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.
ABOUT THE NEWSLETTER:
January 22, 2026 Mnt Goat News Brief
Guten Tag everyone:
Guten Tag everyone: If I were you I would not be a worry wort about the RV. We all should be VERY confident that this event is on its way and is just a matter of cleaning up a few issues remaining about the STABILITY and SECURITY of Iraq. Let’s talk about who will most likely get the prime minister positions which is a key role. Will the Kurds and Sunni stand for Nori Al-Maliki again. We take a look at his past disastrous 8 years.
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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Matthew 7:7
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”
STATUS OF THE RV
This peanut head guy Nori al-Maliki is desperate for power. If he should get into power again as the prime minister we are in for a long wait for the RV. Note the resemblance…lol..lol..lol..
We are still waiting for the announcement of the candidates for the presidency. According to the Iraq constitution this must take place next week. Following filling this position, I am told the new prime minister will be announced shortly afterwards. Then in today’s news we learn that the candidate for prime minister could be settled next week.
So, today I take you on a journey that is going to culminate in one of two ways in the coming week. Either as a disaster for Iraq with US imposed massive sanctions or a progress forward and the continuance of al-Sudani as the prime minister and his reform program. With Sudani we
You know I have to say it and I know all of my long-term readers are feeling it too. Here it is – What the hell are the Iraqi people even thinking about letting Nori al-Maliki have any say in this election cycle. This would be like letting Joe Biden back into the Whitehouse. No, I actually mean even worst. But this is how the dark side works and unless you challenge it and put measures in place to ensure its failure, it will continue its dark agenda. What I am trying to say is they should have arrested Nori Al-Makiki years ago and convicted him of treason.
If you read today’s article titled “CONFLICTING INTERPRETATION OF AN IRANIAN MESSAGE REGARDING MALIKI: WILL SAVAYA ATTEND THE “FRAMEWORK” SESSION ON SATURDAY?” If you read through the article, it is very informative as to why I say what I say. Many of you long-term followers of the RV news have witnessed his eight (8) disastrous years as prime minister. Yes, it’s long and I can not bring out all the highlights in this RV Status as there is too much to show you.
What if Mark Savaya does attend the Coordination Framework meeting on this coming Saturday 1/24. What do you think he will have to say about the US supporting Nori al-Maliki’s nomination for prime minister? So, let’s get real here. Savaya will surely inform Iraq of the on coming sanctions if they progress down this road again. This could be the Iraq shining moment and true test of their democracy. I feel this coming week is either going to make or break Iraq.
Thanks everyone for your comments in the blog. I read every one of them. We will just have to wait for the outcome. There are some of these idiotic intel gurus out there telling us the RV will happen within the next four-day window. Really? This is irresponsible and is just more rumors. There is no substance or anything to back it up. When I have my call next Weds with Iraq, I will try to get an update on the exact nature of what is going on concerning the CBI target said for end of January.
I quote from the article -“Reconstruction and Development” bloc, headed by al-Sudani, was asked if it was prepared to concede its entitlement to the State of Law coalition in exchange for the prime minister. His response was decisive: “No, we have our political entitlement.”
Does this sound like he is going to concede to Nori al-Maliki?
😊 So, in another article titled “US ENVOY TO IRAQ CALLS CORRUPTION THE “DISEASE” UNDERMINING STABILITY”. We learn that Mark Savaya said just yesterday Wednesday, that “dismantling corruption networks is essential to restoring Iraqi sovereignty and weakening militias”.
Savaya then went on to say that corruption lies at the core of Iraq’s instability and must be confronted decisively if the country is to be stabilized and militias dismantled.
In a statement posted on his official X account, Savaya argued that “Militias are a symptom. Corruption is the disease,” he said, stressing that meaningful reform must begin with targeting illicit financial networks. Savaya said he has detailed knowledge of how corrupt money is channeled through complex structures that extend beyond senior officials.”
Wow, this sounds like a message that could also be given in the US for its corruption. Just substitute militia for deep state. Yes, these riots and protests in the US are just a symptom they are paid activists not the ordinary citizens protesting. They found another excuse to protest and riot. First BLM and now ICE raids. Most citizens support ICE and the FBI efforts to clean up this corruption and fraud. Why wouldn’t they? It just a bizarre phenomenon that they could even make anyone fighting corruption and fraud into a “bad guy”. Who’s side are you on? Oh… but they say they are not against cleaning it up only how its being done. Really? Then give us your solution. Oh… by the way you democrats are the idiots who let in all these illegal immigrants to begin with. Why didn’t you speak up then while under good-ole Joe? Are you really a patriot or a deep state operative. Who are you loyal to anyhow – country or some global entity?
So, these Iraqi politicians and citizens also have to answer these same questions and the days of reckoning are coming, just like in the US, it is going to happen to Iraq too. Did you listen to the latest Julie Green prophecy from Jan 11th titled “A Shutdown Is Coming To The United States To Evict the Deep State Out Of Our Government”.
I do not believe for one second that God is going to let Iraq go down the toilet.
We can also convert this message and say “A Shutdown is coming to Iraq to evict the Iranian influence and militia out of your government”
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What else is in the news?
😊 In the article “FINANCE MINISTER: WE SEEK TO REDUCE THE OIL DOMINANCE OVER THE GENERAL BUDGET” we learn that Finance Minister Taif Sami confirmed on Wednesday 1/21 the effort to reduce the oil sector’s dominance over the general budget.
Minister of Finance Taif Sami received a high-level delegation from the World Bank for the Middle East and North Africa region, where the two sides reviewed prospects for joint international cooperation to support the reform program currently being pursued by the Iraqi government and to expand the map of major development projects in the country.”
Sami explained that “empowering the private sector and giving it a leading role in the economic cycle is a strategic goal that we seek to achieve in cooperation with the World
The discussions also focused on mechanisms to maximize non-oil revenues through the automation of tax and customs systems and the strengthening of public treasury resources to ensure long-term financial stability. Sami indicated that “the Iraqi government is determined to carry out deep structural reforms aimed at diversifying sources of national income and reducing the dominance of oil over the general budget by activating electronic collection and controlling border crossings.”
The idea is nothing new to us and so let’s get to it and do it…. Iraq won’t attract the kind of investment it needs if it continues down this path of corruption and using the Iranian backed militia to back it up… Sorry but investors just don’t want this kind of situation from the middle east. It will never work and the Trump administration knows it too. To get off the dominance of oil Iraq will need a massive amount of investors to come into Iraq. This can surely happen but not with armed militia running around on the streets and Nori al-Maliki as the prime minister.
I need everyone to relax and remember what the prophets are telling us. It is going to be ‘uncomfortable’ for awhile while the ‘reset’ is taking place. Things will seem strange and we will see ‘unprecedented’ events to bring about this change. We will experience a shutoff of the internet some say for three days to combat communications from the deep state to counter the effort. Martial law will be instituted in many major cities and corrupt officials will be taken into custody for their trials. It may seem so simple but believe me there are those that will not enjoy what is coming.
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
“The Enemy Has Something Up Their Sleeves”
Go to the 13:54 mark. From Jan 10th.
The deep state is attempting to do something so drastic and much worse than Covid to bring down the United States. It is a last-ditch effort. Without God’s help to prevent it they will accomplish it. We must pray this does not occur.
“A Shutdown Is Coming To The United States To Evict the Deep State Out Of Your Government”
Go to the 13:43 mark. From Jan 11th.
People, like you and me, are wondering why there is so much exposure of the corruption yet we hear very little justice being imposed upon them for these crimes. Who is going to jail we ask? Why is nothing being done with these people, we ask? Why are they still walking around free, we ask? Why are they still talking to the news media influencing public view with their corrupt nonsense, we ask?
So, in this prophecy today God reveals what is going to happen for justice to occur. He says justice is coming and shows us how will this happen. What has to happen first? In other past prophecies, if you recall, he also told us it was coming but today he makes it very clear what is about to happen to administer this justice…finally. I believe this is VERY NEAR!
“Martial Law Is Coming Shortly: Last Warning”
Go to the 39:49 mark. From Jan 16th 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.
Fr. DON BOSCO EXPOSED THE DARK SECRET BEHIND ISLAM
— And the Truth the World Forgot about the so-called Muslim religion. Fr.Don 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.
PRESIDENT TRUMP ANNOUNCES THE US IS PULLING OUT OF NATO, BUT WHY?
Do you want the true? Do you really want the Truth? Then pay close attention to what I am about to tell you. I will put this into simple terms for all to understand.
We must keep asking why. Why, why, why did Trump decide this move is in the best interest of the US? We must keep asking these vital questions and just don’t breeze over the headlines.
This Trump move is a drastic shift from the global elitist version of the world. I want everyone to remember what happened in Ukraine. NATO positioned warheads pointing at Russia in Ukraine. Really? Oh…. you didn’t know that?
After the end of the Second World War in 1945, during which the US and USSR had been allies, the USSR installed satellite governments in its occupied territories in Eastern Europe and North Korea by 1949, resulting in the political division of Europe (and Germany).
The US allies even had an early confrontation of the communists, as was the Korean War of 1950 to 1953, which ended in a stalemate. So, we must think reality and if the US would have made a major blunder invading Russia in 1945 when we couldn’t even win the Korean war.
The fall of the cold war in 1991 took negotiating, and lots of it, and one item decided on was never to position NATO forces in this buffer zone of any of the former USSR WWII territorial concessions, if the USSR, is to be broken apart. This means Russia liberating all of these countries on its border. Russia had been using these countries as its’ buffer zone to protect their homeland from foreign invasions. This had occurred for decades since the end of WWII. Afterall when you heard strategic proposals from popular generals like Patton and MacArther with their talk of invading Russia post WWII, what do you want Russia to think? So, this protective barrier had been going on for over decades into the early 1990’s. Remember the goal of the elitists is to control the ENTIRE WORLD and its resources and so Russia, is included as part of their conquest.
The globalist think tank developed a 20 year strategy for the new Millenium. It included invading Russia and silently building up forces along its borders to isolate it. This violation of the 1991 treaty by NATO was just the beginning. Russia had to respond.
This was the driving force for Russia going into Ukraine. You may hear so much other ‘humanitarian’ rhetoric by the crooked news media channels. They must get the public to support it any way possible, even with lies. These treaties ending the cold war in 1991 and were simply violated by NATO, or should I say the globalist.
During President Trump’s first term he convinced NATO to back out and they did. War between Russia and Ukraine was averted. Then Biden took over and allowed NATO into Ukraine along with the missiles. This was a direct violation of the treaty. Can you blame Russia for invading? Hey folks, I got news for you…. war is not pleasent and people die!
But what was Russia’s real goal? Was it to kick NATO out of Ukraine? Yes, but you didn’t hear much about these FACTS and TRUTHS in the news, did you? Biden also desperately was told not want to expose the rest of world to the other corruption that was going on in Ukraine (biological warfare research, child trafficking, etc.) and his administration hoped by beefing up the Ukraine forces they could signal Russia to back off. Remember that we heard in the news that a lot of the billions of US aid went to NATO to supply weaponry such as drones. What the hell was NATO doing in Ukraine? There was talk from the UN to vote on whether NATO should enter Ukraine and help the Ukrainian government push Russia out. I’d like to tell you folks; NATO was already in Ukraine at that time. So, this was all just a pack of lies to try to make it legal going forward.
Well… this in itself proves that this is really all about NATO involvement in Ukraine. Crooked NATO then also became the protector of these nefarious operations to which the Ukraine was being used for, mostly to hide its work from the rest of the world. Ukraine had become a secret, dark cesspool for the elitist at a platform to conduct their global agenda.
Also, as far as breaking away from NATO, we must think about what just happened in Greenland. The US was threatened with NATO retaliation if it attacked Greenland forcefully. The EU supported it. Really? The US, being one of NATOs largest contributors, and you are going to attack it? Can you now see the split and the slow progressive move of the US from supporting this globalist idea of controlling the planet and with it the US sovereignty too?
The US is slowly breaking away from this globalist idea of controlling the planet. But it takes guts and it take a president with guts to do it. The ‘Make America Great Again’ slogan has become the US mantra and making America wealthy again not making the elitist rich through their global empire. Even Iraq, under al-Sudani has taken up the slogan of ‘Making Iraq Great’. For Iraq this slogan means a lot. It means a breakaway from the globalist vision for Iraq and to a more sovereign approach to national unity. Is this why we have seen this massive reform movement under al-Sudani take hold during his four-year administration? But what will happen should he (like Trump) not get elected for a second consecutive term? Of course, the globalist do not like Al-Sudani’s policies and so they are attempting to put their puppet Nori al-Maliki back in again as prime minister to tear apart all the progress and hard work made so far, just as Biden had done to the US when he followed Trump’s first term. Can you see what is going on here?
You must make these connections and not just read the news but absorb it and remember it. Then connect the pieces of what is really going on in Iraq, in the US as well as in Ukraine. It is all a ‘silent war’, hiding the truth with lies and falsified misconceptions by the news media of what is really taking place. And what is taking place is a pull-away from the globalist conquest to establish their One World Government. Even as the prophets tell us this One World Government may happen some day in the distant future, but this not the time and God is not going to let the dark powers rush it. Also, we don’t even know if the One World Government of the future will be a dark government at that time. All we know is what we see today in the UN and the elitist move to enslave mankind now. The prophets also tell us that the US will be an isolationist and will break away entirely from this idea of a One World Alliance move and Europe.
US PRESIDENT TRUMP DELIVERS REMARKS AT THE WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM, DAVOS, SWITZERLAND
HANDCUFFS AND PRISON TIME COMING FOR MINNESOTA FRAUDSTERS
This is pandemic era fraud swept under the rug by the Biden administration. This was money that small businesses needed to survive and stay open. This was tax payer funds allocated to help them. So many never got the money or much less that they should as funds ran dry due to fraudsters.
THE U.S. HAS ONLY ONE SET OF FEDERAL LAWS
If you want to change the law you must go through the legislative process. STATES CAN NOT RANDOMLY DECIDE TO DISOBEY FEDERAL LAW, it would be a breakdown of an orderly society and chaos would prevail which we are seeing in sanctuary cities. States are not an “island” and are part of the United States of America. Any governor or mayor who apposes these Unites States should resign or be impeached and banned from politics.
White House deputy chief of staff for policy Stephen Miller explains how federal law applies regarding Minnesota and illegal immigration. This mass migration scheme of the democrats is for votes and they only way they can stay in power. They are upset that Trump sees through the scheme and is shutting it down. Why not just have FREE elections and let the citizens decide. Yes, legal, bonified citizens voting because this is what the US Constitution says and the U.S. is a Constitutional Republic.
TRUMP’S NEW PLAN TO STOP THE ICE RIOTS
CLINTONS IGNORING SUBPOENA TO TESTIFY BEFORE CONGRESS
Are They Really In Trouble For Ignoring a Subpoena?
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 of 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?
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.
GOLD/SILVER RATIO: WHEN THIS RATIO SHIFTS, CRISIS FOLLOWS — AND IT’S HAPPENING AGAIN
What will it bring us this time?
Here are a few of the other 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
WHAT MESSAGE DID TRUMP AND SAVAYA SEND AFTER SADDAM HUSSEIN MEDIATED THEIR MEETING?
(Mnt Goat: my take on this entire article is that it is all ‘bullshit’. I am only presenting it because all the intel gurus are making up stories over. It is all nonsense.)
On a bleak morning in the 1990s, an Iraqi woman woke up with one worry: what would she sell to feed her children? Her husband’s salary, as a government employee, had shrunk due to the currency collapse to the equivalent of about one dollar a month—not enough to buy a bag of milk or a box of medicine.
Gathering what remains of her “life’s necessities”: a blanket she kept from her wedding trousseau, an embroidered tablecloth, an old wall clock, kitchen utensils that were carried with love, not for consumption, she spreads them out on the ground in a market crowded with secondhand goods vendors. She stands there, not as a professional trader, but as a mother trying to translate her dignity into a loaf of bread.
In another corner of the city, a father with a university degree, an artist, a journalist, or a schoolteacher, also spreads his wares on the ground, selling vegetables, eggs, or single cigarettes. Many have abandoned their teaching positions and cultural platforms, joining the ranks of “families afflicted by the siege.” Job opportunities are virtually nonexistent, medicine is scarce, and the ration card is the only lifeline dangling from the neck of a besieged nation, distributed in insufficient quantities that leave no one truly satisfied or healthy.
These stories were not dramatic exaggerations, but rather part of a broader picture linking the comprehensive sanctions regime imposed on Iraq after the 1990 invasion of Kuwait to the devastating collapse of household incomes, the decline of basic services, rising malnutrition rates, and the deterioration of the healthcare system. Despite the debate surrounding the precise number of child victims of the sanctions, most testimonies and UN reports agree on one fact: the sanctions transformed Iraqis into a society that sold their personal belongings to survive, and turned the economy of an entire country into a laboratory for a policy of “controlled starvation” in the name of international law.
Today, more than two decades after the fall of Saddam Hussein’s regime, the specter of those years resurfaces in a single image: an old Iraqi 5-dinar banknote bearing Saddam’s image appeared on Donald Trump’s desk during his meeting with his special envoy to Iraq, Mark Savaya. Savaya himself posted the photo, writing that it was “a great day with the greatest,” prompting questions across Iraq: What was a currency from the sanctions era doing on the desk of the man who was threatening new sanctions?
From a vague image to a painful memory
In the past few hours, Savaya posted a picture of himself with the US president at one of Trump’s resorts, and on the table in front of them, an old Iraqi 5 dinar banknote from the pre-2003 era was clearly visible. This banknote, which could have passed as a decorative detail in a political office that likes to collect memorabilia, immediately turned into a sensitive item in a country whose collective memory is summarized in two words: “economic embargo”.
No official explanation was given for placing the currency on the table, nor was it clarified whether it was part of a “war memento,” a “symbolic gift,” or a deliberate political gesture. But the gap in explanation was filled on social media: thousands of comments linked the currency to memories of long queues for oil and sugar, to Savaya’s recent statements about “upcoming sanctions against malicious actors and networks” in Iraq, and to a growing fear that the country might once again become a testing ground for economic pressure tactics.
For a generation that lived through the 1990s, the banknote was not merely a picture of a former ruler, but a symbol of a salary that dwindled month after month, a currency that lost its value to the point where employees received their paychecks in bags of dinars that could buy only a few kilograms of food. Therefore, many did not interpret the image as a mere formality, but as a stark reminder of a time when children died from lack of medicine, and professors sold their personal books on the sidewalks.
Savaya: Sanctions Envoy and the “Malicious Networks” File
The image of the old dinar comes at a highly sensitive political and financial moment. Mark Savaya, the American businessman of Iraqi origin, whom Trump appointed as special envoy to Iraq, did not come to Baghdad as just a new diplomatic face, but as the bearer of a dual agenda: restructuring the political relationship and tightening control over Iraqi finances.
Over the past few days, Savaya spoke of holding a series of meetings with the US Treasury Department and the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) to agree on a comprehensive review of payment records and financial transactions linked to Iraqi institutions, companies, and individuals suspected of involvement in smuggling, money laundering, and sham contracts that finance terrorist activities or illicit networks of influence. He confirmed that the discussions included “next steps related to anticipated sanctions targeting malicious entities and networks that undermine the integrity of the financial system and state authority in Iraq,” without disclosing names.
In other remarks, Savaya stressed that the Trump administration “will not tolerate Iraq’s economy remaining hostage to smuggling and financing networks belonging to outlaw actors at home and abroad,” and that Washington is prepared to use “treasury tools” as much as it uses “pengin tools” to reset the balance of power within the country.
In this sense, the promised sanctions of tomorrow are no longer limited to armed factions or political figures only, but their language has extended to “banks, companies, economic fronts, and money laundering networks”, that is, to the heart of the structure over which the state and society move together.
From total blockade to targeted sanctions: the tool has changed, but has the goal changed?
In the 1990s, the picture was both clear and harsh: Security Council resolutions, driven by the US and Britain, imposed a comprehensive embargo on Iraqi oil exports, restricted imports, and stifled the country’s dealings with the global financial system. The “oil-for-food” program later emerged as the almost sole mechanism for the flow of resources, under UN supervision, but these resources were barely enough to keep the country running at a “slow speed” and at a heavy social cost.
After 2003, the picture changed. Washington no longer needed to impose a nationwide blockade. The focus shifted to a new type of sanctions targeting specific individuals, entities, and institutions: faction leaders, businessmen, companies accused of financing Iranian allies or extremist organizations, and banks suspected of involvement in dollar smuggling. The introduction of the Global Magnitsky Act broadened the scope of these sanctions, allowing for the punishment of officials and politicians for corruption or human rights violations, not just on the basis of a perceived “security threat.”
In recent years, the US Treasury has become a direct player in the details of the Iraqi market. More than twenty private banks were prevented from accessing dollars under the pretext of weak compliance or suspicion of currency smuggling, and airlines, investment and service companies were placed on sanctions lists on charges of working within Iranian or factional financing networks, so that something like a “partial mobile siege” appeared: not on the state as a whole, but on its sensitive financial nerves.
Although this policy is presented as an attempt to improve banking compliance and protect the financial system from exploitation, its impact on the average citizen remains very close to the impact of the old embargo, albeit with different tools: fluctuations in the exchange rate, delays in transfers, a rise in the cost of imports, and an expansion of the “shadow economy” that sells dollars in back alleys far from the central bank’s window.
When Saddam’s dinar meets the rhetoric of “malicious entities”
In this tense context, it is difficult for Iraqi public opinion to view Saddam’s dinar on Trump’s table as an innocent piece of “nostalgia.” Every element in the image carries a layer of meaning:
The US president is the one who now has the power to tighten or loosen sanctions through the Treasury Department and executive orders that could expand or tighten the noose on Iraqi banks, companies and figures within days.
The envoy standing next to him is the one who has been talking for weeks about reviewing “suspicious payment records” and “malicious networks” that will be targeted by the upcoming sanctions, without mentioning names, contenting himself with a generalization that increases the anxiety of everyone who gets close to the circle of suspicion.
The currency displayed before them dates back to an era when the economic embargo meant that the lives of Iraqis became a daily search for a bag of flour and a box of medicine.
From this arise two fundamental interpretations of the image in the Iraqi imagination:
1.Reading “Hegemony”: Saddam’s dinar before Trump is a silent reminder that a currency that was once a symbol of a nation’s sovereignty can become a mere souvenir on the desk of a man in another country, whose fate—and the fate of its new currency—is decided by the Treasury Department. The message is clear: “Your financial destiny was, and still is, written in offices outside Baghdad.”
2. Reading the “veiled threat”: The timing of the image with talk of “sanctions against malicious entities” makes many see it as an implication that those who do not abide by the new rules of the game could find themselves in a situation similar to what happened in the nineties, albeit in a targeted form: not a comprehensive international embargo, but a gradual strangulation of the networks of money and influence that control the state.
Between these two interpretations, the Iraqi public adds a third layer: the layer of pain. The image was quickly linked to the phrase “the death of a million children,” which became synonymous in the public consciousness with the years of sanctions, regardless of the accuracy of the figures. What matters here is not the number itself, but the feeling that the world knew the human cost of the political conflict, yet still pursued it to the end.
“Malignant” sanctions or a reset of the power equation?
Leaks and frequent statements point to a new package of US sanctions expected to target influential politicians, political parties, and banks and companies suspected of serving as conduits for financing Iran’s allies in the region or organizations designated as terrorist groups. According to Iraqi and American officials, this package has been hinted at through diplomatic channels and linked to the formation of the next government and the behavior of pro-Tehran forces on the ground.
Thus, the upcoming sanctions appear to be part of a longer series:
-Preventing banks from accessing dollars under the pretext of currency smuggling and money laundering.
-Including transport, investment and government contracting companies on sanctions lists on charges of financing armed factions or circumventing the ceilings imposed on Iran.
-Moving to a broader level today: reviewing “suspicious payment records” linked to both state institutions and the private sector, while threatening personal sanctions against officials, politicians, and businessmen.
The stated objective, according to the American narrative, is “to protect the integrity of the Iraqi financial system and prevent its use as a conduit for financing terrorism or illicit networks of influence.” However, the unstated objective, as many observers see it, is to redraw the power map within Iraq by targeting the financial resources of factions and forces closest to Tehran, and to compel the political class to reconsider its calculations in forming the next government and distributing key positions within the state.
In this game, the citizen is once again turned into a “hostage” between the hammer of Washington and the anvil of the factions: any further tightening of transfers and sanctions means more pressure on the market, and in return, any insistence by the affected forces on circumventing the restrictions means expanding the shadow economy and shifting the cost to the exchange rate, unemployment, and high prices.
Is the blockade really coming back?
The question many are asking today, as they contemplate the image of Saddam Hussein’s dinar on Trump’s desk, is: Are we facing a de facto return to a comprehensive embargo? The straightforward answer, based on current information, is that Iraq is not, as yet, facing a scenario of a comprehensive international embargo like the one it experienced in the 1990s. There are no Security Council resolutions to re-freeze oil exports, nor is there any public talk of completely isolating the country from the global financial system.
But on the other hand, something no less dangerous in the long term is emerging on the horizon: a sanctions policy focused on “financial arteries” that could gradually move from specific banks and factions to a broader structure, if the conflict over the form of the state and Iraq’s position between Washington and Tehran continues without a settlement prospect.
In this atmosphere, the image becomes more than just a protocol snapshot:
-It is a reminder that whoever owns the dollar can conjure up the specter of a siege whenever they want, even if they change its name to “sanctions against malicious actors”.
It is also a test of the ability of the Iraqi political class to say, clearly, that protecting the financial system and preventing money laundering does not mean turning the country into a bargaining arena between the influence of the factions and the whims of the White House.
Between the woman who sold her bedsheets in the 1990s to buy food, and the old dinar that now sits on Trump’s table, lies the story of a country that has yet to emerge from the shadow of sanctions, despite the changing faces and tools. The only difference is that Iraqis now see the picture directly on their phones, and feel that the decision of whether to sell their furniture again is being made in a closed meeting, around a small table, between two men, with a banknote beside them bearing the face of a past that has not yet died.
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FINANCE MINISTER: WE SEEK TO REDUCE THE OIL DOMINANCE OVER THE GENERAL BUDGET
(Mnt Goat: Nothing new and so let’s get to it and do it…. You won’t attrack the kind of investment Iraq needs if you continue down this path of corruption and using the Iranian backed militia to back it up… Sorry! Investors just don’t want this kind of situation from the middle east. It will never work and the Trump administration knows it too. To get off the dominance of oil the need massive investors to come into Iraq.)
Finance Minister Taif Sami confirmed on Wednesday the effort to reduce the oil sector’s dominance over the general budget.
The ministry stated in a statement received by “Al-Eqtisad News” that “Minister of Finance Taif Sami Mohammed received today a high-level delegation from the World Bank for the Middle East and North Africa region, where the two sides reviewed prospects for joint international cooperation to support the reform program currently being pursued by the Iraqi government and to expand the map of major development projects in the country.”
During the meeting, the Minister of Finance affirmed that “the Ministry is committed to creating an attractive environment for foreign and local investments by simplifying financial and banking procedures and providing all necessary facilities to stimulate the movement of money and business, thereby ensuring sustainable development that positively impacts the level of services provided to citizens,” stressing that partnership with international institutions represents a fundamental pillar in the strategy to advance the national economic reality.
According to the statement, “The meeting witnessed a discussion of the executive steps to activate the role of the private sector as a pivotal partner in the economic development process by providing technical and financial support for vital projects that contribute to creating job opportunities and modernizing infrastructure.”
Sami explained that “empowering the private sector and giving it a leading role in the economic cycle is a strategic goal that we seek to achieve in cooperation with the World Bank to ensure the resilience of the Iraqi economy and its ability to face global challenges,” noting that the ministry attaches paramount importance to stimulating the productive and industrial sectors to reduce total dependence on imports and localize international expertise in Iraqi institutions.
The discussions also focused on mechanisms to maximize non-oil revenues through the automation of tax and customs systems and the strengthening of public treasury resources to ensure long-term financial stability. Sami indicated that “the Iraqi government is determined to carry out deep structural reforms aimed at diversifying sources of national income and reducing the dominance of oil over the general budget by activating electronic collection and controlling border crossings.”
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US ENVOY TO IRAQ CALLS CORRUPTION THE “DISEASE” UNDERMINING STABILITY
Mark Savaya says dismantling corruption networks is essential to restoring Iraqi sovereignty and weakening militias.
Mark Savaya, the United States president’s special envoy to Iraq, said on Wednesday that corruption lies at the core of Iraq’s instability and must be confronted decisively if the country is to be stabilized and militias dismantled.
In a statement posted on his official X account, Savaya argued that while militias are often treated as the central problem, they are in fact a byproduct of a deeper and more entrenched system of corruption.
“Militias are a symptom. Corruption is the disease,” he said, stressing that meaningful reform must begin with targeting illicit financial networks. Savaya said he has detailed knowledge of how corrupt money is channeled through complex structures that extend beyond senior officials.
According to him, illicit funds frequently move through layers of lower-level actors, including family members, friends, guards, drivers, and intermediaries, a system designed to provide insulation and plausible deniability while remaining fully functional.
He described the corruption apparatus as a highly sophisticated and deliberately constructed network that has been active for more than two decades. Savaya said the system has repeatedly bypassed regulations, compliance mechanisms, and international auditing frameworks, allowing it to operate with relative impunity.
According to the US envoy, these corruption networks have played a critical role in financially empowering, protecting, and sustaining Iranian-backed militia groups in Iraq.
He warned that without dismantling these financial lifelines, efforts to restore Iraqi sovereignty and weaken armed groups would remain ineffective.
Savaya emphasized that any serious attempt to stabilize Iraq must focus on shutting down major sources of corrupt funding, including fake payrolls, fraudulent loans, and fictitious assets.
“Without that,” he said, “every other effort will fail.”
His comments come amid ongoing debates within Iraq and among international partners over governance reform, state authority, and the long-term challenge posed by militias and entrenched corruption.
The Twitter post
If Iraq is to be fixed, corruption must be confronted first and decisively. Militias are a symptom. Corruption is the disease.
I know in detail how illicit money is channeled. It does not flow only through senior principals. More importantly, it moves through layers of lower level actors such as family members, friends, guards, drivers, and intermediaries. This structure creates insulation and deniability while keeping the system fully operational. This is a highly complex and deliberately constructed network that has been active for more than two decades. It has successfully bypassed regulations, compliance frameworks, and international auditing mechanisms. Through this system, Iranian backed militia groups have been financially empowered, protected, and sustained. Any serious effort to stabilize Iraq, restore sovereignty, and dismantle militias must begin with dismantling the corruption networks that finance and protect them. The sources of massive corrupt money such as fake payrolls, fake loans, and fictitious assets must stop. Without that, every other effort will fail.
(Mnt Goat: Like I said before many times, when you make corruption deliberate and constant it becomes a way of life and it is then very hard to overcome. What good are laws if no one is following them and no one is going to jail for breaking them? This also has become common in the U.S. too and now people are shocked at the Trump administration for trying to follow the law and prosecute those involved. So far we have not yet see the level of prosecution we need to see according to all the exposure of the crimes. Can this also change soon in the US. So you see Iraq is not alone even most major developed countries are facing the same dilemma as it has gotten out of control and is destroying our countries and raping its riches from the people.)
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THE SUDANESE GOVERNMENT DIRECTS THE PREPARATION OF DETAILED REPORTS ON THE SIZE AND COSTS OF PROJECTS FROM 2005 UNTIL
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani directed the Ministry of Planning on Tuesday to prepare detailed reports outlining the size and cost of projects included and funded from the general budget or loans for each ministry or entity from 2005 to 2025, with the results to be presented to the Cabinet.
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TRUMP’S FIRST YEAR IN IRAQ: MILITARY WITHDRAWAL, ECONOMIC PRESSURE, AND CRACKDOWN ON FACTIONS
The New World
Baghdad
A year after US President Donald Trump took office, Iraq appeared in Washington’s policies within multiple approaches based on managing files rather than direct engagement, such as completing the withdrawal of the international coalition with tightening financial control, and linking security cooperation to the files of weapons and stability, in a context that redefined the relationship between the two sides during the past period.
On January 20, 2025, which was yesterday, Tuesday, Trump was sworn in as President of the United States, following his victory in the presidential elections, returning to the White House at a complex regional and international stage.
Political researcher Mohammed Naanaa told Al-Alam Al-Jadeed that “the first characteristic of Trump’s rule was the series of surprises and shocks he caused in a number of international and regional issues, including the support he provided to the new Syrian regime, the shocking handling of the Venezuela issue and the arrest of Maduro, as well as the blow that was directed at Iran, and the state of fluctuation in positions.”
Regarding Iraq, Naanaa explains that “Trump’s policy this year has produced three main tracks.
The first is replacing the traditional diplomatic representation, represented by a permanent ambassador, with the special envoy format, which indicates that Iraq is still viewed in Washington as a crisis arena.
The second track is an attempt to neutralize Iranian influence within Iraq, and this file has witnessed relative progress.”
Naanaa points to “the high and continuous pressure on the armed factions, which has taken on clear security and military dimensions, reflected in the cessation of attacks on American bases and interests, and the absence of these factions’ participation in any regional security or military escalation during the recent period.”
On a practical level, the completion of the withdrawal of the international coalition to fight ISIS from Iraqi territory constituted a pivotal moment in the security relationship between Baghdad and Washington, after years of political and public debate about the nature of the foreign presence.
In parallel with that, the issue of armed factions witnessed remarkable developments during the year of Donald Trump’s administration, represented by the escalation of American political and security pressures, along with direct and indirect messages confirming the need to confine weapons to the hands of the state. During the past months, positions and statements were issued by some factions and influential political forces, in which they expressed their agreement to the principle of disarmament or reorganization within official frameworks.
Security researcher Sarmad Al-Bayati told Al-Alam Al-Jadeed that “the practical aspect of the Trump administration’s policy towards Iraq during its first year was clearly reflected in the security track, especially with regard to the file of the American military presence and the armed factions,” noting that “the continuation of work on the agreements for the withdrawal of the international coalition is one of the main goals that the Iraqi government sought to achieve, and it has already been accomplished with the completion of the combat withdrawal.”
Al-Bayati believes that “the Trump administration left a clear mark on this issue, whether through proceeding with the implementation of security agreements, or through moving to non-military pressure tools, as well as the media discourse and repeated statements, whether through the tweets of the American envoy or through direct political messages, the gist of which is that the issue of the factions must reach clear conclusions, and that the issue of restricting weapons is no longer subject to postponement or formal treatment.”
It is likely that “this issue will witness a greater escalation if the tension with Iran is contained or resolved, as it is expected that American pressure will shift towards the Iraqi interior in a more direct and clear manner during the next stage.”
“The New World” had previously addressed in a report the rapid transformations in the file of disarming Iraqi factions, in light of its transition from an undeclared security framework to an open political track, highlighting the divergence of the factions’ positions between conditional acceptance and outright rejection, the role of American and regional pressures in pushing this file to the forefront, as well as the nature of the Iranian position on these developments, in addition to the repercussions of the recent election results on the behavior of the factions and their position within the equation for forming the next government.
A “busy” economic path
Economically, expanding the scope of US sanctions was one of the most prominent milestones in the Trump administration’s policy towards Iraq during its first year, as the US Treasury Department focused on targeting financing networks linked to armed factions and figures and entities accused of facilitating circumvention of sanctions imposed on Iran.
These measures included placing exchange companies, money transfer networks, and individuals on sanctions lists, freezing their assets, and preventing them from dealing in dollars and the international financial system, as part of efforts to cut off informal financing routes within Iraq.
In parallel, Washington intensified its pressure on the Iraqi financial system through strict oversight measures targeting the dollar and foreign trade financing. The US Treasury imposed broad audits on foreign transfers and the records of government and private banks, as well as electronic payment and import financing companies, with the aim of tracking the sources of funds and their final destination.
Economic researcher Duraid Al-Anzi told Al-Alam Al-Jadeed that “the frequency of statements by US envoy Mark Savaya during the first year of the Trump administration, especially those related to the economic file, indicates the nature of American priorities towards Iraq at this stage.”
Al-Anzi points out that “most of these statements focused on specific issues, including the work of companies, the money laundering file, and the conditions of banks, which indicates that the American focus is directed towards structural corruption files more than any paths of appeasement or temporary political understandings, considering that this trend represents the essence of the current American approach.”
He continues, “The United States is dealing with these files from a technical and procedural angle, by studying the issues and financial ties, auditing the activities of companies, and tracking the routes of money laundering,” explaining that “this approach, despite its complexity, may be more beneficial to Iraq if it is accompanied by decisive measures, and not just long-term reviews.”
(Mnt Goat: This last statement about ACTION and not just “long-term reviews” is exactly what many politicians in Iraq are also now saying. Where is the ACTON to solve the issues?)
The relationship between the two sides has been marked by repeated accusations of the existence of networks that exploit the currency sales window and border crossings to smuggle hard currency out of the country, which has led Washington to link the stability of the Iraqi financial system to the extent of Baghdad’s commitment to compliance and financial transparency standards.
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CONFLICTING INTERPRETATION OF AN IRANIAN MESSAGE REGARDING MALIKI: WILL SAVAYA ATTEND THE “FRAMEWORK” SESSION ON SATURDAY?
The Shiite alliance enters the final stretch of the battle for prime minister.
Over the past few days, the Coordination Framework has received conflicting messages from Tehran and Washington regarding the name of the next prime ministerial candidate.
Political assessments indicate that the matter may be resolved early next week, either in favor of Nouri al-Maliki, leader of the State of Law Coalition, or by proposing a compromise candidate acceptable to the conflicting parties. As of the time of this report, two key factions within the Shiite alliance still oppose Maliki’s candidacy for the premiership.
The Coordination Framework has reached a political impasse due to Maliki’s insistence on running, while his opponents have exhausted all means of pressure and maneuvering without achieving a decisive breakthrough.
Political sources suggest that a meeting of the Coordination Framework scheduled for next Saturday will be pivotal for two main reasons:
First, the arrival of an Iranian message that has been interpreted in contradictory ways by both the pro- and anti-Maliki camps.
Second, the meeting coincides with the visit of US President Donald Trump’s envoy to Iraq, Mark Savaya, who is expected to deliver a significant political message.
While a political source close to a pro-Maliki faction, who requested anonymity, stated that “the Iranian message endorsed Maliki’s selection,” another source from a camp described as “neutral” offered a different interpretation, suggesting that “Tehran is preoccupied with its internal and regional affairs and has not intervened as it has in the past, limiting itself to general, indirect signals.” This view is reinforced by statements from Husam al-Hassani, a leader in the Hikma Movement, who confirmed in a television interview that “the Iranian message did not support a specific name but rather advocated for the principle of consensus,” explaining that its essence was: “Put your trust in God regarding what you have agreed upon.”
Maliki’s movements and Washington’s messages : Over the past 48 hours,Maliki intensified his meetings with leaders of the opposition camp, meeting separately with Ammar al-Hakim, leader of the Hikma Movement, and Qais al-Khazali, leader of Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq, in an attempt to bridge the differences regarding the next prime minister, without any clear indications of a resolution. Meanwhile, the American position remains shrouded in ambiguity. A neutral political source says that “Safia will be in Baghdad on Saturday, carrying a message that may not be in Maliki’s favor,” thus opening the door to the option of a “compromise candidate.”
The US envoy recently escalated his rhetoric, stating that “reforming Iraq begins with confronting corruption decisively,” considering “militias to be the symptom, while corruption is the disease.” In a post on the X platform, he described the corruption network in Iraq as “complex and deliberately built over more than two decades,” emphasizing that dismantling it is a prerequisite for restoring stability and sovereignty.
According to circulating information, the US envoy is expected to move towards activating a package of decisions that Al-Mada newspaper exclusively published last year, which includes closing most Iraqi banks and keeping only a limited number, no more than “four to six banks,” as part of a strict US campaign to combat money laundering and dry up Iran’s sources of funding. Mark Savia had held a series of meetings with officials in Washington during the past week, which received direct praise from US President Donald Trump, reinforcing the impression that the envoy is operating with a broad mandate and unprecedented powers.
Within Iraq, perceptions of Safia’s stance toward the Shiite alliance vary. Some see him as an adversary seeking to undermine its influence, while others consider him a potential partner in reshaping the political landscape according to new equations.
What does the opposition want?
Domestically, Hakim and Khazali remain steadfast in their rejection of Maliki’s nomination, as confirmed by Badr Organization leader Mukhtar al-Moussawi.
Al-Moussawi, a member of parliament, told Al-Mada yesterday, “These are still the current positions regarding Maliki, and perhaps they changed Tuesday evening after the latest meeting held by the opposition forces, but I cannot confirm that yet.”
Al-Moussawi, whose bloc has not yet announced a definitive position on the crisis, believes that “the problem is not Maliki himself, but rather his inability so far to convince the opposition of its share of the government.”
The “Coordination Framework” failed last week to hold two meetings that were supposed to finalize the candidate’s name. Al-Mada observed a clear divergence of opinions within the “Coordination Framework” regarding Nouri al-Maliki’s nomination. Some parties believe he is “unsuitable” for the position at this stage, while others consider his selection a potentially “provocative message” given the repercussions of the Syrian crisis.
The opposition camp believes that the number of seats held by the State of Law coalition does not qualify al-Maliki for the premiership, unless the circulating reports about Prime Minister Mohammed al-Sudani relinquishing his political “points” in his favor prove true. However, Hussam al-Hassani, a leader in the Hikma Movement, denied these assessments, asserting that the “Reconstruction and Development” bloc, headed by al-Sudani, was asked if it was prepared to concede its entitlement to the State of Law coalition in exchange for the prime minister. His response was decisive: “No, we have our political entitlement.”
Al-Sudani had surprised the “Coordination Framework” by announcing his willingness to relinquish the position to al-Maliki, followed by reports of an alliance between the two sides, although the latter has not yet officially confirmed it. However, the opposition camp continues to promote the narrative that al-Sudani is engaging in political maneuvering, placing al-Maliki at the forefront of the crisis to pave the way for
his return to the premiership.
The Shiite alliance has thus far failed to secure a clear stance from the Najaf religious establishment, which has repeatedly refused to intervene in this matter. This is compounded by the silence of Muqtada al-Sadr, leader of the Sadrist Movement, regarding the unfolding crisis. With the prospects of removing al-Maliki through consensus dwindling, his opponents are promoting what they call a “policy
of entrapment ,” meaning pushing him to the forefront at the height of the crisis to hold him politically responsible. In this context, Sunni forces have begun launching indirect attacks against him, a notable development after weeks of his name circulating as a potential candidate.
Over the past two days, Mohammed al-Halbousi has continued to level veiled criticisms, reminiscent of al-Maliki’s era in power.
In a notable post yesterday, he said, “Those who do not learn from history cannot build the future,” recalling the events of the “Arab Spring” and what accompanied it in Iraq in terms of “crisis management, sectarian incitement, and the arrest of innocent people.” He considered that those policies were used at the time to cover up the escape of senior terrorists from Abu Ghraib prison, which took place during the second Maliki government, in “an incident described as the strangest, which passed without any accountability or condemnation of those responsible for it.”
He added that the fugitives later managed to occupy and destroy entire provinces before they were reclaimed “through immense sacrifices and the displacement of millions,” referring to the tragedy of the Bzeibiz Bridge.
Al-Halbousi added that the scenario is being repeated today amidst regional and international turmoil, through the so-called SDF and its smuggling of ISIS leaders from its prisons, warning of the danger of repeating the same mistakes.
He called on “the wise men of Iraq” to recognize the magnitude of the challenges and adopt a unified national stance that prevents “a return to the past, whatever the reasons,” while emphasizing the need to preserve the security, political, and social stability achieved after the defeat of ISIS.
Last Monday, Al-Halbousi had called for the appointment of a figure with broad national acceptance “away from a return to painful, lean days,” a statement widely interpreted as referring to Nouri al-Maliki.
Similarly, Sunni leader Ahmed Abdullah Abdul Jabouri (Abu Mazen) stressed that “Iraq cannot afford to turn back the clock,” calling for the formation of a national unity government built on trust and partnership, in a post on social media.
Researcher and academic Ziad al-Arar believes that the Sunni position on Nouri al-Maliki assuming the premiership is “diverse and not unified,” as it is divided between a genuine rejection of al-Maliki’s return to office and other stances that can be described as “political maneuvering,” linked to specific demands and conditions, or based on positions al-Maliki has recently taken, particularly his rejection of a specific Sunni figure assuming the speakership of parliament.
Al-Arar, speaking to Al-Mada, points out that the political voices within the Sunni community opposing al-Maliki’s return appear to be more numerous and influential than those supporting him. Furthermore, the Kurdish position has not yet crystallized clearly. However, he emphasizes that the final decision should remain with the “Shia framework,” as it is the body authorized to choose the prime ministerial candidate. He recalls that the framework previously allowed Sunni forces the freedom to choose Mohammed al-Halbousi as Speaker of Parliament.
He adds that Mohammed al-Sudani’s move to withdraw or nominate al-Maliki for the next prime minister came, in his view, within the framework of striving to preserve the unity of the “coordination framework” and break the political deadlock. At the same time, he stresses that al-Sudani remains a viable candidate, and that the final outcome will depend on internal political developments, as well as the impact of regional events in shaping the final picture of the Iraqi political landscape.
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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
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