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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:
February 26, 2026 Mnt Goat News Brief
Guten Tag everyone:
WOW this RV saga continues with the election cycle. The showdown is here as the US deadline to decide on Maliki has arrived.
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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Luke 12:48
“To whom much is given, much is required”
STATUS OF THE RV
There are not many new events to report in the news from Iraq today. The main concern is still mostly about the elections and getting the president and prime minister seated. Today we read news from one of the members of parliament that tells us there is a US deadline of tomorrow, Friday 2/27 to ‘officially’ take Nori al-Maliki out of the nominee for prime minister.
😊 In the recent article titled “A MEMBER OF “AL-AZM”: AL-MALIKI MAY WITHDRAW SOON… AND WE MUST AVOID “CONFRONTATION“ we learn that “Ali al-Baydar, a member of the “Al-Azm” coalition, said that the prime ministerial candidate, Nouri al-Maliki, may announce his withdrawal in the coming days.
Al-Bader added to “Ultra Iraq” that “all political forces are required to unify their position on the nomination of Nouri al-Maliki for the premiership,” indicating that “al-Maliki’s replacement must not be disturbing to external parties and must be acceptable to everyone.”
As I described in my 2/24 Newsletter that Maliki’s proverbial Iranian ‘ship is sinking’ and sinking fast. All but one party in the Coordination Framework still supports Maliki. Why don’t these non-supporters of Maliki just break way and form their own majority block to get what they want? So, we wait to see what will happen tomorrow. We were told the Coordination Framework will hold a meeting on Friday to announce what they are going do with Maliki. Please see article titled “REPLACING MALIKI OR FACING ECONOMIC SANCTIONS… NASIF REVEALS A DECISIVE AMERICAN WARNING”. I quote from the article – “MP Alia Nassif, from the Reconstruction and Development Coalition, revealed on Tuesday that there is an American deadline that ends on Friday, related to the prime minister file, indicating the possibility of imposing sanctions in case of non-compliance.”
So, will Trump impose sanctions? Knowing the past performance of Trump there most certainly will be sanctions. They will be light at first and harsher as time passes, if the required changes are not made. Trump does not bluff in situations like this. He is always a few steps ahead of his opponents.
A recent article from Friday (I held up the Newsletter for a day) titled “TRUMP’S ENVOY MEETS WITH NOURI AL-MALIKI, THE FRAMEWORK CANDIDATE FOR PRIME MINISTER.” Reuters reported on Friday (February 27, 2026) that US Special Envoy to Iraq Tom Barrack held a meeting in Baghdad with former Iraqi Prime Minister and leader of the State of Law Coalition, Nouri al-Maliki, the most prominent candidate for the coordination framework to assume the premiership. According to the agency, the meeting comes as part of a series of talks that the US envoy is holding with Iraqi political leaders, at a time when Iraq is witnessing intensive negotiations to decide on the shape of the next government and the distribution of senior positions.
No official details have yet been released about the focus of the discussions between the two sides.
There were many other recent articles published about the electionsm all of them telling us the same information we already know about the coming sanctions and crisis if Maliki stays as the nominee. So, I will not bore you with this news again.
The other main part of the news stems around the CBI Banking reforms. In a recent article titled “CASH HOARDED IN HOME SAFES AND LOST TRUST IN BANK VAULTS” once again the CBI exposes the vulnerability of the economy lacking this liquidity in the banking sector. I quote from the article – “At the heart of the banking confidence crisis that is hindering the spread of electronic payments in Iraq, the majority of economic transactions are still conducted in cash, while savings remain completely outside the formal banking system.” “However, the average Iraqi citizen manages his daily life entirely by relying on paper money, as he withdraws his salaries in cash, pays for his purchases in cash, and keeps his savings at home away from banks.”
Again, All I can say in WOW when I read the statistics from the CBI on this issue.
I quote from the article – “since the huge amount of cash is hoarded inside homes and exceeds 90 trillion dinars, or about 90 percent of the total cash in circulation, according to the latest data from the Central Bank.”
So we know now why the CBI told us there will always be cash to some extent in circulation. But what will happen when the digital dinar is rolled out? How can they roll it out unless they retrieve this hoarded cash back to the banks? Will a ‘significant’ revaluation of the dinar then incentive the citizens to bring in these stashes? Remember we have been reading articles like this about this hoarded cash for years now and still not much has been done. This to me makes me believe that the only solution they have currently on the proverbial drawing-board is the Project to Delete the Zeros with a substantial revaluation of the dinar. We all know what they are waiting for to conduct these process of the swap out of currency. But remember and remember this part very good is that the Project to Delete the Zeros must soon thereafter be followed by the reinstatement, pending inflation does not get out of hand.
Staying on this topic, in the article titled “ECONOMIC RECESSION: EROSION OF PURCHASING POWER DEEPENS THE CRISIS IN IRAQI MARKETS” it is about an ongoing recession crisis. I say really? After reading the article why does the author begin talking about inflation rather than recession? Is it really a crisis?
Doesn’t a decrease in purchasing power cause inflation since your money is eroded thus worth less due to rising prices. With a recession people hold back on production due to over production not a lack of purchasing power. So, I really don’t know why the author starts the article by resorted to using inflationary rhetoric. This slight recession for Iraq is being caused by the implementation of the ASYCUDA System. We will talk more about this later.
Definition: A RECESSION IS A SIGNIFICANT DECLINE IN ECONOMIC ACTIVITY ACROSS THE ECONOMY, LASTING MORETHAN A FEW MONTHS, TYPICALLY VISIBLE IN GDP, INCOME, EMPLOYMENT, AND INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION.
So, Iraqi citizens are not so much “suffering from the erosion of their purchasing power, which has led them to prefer adopting a conservative spending behavior” but ratheran actual recession when there is significant decline in economic activity such as when he says “Iraqis are facing an unfamiliar economic scene: houses for sale with no buyers, car showrooms crowded with onlookers but devoid of buying and selling deals, and prices moving faster than people can keep up with them!”
So again it is not so much a decline in purchasing power but rather hesitation to buy (recession) do to factors. What are these factors in Iraq? The article then goes on to tell us these factors:
- fluctuations in the dollar exchange rate, (caused by the ASYCUDA System)
- jumps in the price of gold,
- delays in salaries, (The GOI not paying Kurdistan on time)
- severe economic and living crises looming on the horizon (Oh…so it’s not yet a crisis?)
“All these factors have combined to freeze buying and selling activity in important markets. He then says adopting a more conservative spending pattern, driven by concerns about economic instability and fluctuating incomes. They are forced to postpone major purchasing decisions, such as buying cars or real estate, or entering into long-term financial commitments.”
Now let’s tie this to the recent 2023 activation of the ASYCUDA system that caused an increase in tariffs and customs fees. These fees are passed on to the consumer. Yes, it is a change and Iraqi must adapt to these changes. Remember Iraq was still working in a mode of 1960’s. They must get used to change bring them into the modern world. These fees are part of the World Trade Organization P(WTO) process and revenue generation for the state. This is all part of the movement away from sole dependency on oil revenues to diversification of revenues (as also required by the IMF).
If you remember we read a temporary bit of inflation could be attributed to the rise in the exchange rate of the dollar against the Iraqi dinar in the parallel market to the imminent implementation of the customs pre-calculation mechanism ASYCUDA. Yes, it’s happening. While praising this mechanism, the author told us that despite its temporary side effects on the local market, it will raise the country’s customs revenues to 6-8 trillion dinars annually.
Remember that many political parties wanted to change the exchange rate to satisfy the citizens in this matter as a resolution to it. Of course, they were supporting the parallel market and not the CBI in their recommendation. So, the CBI replied – “despite the widespread talk about an intention to change the official exchange rate, the Central Bank’s statement was clear and decisive: ‘There will be absolutely no change in the exchange rate,’” adding that “this announcement alone confirms that the Central Bank is committed to monetary stability and will not make any changes to the official rate.”
I will conclude that these stashes of hoarded cash could be moved into the economy to pay for these rising prices, if wanted. So there is no crisis!
Next, we hear more from the CBI on the banking reforms in this next article titled “THE CENTRAL BANK OF IRAQ ANNOUNCES THE COMPLETION OF A PIVOTAL STEP IN REFORMING THE BANKING SECTOR AND EXPANDING FOREIGN TRANSACTIONS.”
Remember the ongoing banking reform project? The CBI is still working in the background despite this ongoing election saga.
The Central Bank of Iraq announced on Thursday that it has completed the main step in the comprehensive reform process for commercial and Islamic banks and branches of foreign banks operating in Iraq, after completing the submission of the required documents for review in accordance with the “minimum requirements”.
The bank explained in a statement received by “Al-Eqtisad News” that the minimum requirements included choosing one of the following three paths:
- continuing in the market as independent banking institutions,
- merging with other banking institutions, or
- exiting the market.
This is all good news and shows an accomplishment of another one of the five (5) mandates issues the US told Iraq had to be addressed. Please go to my 9/16 Newsletter to see the comprehensive list and discussion on these five issues.
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SUMMARY:
Let’s review the five issues again facing Iraq as mandates from the US prior to any reinstatement. So, in today’s news we know the Banking Reform Project is done. IN today’s news we learned the Central Bank of Iraq announced on Thursday that it has completed the main step in the comprehensive reform process for commercial and Islamic banks and branches of foreign banks operating in Iraq.
We also know the Oil and Gas Law is completed and already passed on to parliament for review and passage but probably won’t be addressed until this election saga is over and sessions of parliament continue.
We also know that if al-Sudani is nominated for prime minister (highly likely) that he told us previously he will address the PMF Iranian militias, just that they needed to work out the details. Can Iraq deal with the Iranian influence or will they become a puppet state? What will happen to the PMF when the Iranian regime falls?
Next the CBI has told us many times that they have the parallel market under control and it will soon be eliminated. How is this to occur? Probably through the digital dinar. Then when the ASYCUDA system was fully implemented, the recent phase in its rollout caused a temporary surge in the dollar. Remember that just because there are these surges in the dollar, does not mean the CBI is not controlling the dollar since these surges were predicted and temporary in order to implement a more strategic measure such as the customs and tariffs. A project much needed for the economy and the accession to the WTO. See the article from my 02/24 Newsletter titled “THE CENTRAL BANK OF IRAQ TOLD RUDAW: WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE OFFICIAL AND PARALLEL EXCHANGE RATES FOR THE DOLLAR. In it an official at the Central Bank of Iraq stated that the bank is not responsible for the gap between the official exchange rate of the dollar and the rate traded in the markets, considering that the pre-arranged customs tariff procedures are one of the reasons for the rise in dollar prices.
The last issue still to be addressed is the collection of the stashes of the hoarded currency, which we just read about today again in a more recent article for the hundredth time…. lol…lol… lol… 😊 I do not believe there is any other real solution to solve this issue other than the RV together with the Project to Delete the Zeros to collect these stashes. There will have to be a deadline to turn them in. Many say there will not be a hard deadline in Iraq but I disagree.
Could this be why no ‘real’ CBI solution has worked so far in getting this liquidity back in the banks. I think the CBI knows this too. Some say the digital dinar along with the swap out, will force this money back into the banks, back into the economy, but we know that the CBI told us already that there will always be cash in circulation for a time after the digital rollout. When will the digital rollout occur? I was just told by my CBI contact yesterday they are planning to coincide it with the reinstatement. We already learned from a previous article that the technology is completed and ready. So, why don’t they do it then? I have been told there are other factors involved to coincide with this event as to the reason why the hold up. Of course, one reason is to first complete the swap out of the notes from the three zeros to the newer lower denominations.
Yesterday’s conversation with my CBI contact (and good friend) revealed no new revelations. Most of what we talked about was a summary about the election as she saw it. I was told the currency reform process is stalled due to the election saga, since once they do move ahead, the CBI needs assurances from the Trump Treasury that they will support the reinstatement, thus a green light will have to be given prior along with signed documents. Thus we wait and see what happens with Maliki’s fate tomorrow during the Coordination Framework’s meeting to announce either way. We have to remember also that once Maliki is gone from politics his immunity is gone. I then believe the US will go after him and we may finally see his prosecution. The US will not want a repeat of this saga. Maliki has been the problem all along in Iraq politics.
What do you think will happen? (Leave a comment)
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We pray-
A nice prayer from one of my blog followers. Thank You!
“Be still, wait on the Lord, my modern David will slay the so-called giant of Islam. It will fall they are already begging for mercy, but it will not come as they have sinned so greatly with their blasphemy, disregarded all warnings for the Lord and now HIS WRATH WILL CONSUME ALL WHO CURSE THE CHOSEN!!
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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
“A Great Shaking Will Hit NYC “
Go to the 14:25 mark for the prophecy. From Feb 21st.
God says there must be a shaking. Is He talking about a physical earthquake in NYC? A spiritual shaking is normally followed by a physical saying. We need to watch how God is going to move His hand against these people running NYC.“
Prophetic Words from prophet: Andrew Whalen
“Severe Judgement Is Coming For Obama”
Go to the 00:14 mark for prophecy. Given on Jan 29th.
Prophetic Words from prophet: Hank Kunneman
“THE END TO THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN IS NEAR”
Go to the 00:00 mark for prophecy. Given on Feb 22nd.
“I saw a new Iran”
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.
FURTHER ANALYSIS OF PRESIDENT TRUMPS STATE OF THE UNION SPEECH. THE ‘REAL WORLD’.
They took the bait!
This is an excellent analysis of what happened during the President Trump State of the Union speech last Tuesday. Of course, we expected drama and we got it. I encourage everyone to take a few minutes and watch this presentation by Susan Kokinda. It may open your eyes further about the democrat party and just what they stand for.
What world do they live in?
DEMOCRATS ON THE STATE OF THE UNION SPEECH
Some of the democrats should be shameful at their level of disrespect for the President, after all he did win by an overwhelming majority. His agenda is the people’s agenda. I must ask why Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaiband many other democrats are so angry over the successes of this administration so far? Why are they so far left that they even hate America?
DISRESPECT FOR THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
A DEEPER LOOK INTO WHO REALLY IS MICHELLE OBAMA?
Perhaps it’s time to take off the mask and dig deeper into who Michelle Obama really is. Maybe we need to put aside the pre-packaged scenarios she do cleverly put together to form the image she wanted to portray. Remember that Barrack and Michelle where supposed to be the second coming of the Kennedy family. ..lol..lol.. but the black version. The ideal family with two children…. ha…. ha…. ha…. But in reality there really is no comparison only fake images imprinted in your mind of what they tried to do to get inside your emotions to rip apart America. We also are now noting what Barrack did in Iraq.
In fact, the impact of the eight years (or should I say 12 including the Biden years) did just the opposite of what Barrack promised on his campaign trail in 2007. Is God now telling us to look closer at Michelle Obama? Why and why now? is “she” actually a “he” thus Barrack is gay or bisexual and are they pulling the wool over our eyes with forcing this transgender stuff in politics? Is it really concern for our rights or their own preference that they are afraid will come out someday? I will leave this topic for the conspiracy guys for now. Megyn Kelly takes a deep dive into Michelle.
WE MUST FACE THE MUSLIM CULT IN AMERICA NOW OR LATER BUT WE WILL HAVE TO DEAL WITH IT
Representative Brandon Gill SHUTS Up Cocky Democrats For Claiming Sharia Law Is Good For America.
WHY THE RECENT SURGE OF ISLAM ON OUR SOCIETIES. WHAT IS THE REAL REASON?
We must confront Islamic Muslims now or lose our Judeo-Christian countries to them. This Muslim invasion is not coincidental. It is a well-planned invasion into our culture, religion, politics and the very fabric of our society. This is not good for America and Europe and will be the demise of our great countries, if we are not careful and don’t confront it for what it is.
SUPREME COURT RULING ON TRUMP’S TARIFFS: THE TRUTH
Before some go off half-cocked and make claims that Trump’s financial reset has been stopped, please take some time to listen to the real story of what just happened.
Trump’s tariffs are not stopped and will not be stopped, just so you know. The liberal news media once again strikes to bash Trump and his plans to make America Great Again.
Did the recent supreme court ruling really change anything?
PEOPLE HAVE NO IDEA WHO ILHAN OMAR REALLY IS…
So, let’s get educated today!
UPDATE ON THE ‘SAVE ACT’. WHEN WILL IT COME TO A VOTE IN THE SENATE?
The democrats and rhinos are desperately trying to stall the bringing of the SAVE ACT to a vote in the senate. Why? There are two reasons: 1. They know that the republicans now have the votes to pass it and 2. When passed, it will limit the corruption in the voting process, something the democrats need desperately to win in the midterms, especially now after President Trumps STOUS. It is the ONLY way they have even a chance of winning back the majority in Congress or the Senate. The majority of people simply don’t want what they have to offer but they are still trying to shove it down our throats anyhow by cheating in the elections, then pretending the majority wants it.
“IRAN IS GEARING UP FOR A DESTRUCTIVE MOVE AGAINST AMERICA…”
We will deal with the Iranian regime now or later. Why give Iran time to rebuild and leave this mess to our children to deal with. Yes, they will have to deal with it. It even gets worst if they should get nuclear weapons. Remember this is an Islamic Terrorist regime that mirrors much like the Nazi regime in WW2 and would not hesitate to use any lethal weapons to stay in control. If we are paying attention we see this very same Islamic terrorist organization coming into our countries with refugees and illegal immigrants. They then become politicians and work against our values and culture. Remember their goal – convert to Islam or die. If we had faced Hitler earlier it never would have gone as far as it did. It is time now to address Iran. Not only could this stop this regime and the suffering in Iran but also the outward aggressive Muslim movement to take over our cities. Remember they don’t care if it takes 20 years or 50 years or even a century. Their goals remains the same and we must squash it now before this gets out of hand or maybe it has already gone too far.
‘PLAYING FOR TIME’: The fatal mistake that could DESTROY the Iranian regime
I don’t think I have to go through again how these effects the RV of the Iraqi dinar, do I?
THINK AGAIN: IT WAS NO COINCIDENCE, BUT AN ORCHESTRATED, DELIBERATE PLOT!
As you should know by now, I present these videos on my blog for you not me. They are to you so you can try to understand what is going on in the world that affects our RV of the Iraqi dinar and a very real possibility of other currencies too. You keep asking for a date for the RV. So, what is holding it up?
So, after years of showing you the chaos by the deep state of what they are doing to our world and their pullback on fixing it, today I want to connect some pieces for you to go further, go deeper in your understanding. They call this demolition of our modern industrial social as voluntary and it was. So, who was running the US since 1977 and why did our past presidents, Congress and the Senate allow this to happen? Why did they give the Council in Foreign Relations (CFR) so much power to literally destroy our countries. Today we learn about the real fight. The real reason why these policies being instituted by the Trump administration, to stop this controlled demolition of our economies.
First, I was hoping everyone had a chance to watch the entire speech by the US secretary of state Marco Rubio in Munich recently to the European leaders. I have left his speech for you. Then there are many analysts who have picked his speech apart but none like what Sudan Kokinda has done for us. She ties it all together in big bold statements and backs it up with FACTS, not conspiracy theories. Is this why we voted for Trump? Is this why they want him gone so bad? Is this the Trump hatred syndrome we witness in many of these democrats? Is this why they are trying to kill him?
About our Iraqi dinar: Yes, these are the same powers in control that need to lose their control and thus we have a chance to see the reinstatement of the Iraqi dinar. Do you think they want us to have all this money? Do you think they want this transfer of Wealth? Do you see the struggle now in the Iraqi elections using the Iranians to squash progress in Iraq. Prime Minister al-Sudani was industrializing Iraq with the fundamental principles of free enterprise with the Development Road Project, etc.. Folks they even finally have an acceptable Oil and Gas Law but they can’t get parliament to take it up for a vote. Do you see the roadblocks?
I sincerely hope that you can elevate your thinking to a new level and expand your thinking thus go one step deeper after watching these presentations today. Please take the time to watch the Rubio speech in Munich and then the Kokinda explanation.
“THE CONTROLLED DISINTEGRATION OF
THE WORLD’S ECONOMY WAS DELIBERATE”!
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.
Nothing new to report today. Please see the blog section on the other great news on this subject matter here LINK.
REPLACING MALIKI OR FACING ECONOMIC SANCTIONS… NASIF REVEALS A DECISIVE AMERICAN WARNING
MP Alia Nassif, from the Reconstruction and Development Coalition, revealed on Tuesday that there is an American deadline that ends on Friday, related to the prime minister file, indicating the possibility of imposing sanctions in case of non-compliance.
Nasif said in a televised interview followed by “Al-Mutlaa” that “Nouri al-Maliki’s appointment as Prime Minister is facing difficulty, stressing that there is no official position within the coalition rejecting his nomination,” noting that parties had contacted Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa regarding the rejection of al-Maliki. She added that: “Bahaa Al-Araji’s tweet represents his personal position, noting that political entities contacted Ahmed Al-Sharaa regarding Al-Maliki’s rejection.”
She explained that:
“The envoy of US President Donald Trump informed the political parties of Maliki’s rejection, warning of sanctions that may include individuals and institutions, indicating that these sanctions may affect the State Oil Marketing Company (SOMO), the Central Bank and banks.” She explained that: “Al-Maliki’s nomination was done verbally, and his appointment requires an official document from the coordination framework, stressing that the President of the Republic will not appoint him without this procedure.”
She added that: “The message conveyed by the American envoy, Barak, came at the direction of Trump, indicating that the United States is seeking to return strongly to Iraq.” She noted that: “Al-Maliki pledged to re-nominate Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, while there is talk of three candidates for the premiership that do not include his name.”
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A final American message regarding the premiership… Trump’s envoy will meet with Maliki tomorrow.
(Mnt Goat: Think of this as the final shot over the proverbial bow for Iraq. Yes, the ship is sinking fast unless they back out of this ridiculous situation, they have gotten themselves into with Maliki and the PMF. More than ever Iraq can not become a proxy state for Iran.)
Iraqi political sources reported today that the US administration sent an official letter to Nouri al-Maliki, head of the State of Law Coalition, reflecting Washington’s position on his candidacy for the position of Prime Minister, in the context of ongoing developments regarding the formation of the next government in Iraq.
Diplomats told Al-Oula in private statements that Tom Barrack is scheduled to meet with Maliki in the coming hours to inform him of Trump’s position on his nomination.
The United States, under the Trump administration, had previously expressed reservations about Maliki’s return to power, amid economic hints of fluctuating bilateral relations between Baghdad and Washington.
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WHAT WILL HAPPEN ON FRIDAY?”… IRAQI FOREIGN MINISTER RESPONDS TO NEWS OF US SANCTIONS TOMORROW
Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein denied that Iraq had received any warning from the United States about imposing sanctions on Friday against government figures or institutions, commenting on a rumor spread by figures and some media outlets, which spoke of an “American message giving Baghdad the choice between forming a government far from Iran before Friday or starting to launch a package of sanctions.”
Minister Hussein said in an interview with journalist Ghazwan Jassim, which was followed by 964 Network, that Baghdad had not received anything of the sort, and downplayed the importance of those rumors and asked, “What will happen on Friday?”.. But he pointed out that issuing sanctions is part of the policies of countries in general, but without specifying what is related to the Friday deadline that is being circulated.
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TRUMP’S ENVOY MEETS WITH NOURI AL-MALIKI, THE FRAMEWORK CANDIDATE FOR PRIME MINISTER.
Reuters reported on Friday (February 27, 2026) that US Special Envoy to Iraq Tom Barrack held a meeting in Baghdad with former Iraqi Prime Minister and leader of the State of Law Coalition, Nouri al-Maliki, the most prominent candidate for the coordination framework to assume the premiership.
According to the agency, the meeting comes as part of a series of talks that the US envoy is holding with Iraqi political leaders, at a time when Iraq is witnessing intensive negotiations to decide on the shape of the next government and the distribution of senior positions.
No official details have yet been released about the focus of the discussions between the two sides. Barak’s meeting with Maliki comes at a time when the Iraqi political scene is going through sensitive dialogues regarding the naming of the new prime minister, as the Coordination Framework puts forward the name of Nouri al-Maliki as a main candidate, in contrast to the reservations of some political forces.
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A GOVERNMENT ADVISOR REVEALS THE ROADMAP FOR TRANSITIONING FROM A RENTIER ECONOMY.
The Prime Minister’s financial advisor, Mazhar Muhammad Saleh, affirmed that the shift away from oil is not merely an option, but an existential and strategic necessity to ensure financial and social stability, especially in light of global energy price fluctuations.
He explained that relying on a single resource makes the economy vulnerable to external shocks, which requires genuine diversification, not just a passing reformist approach.
Saleh told Al-Furat News Agency that “the success of this transformation requires deep structural reforms, high investments in infrastructure, and real empowerment of youth through education and technology, so that Iraq can be a diversified and sustainable economic player,” noting that the first pillars of diversification begin with reviving the agricultural sector through efficient management of the Tigris and Euphrates river resources, modernizing digital irrigation systems, and supporting food industries in a way that enhances food security and reduces imports.
He added that the manufacturing industry represents the most important entry point for adding local value to raw materials, through the development of small and medium industries in the fields of pharmaceuticals, textiles and building materials, noting that the digital economy stands out as a qualitative opportunity for Iraqi youth through supporting startups and linking education to the needs of the digital labor market to create a high-value and low-cost sector.
He added that Iraq possesses great tourism assets, religious and archaeological, which can be transformed into an important source of foreign currency, in addition to developing the transport and logistics sector through strategic projects such as the “Development Road,” which will reposition Iraq as a trade corridor linking the Gulf with Turkey and Europe. He explained that the current challenges are represented by the excessive dependence on oil, which accounts for more than 90% of revenues, weak infrastructure, and a skills gap.
Saleh stressed that success requires gradual financial and institutional reforms, similar to the banking reform currently being led by the government and the central bank, while encouraging the building of a diversified productive base over a decade that represents the “foundation decade for accelerated diversification” in accordance with the paths of Iraq’s 2050 vision, stressing that the transition to a sustainable economy is the only way to ensure true economic sovereignty and fair opportunities for future generations.
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CASH HOARDED IN HOME SAFES AND LOST TRUST IN BANK VAULTS
At the heart of the banking confidence crisis that is hindering the spread of electronic payments in Iraq, the majority of economic transactions are still conducted in cash, while savings remain completely outside the formal banking system.
However, the average Iraqi citizen manages his daily life entirely by relying on paper money, as he withdraws his salaries in cash, pays for his purchases in cash, and keeps his savings at home away from banks.
Meanwhile, electronic payment cards have become a routine part of daily life in neighboring countries, revealing that Iraq is about twenty years behind in adopting the simplest modern financing tools.
This delay reflects “weak confidence in banks,” as observers describe it, since the huge amount of cash is hoarded inside homes and exceeds 90 trillion dinars, or about 90 percent of the total cash in circulation, according to the latest data from the Central Bank.
In addition, statistics indicate that less than 20 percent of the population has bank accounts, compared to more than 50 percent in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, where digital payments have been commonplace for years.
A Baghdad resident said via Facebook, “I prefer to keep my money at home for fear of any potential banking crisis, as past experiences do not encourage trust.” A local economic activist stated, “The sector needs radical reforms to build trust, especially with the push to end cash payments in government institutions by July 2026.” A banking source noted that “electronic transactions grew by 17.7 percent in the first quarter of 2025, but reliance on cash still prevails despite the launch of platforms such as ePassole in the Kurdistan Region.”
Despite these government efforts, the biggest challenge remains convincing citizens of the security of the digital system amid fears of losing or freezing deposits.
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ECONOMIC RECESSION: EROSION OF PURCHASING POWER DEEPENS THE CRISIS IN IRAQI MARKETS
Due to the ongoing economic recession, Iraqi citizens are suffering from the erosion of their purchasing power, which has led them to prefer adopting a conservative spending behavior.
Today, Iraqis are facing an unfamiliar economic scene: houses for sale with no buyers, car showrooms crowded with onlookers but devoid of buying and selling deals, and prices moving faster than people can keep up with them!
Fluctuations in the dollar exchange rate, jumps in the price of gold, delays in salaries, and severe economic and living crises looming on the horizon, all these factors have combined to freeze buying and selling activity in important markets.
Citizens today are adopting a more conservative spending pattern, driven by concerns about economic instability and fluctuating incomes. They are forced to postpone major purchasing decisions, such as buying cars or real estate, or entering into long-term financial commitments.
This trend reflects a prevailing sense of anticipation and caution in the market. There is a preference for holding cash rather than investing it in costly purchases or investments, in anticipation of any unforeseen economic developments.
The Baghdad Provincial Council had attributed the stagnation of the real estate market in the capital to the high amounts of fines and taxes on subdivided houses, indicating during December 2025 that recommendations were nearing completion that included reducing the fine for subdividing houses from five million to 250 or 500 thousand dinars, as well as imposing the tax on the sold area only and not on the entire original plot of land, in an attempt to address this stagnation.
Waiting for the dollar to stabilize
Citizen Abu Ahmed says in a press interview that he put his house up for sale more than four months ago due to financial circumstances, and to this day no serious buyer has come forward. He added in a press interview that everyone who asks about the house backs down when they know the price, or says they are waiting until the dollar prices stabilize.
He points out that in the past, a house would not remain on display for more than a month, but today the market is almost at a standstill.
An ill-advised gamble
Experts attribute this stagnation to the fluctuating exchange rate of the dollar against the Iraqi currency, and the high price of gold, which makes buying and selling real estate and cars an uncalculated gamble.
In this regard, economist Mustafa Faraj says, “There is a direct relationship between the price of gold and the dollar. Gold is a metal priced in dollars, and if the price of the dollar falls, the price of gold rises, and vice versa.”
He then explains that “Iraq is a rentier state and relies heavily on imports. Therefore, it is directly affected by the price of the dollar, especially in the field of cars, which are imported using hard currency,” adding that “the same applies to house prices. The dollar has a significant influence on the Iraqi market.”
He continues, saying that “real estate sales are currently experiencing a recession, which will continue in the coming period,” noting that “the situation of the Iraqi economy is difficult, due to a shortage of financial liquidity, which leads to delays in paying the salaries of state employees.”
According to Faraj, “Many people have resorted to investing in gold in light of the current geopolitical situation in the region. This has led to a surge in demand for gold, which has contributed to its price increase. In addition, there is a lack of trust among citizens in government banks. The fear of keeping money in banks pushes citizens to invest it in gold.”
Paralysis of buying and selling
Real estate office owners and car dealerships also complain of the stagnation and paralysis that has affected their businesses in the past period.
Radwan Al-Yassiri, owner of a car showroom in the Al-Bayaa area of Baghdad, confirms that he and his colleagues are suffering from an almost complete halt in car sales operations, noting in a press interview that “the direct sales area used to witness heavy congestion on Fridays, and the car market would be at its peak activity, but in recent weeks there have been very few sales and purchases.”
He adds that “the decline in car sales and purchases is linked to several factors, including the weak purchasing power of citizens, increased inflation, as well as the high customs duties imposed on car imports, the ban on importing cars that do not conform to specifications, in addition to the fluctuation of dollar exchange rates,” noting that “all these reasons have led to higher car prices, and made citizens hesitant to sell or buy them.”
He notes that “citizens are no longer buying new cars as they used to. Sales have dropped to near zero, and consumers have turned to buying used cars.”
Real estate agents who buy, sell, and rent properties face similar difficulties to those of showroom owners. Abdul Hassan Kadhim, a real estate agent in Baghdad’s Jihad neighborhood, says that the last house sale through his office was more than two months ago.
In a press interview, he explains that his current activity is limited to renting houses and organizing rental contracts, indicating that the fluctuation in the dollar exchange rate and the weakness of purchasing power are behind the stagnation of various sectors at the present time.
Erosion of purchasing power
According to specialists, the current stagnation in buying and selling in the real estate and automotive sectors is not a passing event, but may be a long-term indicator of a decline in the local economy.
Khaled Al-Jabri, head of the “Usul Foundation” for Economic Development, says that “what the economy is witnessing today is not a passing slowdown, but rather an actual contraction in demand, resulting from the erosion of the citizen’s purchasing power due to the delay in salaries, the increase in customs duties, and the stagnation of liquidity in
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DEPOSITING IRAQI OIL REVENUES IN NEW YORK BETWEEN FINANCIAL STABILITY AND ECONOMIC SOVEREIGNTY
(Mnt Goat: We can see now why the US Treasury does not release these funds to Iraq to invest in their own Sovereign Funds, managed by the CBI. Yes, it is this issue of Iranian control again, decisively shown by the nomination of Maliki for the prime minister position. He raided the CBI once before and he can do it again.)
The mechanism for depositing Iraqi oil revenues in accounts with the US Federal Reserve in New York is one of the most complex financial arrangements in the history of modern Iraq. Since 2003, this mechanism is no longer just a technical measure to protect funds, but has become a central element affecting economic sovereignty, financial stability and political relations of Iraq with international powers.
LEGAL AND ECONOMIC BACKGROUND
After the US invasion of Iraq in 2003, the UN Security Council issued Resolution 1483, which aimed to protect Iraq’s funds derived from oil sales and state assets from creditor claims and lawsuits, in light of the accumulation of huge debts dating back to the era of the previous regime. In this context, US Executive Order No. 13303 was issued, which granted wide legal immunity to Iraqi oil revenues deposited in the United States, and was later renewed and amended in proportion to the developments of the debt file.
Economically, Iraq was in a very fragile situation. External debt, the collapse of financial institutions and the absence of international confidence have all made this mechanism a necessary tool for reintegrating Iraq into the global financial system and securing a regular flow of dollars needed to import and finance the general budget.
INDIRECT ECONOMIC BENEFITS
This arrangement contributed to several economic gains. It boosted international confidence in the management of Iraqi oil revenues, helped stabilize the exchange rate, and reduced the risk of seizure of Iraqi funds abroad. It also provided a more attractive environment for international oil companies, which operate within a legal framework that limits their exposure to prosecutions related to oil activity in Iraq.
From a macro-financial perspective, this system has formed a safety valve against external shocks, whether caused by fluctuations in oil prices or from legal disputes with creditors, which has helped the state maintain a minimum of financial stability in very difficult periods.
COST OF SOVEREIGNTY AND EXTERNAL ACCREDITATION
On the other hand, these benefits cannot be separated from their sovereign cost. Oil constitutes about ninety percent of the Iraqi state’s revenues, and depositing these revenues outside the country gave the United States real influence over the joints of the Iraqi economy. This has been clearly highlighted in sensitive political stations, when Iraqi sovereign decisions have been linked to access to or restriction of these funds.
This situation reflects a classic economic dilemma facing rendier countries emerging from conflict, which is the trade-off between short-term financial stability and the construction of full economic sovereignty in the long term. The longer the reliance on external protection mechanisms, the more complicated the path of true financial independence.
INTERNATIONAL DIMENSION AND OVERLAP OF FILES
The oil revenue file intersects with other legal and political files, including maritime border disputes and the filing of coordinates with the United Nations under the Convention on the Law of the Sea. Successive Iraqi filings in 2011, 2021 and 2026 reflect gradual attempts to establish a legal situation that serves national interests, but at the same time they opened the door to objections from neighboring countries, which confirms that legal stability is not achieved by unilateral deposit, but by international consensus or arbitration.
FUTURE READING
From an analytical economic perspective, it can be said that the mechanism of depositing oil revenues in New York played its historic role in protecting Iraq during an exceptional transition period. However, its continuation of its current status raises fundamental questions about Iraq’s ability to build independent financial institutions, diversify its sources of income, and reduce its dependence on external arrangements.
The real challenge lies not in the immediate elimination of this mechanism, but in the development of a gradual strategy that moves Iraq from the logic of external protection to the logic of institutional sovereignty, where trust stems from the strength of the national financial system, not from the location of bank accounts.
CONCLUSION
Depositing Iraqi oil revenues in New York is not a technical or purely financial matter, but rather a reflection of a history of conflicts, debt, and economic reshaping. While this arrangement provided a measure of stability, it continues to be a reminder that economic sovereignty is measured not only by the volume of revenue, but also by the ability of a State to control it within an independent national legal and institutional system.
(It is also leverage the US has over Iraq to help combat corruption.)
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THE CENTRAL BANK OF IRAQ ISSUES 9 RECOMMENDATIONS TO BANKS TO PREVENT FRAUD USING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE.
The Central Bank of Iraq warned licensed banks against forgery and fraud operations carried out through artificial intelligence technologies, and issued 9 recommendations in this regard, including biometric auditing of transactions and preventing data leakage abroad.
On February 22, 2026, the Central Bank of Iraq sent a letter to all licensed banks regarding artificial intelligence technology and its use in forging documents, indicating that developments in this technology have made it possible to forge documents, images, signatures, and official seals with very high quality, making them difficult to distinguish.
The Central Bank has provided several recommendations to banks to implement in order to avoid falling victim to fraud via artificial intelligence in their banking transactions.
1.One such method is to require banks to use technology based on biometric screening and automated document verification in banking transactions.
2.The recommendations also included the use of technology for detecting audio and video forgery (deepfakes) when scrutinizing photos, videos, and telephone communications to identify bank customers.
3.The Central Bank called for taking into account the risks of customer data being leaked abroad, and relying on local solutions to ensure full control over biometric data.
4.It also stressed the need to verify the authenticity of documents submitted electronically through official channels.
5.Among other recommendations is the need to sign agreements with the entities that supply banks with devices, ensuring that information is not disclosed and that its security is maintained.
6.The measures also included relying on quick response (QR) codes to verify the authenticity of documents sent from other parties, in addition to conducting periodic tests to simulate methods of combating fraud based on artificial intelligence.
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A MEMBER OF “AL-AZM”: AL-MALIKI MAY WITHDRAW SOON… AND WE MUST AVOID “CONFRONTATION”
Ali al-Baydar, a member of the “Al-Azm” coalition, said that the prime ministerial candidate, Nouri al-Maliki, may announce his withdrawal in the coming days.
Al-Bader added to “Ultra Iraq” that “all political forces are required to unify their position on the nomination of Nouri al-Maliki for the premiership,” indicating that “al-Maliki’s replacement must not be disturbing to external parties and must be acceptable to everyone.”
He stressed that “Maliki may announce his withdrawal in the coming days in the interest of the national interest.”
According to Al-Baydar, “The international stance has led to a division in political positions regarding the nomination of Al-Maliki, even within the coordination framework.”
He pointed out that “Iraq is required to decide on the option of nominating Maliki or to face the crisis and the dark tunnel before the United States of America.”
He continued: “We must avoid options that clash with the American administration and look for options that preserve national entitlements.”
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THE CENTRAL BANK OF IRAQ ANNOUNCES THE COMPLETION OF A PIVOTAL STEP IN REFORMING THE BANKING SECTOR AND EXPANDING FOREIGN TRANSACTIONS.
The Central Bank of Iraq announced on Thursday that it has completed the main step in the comprehensive reform process for commercial and Islamic banks and branches of foreign banks operating in Iraq, after completing the submission of the required documents for review in accordance with the “minimum requirements”.
The bank explained in a statement received by “Al-Eqtisad News” that the minimum requirements included choosing one of the following three paths: continuing in the market as independent banking institutions, merging with other banking institutions, or exiting the market.
The Central Bank of Iraq confirmed that all Iraqi banks submitted the required documents according to the path they chose, which allows the bank to assess the level of compliance of each bank with the minimum requirements.
He explained that the coming months will see the addressing of any gaps or observations identified during the evaluation process, and that banks will work to complete the requirements for full compliance with banking reform standards.
As part of strengthening the role of private banks in supporting the economy, the Central Bank of Iraq announced the launch of a new initiative to expand the banks’ ability to support international trade for their clients. Banks that meet specific criteria, as assessed by the Central Bank, will be allowed to resume cross-border transactions and issue letters of credit in several international currencies, including the euro, the UAE dirham, the Chinese yuan, the Jordanian dinar, and others.
The bank indicated that this step complements the reform path it is leading to enhance confidence in the future of the Iraqi economy, deepen the global integration of the financial sector, and support sustainable economic growth in Iraq.
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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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