January 15, 2026 Edition Latest Mnt Goat Newsletter

January 15, 2026 Mnt Goat News Brief

Guten Tag everyone:

Bringing you more news. It’s D-Day for Iraq. No more fooling around with Iran. Make up yor decision now. More sanctions?

GIVE A GIFT TO MNT GOAT

I decided to allow everyone to give a Free-will GIFT to Mnt Goat on PayPal if you so desire. Here is the link below. Please show your appreciation for all the hard work I do.

I recommend $15-$20 dollars a month or whatever you can afford. Do you realize I write up to eight (8) Newsletters every month. This is like a second job to me. The only way I know that people are reading and appreciating all the FACTUAL news I bring is through their appreciation. If I do not receive equal appreciation for all the hard work I do, I will simply end the Newsletter and save myself endless hours at the computer. You do want to get paid for your job, don’t you? What makes my job any different? Tell me….. I am tired of this RV saga just as you are. We are now down to addressing the Iranian militia in Iraq. This is a very good thing and had to happen sooner or later. The RV will not happen as long as Iraq is a proxy state of Iran.

Let’s all try to chip in!

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Psalm 37:4

“Delight yourself in the Lord; And He will give you the desires of your heart.”

More news….

FOUR COUNTRIES DOMINATE GLOBAL OIL RESERVES

Global oil reserves are highly concentrated.

Venezuela has the world’s largest proven oil reserves (about 303 billion barrels), but U.S. sanctions have limited its ability to export crude and fully monetize this resource.

Saudi Arabia follows the South American country with 267 billion barrels. Iran, Canada, and Iraq round out the top five.

Note: According to the published chart, Egypt (3.3 B), Israel only has reserves of even much less than Egypt. God has told us through His prophets that He will divert some of the oil from Saudi Arabia (267,200 B) and other countries to His Israel. Most oil wells in Saudi and other middle eastern countries will dry up. WOW! This will come at a time of exposure of what they have done to His United States. I think maybe He is referring to the 9/11/01 terrorist attack on NYC?

What impact will this have on the oil industry and the price of global energy?

However, also don’t forget other prophecies too. Remember there are three (3) new sources of energy coming that God promised us that would revolutionize not only the energy sector but many other industries including the auto industry. FORD Motors will actually develop a new engine for vehicles to run off one of these new energies. Is God going to ‘reset’ the Energy sector too? It looks that way. But how will He do it? How will the middle east survive then with lack of oil revenues?

I believe that God has given them every chance over these last three decades To get it right and still they persist with terrorism and using their great oil wealth for their own self-centered, corrupt practices and not God’s people.

More news….

MARK SAVAYA ARRIVES IN ERBIL

Shafaq News Agency’s correspondent reported that Mark Savaya, US President Donald Trump’s envoy for Iraq affairs, arrived in Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region, early Saturday morning, as part of a visit that coincides with broader US diplomatic activity related to the Iraq and Syria files.

Tom Barrack, Trump’s envoy for Syria, is scheduled to arrive in Erbil later on Saturday to meet with Mazloum Abdi, the commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces, at a time when the Syrian arena is witnessing a military escalation and international mediation efforts to de-escalate the situation.

STATUS OF THE RV

If you are here today for a date and a rate, I cannot deliver it to you. Sorry but all I have today is honest news that I can pass on with no hype only sincere news.

You can judge for yourselves what is going to happen in the long-term or short-term, it is not rocket science. Even my latest call to my CBI contact in Iraq now says that unless the U.S. gets what it needs in the elections and the armed Iranian militias are disbanded and disarmed, there is going to be sanctions and this puts the reinstatement process “on hold” again. Sorry! Will the RV ever happen? Let’s explore this notion more today.

In today’s study of the situation in Iraq, we must believe that the Trump administration wants the reinstatement of the Iraq dinar even more than we do, however the situation in and around Iraq must be stable. Trump plans to bring in massive US money to Iraq for development and investment, but it must be stable and secure first. Trump knows of the opportunities in Iraq. Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, we have this situation in Iran and right next door is a major trading partner for Iraq, Iran. If Iran was a free nation once again could this Iraqi trading partner be an even better trading partner? What if the regime did fall and the currencies were all synced up in the middle east to be fair asset based? Is this what Trump also needs?

We saw the writing was on the wall for years with relations between the US with Iraq and Iran, and it was just a matter of time before the pressure was ‘turned-up’ from the U.S., as it is now. But it is about timing as we have been waiting for this moment too, however, as investors we only hoped that we would exchange prior to these events happening. But our exchange is tied to what? Of course, we all know it’s tied to SECURITY and STABILITY and the reinstatement so we can exchange is not happening until this criterion is met. So stop kidding yourself. We all know that Iraq does not now meet this criterion, as these issues with Iran make it that way.

The Iranian regime must fall to have peace in the middle east. Remember the situation with Venezuela did not just happen, as Venezuela was a proxy state for Iran. It had to fall. Also, Cuba was supported by Venezuela too so there was a network of countries that were controlled by Iran. When we analyze more closely what Iran has been doing, we see it has branched out its network of Muslim terrorist organization throughout the world. Like any developing power throughout history, they go out on conquest to conquer and deliver back home the riches and wealth of other nations.

But what makes this effort of conquest so foolish with Iran is the use of terrorism as their main tactic. This brings death, suffering and destruction to everything they touch. To be conquered and put in servitude and under tight control NEVER works in the long run and history speaks for itself. People are meant to live in freedom and liberty, that is human nature. There is also the Koran used by Iran as a justification to get these radical groups to follow. Is this really even a religion or a cult?

We see it too in the U.S. through the Muslim Somalian community. Don’t forget for a second that these issues of Somalians in the U.S. isn’t connected to Iranian influence and their doing, it may seem strange but the connections are being made as I write this Newsletter today.

I also want to point out there were reasons why the U.S. worked so diligently in the past to force Iraq to get off of the Iranian electric grid, revert to their own refineries, and produce their own natural gas. Yes, we are now seeing why this was all orchestrated years ago. It is paying dividends today to bring down Iran. This was slowly putting the rope around the neck of the Iranian regime even then. Remember that “money talks and bullshit walks”.

Oh boy, where do I begin today with all the news pouring out of Iraq. By the way I am glad to see that many followers of my blog are actually interested in the FACTS and want the REAL news. I was beginning to worry that not many cared for my Newsletter anymore. Like I said before, I already know the news and I am only going to share it if it is appreciated by my readers, otherwise I am not going to waste my time. It is like another parttime job putting the news together for you in a readable, understandable fashion.… today is Sunday and so enough said. So, even if you are one of these intel gurus, using my blog as your source of information, you too should reconsider showing me that you too appreciate my Newsletter. Once it’s gone, its gone!

There are two main issues we face as investors in the Iraqi dinar today in order to see the reinstatement. Remember that the CBI is moving ahead of the GOI and so what we hear today is a major setback for their schedule, but for how long? Things now seem to move in sprints, one day it seems hopeless and then suddenly it all changes.

We don’t have to be brain surgeons to see the scope of these two main issues. The first is the Iranian issue and the next is the completing the November election cycle and getting a full government formed.

In this respect we know that parliament is now formed and operational. They have already had two (2) sessions. There is a list of candidates put forth from Kurdistan for the presidency. I do not know what the hell is taking them so long to announce their candidate, but that’s Iraq- slow as molasses! I am told the candidate should finally be announced this week. Then they move on to the selection of the prime minister – oh boy! Here’s where all the confusion is in the dinar RV community. So let me explain clearly what is happening in this regard.

Yes, there is lots of rhetoric about Nori al-Maliki maybe having a third term. Are you kidding me? This would be analogous of Joe Biden having another term- simply put- I fully hear that the U.S. is not going to allow this to happen. So, there is a problem here, right?

Who does the Coordination Framework nominate? Al-Sudani received the majority of votes in the election and to me it’s a no-brainer that he should have a second term but he did not do all the bidding of the elitist in Iraq, who run the Coordination Framework. They are able to put together a stronger coalition of singular parties to join them. This is the parliamentary way of elections and although it may seem weird and unfair to us westerners and to the Iraqi citizens, it is how the Shiites elect their representative for the main and most important position of prime minister. Yes, I too don’t like it! ☹

Remember the prime minister position is not just one position but an entire cabinet of his selected members to head the various ministries that make policy (almost like the U.S. House of Congress). It is parliament members that actually directly represent the districts in Iraq not the cabinet so this is the difference here. Remember the prime minister’s cabinet makes the laws and legislates, but these members are not representative of the people, they are only like managers of their particular ministry. For instance the Ministry of Energy runs the energy sector in Iraq and uses the budgeted money for the appropriate energy related projects. So, parliament then is more like the U.S. House of the Senate and ratifies the laws put forth from the cabinet. This is their check and balance. At any time parliament can be thrown back to the cabinet legislation for updates or just pass through by vote and it goes into law. Like the U.S. register, Iraq has the Iraq Gazette where they publish the laws that can then be accessed in order to reference them for enactment.

I really didn’t want to spend this much time today again reviewing how the Iraqi government works but I felt many still don’t understand.

Now this issue of Maliki. So, if you reference the article titled “MALIKI TO HARRIS: THE NEED TO “CONTROL WEAPONS” AND COMPLETE CONSTITUTIONAL REQUIREMENTS”. If Maliki was sincere in all his desires to secure Iraq why did he let ISIS into Iraq? Remember he has eight years to secure Iraq, did he? He was more worried about finding ways to kill Kurds up north from his hatred of them that goes back decades. Do you think the Kurds would allow him again as prime minister without objections? Maliki is just talk. He is a dark person and will say anything to get back in power.

Then let’s take a peek at the article titled “THE COORDINATING BODY WILL MEET EARLY NEXT WEEK TO DECIDE ON AL-MALIKI’S NOMINATION FOR PRIME MINISTER.” I want to make if VERY clear this article is not saying Maliki is going to be prime minister. It does tells us they are discussing the issue. They are nuts of they do not consider his past performance as prime minister and how the rest of the country feels about him. I quote from the article – “The source told Shafaq News Agency that “the Shiite House forces will hold their meeting next Saturday to discuss a number of issues, including understandings between some of the active forces within the coordination framework and the political scene.” – He explained that the meeting would include “discussing the issue of nominating Maliki for the next government, and assessing the final positions of the framework leaders regarding Maliki’s nomination for the premiership for the third time.”

So, if you can read and I hope you can, it says “discussing the issue of nominating Maliki”. He is not yet nominated and probably will not be nominated. Get it?

Then let’s also read another article titled ‘IRAQ’S PRIME MINISTER STEPS ASIDE FOR RIVAL IN POST-ELECTION WRANGLING OVER GOVERNMENT”This article by QASSIM ABDUL-ZAHRA is FAKE news. THINK, THINK and THINK some more. Why would Iraq’s caretaker Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, whose bloc won the largest share of seats in November’s parliamentary elections, step aside to clear the field for a rival, former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki? Folks it does not make any sense.

If it seems weird and so far out of left field, it probably is FAKE NEWS! Certainly the US would never accept Nori Al-Maliki again.

Yet more evidence that Nori Al-Maliki would not work as the prime minister in article titled “POLITICAL SOURCE: MALIKI’S NOMINATION AS PRIME MINISTER IS A CRIME AGAINST IRAQ AND ITS PEOPLE AND EVASION OF JUSTICE”. Did the Coordination Framework then actually nominate Maliki as the prime minister already? Source Nawab al-Iraq confirmed this nomination and Source Judiciary demanded that the Maliki account and the files of crime, corruption and treason overcome the judicial process.

Here is the article and the defense again Maliki and I quote “According to a political source, the nomination of Nuri al-Maliki as the head of the previous government is a crime against Iraq and its people, and added the source, that al-Maliki is Strong Iran in Iraq is the one that gave the third of Iraq to ISIS under Iranian command and as a result of the corruption and psychology that prevails today, such as Spiker’s crime On Shiite youth voluntarily joining the battle front with ISIS without training and killing at least 1,300 Shab, he is the one who killed 220 Arabs on Sunday Al-Hawijah is the one that legitimizes corruption, sectarianism, theft of public property and much more!

THINK, THINK and THINK some more. Do you really believe that the U.S. is going to go along with the selection of Maliki as the next prime minister?

Echoes of propaganda of the Iraqi news media of what I am talking about are in the article titled “AL-AZM: WE HAVEN’T RECEIVED THE NAME OF THE FRAMEWORK CANDIDATE… AND OUR CHOICES ARE 90% FINALIZED – URGENT” I quote from the article “Amid the intense political activity to resolve constitutional entitlements and form the next government, attention is focused on the path of understandings between the forces of the Coordination Framework on one hand, and the National Political Council, which represents the Sunni forces, on the other, especially with the link between the file of the Prime Minister and the file of the Presidency of the Republic and the balance of power within Parliament.” Oh…. let me tell you Sunnis are not going to like Maliki as the nominee.

So, just on last Friday (January 16, 2026), yesterday, Najat Al-Tai, a member of the Al-Azm Alliance, and I quote“confirmed that the National Political Council has not yet received the official name of the candidate nominated by the Coordination Framework Forces for the position of Prime Minister, while she indicated that the Sunni forces have decided on about 90% of their options regarding participation in the upcoming cabinet.”

“noting that “the council will deal with this issue according to official data and not based on what is being circulated in the media.”

Let’s put this topic to rest of Nori al-Maliki. As of Friday 1/16 he has NOT yet been announced as the nominee. Get it? But you decide as you too have a mind to THINK!

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Let’s now dive into this other topic of Iranian influence in Iraq. Speaking of Iranian influence over Iraq, can the U.S. prevent the attempt to make Iraq one of the global Iranian puppet states, like it did to so many other countries?

Articles today once again show us that Iraq is in deep trouble if it continues its path of Iranian influence over its governance. But there is a much harsher tone this time. Let me explain.

Take a look at the article titled “ON TRUMP’S ORDERS, SAVAYA IS IN BAGHDAD: “COMPLETE COMPLIANCE OR TOTAL ERADICATION.” Oh…boy! This news can not get any more harsh than this….can it? I quote from the article:

“With news of the arrival of US President Donald Trump’s envoy to Iraq, Mark Savaya, today or tomorrow in Baghdad, carrying a “booby-trapped briefcase” of files, sanctions, and what Washington calls “hard gifts,” attention is turning to one of the most complex issues in the Iraqi economy: money smuggling networks, money laundering, and the circulation of hard currency outside legal channels, amid anticipation of the extent of the targeting that may extend to banks, companies, businessmen, and networks linked to armed factions, and what impact this step may have on the stability of the economy, the exchange rate, and the balance of political power internally.”

There is a series of other article on this topic too for today’s news but I will point you to the end result of a week of work by Trump’s envoy Mark Savaya to Iraq in one article. Are harsh sanctions a threat? Yes, of course…… Does Trump make good on threats if the other party does not give him what is legally necessary? Yes, again of course. This is not tyranny, as many democrats are quick to make these silly accusations. It is called making Iraq live up to its promises post-sanctions. If you don’t live up to them – times up- then you go back to sanctions.

In the article titled “US SIGNALS NEW SANCTIONS AS TREASURY REVIEWS IRAQI FINANCIAL NETWORKS” The US Special Envoy to Iraq Mark Savaya said he has held talks with the Department of the Treasury and the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) on tightening oversight of Iraq’s banking sector, as Washington steps up efforts to curb money laundering, smuggling and the financing of militant groups.

In a statement, Savaya said the discussions focused on reforming both state-owned and private banks, with an emphasis on improving financial governance, compliance and institutional accountability. He said US officials and Treasury specialists agreed to carry out a comprehensive review of suspected payment records and financial transactions involving Iraqi institutions, companies and individuals believed to be linked to illicit activity, including money laundering, fraudulent contracts and projects that fund or enable terrorist operations.

Now all my readers should know that there is no way we are going to exchange our dinar at the US banks as long as OFAC sanctions are in place still over the IQD. The U.S. is now telling us they are not going to release these OFAC sanctions but instead are going to double-down on them meaning to tighten them and make them more restrictive. Do you seriously believe that Iraq is going to reinstate the dinar under these sanctions are in place, and even tighter instead of releasing them altogether.

However, the good news is things can change on a dime in this Iraqi saga. Iraq could nominate Al-Sudani for a second term and he could clean up this Iranian mess very quickly with U.S. support. We are just now at the turning point either way – more difficult of major changes in our favor. Let’s see what happens.

Let’s also be real in that if Al-Sudani does get nominated for second term, it will be hard, but not impossible, to pass any law affecting the Iranian influences since any law against the Iranian militia will have go through a parliament. Parliament now has many Iranian-backed members. But its not impossible as these Iranian backed members are not the majority. Let’s also remember that the Iranian members in parliament have already said they will push for the ‘tabled from 2025’ law funding and making the Iranian militia legal in Iraq. But remember they are not the majority….

We also must consider the other option too that we can absolutely not predict with any certainty the impact on these Iranian militia if the Iranian regime does capitulate and a new government is put in place. Who will these Iranian militia be loyal to in Iraq. Does the entire scheme of puppetry fall apart, as there is no longer a terrorist Iran. Any terrorist groups in Iraq will then be isolated and can be dealt with by sanctions. Again “money talks and bullshit walks”….

Next, we must consider that not all the Iranian militia are terrorists and many are just loyal and patriotic Iranian citizens serving their country in the military. They were drafted into service. They are not necessarily supporting the crooked regime of Ayatollah Ali Khameneinow in place and would luv to see it all fall apart so they can go back home to a more peaceful Iran void of Islamic tyranny.

Then along with two of the actual terrorist groups inside the militia already told the U.S. that they would capitulate.

Other articles in today’s Article Section on this topic of Iran can be found below:

😊“SAVAYA DISCUSSES IRAQ-RELATED ISSUES AT THE WHITE HOUSE”:

The US envoy to Iraq, Mark Savaya, stated that he had finalized arrangements for a meeting at the White House with Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Director of Counterterrorism Sebastian Gorka to discuss a number of issues related to the situation in Iraq.

😊“THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION DESIGNATES MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD BRANCHES IN THREE COUNTRIES AS TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS.”:

On Tuesday, the administration of US President Donald Trump decided to designate the branches of the Muslim Brotherhood in Lebanon, Egypt and Jordan as “terrorist organizations”. The US Treasury Department has designated the group’s branches in Egypt, Lebanon, and Jordan as terrorist organizations.

😊“HARRIS ASSURES BARZANI: THERE IS NO PLACE FOR IRANIAN-BACKED TERRORIST MILITIAS IN THE IRAQI GOVERNMENT.” :

(Mnt Goat: how many times must the US say it before Iraq realizes they mean business.)

On Tuesday, the acting US ambassador to Iraq, Joshua Harris, praised the role of Kurdish leader Masoud Barzani in supporting the Iraqi political process and calming tensions in Syria, while stressing that there is “no place” for what he called “Iranian-backed terrorist militias” in the next Iraqi government.

😊“TRUMP PRAISES HIS ENVOY TO IRAQ: AN EXCEPTIONAL NEGOTIATOR ON A COMPLEX ISSUE”:

US President Donald Trump praised Special Envoy to Iraq Mark Savaya on Tuesday (January 13, 2026) during a press conference held in Washington.

(Mnt Goat: So what did he exactly negotiate with Iraq? This news has not yet come out and we expect it will soon.)

😊“IRAN THREATENS TO BOMB US BASES, AND CALLS FOR HELP ARE MADE FROM AL UDEID AIR BASE IN QATAR.”:

(Mnt Goat: There is a time to negotiate and make peace and let the nation prosper. What is it that the leadership in Iran just don’t get? Is it that they are just so DARK that they can’t begin to see the light?)

Tehran has warned countries in the region that it will bomb US military bases in those countries if it is attacked by the US, Reuters reported on Wednesday, citing a senior Iranian official. The official stated that “Tehran has informed countries in the region, from Saudi Arabia and the UAE to Turkey, that US bases in those countries will be attacked if the United States targets Iran… and has asked these countries to prevent Washington from attacking Iran.”

😊”MIDDLE EAST”: MAJOR US MILITARY MOVEMENTS IN PREPARATION FOR STRIKING IRAN”:

Fox News revealed on Friday that the United States is conducting military movements in the Middle East, describing them as a “force buildup” operation.

Fox News quoted officials as saying that “the US military movements are being described as a force build-up operation.” The sources added that “if US President Donald Trump decides to take military action against Iran, it will be different and more aggressive.”

😊“SECRET MEETING IN WASHINGTON: TRUMP’S ENVOY MEETS WITH REZA PAHLAVI TO DISCUSS THE FUTURE OF THE IRANIAN REGIME.” :

(Mnt Goat: Already making plans as to what the new Iranian state may look like with the exiled former Iranian Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi back in control after Khamenei gone. Its all VERY good news! )

The American news website Axios confirmed on Tuesday that White House envoy Steve Wittkopf secretly met over the weekend with exiled former Iranian Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi to discuss the escalating protests in Iran, according to a senior US official.

This meeting marks the first high-level contact between the US administration and the Iranian opposition since the protests erupted about 15 days ago, at a time when Pahlavi is trying to present himself as an option to lead a transitional phase if the regime collapses.

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Meanwhile in the midst of the saga of the election and Iran, there is some good news too. Let’s take a brief peek at it. Remember many of these other efforts keep moving along in the meantime in the background. The CBI is ready to swap out the currency and then move to reinstate but needs support from the U.S.. Will it get it soon?

😊In the article titled “THE CENTRAL BANK GOVERNOR DISCUSSES WITH OLIVER WYMAN WAYS TO IMPROVE IRAQ’S SOVEREIGN AND CREDIT RATINGS.” The title speaks for itself. The National Team and the Technical Committee for Sovereign Rating held a joint meeting with Oliver Wyman Consulting. The meeting was chaired by the head of the National Team, His Excellency the Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq, Mr. Ali Mohsen Al-Alaq, and attended by Dr. Mazhar Mohammed Saleh, Advisor to the Prime Minister and Head of the Technical Committee, along with a group of experts from relevant ministries and the private sector.

We talked about this topic of tourism before and now in the article titled “GOVERNMENT ADVISOR: TOURISM INVESTMENT IS A GATEWAY TO STIMULATING THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND DIVERSIFYING NATIONAL INCOME” they are confirming once again the potential for revenues. Don’t you think they would also need a stable and secure country to bring in massive tourism from Europe and possibly even North America? Would you want to go to the middle east right now? Remember its not just the historical sites but the hotels, restaurants, taxis, etc. that will bring in enormous revenues to Iraq. The Prime Minister’s financial advisor, Mazhar Muhammad Saleh, confirmed on Friday that Iraq has more than 12,000 archaeological sites that form the basis for a comprehensive tourism launch, explaining that tourism investment is a gateway to stimulating the private sector and diversifying national income.

Saleh told the Iraqi News Agency (INA): “Tourism in Iraq is more than just a recreational activity; it is a strategic tool for wealth creation, achieving balanced development, and diversifying national income sources, provided that investment in it is done seriously and with a clear institutional approach.” He explained that “this sector has the potential to become a major economic pillar, capable of restoring Iraq to its natural civilizational position and contributing to building a more stable and sustainable economic future.”

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What else in in the news?

Before addressing the topic of the price of oil and its future impact on Iraq, I strongly encourage everyone to go listen to one of today’s prophecies by Julie Green titled “TIME TO BRING ALL FAKE GOVERNMENTS TO THEIR KNEES” in the prophecy section of today’s Newsletter. The timing of the prophecy could not be any better. Yes, God is amazing!

I want everyone to know that when they talk about a “deficit” for Iraq I want to clarify what this actually means:

First, if means that there is probably a drop in oil prices since most of their revenues now come from oil thus the CBI will have to use the monetary reserves to pay the bills, thus a drop in the reserves. This a bad thing for the RV is it last long enough. We all know how important these reserves are to back up the economy and the rate of the dinar. Since the dinar is now being “artificially suppressed”, I am of course talking about getting the true nominal value of the dinar out to public trading. This is the dinar rate I am talking about not the current ‘offical’ rate.

Second, if Iraq has a constant drop in the reserves over a long period, it could lead to a situation like during Covid, but this probably will not happen as they are adjusting the 2026 budget to the lower projected price of oil. This may mean holding off on many infrastructure projects unless investment money trickles in. Of course, a reinstatement of the dinar might help…. See article titled “GOVERNMENT ADVISOR: THE PRICE OF A BARREL OF OIL IN THE 2026 BUDGET IS BETWEEN $55 AND $62.”

The Prime Minister’s financial advisor, Mazhar Muhammad Saleh, predicted on Monday that the average price of a barrel of oil in the 2026 budget would range between $55 and $62, noting that these estimates are subject to change due to several factors.

He pointed out that “these estimates remain subject to change depending on a number of influencing factors, most notably developments in geopolitical conflicts, changes in the pace of global energy demand growth, production policy decisions within the framework of ‘OPEC+’, as well as the accelerating shift towards renewable energy and climate policies.”

Let me tell you another influencing factor in the price of oil hardly anyone is talking about. How will the most recent prophecy by Julie Green stating that Saudi Arabia’s oil in the middle east will “run dry”. This will certainly drive the price of oil sky high! This may be the driving force to bring the price of oil up again. Is this in part why God is doing this to Saudi oil? Will this happen in 2026?

Then in the article titled “AN AMERICAN COMPANY RAISES THE ALARM ABOUT THE ACCOUNT DEFICIT AND HARD CURRENCY SHORTAGE IN IRAQ.”

Standard & Poor’s Global Energy reported on Saturday that the decline in oil prices will affect Iraq’s hard currency reserves, indicating the possibility of a large current account deficit. The company predicted in a report seen by Shafaq News Agency that the average price of a barrel of oil (Brent crude) will reach $58 in 2026, a decrease of 16% from the expected averages for 2025.

I talked about this drop in oil prices as it was coming. Iraq had plenty of chances to get it right can they get it right now. With the news from this article above you can see why Iraq has decided to budget at a range between $55 and $62. But remember that their budget is flexible and this can change either way. Politics and corruption got in the way of common sense for Iraq too and now they are paying the price. They should have followed through with the RV more than a decade ago. Governments need to go back to good-ole common sense and stop all the racism, sexism and phobias that hinder common sense approaches. Yes, it is all a game to bring our nations down. They using these narratives and its getting us nowhere fast.

So, I consider this range between $55 and $62 good news for Iraq and shows the ability to conduct responsible budget planning. But I don’t believe oil will remain that low as I see many other factors on the horizon affecting it upwards.

Please see article titled “SALEH’S APPEARANCE: HIGH OIL PRICES MAY PROTECT THE CURRENCY DESPITE GEOPOLITICAL TENSIONS”. The Prime Minister’s financial advisor, Mazhar Muhammad Saleh, said on Monday that the impact of geopolitical tensions on the exchange rate depends on several factors, and is not related to price increases alone.

What is always a good environment for the RV to happen?

A stable economy, low inflation

A secure Iraq (not with Iranian militia present)

High price of oil (more like a stable price of oil around $70)

High monetary reserves and ability to maintain them (very important)

No sanctions

Political stability (a government in place that works together to meet national goals) Iraq must finish the election cycle and so who is going to lead Iraq? Getting the Oil and Gas Law passed.

No corruption

I will let you decide how Iraq fairs in these criteria. Is Iraq now ready for an RV? What do we see that must change?

I firmly believe that 2026 is going to be a VERY critical year for fulfillment of prophecy and the restructuring of our nations. It will be the year the cabal finally breaks. It will be the year for a new financial system, that has been prophesized for so long. We are already seeing the current Federal Reserve chairman indited. Many are trying to paint the picture that he has done nothing wrong. But what is really happening is the justification for pulling entirely out of the Federal Reserve ( a private banking cartel entity) and turning the entire management of U.S. funds back to the U.S. Treasury.

What will this new year bring?

More than ever, we need to tune into the prophets during this new year! This is said to be the great year of the breakthrough in many aspects. Many of these past prophecies have yet to be fulfilled. They are now being repeated time and time again in prophetic word. What does this mean. I am told this means they are very close to fulfillment. Let’s see what the new year brings. Remember God’s prophet Kim Clement told us the Iraqi dinar and the middle east would change drastically. Can you see it now when Iran falls?

God uses his prophets in time of trouble. If you don’t think this nation and the world is in trouble – THINK AGAIN! If you can discern the fake from the good prophets, you can tie into something wonderful to guide you. But be careful there are many charlatans out there and we have witnessed these many bastards already in the IQD RV intel standpoint. Prayer also helps as it lets God know you are affirming as a human being what he is doing. You are essentially saying THANK YOU and please continue! These prophecies give us hope and comfort to know some higher power is looking after us. I have tried to bring you what I believe are some of the legitimate prophets for clarity. I hope they are giving you encouragement to stay focused on the TRUTH.

We pray-

Let it be a year of more EXPOSURE of corruption and just as important, ACCOUNTABLITY for those involved. God says JUSTICE will triumph.

Let it bring a truly sovereign Iraq, United States and all other nations who embrace freedom, liberty and justice.

Let it bring the great Wealth Transfer, with Happiness, Abundance and Prosperity.

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Their words not mine…..No Rumors, No Hype, No Opinions ,,,,,

Just the FACTS!

PRAYING WITH SINCERITY

Many may ask why their prayers are not being answered. Our new Shepard in Rome Pope Leo XIV has given us some direction.

You can purchase a nice pair of Rosary Beads here to pray:

These prophecies are more important now more than ever. They give us the strength, perseverance and hope that a better time is coming and that God’s Hand is at work behind the scenes. If you just take a second even to look around you at these past three election cycles, how can you deny that God is at work? Are you sleeping or what?

It is amazing and there is no other way that these events could have happened the way they turned out. But there is more to come, much, much more, I assure you! Now that God has his biblical David re-elected, we need to pay attention to what He does next.

NOTE: These prophecies just keep getting better and better, giving us HOPE of a brighter future. But the real reason why I listen to them is that we can actually see what God says He will do is taking place right in front of our noses. It is a confirmation to me that God is real and is still with us forever just as in biblical times.

Prophetic Words from prophet: Julie Green

“Marshal Law Is Coming Shortly: Last Warning”

Go to the 39:49 mark. From Jan 16^th while giving morning prayers.

Please don’t miss this one! Everyone should be physically and mentally prepared for what is about to happen. This may mean shutting down the internet for a couple of days. This means no credit cards or social media. Do you have enough cash on hand, if needed? Keep your gas tanks filled and food stocks supplied.

“Babylon Has Fallen”

Go to the 10:50 mark. From Jan 7^th. VERY Powerful!

I believe that God is telling us the ‘reset’ has begun.

“Deep State Secrets Are About To Come Pouring Out”

Go to the 14:35 mark. From Jan 10^th.

God is ripping the EU apart. This was prophesized many times by many of the other prophets too years ago that the EU would fall apart. It has begun.

President Macron of France will be forced to step down. A new government will rise.

Great Britian and France will shake like never before.

Something significant will happen in Europe that will change the UK as we know it today.

PROPHECIES FULFILLED—VENEZUELA

DON BOSCO EXPOSED THE DARK SECRET BEHIND ISLAM

— And the Truth the World Forgot about the so-called Muslim religion.

Dom Bosco, also known as John Bosco, was an Italian Catholic priest and educator, born on August 16, 1815. He founded the Salesian Society in 1859 to help disadvantaged youth, particularly boys, through education and community service. His teachings emphasized lovekindness, and the importance of education for young people, making him a beloved figure in Catholicism and a patron saint of youth. Don Bosco was canonized in 1934.

THE TRUTH ABOUT THE LATEST FEDERAL RESERVE ISSUE

I can hear lots of different stories by the mainstream news media and also from the chairman Powelll himself on this subject matter of a $1 BILLION waste in Federal Reserve on cost overruns on a renovation project. But what is the real story and TRUTH behind it all. We need to ask the question of what happened and how this situation evolved. Is it really all just about head-butting on personalities?

It is important to know the entire TRUTH and not bits and pieces of it, the ones the liberal fake news wants you to only hear. The liberals will try to paint a picture to distract you from learning what really happened and feed into their narrative of Trump tyranny again. Basically, the deep state needs the Federal Reserve as it is part of the conspiracy to bring the US down that began decades ago. But let’s focus on this current issue and get to the bottom of it today. You see, I believe it is situations like this one and there will be many more, that are the precursor of events that will be the ultimate demise of the Federal Reserve. In other words, these situations are the proverbial straw that will break the camel’s back and end the Federal Reserve once and for all.

It is VERY clear to me this is a battle for power, a power struggle for control from the Federal Reserve vs the Federal government. Who will win this battle?

HERE IS THE VIDEO THAT PIRRO REFERENCES:

Why did Powell do such a video? Is he trying to get the American public on his side of this issue? Is he telling the entire truth of what happened. Now that you do know what happened from attorney Pirro herself (see above video). Is he lying? How honest of a guy is he?

FBI & ICE RAID MINNEAPOLIS SOMALI MAYOR’S OFFICE — 9700 POUNDS OF DRUGS & $440M SEIZED

Let’s get this straight. The Samali Congresswoman, then a Senator and now the Samali mayor all found deep connected with corruption. No wonder our President Trump wants the Samali’s out of the U.S. I totally agree. So we can clearly see there is much more to the open border policy of the democrats than just to rig the voting.

This Minnesota corruption is unbelievable, but true.

HOW RADICAL ISLAM TURNED IRAN FROM PARADISE TO A HELL HOLE

WILL TRUMP INVOKE THE INSURRECTION ACT ON MINNESOTA?

Governor Tim (tampon) Waltz presses the race button in another attempt to get rid of ICE agents in Minnesota. But the fun is not yet over, in fact it has just begun.

Why would he want ICE out of his state when they are rounding up illegal immigrants, gang members and finding stashes of illegal drugs? Does this seem weird to you? Oh… did I mention the daycare fraud with over $8 billion (and climbing) in stolen Covid funds and Medicare fraud?

Is he trying to hide yet more of what they could possibly find?

Where was Waltz when all this corruption was going on? Why did he not do anything about it. Instead, he pushed for defunding the police after the Floyd incident that set the stage for all this. Opps, this sounds more and more like ‘conspiracy’ to me. Does this all make any common sense to you. This reeks of corruption. Will he be impeached and forced to step down?

RECENT HEARING ON JAN 6^TH PIPE BOMB INVESTIGATION

At Wednesday’s House Select Committee on Jan. 6 hearing, Rep. Harriet Hageman (R-WY) questioned witnesses about questions surrounding the Jan. 6 Capitol Riot. We are slowly getting to the TRUTH on what happened that day.

IS THERE SOMETHING ABOUT GREENLAND WE NEED TO KNOW?

I can see the false rhetoric and lies about Trump and Greenland. Today I wanted to break down Greenland’s strategic importance. You be the judge whether the U.S. should have any business with Greenland but first get educated on the matter and just don’t swallow what the crooked leftist want you to believe. Know the TRUTH and I got to tell today you are only going to get a small piece of it today since the rest is classified.

VENEZUELA – EPICENTER OF THE CABAL, WORLD BANKS & CARTELS

The TRUTH is slowly coming out as God told us through his prophets. It is time! You do want to know the TRUTH about Epstein, don’t you? Why do the politicians, especially the democrats, want to concentrate on the child trafficking and sexual fantasies that Epstein delivered. Why not expose the real TRUTH of what Epstein was really all about and who he was doing it for and why he had to die.

Uncovers fraudulent money to 509 Dead Tenants in Minnesota housing

84 million of federal eligible assistance for housing given to dead tenants. No wonder our national debt is so high. Folks doesn’t this make you mad when at the same time these democrats scream about Medicare and Social security going bankrupt in 5 years. The U.S. is paying a trillion dollars annually on interest just to maintain the debt. Think about what we could do with a trillion dollars each year. This is irresponsible spending on both the republicans and democrats.

So, here we go again. Yet more fraud in Minnesota. When will it end? Seems the more you peel the onion skin the more they are finding. Is this going to be the same in all these democrat states?

‘AMERICANS WILL BE SHOCKED’: MINNESOTA SPEAKER WARNS ON SCOPE OF FRAUD CRISIS

ICE & FBI STORM MINNEAPOLIS — $4.7 MILLION, 23 COCAINE BRICKS & SOMALI SENATOR

Here we go again. Opps, they thought we would miss this one, but they were wrong. This is HUGE! The mainstream news media once again does not want to hardly report on this one since it is not within the narrative of bashing Trump and his administration. This should have made HUGE headlines.

Now we find yet even more corruption. Corruption in the event and corruption in hardly reporting it to the American people. I’d like to see how the democrats are going to try to blame this one on Trump….lol..lol..lol.. How much more corruption in Minnesota are they going to find? When will it end? Yes, it’s connected to guess what….another Somalian and this time a US Samali Senator. Does this surprise you? God told his prophets what can be exposed will be exposed. I’d like to see how democrat Senator Nure tries to wiggle his way out of this one….

$4.7 Million, 23 Cocaine Bricks & Somali Senator EXPOSED

SENATE HEARING OF MINNESOTA FRAUD

It is a shame, almost a crime, that this hearing was not publicly televised or at least more publicaly talked about in the mainstream news media. Oh… but we know why, don’t we? The new media is protecting poor, innocent Ilan Omar…. Innocent, really? But at least there was no grandstanding for the cameras which is usually the case with these democrats.

Please listen to this documentary on the hearing when questions are asked when vice president Vance spoke. It will turn your stomach sour at the level of corruption and how Omar constantly tries to twist the facts or plays down what really happened to defend herself. Does this woman even live on the same planet?

But this is just the beginning, yet another step to remove her not just from congress but from her citizenship. Does she really think she can just downplay the stolen money and not be accountable? My take on this is what is taking the justice system so long to indite her and prosecute her. The first step is to throw you out of her congressional seat. Oh course she will just claim Muslim-phobia… lol..lol..

REPORTS REVEAL ACTIVISM TIES OF WOMAN KILLED IN MINNEAPOLIS ICE SHOOTING

Note how far the left will go trying to paint a picture of Renee Good being Miss “Goodie Two Shoes”. Folks the evidence shows she was a paid activist and showed up in many of these protest throughout the country during these ICE raids obstructing ICE which was their intent. Who is informing these groups ahead of time? Who is the informant in ICE? This is unlawful as it is an anti-ice group and not your common, ordinary group of citizens protesting calmly and expressing a grievance.

WHY MILLIONS OF AMERICANS WANT ILAN OMAR OUT OF CONGRESS

This is why millions of Americans want Ilan Omar out of congress and sent back to Samalia. Afterall, this is where her real allegiance is and so why not go back and serve Uncle Mohamud. Maybe she could marry her uncle too and be co-president alongside with her brother assisting. Both should be on the same flight back…

THE GREAT RESET IS HERE… BUT IT’S NOT THE ONE THE GLOBAL ELITES PLANNED!

MULLAHS FLEEING TO MOSCOW. WILL THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN FINALLY COLLAPSE?

What is different in this current revolution from other attempts in years past?

THE IRAN–VENEZUELA SHAKEDOWN NOBODY CONNECTED UNTIL NOW

I have created a brand-new “Post RV Workshop” page in the blog. I included my own personal tips on investing post-RV and also organizing and protecting your estate. Here is the LINK. Going forward I will only post new and exciting information and opportunities here on the Latest Newsletter as they come along. Later I will transfer it to the ‘Post RV Workshop’ page in subsequent Newsletters for your future reference.

Just so you know I absolutely DO NOT adhere to high-risk investments where you can lose it all in a flash. Look at it this way – you are going to have all this money. Most of us investors waited decades for this RV to happen and so why would you even think about pissing is all away in some high-risk gamble of an investment. Yes, there are going to be scammers out there but let’s talk about legitimate investment opportunities only. These scammers can suck you dry and there is not a damned thing you can do about it. Go to a legitimate wealth manager associated with your bank. Let the licensed experts advise you. Please, please stay away from idiots like MarkZ, TNT Tony, Bruce on the Big Stupid Call, etc. , etc.

Here are a few of the topics covered:

* TRUMP FLOATS ZERO INCOME TAX PLAN STARTING WITH BIGGEST REFUNDS EVER

*HOW MUCH MONEY CAN YOU GIFT WITHOUT PAYING TAXES?

*SILVER VAULTS RUN DRY AS SHORTAGE TRIGGERS PANIC. Physical silver not available to meet demand.

*15 THINGS TO DO IF YOU GET RICH ALL OF A SUDDEN

*15 ASSETS THAT ARE MAKING PEOPLE RICH/RICHER

*HERE’S HOW TO MAKE YOUR ASSETS INVISIBLE FROM CREDITORS

*HOW TO LOOK PENNILESS IN THE PUBLIC RECORD

*5 STATES CUTTING PROPERTY TAXES TO ZERO. WILL YOUR STATE BE NEXT?

*TRUMP REVEALS WHEN AMERICANS MIGHT EXPECT TO GET A TARIFF RELIEF $2,000 CHECK

MALIKI TO HARRIS: THE NEED TO “CONTROL WEAPONS” AND COMPLETE CONSTITUTIONAL REQUIREMENTS

On Wednesday, Nouri al-Maliki, head of the State of Law Coalition, stressed to Joshua Harris, the acting US ambassador to Iraq, the need to restrict weapons, and also discussed with him the issue of constitutional entitlements.

This came during Al-Maliki’s reception of Harris at his office today. According to a statement from his office received by Shafaq News Agency, the meeting included “discussions on ways to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries, with the aim of serving the interests of the two friendly peoples. The two sides also reviewed developments in regional and international affairs.”

According to the statement, Maliki expressed “Iraq’s desire to continue cooperation and establish strong relations and a partnership with the United States by activating the Strategic Framework Agreement concluded between the two countries.”

Al-Maliki stated that “the national forces are determined to complete the constitutional requirements within their constitutional timeframes,” stressing that “building a strong and stable state requires restricting weapons to the state and strengthening the rule of law.”

(Remember when the people were revolting years ago, Maliki put on military BDUs and took up arms and walked the streets. Yes, Maliki we don’t forget.)

For his part, Joshua Harris expressed his hope to “work on strengthening cooperation between Baghdad and Washington in a way that contributes to supporting security and stability in Iraq and the region.”

Zuhair al-Jalabi, a member of the State of Law Coalition, told Shafaq News Agency on December 3, 2025, that his leader, Nouri al-Maliki, was the only person capable of disarming the armed factions of their “heavy” weapons, due to their trust in him.

Al-Jalabi explained that “the armed factions, as well as the Popular Mobilization Forces, trust al-Maliki, and when al-Maliki assumes the premiership, he can negotiate the withdrawal of heavy weapons by the factions.”

He pointed out that “the factions trust Maliki and do not trust anyone else, which enables him to succeed in this matter, unlike all the heads of government who did not succeed in it, and this point can help Maliki in supporting his obtaining a third term.”

For years, the Iraqi government has been grappling with the issue of “weapons outside the framework of the state,” asserting that the proliferation of medium and heavy weapons among some factions poses a challenge to strengthening stability and establishing the rule of law.

The outgoing Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, believes that disarming the armed factions is linked to the presence of the international coalition in Iraq, which some factions consider an occupying force.

He explained, during an interview with Reuters, that Iraq is committed to putting all weapons under state control, and that the future program will include integrating factions into the security forces or politics by surrendering their weapons.

Meanwhile, Nouri al-Maliki, leader of the State of Law Coalition, says that “the armed factions have expressed their desire to integrate into state institutions and hand over their heavy weapons.”

For its part, the United States continues its repeated calls to Baghdad to ensure that armed factions are controlled and that attacks targeting US forces or interests are reduced, while affirming its support for the government’s efforts to strengthen security institutions.

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POLITICAL SOURCE: MALIKI’S NOMINATION AS PRIME MINISTER IS A CRIME AGAINST IRAQ AND ITS PEOPLE AND EVASION OF JUSTICE

(Mnt Goat: Folks this is not me saying this but the people of Iraq.)

According to a political source, the nomination of Nuri al-Maliki as the head of the previous government is a crime against Iraq and its people, and added the source, that al-Maliki is Strong Iran in Iraq is the one that gave the third of Iraq to ISIS under Iranian command and as a result of the corruption and psychology that prevails today, such as Spiker’s crime On Shiite youth voluntarily joining the battle front with ISIS without training and killing at least 1,300 Shab, he is the one who killed 220 Arabs on Sunday Al-Hawijah is the one that legitimizes corruption, sectarianism, theft of public property and much more!

Instead of the judicial accountability and judgment against the execution of Zahab al-Ittar al-Iranian to Tarshiha to be assigned until the whole of Iraq is handed over to ISIS al-Iranian. Source Nawab al-Iraq confirmed this nomination and Source Judiciary demanded that the Maliki account and the files of crime, corruption and treason overcome the judicial process.

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THE COORDINATING BODY WILL MEET EARLY NEXT WEEK TO DECIDE ON AL-MALIKI’S NOMINATION FOR PRIME MINISTER.

An informed source revealed on Tuesday that the Shiite Coordination Framework forces will hold their periodic meeting early next week to decide on the nomination of State of Law Coalition leader Nouri al-Maliki for the position of Prime Minister in the new government.

The source told Shafaq News Agency that “the Shiite House forces will hold their meeting next Saturday to discuss a number of issues, including understandings between some of the active forces within the coordination framework and the political scene.”

He explained that the meeting would include “discussing the issue of nominating Maliki for the next government, and assessing the final positions of the framework leaders regarding Maliki’s nomination for the premiership for the third time.”

The source also indicated that “the withdrawal and resignation of the leader of the Reconstruction and Development Coalition, the outgoing Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, from the race to win the premiership for the second time seems to have been a political tactic in order to put al-Maliki in front of the coordination framework, especially since there are some parties that do not want al-Maliki to return to power amidst the upcoming challenges and changes internally and regionally.”

He pointed out that the coordinating framework wants to form “a strong government acceptable to all political parties, capable of achieving balance in managing the next phase, in addition to assessing the general situation and ending the state of political stagnation and deadlock, along with other issues.”

The source added that “the issue of side understandings between some of the framework forces will also be discussed, in reference to (the understandings between the Reconstruction and Development bloc and the State of Law coalition and the formation of a unified parliamentary front), and the effects of this on the Shiite house, as it may cause the disintegration of the coordination framework.”

The spokesman for the Reconstruction and Development Coalition, Firas al-Muslawi, confirmed yesterday, Monday, that the head of the coalition, Muhammad Shia al-Sudani, had withdrawn his candidacy for the position of Prime Minister in favor of the head of the State of Law Coalition, Nouri al-Maliki, while revealing the formation of the “largest parliamentary bloc” between the two coalitions.

Al-Muslawi told Shafaq News Agency, “The coordination framework made a decision to authorize Al-Sudani and Al-Maliki to agree on the nomination of a candidate for the next prime minister. More than one meeting took place between them to discuss the government program and the upcoming challenges. Therefore, we and the leadership of the Reconstruction and Development Coalition unanimously decided (leaders and members) that Al-Sudani would withdraw his nomination in favor of Al-Maliki.”

He added that “the decision came to break the deadlock in the matter of choosing a framework candidate for the premiership and to adhere to constitutional timelines, and for several other reasons, including our concern for the interest of Iraq,” indicating that “the names included in the list of candidates are obscure names and cannot be named for this important position, which is the highest executive authority in the country.”

It is noted that a source within the Shiite coordination framework revealed to Shafaq News Agency that the forces that met last Saturday at the home of the leader of the Iraqi Foundation Coalition, Mohsen al-Mandalawi, sought clarification on the reasons that prompted the outgoing Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, to withdraw from the nomination and give space to the leader of the State of Law Coalition, Nouri al-Maliki, to run.

According to the source, Maliki’s nomination was supported by most of the Coordination leaders, with the exception of the leader of the Wisdom Movement, Ammar al-Hakim, who sought the opinion of the religious authority and sent a message to the religious authority in Najaf. However, the latter renewed its refusal to interfere in the nomination of the prime minister, and thus the competition became limited to Maliki only.

Since the ratification of the election results held in November 2025, the Coordination Framework has begun holding meetings and conducting discussions among its forces and with other parties to decide on the position of Prime Minister, which is allocated to the Shiite component according to the custom in place after 2003.

Shafaq.com

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AL-AZM: WE HAVEN’T RECEIVED THE NAME OF THE FRAMEWORK CANDIDATE… AND OUR CHOICES ARE 90% FINALIZED – URGENT

Amid the intense political activity to resolve constitutional entitlements and form the next government, attention is focused on the path of understandings between the forces of the Coordination Framework on one hand, and the National Political Council, which represents the Sunni forces, on the other, especially with the link between the file of the Prime Minister and the file of the Presidency of the Republic and the balance of power within Parliament.

On Friday (January 16, 2026), Najat Al-Tai, a member of the Al-Azm Alliance, confirmed that the National Political Council has not yet received the official name of the candidate nominated by the Coordination Framework Forces for the position of Prime Minister, while she indicated that the Sunni forces have decided on about 90% of their options regarding participation in the upcoming cabinet.

Al-Ta’i told Baghdad Today that “the National Political Council, which represents the Sunni forces in Iraq, has not received any official confirmation so far regarding the identity of the candidate for the next prime minister,” noting that “the council will deal with this issue according to official data and not based on what is being circulated in the media.”

She added that “so far there is no confirmation that the coordinating framework has decided on a specific name,” indicating that “the indicators available to us suggest that the framework may not announce its final candidate before the vote on the position of President of the Republic is decided, which seems clear in the current political scene.”

She explained that “deciding on the position of President of the Republic will be the gateway to moving to the stage of determining the identity of the candidate for Prime Minister by the forces of the Coordination Framework.”

In the same context, Al-Ta’i confirmed that “the National Political Council, which represents the Sunni forces, has decided on its choices by up to 90% regarding the nature of participation in the cabinet and the determination of candidates,” stressing that “there are no disagreements on this issue, and that understandings are the prevailing position at the present time.”

This stance comes at a time when the political process is witnessing significant activity aimed at first resolving the issue of the presidency, as this is a constitutional prerequisite for the largest bloc within the coordination framework to nominate a candidate for prime minister. The National Political Council is one of the most prominent frameworks coordinating the positions of Sunni forces regarding the distribution of ministerial posts and portfolios, in accordance with the balance of power within parliament. With the name of the coordination framework’s candidate for prime minister still not officially announced, Sunni forces are approaching the matter with a strategy of “cautious waiting,” largely securing their ministerial share and options within the upcoming cabinet until the identity of the president and subsequently the prime minister is determined.

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IRAQ’S PRIME MINISTER STEPS ASIDE FOR RIVAL IN POST-ELECTION WRANGLING OVER GOVERNMENT

By QASSIM ABDUL-ZAHRA

(Mnt Goat: This is FAKE news and only opinions. Remember Maliki owns the majority of the news media channels in Iraq. Did you forget? If it seems weird and so far out of left field, it probably is FAKE NEWS! Certainly the US would never accept Nori Al-Maliki again, or would they with strict condition?)

BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraq’s caretaker Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, whose bloc won the largest share of seats in November’s parliamentary elections, has stepped aside to clear the field for a rival, former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, two Iraqi officials said Tuesday.

The officials — a senior leader in al-Sudani’s Reconstruction and Development Coalition and a government official — spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the matter. Al-Sudani’s office did not respond to a request for comment.

Al-Sudani’s Reconstruction and Development Coalition won 46 seats in the 329-seat parliament, while the coalition led by al-Maliki won 30 seats. Both men had sought the backing of the Coordination Framework, a coalition of Iran-backed Shiite parties that brought al-Sudani to power in 2022.

The two Iraqi officials said the Coordination Framework was unable to choose between the top contenders and left it to the candidates themselves to decide. A meeting between al-Sudani and al-Maliki agreed that al-Sudani would step aside in favor of al-Maliki, they said.

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GOVERNMENT ADVISOR: TOURISM INVESTMENT IS A GATEWAY TO STIMULATING THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND DIVERSIFYING NATIONAL INCOME.

The Prime Minister’s financial advisor, Mazhar Muhammad Saleh, confirmed on Friday that Iraq has more than 12,000 archaeological sites that form the basis for a comprehensive tourism launch, explaining that tourism investment is a gateway to stimulating the private sector and diversifying national income.

He added that “tourism in Iraq represents a strategic economic lever capable of reducing the single dependence on oil, opening up broad prospects for diversifying national income, creating direct and indirect job opportunities, revitalizing the service and commercial sectors, as well as providing the economy with important revenues from foreign currency.”

He pointed out that “tourism leads to an increase in demand for local products and services, especially handicrafts, food products, and national cuisine, which strengthens local value chains. At the employment level, it is estimated that a single tourism event in the hotel accommodation sector alone is capable of generating more than 25 job opportunities at once, which highlights the multiplier effect of this sector on the labor market.”

He pointed out that “tourism investment contributes to stimulating private sector trends by supporting the growth of small and medium enterprises, such as transport companies, restaurants and shops, and it also has a positive impact on the macroeconomy through the development of infrastructure by investing in roads, airports, hotels and public facilities, which enhances the investment attractiveness of the country as a whole.”

Saleh emphasized that “Iraq has more than 12,000 archaeological sites stretching from Babylon, Ur and Nineveh to Baghdad and Samarra, as well as holy religious shrines. These are unique cultural treasures, some of which have been included in UNESCO’s World Heritage List, and they form a solid foundation for a comprehensive tourism initiative with economic, cultural and civilizational dimensions.

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THE CENTRAL BANK GOVERNOR DISCUSSES WITH OLIVER WYMAN WAYS TO IMPROVE IRAQ’S SOVEREIGN AND CREDIT RATINGS.

The National Team and the Technical Committee for Sovereign Rating held a joint meeting with Oliver Wyman Consulting. The meeting was chaired by the head of the National Team, His Excellency the Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq, Mr. Ali Mohsen Al-Alaq, and attended by Dr. Mazhar Mohammed Saleh, Advisor to the Prime Minister and Head of the Technical Committee, along with a group of experts from relevant ministries and the private sector.

The purpose of the meeting was to discuss mechanisms for improving the sovereign and credit ratings of the Republic of Iraq. During the meeting, the most prominent pillars and key issues requiring work in cooperation with international rating agencies S&P, Fitch, and Moody’s were discussed. Emphasis was placed on the importance of applying the five pillars adopted in rating methodologies: institutional quality and financial strength, monetary strength, economic structure and growth prospects, political events and risks, and governance and overall stability.

The meeting also addressed the need to build a comprehensive economic and financial base for Iraq that reflects the reform process, institutional capacities, and future opportunities, ensuring its practical applicability. Furthermore, the importance of direct and continuous communication with international rating agencies was stressed to enhance mutual understanding and achieve sustainable positive results.
This meeting comes within the framework of the government’s efforts to improve the image of the Iraqi economy and enhance international confidence, as the Iraqi government had announced in September 2025 the formation of the National Team for Improving the Credit Rating, which includes a select group of experts and representatives of various economic sectors, with the aim of raising the sovereign rating and supporting financial and economic stability in the country.

Central Bank of Iraq,
Media Office,
January 14, 2026

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PLANNING: NEW OUTPUTS FOR DEVELOPING THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN IRAQ

The Ministry of Planning revealed on Friday the most prominent outputs of the private sector development strategy for the coming years, stressing that the formation of the permanent council for private sector development represents the basic pillar for advancing the economic reality.

The official spokesman for the ministry, Abdul Zahra Al-Hindawi, said in a statement to the official agency, which was followed by the “Al-Sa’a” network, that “the strategy for developing the private sector, which was launched in 2016 and extends until 2030, is proceeding according to 3 planned stages, which began with the preparation stage, followed by the empowerment stage, leading up to the third stage, which is the leadership and pioneering of the private sector .”

He added that “the most important practical steps resulting from this strategy are the formation of the (Permanent Council for the Development of the Private Sector), which is the first of its kind in Iraq,” noting that “the Council enjoys direct governmental support, as it is headed by the Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, and the Minister of Planning is his first deputy, while the position of second deputy is held by one of the figures from the private economic sector .”

Al-Hindawi explained that “the council includes a general body consisting of more than 200 members representing various economic and development activities, as well as an administrative body comprising about 30 members covering various economic and social activities in the country.”

Regarding the nature of the council’s work at the current stage, he confirmed that “the council is currently working on developing and translating the items of the strategy through a series of meetings and joint discussions between government agencies and the private sector.”

He explained that “the goal is to study the reality of all sectors, including tourism, industry, trade and others, and to develop specialized mechanisms to advance them,” adding that “the work also includes studying a package of existing legislation and exploring the possibility of amending it or proposing new legislation that contributes to empowering the private sector.”

He pointed out that “this effort will have a tangible impact on developing the structure of the national economy and strengthening the role of the private sector as a key partner in the development process

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SECRET MEETING IN WASHINGTON: TRUMP’S ENVOY MEETS WITH REZA PAHLAVI TO DISCUSS THE FUTURE OF THE IRANIAN REGIME.

In Washington, White House spokeswoman Carolyn Leavitt said the national security team held a meeting Tuesday morning to discuss options for dealing with the developments in the protests, without the participation of President Donald Trump.

Protests continued on Tuesday in several Iranian cities, amid conflicting estimates of the death toll and growing talk of a widespread crackdown and communications disruptions.

The Axios report quoted a US official as saying that Israel shared an assessment with the United States that “at least 5,000” protesters had been killed, a figure that could not be independently verified.

In a message via his “Truth Social” platform, Trump called on Iranians to continue the protests and “take control of institutions,” saying that “help is on the way,” without specifying its nature.

Pahlavi is the son of the Shah of Iran, who was overthrown in the 1979 revolution, and leads an opposition movement from his exile in the United States. Over the past two weeks, he has intensified his appearances on American television, calling on Washington to support the protests.

The report indicated that the Trump administration did not initially view Pahlavi as an influential political player, but was surprised to hear chants in his name during demonstrations in more than one city, according to a US official.

Axios quoted Karim Sadjadpour of the Carnegie Endowment as saying that Pahlavi could be a rallying point for nationalist sentiments among some protesters, in contrast to what he described as the extremism of the Islamic regime.

Raz Zimmt of the Israeli Institute for National Security Studies said that the repetition of Pahlavi’s name in the protests is “notable,” but it is difficult to say for certain whether it reflects broad popular support within Iranian society.

According to opinion polls conducted over the past years, up to November 2025, about a third of Iranians support Pahlavi, while another third strongly oppose him.

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IRAN THREATENS TO BOMB US BASES, AND CALLS FOR HELP ARE MADE FROM AL UDEID AIR BASE IN QATAR.

This came in the wake of threats by US President Donald Trump to intervene amid anti-government protests across Iran. Reuters reported, citing three diplomats, that some individuals were advised to leave the US military’s Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar by Wednesday evening, adding that the US Embassy in Doha offered no immediate comment on the matter.

Al Udeid Air Base is the largest US base in the Middle East, housing approximately 10,000 troops. Prior to the US airstrikes on Iran in June, some personnel were relocated from US bases in the Middle East.

The Iranian official confirmed that direct contacts between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and US Special Envoy Steve Wittkopf have been suspended, adding that US threats are undermining diplomatic efforts and that any potential meetings between the two officials to find a diplomatic solution to the decades-long nuclear dispute have been cancelled.

Yesterday, US President Donald Trump announced that he had cancelled all meetings with Iranian officials “until the killing of protesters stops,” calling on those participating in the protests to continue demonstrating, and assuring them that “help is coming.”

The United States and other countries had urged their citizens to leave Iran as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, the Wall Street Journal, citing officials in Gulf states, revealed that the administration of US President Donald Trump informed its allies that an attack on Iran had become “more likely than not.”

The Wall Street Journal reported yesterday that Saudi Arabia is leading a Gulf front that includes Qatar and Oman, in order to dissuade the White House from launching a strike against Iran, fearing the repercussions of this step on the stability of the region.

Burathanews.com

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TRUMP PRAISES HIS ENVOY TO IRAQ: AN EXCEPTIONAL NEGOTIATOR ON A COMPLEX ISSUE

US President Donald Trump praised Special Envoy to Iraq Mark Savaya on Tuesday (January 13, 2026) during a press conference held in Washington.

Trump told Savaya, “Great job you’ve done. This guy negotiates better than anybody else,” referring to his role in managing files related to Iraq. The US president added: “You need that. With Iraq you need that. You have to be a good negotiator, Mark,” stressing the importance of negotiating skills in dealing with “complex Iraqi issues.”

Trump’s praise for the special envoy to Iraq comes at a sensitive time in US-Iraqi relations, in which complex political, security and economic issues are intertwined.

During this period, Washington is intensifying its diplomatic efforts to maintain its influence in Iraq and manage the balance in its relations with the Iraqi government amidst escalating regional challenges, highlighting the importance of the negotiating role of American envoys in Baghdad.

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HARRIS ASSURES BARZANI: THERE IS NO PLACE FOR IRANIAN-BACKED TERRORIST MILITIAS IN THE IRAQI GOVERNMENT.

(Mnt Goat: how many times must the US say it before Iraq realizes they mean business.)

A statement from Barzani’s headquarters, received by Shafaq News Agency, said that “Masoud Barzani received at the Salah al-Din resort (Pir Mam), a delegation from the US Embassy in Iraq headed by Joshua Harris, the US Chargé d’Affaires in Iraq.”

The statement noted that during the meeting, which was attended by Gwendolyn Green, the US Consul General in Erbil, the US Chargé d’Affaires briefed the US Embassy on the political process in Iraq following the parliamentary elections, relations between Iraqi political parties, and efforts to form a unified federal government in Iraq.

He noted that the acting US ambassador also highlighted the situation in the region and the complexities in Syria, praising President Barzani’s continued efforts to support the Iraqi political process and calm tensions in Syria.

For his part, Barzani assured the visiting delegation that he would spare no effort in coordinating between the political parties to reach satisfactory results and form a strong federal government. He also said he would continue his efforts to resolve all problems and obstacles between the political parties on the one hand, and to address outstanding issues between the Kurdistan Regional Government and the federal government on the other.

Regarding the situation in Syria and the challenges facing the region in general, Barzani stressed that he is making serious efforts to resolve all problems peacefully through dialogue and understanding, and away from violence.

The statement concluded by saying that the meeting addressed another topic concerning relations between the Kurdistan Region and the United States, and efforts to strengthen and develop these relations.

For its part, the US Embassy in Baghdad said that Chargé d’Affaires Joshua Harris met with Masoud Barzani and discussed a number of political, security and economic issues.

The embassy said in a statement that the meeting addressed the importance of protecting Iraqi sovereignty, enhancing regional security, and strengthening mutually beneficial economic relations.

Harris reiterated, according to the statement, that “Iranian-backed terrorist militias, which ignore Iraq’s calls for disarmament, have no place in the Iraqi government in any capacity.”

The US chargé d’affaires stressed that the United States will continue to emphasize clearly and consistently the need for Iraq to act urgently to dismantle the terrorist militias that seek to achieve a foreign agenda that undermines Iraq’s sovereignty, impoverishes it, threatens Americans and Iraqis, and drags the country into a regional conflict.

Shafaq.com

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THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION DESIGNATES MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD BRANCHES IN THREE COUNTRIES AS TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS.

US Secretary of State Mike Rubio said, “These measures are among the first steps in efforts to thwart violence perpetrated by branches of the Muslim Brotherhood.”

Rubio added, “We will use the tools available to deprive these branches of the Muslim Brotherhood of the resources to engage in terrorism.”

The White House announced on November 25, 2025, that US President Donald Trump had signed an executive order directing the Secretaries of State and the Treasury to study whether specific branches of the Muslim Brotherhood should be designated as “foreign terrorist organizations and specially designated international terrorists.”

It is worth noting that the Muslim Brotherhood in Jordan is a dissolved group, and its activities were officially banned in April of last year, with it being considered an “illegal association” and any activity by it or the promotion of its ideas being prohibited, based on a previous judicial decision issued in 2020 that considered it “dissolved”.

Shafaq.com

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THE PRICE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE “BLUE” AND “WHITE” DOLLARS DECREASED TO 900 DINARS FOLLOWING A FATWA PROHIBITING IT.

The exchange markets in Erbil witnessed a significant decrease in the price difference between the two denominations of the US dollar known locally as (blue and white) on Thursday, as the difference dropped to only 900 dinars after it had previously reached 4000 dinars, following the issuance of a religious edict prohibiting price discrimination between them.

In a press statement he made today, Thursday, January 15, 2026, to Kurdistan 24, Kifi Khoshnaw, spokesman for the dollar market in Erbil, said: “The fatwa issued by the Supreme Council for Fatwas in the Kurdistan Region yesterday was a very positive and necessary step, as citizens were bearing large additional financial burdens when buying real estate or cars or in their other commercial transactions because of this difference.”

Khoshnaw added that the price difference, which had remained at a high of 4,000 dinars for a long time, decreased today immediately after the fatwa was issued, reaching 900 dinars. He expects this difference to disappear completely within the next few days, so that the two categories will be completely equal in value.

The market spokesperson also called on the relevant authorities and banks to find radical solutions to the problem of old or “torn” banknotes, stressing that addressing this issue will greatly contribute to facilitating financial transactions and easing the burden on citizens.

For his part, Abdullah Sherkawi, spokesman for the Supreme Council for Fatwas, explained the Sharia position in a statement to Kurdistan 24, saying: “Charging any additional amounts under the pretext of the difference in the type of dollar (white or blue) when exchanging is something forbidden by Sharia.”

Sherkawi pointed out that, from a legal and religious standpoint, the dollar, in both its denominations, is considered a single monetary unit of equal value; therefore, the exchange must be done “hand to hand” and in the same amount without any increase, stressing that any increase stipulated in this regard falls under the category of forbidden.

The Supreme Council for Fatwas issued its official fatwa yesterday, Wednesday, stressing the prohibition of discrimination between dollar denominations, while putting in place legitimate solutions that ensure fairness in financial transactions away from exploitation.

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SAVAYA DISCUSSES IRAQ-RELATED ISSUES AT THE WHITE HOUSE

Savaya said in a tweet on the “X” platform, which was followed by the “Al-Sa’a” network: “Today I finalized arrangements for a meeting at the White House with Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Sebastian Gorka, Director of Counterterrorism Affairs.”

He added: “We agreed that the issues discussed will be addressed during my upcoming visit to Iraq, where I will communicate with the appropriate decision-makers to confront the situation on the ground, in a way that serves the interests of the Iraqi people.”

He concluded by saying, “Let’s make Iraq great again.”

*********************************************************************************************

US SIGNALS NEW SANCTIONS AS TREASURY REVIEWS IRAQI FINANCIAL NETWORKS

US Special Envoy to Iraq Mark Savaya said he has held talks with the Department of the Treasury and the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) on tightening oversight of Iraq’s banking sector, as Washington steps up efforts to curb money laundering, smuggling and the financing of militant groups.

Savaya said the meeting also covered “next steps related to forthcoming sanctions targeting malign actors and networks that undermine financial integrity and state authority,” signaling that additional designations could follow as investigations advance.

The renewed push comes as the US intensifies scrutiny of Iraq’s financial system, which has long been vulnerable to corruption, smuggling and the diversion of public funds through weak oversight and politically connected networks. In recent years, the Treasury Department and its enforcement arms have sanctioned banks, businesses and individuals accused of laundering money or facilitating financing for armed groups operating in Iraq and across the region.

US authorities have also tightened monitoring of dollar transactions involving Iraqi banks, citing concerns that some channels were being used to move illicit funds or bypass international restrictions. Iraqi officials say they are working to improve compliance with international standards and to strengthen regulatory institutions, but acknowledge that structural weaknesses and political interference remain major obstacles.

The issue has taken on added importance as Baghdad seeks greater foreign investment and financial stability amid budget pressures and ongoing security challenges. Western officials argue that stronger transparency and enforcement are essential not only for economic reform but also for curbing the financing of extremist groups and criminal networks that undermine state authority.

Savaya said the talks reflected the broader direction of bilateral ties, adding that relations between Iraq and the US are at their strongest under President Donald Trump, with both sides seeking deeper cooperation on governance, security and economic reform.

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ON TRUMP’S ORDERS, SAVAYA IS IN BAGHDAD: “COMPLETE COMPLIANCE OR TOTAL ERADICATION.”

With news of the arrival of US President Donald Trump’s envoy to Iraq, Mark Savaya, today or tomorrow in Baghdad, carrying a “booby-trapped briefcase” of files, sanctions, and what Washington calls “hard gifts,” attention is turning to one of the most complex issues in the Iraqi economy: money smuggling networks, money laundering, and the circulation of hard currency outside legal channels, amid anticipation of the extent of the targeting that may extend to banks, companies, businessmen, and networks linked to armed factions, and what impact this step may have on the stability of the economy, the exchange rate, and the balance of political power internally.

Savaya: An envoy speaking “the language of numbers”

Mark Savaya, an Iraqi-American businessman of Chaldean origin, has served as the US Special Envoy to Iraq since October 2025, with authority directly linking the Iraqi file to the White House. In recent days, he held a series of meetings in Washington, including with US Secretary of Defense Pete Hagseth and the Director of Counterterrorism, before proceeding to the US Treasury Department, where he announced an agreement on a “comprehensive review” of payment records and financial transactions linked to institutions, companies, and individuals in Iraq whose names are associated with smuggling, money laundering, and fraudulent contracts and projects.

Economic and financial expert Ahmed Al-Tamimi believes that this course “reflects an escalating American trend to tighten pressure tools in the near future,” explaining to “Baghdad Today” that Washington presents these steps as part of “attempts to protect the international financial system and prevent its exploitation in money laundering operations and financing illegal activities.”

From dollar restrictions to selective sanctions

Over the past few years, the United States has tightened restrictions on Iraqi banks’ access to dollars through the foreign exchange platform and their dealings with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. This has resulted in limiting the transactions of several private banks and prohibiting others from using dollars, ostensibly to curb currency smuggling abroad. This context makes the new threat brandished by Savaya an extension of an existing pattern, but one more specifically targeting individuals, companies, and networks.

Al-Tamimi explains one aspect of the nature of the potential sanctions, indicating that “the package may include freezing assets, restrictions on bank transfers, and a ban on dealing with financial institutions and companies suspected of involvement in serious violations,” which means that some economic entities may suddenly find themselves outside the network of international transactions, or under strict scrutiny that raises the cost of any external activity for them.

Who is the likely target?

Despite the absence of publicly announced regulations so far, the pattern of US sanctions in similar cases allows for an initial outline of the categories likely to be targeted:

– Banks and money exchange companies whose names frequently appear in compliance and money laundering reports, or which have been linked to dollar transfers that were blocked in the past.
– Front companies in the contracting, equipment, and general trading sectors, operating as cover for government contracts or the supply of essential goods, with suspicions that “margins” are being paid to political entities or armed factions.
– Businessmen and financial intermediaries managing a complex network of cross-border transfers and contracts, particularly with countries subject to sanctions or strict monitoring.
– Entities linked to armed factions that are designated or quasi-designated on sanctions lists, whether through security companies, associations, or commercial and media fronts.

In this context, Al-Tamimi points out that “the message is not directed only at the names that will be placed on the list, but at the wider circle around them,” because any businessman, bank or company that gets close to this circle will find himself under the microscope of international compliance systems, even if his name is not directly mentioned in the sanctions decisions.

How will Iraq’s economy be affected?

Economically, the effects of sanctions are not limited to freezing an account here or banning a bank there; they extend to the image of the Iraqi market as a whole in the eyes of correspondent banks and investors. Al-Tamimi warns that “any expansion of the scope of sanctions will practically lead to even stricter measures by foreign banks, which may resort to what is called ‘excessive compliance,’ meaning refraining from dealing with Iraqi entities simply for fear of being sanctioned.”

This rigidity is reflected in three main ways:

– Increased cost of remittances and foreign trade: The higher the risk factor in dealing with Iraq, the higher the commissions and processing times for remittances, and some transactions may even be rejected outright.

– Additional pressure on the exchange rate: If the flow of official dollars declines, or the number of restricted banks expands, reliance on the parallel market will increase, threatening to erode citizens’ purchasing power and widen the gap between the official and parallel exchange rates.

– Slowdown in investments and major projects: International companies will reconsider their plans, especially in sectors where government contracts involve local entities subject to sanctions or suspicion.

The citizen at the heart of the storm: from the dollar to prices

Although sanctions are legally framed as being “targeted” at specific individuals and entities, experience in Iraq, Iran, and Syria over the past years shows that ordinary citizens often bear the brunt of the impact. Al-Tamimi explains that “any disruption to the flow of dollars or tightening of transfers is quickly reflected in the prices of imported goods, from food to medicine and construction materials, because the Iraqi economy is highly dependent on imports.”

As costs rise for banks and companies, the burden is gradually passed on to the end consumer through:

– Increased prices for goods and services.
– Reduced job opportunities in sectors affected by sanctions or banking restrictions.
– Restricted access to loans and financing, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises.

In this sense, how the government manages this issue becomes a crucial factor in mitigating the impact of sanctions on the public: the more organized alternatives for trade and finance are available, and the more the parallel market is controlled and monopolies are prevented, the less able speculators are to turn sanctions into an opportunity to profit at the expense of the citizen.

Will politicians be affected and will the equation be disrupted?

Politically, sanctions of this kind have the potential to rearrange some of the balance of power within the Iraqi political system:

Political blocs whose power is largely derived from money may face restrictions on their traditional funding networks, limiting their ability to manage election campaigns, buy loyalties, or finance media and service-oriented outlets.

Some politicians linked to businessmen or banks subject to sanctions may find themselves facing two equally unpalatable options: either attempting to distance themselves from these networks or engaging in a political and media confrontation with Washington, with all the domestic and international costs that entails.

Other forces may exploit the sanctions to present themselves as “less costly” to the West, through reformist rhetoric and promises of financial compliance, thus adding an external dimension to the internal competition.

Conversely, some factions are attempting to downplay the threats from Savaya, with some of their rhetoric even resorting to mockery of any political or economic entity that seriously addresses the sanctions issue or tries to open channels of understanding with it, going so far as to issue veiled threats against anyone who “cooperates” with the American approach. These messages may discourage some actors from pursuing financial reform, but they do not negate the fact that the sanctions are imposed from abroad, and their cost will affect everyone to varying degrees.

Two parallel paths: sanctions and “surgical” strikes

Another significant indicator, not lost on observers, is the arrangement of Savaya’s meetings in Washington: the Treasury Department on one hand, and the Department of Defense on the other. This arrangement, in the view of many, reflects two parallel approaches within the Trump administration’s thinking regarding Iraq and the region.

– A financial and punitive track led by the Treasury Department, through reviewing records, tightening compliance, and imposing sanctions on individuals and entities. –
A “surgical” security and military track remains available as a backup option, based on targeted strikes against objectives classified as a direct threat to US interests or those of its partners.

This is a path Iraq has witnessed in recent years through drone strikes or precision missile attacks targeting leaders and positions of armed factions. The difference this time, according to political assessments, lies in Savaya’s position itself; he is presented in political circles as Trump’s personal envoy, with whom he has a close relationship and a shared business background. This means that his political mandate may be broader than that of a traditional envoy, and that his recommendations on the issues of sanctions and “surgical” strikes will be closer to the decision-making circle in the White House.

Ahmed Al-Tamimi warns that “combining financial and security tools raises the level of risks; if sanctions alone do not bring about the desired change from Washington’s point of view, the appetite for using other tools may increase, and Iraq has experienced this equation more than once.”

A test of the will for reform before it is a conflict with Washington

Ultimately, the “Safaya sanctions” issue is not simply a bilateral conflict between Baghdad and Washington, but rather reveals an internal test of the will for reform in Iraq:

If the government acts swiftly to cleanse the financial system, tighten oversight of banks and companies, and protect the exchange market from speculation, some of the pressure can be contained and transformed into an opportunity to rebuild confidence.
However, if the threat is treated as “merely a passing political maneuver,” met only with denials or verbal escalation, Iraq may find itself facing a broader package of sanctions, where the interests of the White House intersect with regional agendas, while the average citizen bears the brunt of the cost at exchange bureaus and on market shelves.

Between these two paths, Washington and its allies will be watching events unfold, just as the Iraqi public is watching the exchange rate, the cost of living, and job opportunities. The difference is that the former possesses the tools of sanctions and “surgery,” while the latter can only wait for the results of the numbers game and the decisions made far from its grasp, only to discover later whether it alone will bear the brunt of it, or whether genuine reform will finally begin from within before being imposed from the outside.

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“MIDDLE EAST”: MAJOR US MILITARY MOVEMENTS IN PREPARATION FOR STRIKING IRAN

Fox News revealed on Friday that the United States is conducting military movements in the Middle East, describing them as a “force buildup” operation.

Fox News quoted officials as saying that “the US military movements are being described as a force build-up operation.”

The sources added that “if US President Donald Trump decides to take military action against Iran, it will be different and more aggressive.”

She explained that “American military planners are preparing a range of options that will depend on how the Iranian regime behaves in the coming days.” The sources pointed out that “missile defense systems are expected to be sent to the region to strengthen the defenses of US and Israeli bases, and these systems will include missile defense assets.”

Military sources also reported that the United States has moved at least one aircraft carrier to the Middle East as tensions with Iran escalate. She noted that “it is not yet clear whether the carrier is the USS Abraham Lincoln currently operating in the South China Sea, or one of the two aircraft carriers that left Norfolk and San Diego earlier this week, and the transfer to the region is expected to take at least a week.”

According to the network, US military forces are expected to flow into the region by air, land and sea in the coming days and weeks to provide Trump with military options should he decide to launch strikes against Iran.

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Their words not mine…..No Rumors, No Hype, No Opinions ,,,,,

Just the FACTS!

Disclaimer: All information in this newsletter is not intended for investment decisions / purposes. Mnt Goat is not a financial analyst, planner, banker, attorney or associated in any role with giving out professional investment advice.

Auf Wiedersehen

Much love to ya all,

Mnt Goat

January 15, 2026 Mnt Goat News Brief

GIVE A GIFT TO MNT GOAT

Let’s all try to chip in!

Psalm 37:4

“Delight yourself in the Lord; And He will give you the desires of your heart.”

FOUR COUNTRIES DOMINATE GLOBAL OIL RESERVES

MARK SAVAYA ARRIVES IN ERBIL

STATUS OF THE RV

What else in in the news?

What will this new year bring?

We pray-

______________________________

Their words not mine…..No Rumors, No Hype, No Opinions ,,,,,

Just the FACTS!

PRAYING WITH SINCERITY

Prophetic Words from prophet: Julie Green

“Marshal Law Is Coming Shortly: Last Warning”

“Babylon Has Fallen”

“Deep State Secrets Are About To Come Pouring Out”

PROPHECIES FULFILLED—VENEZUELA

DON BOSCO EXPOSED THE DARK SECRET BEHIND ISLAM

THE TRUTH ABOUT THE LATEST FEDERAL RESERVE ISSUE

FBI & ICE RAID MINNEAPOLIS SOMALI MAYOR’S OFFICE — 9700 POUNDS OF DRUGS & $440M SEIZED

HOW RADICAL ISLAM TURNED IRAN FROM PARADISE TO A HELL HOLE

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IS THERE SOMETHING ABOUT GREENLAND WE NEED TO KNOW?

VENEZUELA – EPICENTER OF THE CABAL, WORLD BANKS & CARTELS

Uncovers fraudulent money to 509 Dead Tenants in Minnesota housing

‘AMERICANS WILL BE SHOCKED’: MINNESOTA SPEAKER WARNS ON SCOPE OF FRAUD CRISIS

ICE & FBI STORM MINNEAPOLIS — $4.7 MILLION, 23 COCAINE BRICKS & SOMALI SENATOR

SENATE HEARING OF MINNESOTA FRAUD

REPORTS REVEAL ACTIVISM TIES OF WOMAN KILLED IN MINNEAPOLIS ICE SHOOTING

WHY MILLIONS OF AMERICANS WANT ILAN OMAR OUT OF CONGRESS

THE GREAT RESET IS HERE… BUT IT’S NOT THE ONE THE GLOBAL ELITES PLANNED!

MULLAHS FLEEING TO MOSCOW. WILL THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN FINALLY COLLAPSE?

THE IRAN–VENEZUELA SHAKEDOWN NOBODY CONNECTED UNTIL NOW

* TRUMP FLOATS ZERO INCOME TAX PLAN STARTING WITH BIGGEST REFUNDS EVER

*HOW MUCH MONEY CAN YOU GIFT WITHOUT PAYING TAXES?

*SILVER VAULTS RUN DRY AS SHORTAGE TRIGGERS PANIC. Physical silver not available to meet demand.

*15 THINGS TO DO IF YOU GET RICH ALL OF A SUDDEN

*15 ASSETS THAT ARE MAKING PEOPLE RICH/RICHER

*HERE’S HOW TO MAKE YOUR ASSETS INVISIBLE FROM CREDITORS

*HOW TO LOOK PENNILESS IN THE PUBLIC RECORD

*5 STATES CUTTING PROPERTY TAXES TO ZERO. WILL YOUR STATE BE NEXT?

*TRUMP REVEALS WHEN AMERICANS MIGHT EXPECT TO GET A TARIFF RELIEF $2,000 CHECK

MALIKI TO HARRIS: THE NEED TO “CONTROL WEAPONS” AND COMPLETE CONSTITUTIONAL REQUIREMENTS

POLITICAL SOURCE: MALIKI’S NOMINATION AS PRIME MINISTER IS A CRIME AGAINST IRAQ AND ITS PEOPLE AND EVASION OF JUSTICE

THE COORDINATING BODY WILL MEET EARLY NEXT WEEK TO DECIDE ON AL-MALIKI’S NOMINATION FOR PRIME MINISTER.

AL-AZM: WE HAVEN’T RECEIVED THE NAME OF THE FRAMEWORK CANDIDATE… AND OUR CHOICES ARE 90% FINALIZED – URGENT

IRAQ’S PRIME MINISTER STEPS ASIDE FOR RIVAL IN POST-ELECTION WRANGLING OVER GOVERNMENT

GOVERNMENT ADVISOR: TOURISM INVESTMENT IS A GATEWAY TO STIMULATING THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND DIVERSIFYING NATIONAL INCOME.

THE CENTRAL BANK GOVERNOR DISCUSSES WITH OLIVER WYMAN WAYS TO IMPROVE IRAQ’S SOVEREIGN AND CREDIT RATINGS.

PLANNING: NEW OUTPUTS FOR DEVELOPING THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN IRAQ

SECRET MEETING IN WASHINGTON: TRUMP’S ENVOY MEETS WITH REZA PAHLAVI TO DISCUSS THE FUTURE OF THE IRANIAN REGIME.

IRAN THREATENS TO BOMB US BASES, AND CALLS FOR HELP ARE MADE FROM AL UDEID AIR BASE IN QATAR.

TRUMP PRAISES HIS ENVOY TO IRAQ: AN EXCEPTIONAL NEGOTIATOR ON A COMPLEX ISSUE

HARRIS ASSURES BARZANI: THERE IS NO PLACE FOR IRANIAN-BACKED TERRORIST MILITIAS IN THE IRAQI GOVERNMENT.

THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION DESIGNATES MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD BRANCHES IN THREE COUNTRIES AS TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS.

THE PRICE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE “BLUE” AND “WHITE” DOLLARS DECREASED TO 900 DINARS FOLLOWING A FATWA PROHIBITING IT.

SAVAYA DISCUSSES IRAQ-RELATED ISSUES AT THE WHITE HOUSE

US SIGNALS NEW SANCTIONS AS TREASURY REVIEWS IRAQI FINANCIAL NETWORKS

ON TRUMP’S ORDERS, SAVAYA IS IN BAGHDAD: “COMPLETE COMPLIANCE OR TOTAL ERADICATION.”

“MIDDLE EAST”: MAJOR US MILITARY MOVEMENTS IN PREPARATION FOR STRIKING IRAN

Their words not mine…..No Rumors, No Hype, No Opinions ,,,,,

Just the FACTS!

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