information Agency, al-Khafaf noted that “Iraq is a capitalist country and has effectively entered the world of investment in a short period.” He added that "the new prime minister's name should be associated with the successful management of the Iraqi economy and the achievement of the desired development."
The financial advisor addressed the issue of debt, stating that it is "normal and that the financial returns from the economy go directly to the state treasury without intermediaries."
Regarding banking performance, he indicated that “some Iraqi banks have made mistakes in their financial policies,” but he affirmed that borrowing does not currently pose a significant threat to the Iraqi economy.
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