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:

December 23, 2025 Mnt Goat News Brief

Guten Tag everyone:

Bringing you more news. Militia: Savaya, “statements alone are not enough”, Iraq will have to show a change in good faith, if even just a beginning.

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 $10-$15 dollars a month or whatever you can afford. Do you realize I write 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. I am tired of this RV saga just as you are. We are now down to the wire and the evidence is showing us the end is very near. I feel this would be a lousy time to end the Newsletter, but that is all up to you.

So, if you haven’t already shown your appreciation for December please reconsider.

 Let’s all try to chip in!

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Matthew 7:11

“If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!”

More news….

IRAQ’S GOLD RESERVES REACHED THEIR HIGHEST HISTORICAL VALUE… AND WARNINGS WERE ISSUED AGAINST USING THEM TO COVER THE FINANCIAL DEFICIT.

In economic observatory announced that Iraq’s gold reserves have reached historic levels, amounting to approximately $23 billion and 64 million, warning against using them to solve the country’s financial deficit crisis.

The observatory explained that “Iraq’s total reserves of 170.9 tons are currently equivalent to $23 billion and 64 million, which is the highest level that the value of gold reserves has reached in the history of Iraq.”

STATUS OF THE RV

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If I were you, I would keep the champagne in the frig. The show is not over until the fat lady at the circus sings….. lol.. lol.. 😊 It is mid-December and the CBI may still go ahead with removing the zeros in time for a January release or in January. Oh… but remember it does not have to happen exactly on January 1^st as there are thirty-one days in the month. They could also change the plan and remove the zeros in early January and release in late January. There are options.

There is much more evidence than not that everything is pointing to early 2026 for them to normalize the dinar and place it back on FOREX to trade. Today we put together yet more evidence, again.

So much news this period and it was hard to keep up with it. There is so much real optimism and VERY GOOD news for Iraq and yet there is still lots of propaganda news. This propaganda is all silly stuff authored by silly economists about Iraq. If you notice the news articles of this type they often talk about Iraq having massive debt. Really- massive debt? Where is all this debt I have to ask? Is it owing contractors for their dues? Is it unpaid salaries to the citizens? No, it is none of these. It is in FACT not debt but future liabilities I think perhaps they are talking about and this is much different. So maybe the translation from Arabic to English changes the meaning? Of course, there are liabilities and that is the rentier economy we read about so often. This is the point of getting off of oil as the sole sources of revenues. But we all know about this move and it is realized and is in the state of being corrected. But Rome was not built in a day…. Lol… lol… lol. 😊.

Many of these economists also don’t want to mention the ongoing projects such as the Development Road Project, the port of Faw or the reopening of the Cyan oil pipeline that can almost double the oil revenues. Oh…. did I mention the Customs and Tariff revenues? Some of these projects and more at the implementation phases and some are generating real revenues already with potential for more, massive amounts. So, what’s so wrong with that?

So, they don’t talk much about POTENTIAL. Why is this? Most of these projects are recent within the last four years and take time to come to full capacity for revenue generation for the federal government. These projects will lessen the liabilities as they will take jobs away from the government and place them in private industry. This will lessen the payroll files and it will also lessen govt pensions. It is a slow process. So, you see it all works together and are interconnected, and I have not even begun to mention the natural resources available that is also in the making to be marketed soon, very soon! I will leave it to the “gatekeepers” of Iraq and the CBI to decide when to reinstate the dinar based on all these new developments. They are now all concurring the time is ripe now.

So, seriously where did these Iraqi economists get their education from anyhow? Why so short-sided in their research? Yes, it is disheartening when you read these silly articles from these economists. I have made up my mind to pass over these silly articles and go directly to the progress of Iraq and instead tell the TRUE story of Iraq. As investors in the Iraqi dinar, we need to hear optimistic and truthful news and it is all optimistic let there be no mistake about it. Please go read the recent article titled “RESEARCH CENTER: IRAQ IS AT A PIVOTAL MOMENT TO ADDRESS ITS ECONOMY AND REVIVE THE PRIVATE SECTOR.”

You might also want to take a peek at the article titled “THE IRAQI ECONOMY IN 2025: PIVOTAL TRANSFORMATIONS BETWEEN AMBITION AND CHALLENGES”. It is a very long read, but addresses so much about the Iraqi economy and where it is going. It is not decades but maybe just a few years at most. The reinstatement will help them to get there. Remember I told you that at some point the pressure will build with all the progress Iraq is making. I did not know this point and can only rely on what my contact in the CBI along with the articles were telling us. They are telling us NOW IS THE TIME!

If you have been following this RV saga all along, you know that the stashes of currency in the homes of the citizens is at a crisis level. The govt doesn’t want to do much about this concern but the CBI has mentioned it many times already. So, in today’s news we get yet another article on this topic titled “THE TORN CURRENCY: BETWEEN THE FAILURE OF PAPER CIRCULATION AND THE DELAY OF DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION”. I quote from the article – “The torn currency reveals a deeper flaw than the tearing of the paper, as it shows a cash management crisis, a delay in automation, and a weakness in replacement mechanisms, which makes the citizen the weakest link between banks that refuse, a market that punishes, and digital solutions that are not yet complete.”

“No one will take it from me,” Zainab al-Khafaji, a government employee, whispered to herself, her voice thick with despair, as she strolled through the shops of Baghdad’s upscale Mansour district. She clutched a five-thousand-dinar note that looked as if it had been through a war; it was tattered, its edges torn, and held together with a makeshift piece of tape.”

As worn-out paper currency, especially the small denominations (250, 500, 1000, 5000 dinars), has become a financial and psychological burden, a crisis. So, let’s go deeper into this issue. Why hasn’t the CBI issued newer notes to replace them? Why not spend the money and order newer notes? This is a question I have asked my CBI contact in Baghdad. Here  is what she told me:

She told me the CBI has plans to limit the paper currency at this time, implement the digital project and does not want to issue any more in circulation. There are newer, plastic notes, with more security features coming out as part of the lower denominations. She said to remember that the 100, 250 and 1000 notes are going to stay in circulation in the public. The goal is to bring the monetary mass down by 2/3. She them told me the digital project was targeted along with the roll out of removing the zeros for December 1^st but delays occurred. These delays were mostly accountable because of two reasons: 1. the digital platform was not yet technically ready and 2. there was a matter of the elections and Iranian influences in the government that had to be resolved.

I then asked for a new target and my contact told me there is a target of December 29^th if these two reasons for delay can be resolved. Soon after I ended my call to Iraq out popped news in this article  “OFFICIALS: AMERICA DEMANDS THAT ARMED GROUPS NOT BE INCLUDED IN THE NEW IRAQI GOVERNMENT”. This news was nothing new but the timing….just saying….More than a month has passed since the elections for the sixth session of the Iraqi Council of Representatives, and the Shiite, Sunni and Kurdish leaders are still in the midst of negotiations to form the new government, without the features of this government yet appearing. Everyone was waiting for the results to be ratified by the Iraqi Federal Court, which ratified them last Sunday, December 14, 2025, after which the constitutional deadlines for forming the government would begin. Although these deadlines were not adhered to in some previous sessions and the formation took longer than specified by the constitution, American pressure is now emerging on Iraq to prevent the inclusion of the political wings of armed groups in the government.

What does America want? Given its ongoing role and influence in Iraq for over two decades, the United States expects the new Iraqi government to be free of armed groups

😊So, also out popped yet another article titled “ZIDANE: THE PARLIAMENTARY SESSION ON DECEMBER 29TH WILL DECIDE ON THE PRESIDENCY OF THE COUNCIL AND CANNOT BE EXTENDED.” – “The head of the Supreme Judicial Council, Faiq Zaidan, confirmed that the session of the new House of Representatives scheduled for December 29 must end with the appointment of the Speaker of the Council and his two deputies, noting that it is not constitutionally or legally possible to postpone or extend it.” If you recall the procedures for Iraq to form the next government, once the new speaker is appointed he then announces the new prime minister and so this all should happen very quickly once parliament is formed and operatable. Of course the U.S. will also have its hand in selecting the new prime minister as al-Sudani did get the majority of the citizens’ votes. The U.S. will not let some Iranian influence take a second term away from Al-Sudani.

So, I am reading all this news about the election and the Iranian militias feeling kind of low that the CBI target might get pushed even beyond December 29^th when out pops this article titled “SAVAYA IS PLEASED WITH THE FACTIONS’ MOVEMENTS AND STIPULATES A COMPLETE AND IRREVERSIBLE DISARMAMENT.” In the title is also reiterates that “Statements alone are not enough.” We all know Iraq is good at making promises and then not carrying them out. Yeh….didn’t we read more than 6 months ago an article about disarming the militias in Iraq. So what happened to that? Why is the government still even faced with this challenge today, so close to the elections and the RV?

Here is the shocker article for today – Upon Mark Savaya, US President Donald Trump’s envoy to Iraq, visit this week the Iraq militia groups welcomed the move to disarm and positive statements were made by some Iraqi armed groups toward disarmament, considering it an encouraging development that responds to calls from religious authorities. WOW! This is exactly what we wanted to hear. We needed Iraq to make the choice of disarmament and not to force it. 

However, Savaya stressed that statements alone are not enough, calling for a comprehensive and irreversible disarmament process implemented within a binding national framework that enshrines the state’s monopoly on the use of force.

Savaya also warned that Iraq stands at a critical crossroads between consolidating sovereignty and stability, or remaining trapped in a cycle of disintegration and uncontrolled weapons. It appears to me that Iraq has chosen the high road and will comply with the U.S. mandate for disarmament. These reported steps taken by some Iraqi armed groups toward disarmament are a welcome and encouraging development. This represents a positive response to the persistent calls and aspirations of our religious authorities and esteemed scholars and leaders.

Savaya then expressed his deepest appreciation and gratitude for their wisdom, moral leadership, and principled guidance, which continues to serve as a guiding compass for the nation. BUT…..at the same time, statements alone are not enough. Disarmament must be comprehensive, irreversible, and implemented within a clear and binding national framework. This process must also include the complete dismantling of all armed groups and ensure an orderly and legal transition of their members to civilian life.

Savaya also reminded Iraqi officials that according to the Iraqi Constitution and the rule of law, no political party, organization, or individual has the right to possess or operate armed formations outside the authority of the state. This principle applies throughout Iraq without exception. The exclusive authority to bear arms and use force must remain solely with the legitimate federal and regional institutions entrusted with organizing, commanding, and managing the armed forces to protect the Iraqi people and defend the country’s sovereignty.

DID YOU HEAR THE FANTASTIC NEWS?

As investors our worries about these militias could be over. I am very glad that the U.S. is standing up to Iranian influence in Iraq after all we did not sacrifice our soldiers for nothing in getting rid of Saddam Hussien. Was all this fuss over oil really worth it? I say this sarcastically as we all know it is as the demand for oil continually increases around the globe. Also with the increases in non-oil revenues, Iraq will not be able to divert some of this oil revenues (very little when compared) to allow for these oil credits to be cashed in over time. So, what we experience in this investment is a series of events that are all interconnected and can not stand alone. There is a plan being carried out.

Personally. I believe that if these militias must show some sort of ‘good faith’ disarmament in the coming days or week, the U.S. might be satisfied with this mandate they have made to Iraq. Remember “Statements alone are not enough.” However, we don’t know what will happen and December 29^th is just a week away. Personally, I also believe that the CBI wants to begin to conduct the removal of the zeros right around this timeframe and so we will see what happens. Remember that the GOI is playing catch up. My CBI contact also told me on my call over the weekend to Iraq that we will see articles about the removal of these larger three-zero notes and the swap out. She told me we already should have witnessed much recent news about the removal of the zeros and so pay close attention. She also said the CBI site will be updated with pictures of the newer lower denominations soon once the trigger is pulled to begin. She also warned me that the swap out may not occur exactly as we all think. She said there are NOT going to be big lines at the Iraqi banks to exchange, or huge celebrations with fireworks and music….she laughed at how silly many U.S. investors perceive this event, when it does occur. I concurred with her feedback as I too believe that these idiot so-called, self-proclaimed intel gurus in the U.S. have commercialized this entire ordeal and made it much more complicated that it really is going to be.

There is more promising news to tell today. I am not over yet! 😊

😊In the article titled “THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IS CHANGING THE RULES OF WAR IN IRAQ: A SOFT POWER STRATEGY TO WRITE A NEW CHAPTER.”  The title of the article speaks volumes of the Trump administration towards Iraq. Remember almost a year ago I said we just had to sit tight and see what this new Trump administration would do towards its foreign policy with Iraq and the middle east in general. Well… now we can read it and its all in black and white. Folks, this is exactly the kind of foreign policy we needed to be hearing from the U.S. This is now a partnership, like when a child steps out of childhood and can now make adult talk with his/her parents. The parent relationship turns to friendship. There are many reasons why this is good for both parties. In this regard I just wanted to bring this section from the article to reinforce this concept:

“From conflict to partnership”

“In this regard, the Prime Minister’s Advisor for Foreign Relations, Farhad Ala’a Al-Din, believes that the decision to cancel the authorization to use force against Iraq represents an important political and legal step, reflecting the fact that Iraq today is a fully sovereign state, and that the stage of war is now a thing of the past.

Alaa al-Din explained to Shafaq News Agency that the decision confirms the shift in the relationship with Washington from a logic of conflict to a logic of partnership and mutual respect, noting that its security implications are represented in strengthening the principle of sovereignty, supporting political stability, and establishing a normal relationship between the two countries.”

😊 😊 In the next article titled “TRUMP ENVOY AND JOE WILSON: WE WILL MAKE IRAQ GREAT AGAIN” we read that Washington – Mark Savaya, President Donald Trump’s envoy, wrote on the “X” platform (formerly Twitter) on Thursday that he met with US Congressman Joe Wilson and it was a “great meeting.” “It was a great meeting with U.S. Congressman Joe Wilson and his team,” Savaya said in his post, adding, “We will make Iraq great again.” Folks can it get any better than this?

😊 One more interesting topic for today includes the article titled “A NEW SHIFT IN CUSTOMS PROCEDURES IS EXPECTED AT THE BEGINNING OF NEXT YEAR.” Again I want you to remember the past (years ago) and what we heard about the ASYCUDA system. We heard that if the GOI can reign in all this revenue into the coffers of the federal treasury this revenue could rival the oil revenues. The needed the internationally used ASYCUDA system to do this. This was NOT just a haphazard statement. It was a projection of the future revenues outside of the oil revenues. It is a huge part of the security away from sole oil revenues. No one, including all these silly economists, that Iraq is not on its way to enormous growth and revenues.  

The General Authority of Customs announced the full implementation of the advance customs declaration system at the beginning of next year, to include all imported goods and merchandise. If you recall a couple recent past articles right around December 1^st, when the CBI announced they would remove the zeros and then later postponed this target. At this time the ASYCUDA system was only partially implemented causing a temporary rise in the parallel market with the dollar. Remember how many of these so-called economic experts claimed the CBI needed to do a devaluation of the dinar. Remember all this nonsense? I am trying to help you understand that things just don’t happen there is a purpose.

So, in today’s article again it is pointing towards the end of the year for full ASYCUDA system implementation, using December as it trial run. Does this coincide with the event we want? Why coordinate these two events? Let’s read on in the article as it tells us why.

He pointed out that “the period from the first until (31) of this month represents a trial phase in preparation for generalizing the system to all goods and merchandise in the federal customs centers, stressing that the Kurdistan Region of Iraq ports are temporarily excluded because they are not linked to the ASYCUDA system adopted by the Authority.” 

Daoud stressed that “the electronic link between customs declarations and the Central Bank of Iraq will directly contribute to reducing currency smuggling and money transfers without corresponding goods.”

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There is not much more to say at this point in time. The visit by Savaya supposedly was very successful and now we wait to see what happens with the Iranian backed militia. Having read my RV Status for this period when do you think the RV will happen?

I wish everyone a Very Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah! Let’s see what 2026 brings us. We have never been this close to the RV.

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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.

Today’s Insite: This was kind of a tricky one to bring today for Julie’s prophecy was twofold. First, she refers back to a prophecy words that was given many times from God in 2022 about blood red waters. At the time it seemed weird. The event of the Blood Red Water has now just recently occurred. Here is the proof. WOW! This is a sign of extreme judgement about to take place in that area. Here is the prophecy.

“A Sign: The Blood Red Water In Places Where Extreme Judgement Is About To Take Place”

You can start watching the video at the 9:20 mark.  From many different prophecies

over the last couple years. Today Julie brings these to light again and connects them for us from what just happened in Iran with their blood rain. A sign that God is moving and there is going to be significant change coming. Yes, there is a natural, physical reasoning behind the red water, but this is not the point. God had given a sign years ago in prophecy and this sign has now been fulfilled. What next? Why is this VERY important for us investors to know?

For our investment in the Iraqi dinar this event happened in conjuction with the meeting of Mark Savaya, US President Donald Trump’s envoy to Iraq. It is the timing of the event…get it? Yes, this had occurred before, nothing new about it except the “timing” and the prophetic word for it to occur now.

The meeting resulted and amazingly welcomed the move by some Iraqi armed groups toward disarmament. Yes, I too was shocked as both the results of the meeting and the timing of the Blood Red rain in Iran. Kind of scary if you ask me. Yes, God’s Hand is working in the middle east and we only need to see it and recognize it. This very recent meeting with Iraq is considered a much-needed encouraging development that responds to calls from religious authorities to disarm the militia. However, Savaya stressed that statements alone are not enough, calling for a comprehensive and irreversible disarmament process implemented within a binding national framework that enshrines the state’s monopoly on the use of force. Please see today’s article titled “ SAVAYA IS PLEASED WITH THE FACTIONS’ MOVEMENTS AND STIPULATES A COMPLETE AND IRREVERSIBLE DISARMAMENT.”

All I have left to say is WOW! WOW! WOW! And given to us at a time that we desperately needed to see this come to some kind of conclusion for the RV to happen at the CBI target of January 2026 reinstatement. Go RV!

Then she goes on to give the prophetic word of the day called:

“Dark Secrets Regarding WWII Are About To Be Exposed”

You can start watching this word also at the 9:20 mark. From Dec 14^th.

We must think why now is God giving us these words now of all times since the end of WWII. What happened after WWII with this globalist ideology of the Nazis? Did it continue but now without bullets and bombs? Did they figure out a way to deceive everyone and do it slowly under these stupid narratives i.e. global warming? Is this one of the reasons we are seeing so much chaos in America, Europe and in the Middle East and the world today with this ideology as it still prevails within the United Nations and they are setting world agenda for the present and future?

Is this why they cut off the escalator and the microphone on president Trump’s visit to the UN building when he gave his speech earlier this year? They hate him so much for spoiling their global plans. This will come back to haunt them. For decades now since the end of the war, these globalist elitist have had their meeting within the scope of these Geneva conferences, that you and I are not allowed to know what they talk about. Really? I wonder why? Don’t you think we have a right to know? Of course, they are not going to tell us as if we knew we would surely REVOLT against these policies. But they are instituted in darkness, publishing documents that few see or even know exist. Yet, American presidents have gone along with this ideology way too long. It strips countries of their national heritage and sovereignty rights.

“The Earth Will Shake Like Never Before”

You can start watching the video at the 17:00 mark.  From Dec 13^th.   

I have been waiting for this period of time since the 1980’s when I first read about it in prophecies. The prophecy today coincides with two other prophecies I have heard decades ago. One is by Kim Clement delivered in 2014. The other is in a book called Phoenix Rising by Mary Summer Rain. So, when Julie Green talks about ‘birth pains’ in her prophecy today, my ears opened up, I paid attention. Then you have to listen to Clement’s prophecy to fully understand what Julie and Mary are talking about when God says the earth will be shaken. like never before. I believe this ‘shaking’ part can be viewed in two ways: literal massive earthquakes and the shaking of the corrupt establishment (through more exposure and justice) that finally breaks their backs once and for all.

We are at the end of 2025 and so it is uncanny, almost scary in what is in these prophecies today. I call this a ‘convergence of prophecies’ and I have been waiting for this period for so long. No, I do not welcome it, and I wish it did not have to happen, but it is now here, and God has a purpose for it.

KIM CLEMENT:  A PROPHETIC WORD

“A WARNING THE FOR END OF 2025″

Will we see this prophecy now? We are at the end of 2025 and so is this shaking going to magnify? I think he is talking about Yellowstone National Park and its activity. Geologists say that this area used to be an ancient volcano that could blow and would destroy much of the surrounding area. God says through Julie Green’s prophecy today that God will limit the damage as it has the potential to destroy half of America in full force.

We are now witnessing the fall in the season of fall, that he mentions.

Listen how he talks about December, I believe it is the month we are in right now. God is going to release resources and we shall rejoice.

PROPHECIES FULFILLED—ANTI AMERICAN

We will have to face the radical Muslim communities situated in America sooner or later, but we will have to do something about them. Why not sooner. They have infiltrated America through lack of immigration law enforcement. More evidence that the leaders of these communities want more than to live free and raise families. They want control and power to instill Sharia law. Anyone who apposed it must die. This is their teaching. This is as radical as it gets.  

10 EUROPEAN COUNTRIES FORCING MUSLIMS TO RETURN TO THEIR COUNTRIES OF ORIGIN

You know what…. it is probably a very good thing for them to go back anyhow. This stupid UN idea of mass migration and mixing the countries to a homogenous populations was all crazy right from the beginning. Was it done just to create chaos? The climate and culture in Europe is not suitable for them anyhow. Why don’t they try to fix their own countries instead of coming to developed countries and then trying to make them like the ones they left behind.

MASSIVE INSIDER TRADING

Is there massive insider trading taking place among politicians using information they gain from being on these legislative committees writing legislation the effects all of us?

Is it time to put a stop to this? Do people go into politics to serve or to get rich? 

JUST IN: MINNESOTA FRAUD SCANDAL EXPANDS TO $18B

 Where does this dollar amount stop. The more they dig the more fraud they find.

ILHAN OMAR’S BIRTH YEAR CLAIM COLLAPSES

I am presenting some information of what is going on with Ilhan Omar. I tried desperately not to be bias or racist or even religious. I am trying to just stick to the FACTS and present it. You can decide. The below audio is long, but I assure you not boring. So, if you are truly a TRUTH seeker you should take the time to learn and listen to it.

We have heard a lot of different stories about Omar’s citizenship and loyalties to the U.S., the country she took an oath to when she became a member of congress. This is pivotal to this conversation today. Remember it!

Did Omar even legally claim citizenship in the first place?

Has she even really been a U.S. citizen since age 17 as she claims?

Could she even had been allowed to run for the district representative in the first place?

Why was she put on the ballot?

Why was her citizenship not verified before she was eligible to even run for congressional office in Minnesota? This has been my claim all along.

Why is nobody vetting these people?

Oh…. But we are talking about Minnesota…right?

Was Tim Walz and his administration part of the conspiracy too by allowing all this corruption to occur? Was he intentionally put there as the governor? Is this why nobody checked Omar? They needed this seat in congress.

Maybe there was a much wider conspiracy too, as they had plans to take over many more districts too with all these illegal immigrants pouring in under the Biden. Is this plan now falling apart under the Trump immigration enforcement? Is this partly why they hate Trump so much?

Look at this Omar issue realistically – If your district is loaded down with foreigners, illegals and legals, it is easy to sway them to vote for you, if you are one of them, or at least pretend to feel for them, represent them and their problems. Or do you just use them for a broader political base for activism? This is particularly true for any population not knowing the culture of the country they are immigrating to. They need someone to help them. Now we see this voting tactic being used in the Muslim population with Omar in Minnesota’s 5^th and Tlaib in Michigan’s Dearborn 13^th.  We also witness this tactic with the Spanish speaking immigrant Puerto Rican population in NYC with Cortez 15^th district in the Bronx and Queens. Is this all coincidental?  

The squad originally represented four key figures in democrat politics including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (New York)

Ilhan Omar (Minnesota)

Ayanna Pressley (Massachusetts)

Rashida Tlaib (Michigan)
   
In recent years, the Squad has expanded to include:

Jamaal Bowman (New York)

Cori Bush (Missouri)

Summer Lee (Pennsylvania)

Greg Casar (Texas)

 

These members of the squad call themselves “progressive” but time has shown that they are really “activists” pushing their own agenda pretending to care for the people in their district. For instance Omar is more loyal to Somalia and Tlaib Palestine. Even Cortez favors communism over our constitutional republic. Am I making all this up? Take a look at their actions. It is all so obvious. They will always side with the winning side no matter what the consequences. They will try to flip on a dime, if necessary. Mamdani (or whatever the hell is his name ☹) will fall in NYC and with him he will take Cortex down. Watch it play out. She, like the other squad members, are fools. Why? It will be because she affiliated herself with a social communist and went too far on her Puerto Rican day parade in NYC with him. But in her foolishness, she felt secure to do it. So, when the communist mayor can’t deliver, she will go too along with him. Peoples trust can only stretch so far.  

These people are also very greedy people, seeking fame and fortune above all else. They want POWER! Yes, they play the role of the victim and the people in their districts suck it up, as they paint the picture, they are the victims and they are the ‘knights in shining armor’ that are defending them. This is sad as it is a vision of hopelessness not hope, as is the American dream is about hope for a bright future. Instead of bashing long-standing American values maybe they can embrace them to give these immigrants a boost up. Instead, they use the victim card. They get more and more dependent on handouts as freebies not a hand up. This gets votes. This is not what America is all about, but it is what a communist takeover is about. Get it? This is how they do it. First they victimize the people, then convince them the only way out is to revolt. Next they influence the govt to get them some freebies. We see this is in all these riots going on with first Right to Life movement, then BLM and now with ICE. What excuse will they use next to riot and cause social disorder? Does it click yet in your mind what is going on here?  

So, today’s topic about Omar is yet more proof something is not right with these squad members and particular in Minnesota, NYC and Dearborn, our topic of today.

Let’s ask some critical questions:

• Was Omar’s entire Somalian run district a set up right from the get-go under the Obama administration when all these refugees funneling in creating a crisis during his term? Remember most of these tens of thousands of Somalian immigrants under Obama were not vetted either just like the Biden era immigrants were not. This is now being proven and Trump is deporting them.

• Was this a well-planned conspiracy all along to influence our government, as it is shown in retrospect it has disrupted it and has caused immeasurable damage?

• This is the most important question – We need to go no further for evidence and  to keep asking questions about the creation of the DEI in the first place. Was the DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) department in the U.S. government fostering this kind of radical activist behavior through a nice sounding ‘progressive viewpoint’ and funding. The democrats like to call it “progressive” but this is just a nice sounding term used to manipulate our minds, hoping to grab your attention. These movements are communists and anything but real progress in the U.S. I guess you can call them progressive once you learn they are progressing the U.S. towards more social communism. Oh…. maybe ironically this is what they really intended all along in the use of this term? Yes, they lay it right out in front of our noses only most can’t see it. In reality they are blood sucking vampires, preying on society. These people could not be more anti-American.

Then to what reason did they create DEI in the first place? What was the real reason for stirring up the racial and sexual issues in the U.S.? Was it to artificially create a voting base, a group of woke voters that they can control through your DEI policies and funding? Yes, more dependency on govt funds to control people.

Since the democrats really have no other policies that help the U.S. and its people’s long-standing values and morals, then they decide to change it all and create their own version of reality, thus drastically hoping to change society, and push it in a bad direction which we know the social communists need in order to bring in their version of change. Yes, this was part of their ‘reset’ plan. Not a pretty story to tell your grandchildren.  

Folks, this is your tax dollars going to Somalia illegally. Some of which was found to be even funding a terrorist organization. WOW! The more they dig the more they find. Are they eventually going to tie all this directly to the squad and connect all the pieces? Yes, I believe it will be all connected and the grand conspiracy will come out. Just as we know that there has been a body double for the real Joe Biden, an actor, acting as president. This is why he sucked so bad at the job as president. This actor, was not even a politician. He was a puppet and who was giving the orders? Many of you thought this was crazy talk but just recently Trump too even stated this is the case and so the research/investigations now moves in this direction. Will we shortly learn of this conspiracy too? How deep does all this corruption go? This is mind-blowing!

Then maybe they need to start digging into all the remaining squad members too? What dirt will they find with them?

Be patient when listening to this audio. I found it one of the best that really educated me on the FACTS of what is really going on.

MINNESOTA HOUSING PROGRAM FRAUD: 5 MORE PEOPLE CHARGED

HERE WE GO AGAIN: SOMALI FRAUD IS GROUNDS FOR CITIZENSHIP REVOCATION

EDUCATION SECRETARY UNCOVERING FRAUD IN MINNESOTA

FBI & ICE RAID MIAMI “WHITE COAT” RING

— 67 Dead, $34.2M Fake Drugs, Organs to China. What boggles me mind is why do the democrats fight against Trump and what is being done to stop illegal drugs in the U.S. and from coming into the U.S.?  Are they profiting from it? Is someone kicking back money to them to allow it?

POLITICAL FIRESTORM: RECORDS REVEAL STUNNING NEW DETAILS ON BIDEN-FBI WEAPONIZATION AGAINST POLITICAL OPPONNETS.

Like I have said before the reason why the Biden Administration along with the FBI could not substantiate any evidence or even talk openly about it thus to justify probable cause for a search warrant is that the evidence they were looking for would accuse themselves. They only used the classified document situation as a hoax to justify their actions and look for the files. They were trying to bury the TRUTH by obtaining these files which contain self-incriminating evidence against them. Get it?  Oh… but do you really think Trump would be so stupid as to leave such evidence at his home in Mar-A-Lago? This evidence will come out and is slowly dripping out.

Today we learn what some of these files contained that Biden and Obama sent the FBI to find at Mar-A-Lago.

RESIGNATION NOTICE? – TAMPEX TIM WALZ 

It’s coming! This guy might have been the Vice President of the United States. That’s a frightful thought…. It’s just a matter of time now before the corruption pressures the administration to dump this guy.

MYPILLOW FOUNDER MIKE LINDELL SAYS HE’S RUNNING FOR MINNESOTA GOVERNOR

Yes, he decided to be part of the SOLUTION and not part of the PROBLEM. There is going to be a new wave of politicians, and we can see their character arising out of the ashes left behind by politicians like Walz. We need to PRAY for these people as they rise to power to help this country.

IS THE FEDERAL RESERVE BEING REPLACED?

It’s coming – Scott Bessent reveals what should REPLACE the Fed Reserve. There may be some major changes next spring. Let’s see what happens. Isn’t this exciting?

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.

TRUMP FLOATS ZERO INCOME TAX PLAN STARTING WITH BIGGEST REFUNDS EVER

The Trump administration is slowly rewriting the entire federal tax code.

Give it time as the country will finally realize that with the right-offs half the country does not pay income tax anyhow. It makes common sense that if you keep adding exceptions and eliminate taxes in the tax code, they why even have an annual filing process? Yes, we can see what is happening. A slow methodical breakdown and then replacement of how revenue is to be collected for the federal government in the near future. But these changes will have to get through congress and congress must remain within the conservative power base.

THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IS CHANGING THE RULES OF WAR IN IRAQ: A SOFT POWER STRATEGY TO WRITE A NEW CHAPTER.

The US Congress’s vote to revoke the 1991 and 2002 authorizations for the use of military force against Iraq represents a significant shift in the relationship between Baghdad and Washington, after more than three decades in which Iraq’s name was legally associated with a state of open war.

The decision, which was included in the National Defense Authorization Act of 2026, raised fundamental questions about its political and security implications, and the extent of its actual impact on Iraq’s sovereignty, internal stability, and foreign relations.

While the Iraqi government sees the move as the culmination of a long process of restoring sovereignty and ending the legacy of wars, experts and analysts argue that the cancellation does not mean a complete withdrawal of American influence, but rather reflects a shift from the logic of direct military intervention to other tools, security and economic, that may be more influential in the next stage.

sovereign transformation

Iraqi government spokesman Bassem al-Awadi, speaking to Shafaq News Agency, merely referred to the Iraqi Foreign Ministry’s statement as Baghdad’s clear official position regarding the American decision.

The State Department described the US Congress’s vote to revoke the two authorizations as “historic” on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, considering it a fundamental turning point in changing the legal nature of the relationship between the two countries.

The ministry confirmed in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency that the cancellation establishes a new form of relations based on respect for Iraq’s sovereignty, ending the legacy of war, and strengthening the framework of strategic partnership, which sends a positive message to the international community that Iraq has become a safe and attractive environment for investment.

The Iraqi Foreign Ministry stressed that this decision does not undermine counter-terrorism efforts, explaining that the 2001 mandate to combat al-Qaeda and associated terrorist groups remains in effect, while affirming Baghdad’s commitment to developing bilateral relations in a way that serves the interests of both countries and the stability of the region.

From conflict to partnership

In this regard, the Prime Minister’s Advisor for Foreign Relations, Farhad Ala’a Al-Din, believes that the decision to cancel the authorization to use force against Iraq represents an important political and legal step, reflecting the fact that Iraq today is a fully sovereign state, and that the stage of war is now a thing of the past.

Alaa al-Din explained to Shafaq News Agency that the decision confirms the shift in the relationship with Washington from a logic of conflict to a logic of partnership and mutual respect, noting that its security implications are represented in strengthening the principle of sovereignty, supporting political stability, and establishing a normal relationship between the two countries.

A message of reassurance

For his part, security expert Sarmad Al-Bayati considered the decision to have a dual importance, as it carries a clear message to the international community and to the Iraqi interior that the country is no longer threatened by an imminent military danger.

Al-Bayati told Shafaq News Agency that the importance of the decision lies in confirming that Iraq is now safe and does not need foreign military intervention as was the case in previous years, noting that the cancellation gives the Iraqi government momentum and strength in managing state affairs without pressures related to the possibility of using military force.

He explained that the decision contributes to strengthening internal and external stability, and undermines any perceptions or possible scenarios of military interventions by other countries under the pretext of the security situation in Iraq.

military independence

In the same security context, a high-level security source confirmed to Shafaq News Agency that Iraq is increasingly relying on its own capabilities, especially in the air domain, where military operations are managed and airstrikes are carried out under full Iraqi management, with a remarkable development in arming the army.

This comes in light of the announcement by the US-led Combined Joint Task Force on November 5, 2025, that the Iraqi armed forces had obtained full certification to carry out independent airstrikes, after achieving 100% targeting accuracy using F-16 and AC-208 aircraft.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency that this achievement is a historic step towards Iraq becoming self-reliant in confronting ISIS, stressing the decline of the organization’s traditional threat and the dispersal of its fighters.

Change tools

For his part, political analyst Ramadan Al-Badran explained that the decision to cancel the mandate is inseparable from the broader American strategy based on avoiding direct military intervention with invasion forces in different parts of the world. Al-Badran told Shafaq News Agency that the lack of need for such authorization in the Iraqi case is one of the reasons for the cancellation, in addition to granting the US president different powers to manage limited tactical operations targeting any threats to the security or interests of the United States or its allies.

He pointed out that one of the most prominent features of this shift is the increasing reliance on small drones, especially in the Middle East, which means withdrawing authorization to use conventional armies without reducing Washington’s ability to act to protect its interests.

This comes in conjunction with the announcement by the US Central Command, at the beginning of December 2025, of the formation of a new task force for attack drones in the region.

alternative economy

From an academic perspective, Haitham Al-Hiti, a professor of political science at the University of Exeter in Britain, found that the cancellation of the authorization to use force against Iraq represents the beginning of a new phase in which the American state of war with Iraq officially and completely ends.

However, Al-Hiti warned, in his interview with Shafaq News Agency, that this shift does not necessarily mean a reduction in American pressure, but rather a shift to the economic and financial sphere.

He pointed out that any future problem between Baghdad and Washington could be managed through sanctions or financial accountability tools, given the United States’ control over important aspects of the global financial system.

He said the decision coincided with the US Department of Defense being granted the authority to reduce security assistance by up to 50%, reflecting a clear trend to focus on economic rather than military dealings.

Al-Hiti concluded that the biggest challenge facing Iraq in the next stage will be economic and financial, in light of population growth, the accumulation of debts, and the problems of corruption and random employment, which Washington is well aware of and seeks to deal with through non-military means.

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RESEARCH CENTER: IRAQ IS AT A PIVOTAL MOMENT TO ADDRESS ITS ECONOMY AND REVIVE THE PRIVATE SECTOR.

 

The “ Center for Research and Strategic Studies ” stated that Iraq needs a “realistic diagnosis of its economic imbalances” in order to implement appropriate reform prescriptions, a step that will not succeed without a strong private sector, instead of relying on the state, which acts as if it is the sole engine of the economy, meaning that the country is facing a “pivotal moment.” 

The Jordan-based “Links Center” said in a report translated by Shafaq News Agency that the Iraqi economy has suffered for many years from a clear paradox: it possesses large financial resources, but its ability to transform these resources into real and sustainable development is weak.

The center explained in its report that the relative financial stability that Iraq is witnessing today does not necessarily mean the soundness of the economic structure, but rather hides behind it accumulated structural imbalances resulting from excessive dependence on oil, the inflation of the role of the state, and the weakness of economic and administrative institutions,” adding that “any serious talk about reforming the Iraqi economy must start from a realistic diagnosis of these imbalances before moving on to reform prescriptions.” 

According to the report, successive governments have succeeded in managing short-term stability by expanding public spending, taking advantage of oil revenues and high cash reserves. However, this approach has created a fragile economy that depends more on oil shocks than on production.

He continued, saying that public budgets have ballooned significantly since 2004, not as a result of growth in the productive base, but due to the expansion of operating expenses, especially salaries and subsidies, which has made the state the largest employer and source of income in the country. This has imposed a constant burden on public finances and limited the government’s ability to direct resources towards long-term investment and development.

The report argued that the economy cannot become a productive economy as long as government employment remains a substitute for real job opportunities in the private sector, adding that reforming the salary scale and linking wages to productivity, along with redefining the role of the state from a direct employer to a regulator and supporter, represents a fundamental step in the path of reform.

The report considered the social support system to be another example of structural dysfunction, explaining that the comprehensiveness of the support, despite its social importance, led to a great waste of resources and reduced the effectiveness of social protection.

He added that reform does not mean reducing support as much as it means redirecting it towards the most needy groups, and linking it to real economic empowerment policies that open the way for work and production instead of permanent dependence on subsidies.

The report stated that the energy sector represents one of the most prominent structural challenges that drain public finances and hinder growth, noting that the huge spending on electricity has not succeeded in providing a stable service, due to imbalances in management, governance and collection. 

He pointed out that the continued flaring of associated gas is a glaring example of mismanagement of resources, as Iraq loses billions of dollars annually that could have been turned into a source of energy, income and job opportunities. Therefore, the report concluded that real reform in this sector requires a comprehensive restructuring, not partial or temporary solutions.

The report continued, stating that Iraq possesses important strengths, most notably monetary stability, high foreign reserves, and low inflation. However, these indicators will remain of limited impact unless they are translated into real growth in the real economy, which requires a radical reform of the banking sector to enable it to finance investment and production, and not just be an intermediary for trading liquidity.

The report concluded by saying that no economic reform in Iraq can succeed without a strong and effective private sector, explaining that the state is no longer able to continue as the sole engine of the economy. 

He added that “what is required is a stable business environment that protects the investor, reduces bureaucracy, and provides clear and fair rules for competition, as the efficient private sector is not a substitute for the state, but rather a key partner in achieving development.”

The “Links Center” report concluded that the Iraqi economy stands today at a pivotal moment. Either the current financial stability will be invested in launching real structural reforms that rebuild the economy on the foundations of production and diversification, or dependence on oil and public spending will continue, with all the future risks that entails. It concluded by saying that “reform is not just a political option, but an economic necessity to ensure stability and development for future generations.”

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AN IRAQI BANK SWITCHES TO THE GLOBAL STANDARD “SWIFT MX”

 (Old news…. )

The National Bank of Iraq announced that it has successfully completed the transition to the new global standard ” SWIFT MX ” for financial messages, in a step that constituted a significant milestone in the bank’s technological infrastructure modernization and enhanced readiness for digital transformation.

The bank said in a statement, “The implementation of this transformation comes as part of the bank’s transition from the old  MT standard to the  MX ISO 20022 model , which is the most advanced, structured and data-rich framework in the global financial messaging sector. The transformation process was carried out across all operational channels with high efficiency and minimal downtime, reflecting the bank’s strong technical readiness, accurate planning, and commitment to providing its services without any significant interruption.” 

He pointed out that “this transformation is an advanced step within the strategic roadmap of the National Bank of Iraq to modernize its systems, enhance its compatibility with global best practices, and provide an advanced digital banking experience for its individual and corporate clients.” 

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THE TORN CURRENCY: BETWEEN THE FAILURE OF PAPER CIRCULATION AND THE DELAY OF DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION

 

12/19/25

The torn currency reveals a deeper flaw than the tearing of the paper, as it shows a cash management crisis, a delay in automation, and a weakness in replacement mechanisms, which makes the citizen the weakest link between banks that refuse, a market that punishes, and digital solutions that are not yet complete.

“No one will take it from me,” Zainab al-Khafaji, a government employee, whispered to herself, her voice thick with despair, as she strolled through the shops of Baghdad’s upscale Mansour district. She clutched a five-thousand-dinar note that looked as if it had been through a war; it was tattered, its edges torn, and held together with a makeshift piece of tape.

Zainab says bitterly, “I don’t know who gave it to me while I was shopping in the crowded market, and when I tried to buy with it again, everyone refused it. Legally it is a national currency, but in the market’s view it is just a damaged piece of paper.”

Crisis of confidence in “small groups”

Zainab’s story is not an isolated case, but rather a reflection of the daily suffering experienced by millions of Iraqis, as worn-out paper currency, especially the small denominations (250, 500, 1000, 5000 dinars), has become a financial and psychological burden.

While worn-out currency is easy to trade in the Kurdistan Region or neighboring countries, citizens in central and southern Iraq face a popular and commercial “veto” on these papers.

Paper currency is subject to rapid deterioration, especially the smaller denominations, due to its frequent circulation and use by children in direct transactions between different shops and markets. This is compounded by the lack of education from the Central Bank regarding the replacement of damaged currency at the bank, which has created an opening for unscrupulous individuals to take a percentage of the money in exchange for replacing damaged currency with new currency, sometimes reaching 50% of its value.

Black market for replacing damaged parts… commissions reaching 50%

This social “unacceptability” of the official currency opened the door for the emergence of a class of “weak-willed” people who exploited people’s needs and administrative complexities.

Due to poor education about central bank procedures, an illegal trade has emerged to exchange damaged currency for exorbitant commissions, sometimes reaching half the value of the amount.

Ali Al-Bahadli, a market owner, says: “Sometimes I have to leave my young son to manage the shop, and some people take advantage of his innocence and pass him quantities of small damaged denominations. At the end of the day, I find myself facing a financial loss for which I am not responsible. The only way out is for someone to come by from time to time and collect this (cash debris) in exchange for deducting a large percentage of its value, sometimes reaching 50%, so that he can later exchange it through his own means at the banks.”

As for Sobhi Hussein, a bus driver, he confirms that the banks themselves are contributing to the worsening of the crisis: “I have accumulated large amounts of 500 and 1000 denominations that are written on or torn. When I tried to deposit or exchange them in the banks, they were rejected outright, which forced me to sell them to exchange offices for a much lower value.”

Economic vision: The solution lies in “automation” and plastic currencies

Economic expert Dr. Hussein Al-Khaqani believes the crisis begins in the banks and ends in the streets. He says, “The central bank is the sole authority for issuing currency, but the refusal of some banks to accept damaged banknotes from merchants generates a defensive reaction from the public, causing them to stop using the currency for fear of losing its value.”

Al-Khaqani proposes a radical solution, which is to impose the use of electronic cards (Visa & MasterCard) on shops and gas stations, stressing that “the real application of automating transactions will reduce the amount of cash circulating manually, and protect the citizen from financial losses in small units.”

Other experts believe that solving this problem does not require additional resources, but rather a clear decision, strict implementation, and genuine coordination between the central bank, banks, and markets.

According to international reports, 15% of the money in circulation globally up to 2024 was printed using polymer material, which clearly contributed to reducing the percentage of torn money in the world.

Central Bank Guide: When to Accept Currency and When to Confiscate It?

Despite the public controversy, the Central Bank of Iraq has clear instructions aimed at protecting the value of the currency, which are as follows: If the banknote is worn out or damaged even though it is not torn and no parts of it are missing, or if the banknote is made up of two parts (different numbers) and its area is close to the area of ​​the original banknote and it is attached with adhesive tape, or if the banknote is attached with one or more transparent adhesive tapes along its length or width, or if the banknote has a cut in more than one corner.

Or if the banknote is defective in printing (in terms of design, size, color, or other security features that a genuine banknote has), or contains stamps or writings that do not affect its external appearance, or if the banknote has lost less than 50% of its area.

However, the Central Bank confirmed the confiscation of damaged banknotes that are not fit for circulation if changes have been made to the external appearance of the banknote as a result of writing, drawing, printing, stamps, or if it contains an adhesive substance, or if the banknote has lost 50% or more of its area, or if it is made up of two parts on one side.

If there is evidence that convinces the central bank that the missing parts of the papers have been completely destroyed, they will be partially or fully compensated.

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AMONG THE MOST PROMINENT SOLUTIONS ARE REDUCING EXPENSES AND SALARIES… AN ECONOMIC EXPERT PRESENTS SOLUTIONS TO THE FINANCIAL CRISIS IN IRAQ

 

On Friday, the head of the “Iraq Future” Foundation, economist Manar Al-Obaidi, ruled out the possibility of non-oil financial revenues replacing oil revenues in covering the expenses of the Iraqi state and the monthly salaries of employees and workers in the public sector in the country.

This came in a post by the economic expert on the social networking site “Facebook” in which he spoke about what is being circulated about the possibility of the country being exposed to a severe financial crisis, according to what media reports indicate recently.

Al-Ubaidi criticized what he called “the proliferation of rosy voices that sell people illusions closer to dreams than to reality,” which claim that money is available, revenues are sufficient for the salaries of all employees, and that the crisis will be resolved as soon as the salaries of special grades are reduced, saying that “this is an emotional speech that is not based on numbers, its goal is to tickle the feelings of the ordinary citizen and numb him, not to be honest with him.”

He added that “the state’s expenditures in the current situation cannot be covered unless the issue of salaries is addressed in a radical and genuine way, and not through patchwork solutions,” noting that “all non-oil revenues, no matter how much they increase, will not be a substitute for oil, and will not cover more than 10–15% of the state’s operational needs.”

Al-Ubaidi pointed out that “there is no resource today capable of compensating for oil,” adding that “everything that is being traded about sulfur, phosphate, silica and others, even if sold as raw materials, will not exceed $300 to $500 million in revenue annually.”

The economist also considered that “talking about strategic industries, from refineries to manufacturing industries, is correct in principle, but not timely,” noting that “these projects need at least five years to become productive, in addition to the availability of huge financing and liquidity that is not currently available.”

He pointed out that “the real problem is that Iraq is not only facing a crisis of revenues and expenditures, but also a deficit in creating a real economy outside of oil.

Al-Ubaidi concluded that “there is no solution without reducing expenditures, boldly addressing the issue of salaries, providing real, not merely slogan-based, support for the private sector, and restoring trade balance with countries away from oil rents.”

He continued, saying, “Anything else is just wishful thinking and a joke on the citizen who is meant to believe that the crisis can be solved with simple measures, while the truth is much harsher and more complicated.”

In March 2021, Mazhar Muhammad Salih, the Prime Minister’s advisor for financial affairs, confirmed in an interview with Shafaq News Agency that the reasons for the economy remaining rentier are due to the wars and the imposition of the economic embargo on Iraq during the past era, and what we are witnessing today in terms of political conflicts has led to the dispersal of economic resources.

The Iraqi state’s continued reliance on oil as the sole source of the general budget puts Iraq at risk from global crises that occur from time to time due to the impact on oil, which makes the country resort each time to covering the deficit by borrowing from abroad or internally, and thus indicates the inability to manage state funds effectively, and the inability to find alternative financing solutions.

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TRUMP ENVOY AND JOE WILSON: WE WILL MAKE IRAQ GREAT AGAIN

Washington – Mark Savaya, President Donald Trump’s envoy, wrote on the “X” platform (formerly Twitter) on Thursday that he met with US Congressman Joe Wilson and it was a “great meeting.” “It was a great meeting with U.S. Congressman Joe Wilson and his team,” Savaya said in his post, adding, “We will make Iraq great again.”

For his part, Republican US Representative Joe Wilson wrote on the “X” platform that he was pleased to host Mark Savaya, the US Special Envoy to Iraq, in his office for a meeting he described as important regarding Iraq.

Wilson, who is known for raising controversial issues and making provocative statements, particularly regarding Iraq and the Middle East, added: “I look forward to working with the Special Envoy to bring prosperity to Iraq and liberate it from Iran,” noting that “there is no one more qualified than him to work on this issue for President Trump.”

US Representative Joe Wilson posted a picture of himself with Trump’s envoy, holding the Iraqi flag, with the American flag behind them and the new Syrian flag beside it.

Shafaq.com

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SUDANI DIRECTS A COMPREHENSIVE EVALUATION AND RESTRUCTURING OF TAX ADMINISTRATION SYSTEMS IN IRAQ

December 18, 2025 

On Thursday, outgoing Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani directed that a comprehensive evaluation and restructuring of all tax administration systems in Iraq, including their specific policies, be carried out.

This came during his chairmanship of a special meeting to follow up on the implementation of the comprehensive tax system governance, in the presence of senior staff of the General Authority for Taxes and relevant institutions, and representatives of the consulting firm “Oliver Wyman”, according to a statement issued by the Sudanese Media Office.

The statement said that the meeting reviewed previous efforts to follow up on the comprehensive development of the tax administration sector through reform steps, most notably attracting specialized international companies to work on the integrated automation of tax departments, and a detailed presentation was given to these companies.

Al-Sudani also directed the Supreme Committee for Tax Reform to study the Oliver Wyman program in planning and implementation and to submit a detailed report on it, as this program included an integrated work methodology for reforming and developing tax administration, as a fundamental and pivotal pillar for increasing sustainable government revenues, in order to reach a tax administration that is characterized by transparency and fairness, and contributes to raising Iraq’s financial and investment ranking.

According to the statement, the meeting reviewed a number of similar experiences in Arab countries, the extent of development that has occurred in their work, and the amount of tax increases achieved during the first year of implementation.

Iraq had the highest income tax rate among Arab countries for the year 2024, according to infoflix.

Recent economic data seen by Shafaq News Agency shows that Mauritania topped the list of Arab countries in terms of the highest income tax rates for 2024 at 40%, followed by Morocco at 38%, then Algeria and Tunisia at 35% each. Egypt came in fifth place with 26%, followed by Lebanon with 25%, followed by Syria in seventh place with 22%, while Jordan came in eighth place with 20%. Iraq and Sudan came in last place with 15% each, reflecting a clear disparity in tax policies among Arab countries.

Economic experts believe that the decline in the income tax rate in Iraq is due to ongoing efforts to attract investments and stimulate the private sector, in light of the economic challenges facing the country, especially the heavy reliance on oil revenues.

The tax system in Iraq also continues to face difficulties in implementation and modernization, which affects the state’s ability to maximize non-oil revenues.

At the end of August, Al-Sudani confirmed that Iraq faces a major economic challenge, namely the priority of reform and the transition to a diversified economy, noting that the size of public spending in each fiscal year amounts to about 150 trillion dinars, compared to tax revenues that do not exceed 3 trillion.

In a speech during the tax conference for economic development and revitalizing the investment environment held in Baghdad, Al-Sudani said, “The general budget amounts to about 150 trillion dinars annually, compared to tax revenues that do not exceed 3 trillion, and these figures need to be examined and reviewed.”

He added that “reform decisions in the economic field were previously exploited within the framework of slogans and pressure on official institutions,” noting that “the government sponsored the tax system reform conference in December 2023, which came out with a package of important recommendations.”

He explained that “Cabinet Resolution (24074 of 2024) put the tax reform packages into effect, followed by the formation of the Supreme Committee for Monitoring Tax Reform,” indicating that “the efforts resulted in international interest from investors in tax reform in Iraq.”

Al-Sudani added that “the government worked to increase non-oil resources despite great caution due to the absence of a supportive political and social environment,” noting that “the index rose from 7% in 2022 to 14% in 2024.”

He noted that “tax revenues increased by 26% during 2024 compared to the previous year, and by 3% in the first half of this year compared to the same period last year,” stressing that “digital transformation has contributed to enhancing tax capacity and accuracy.”

Al-Sudani explained that “the tax inquiry platform has eliminated cases of name similarity, delays, corruption, and undermining the taxpayer’s confidence in tax procedures,” adding that “the system for tax payment receipts and their matching has been completed electronically after it was previously paper-based.”

He affirmed that “there is ongoing communication with reputable international companies to work towards achieving the highest international standards in the tax system,” stressing that “the draft of the new income tax law has adopted international standards, while adhering to social justice and tax allowances for those with lower incomes.”

He pointed out that “the new law that will be enacted soon will be business-friendly and supportive of the green economy and emerging projects,” indicating that “the Supreme Committee for Tax Reform has completed the policy paper on tax accounting for oil companies to address the problems and obstacles to their work.”

Al-Sudani added that “unifying tax procedures between the federal government and the Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq has facilitated the processing of tax files for universities and private banks,” stressing that “the reforms being achieved represent a message to the citizen to support his political system and manage resources in the best possible way.”

He concluded by saying: “We will not allow a tax increase that leads to a business-repelling climate or comes at the expense of fairness in taxation.”

Shafaq.com

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THE IRAQI GOVERNMENT TOLD SHAFAQ NEWS: THE RELATIONSHIP WITH WASHINGTON HAS MOVED FROM “CONFLICT” TO “PARTNERSHIP”.

December 18, 2025 

The Prime Minister’s Advisor for Foreign Affairs, Farhad Ala’addin, affirmed on Thursday that the United States’ decision to revoke the authorization to use force against Iraq confirms that the country is now fully sovereign and signifies a shift in the relationship from “conflict” to “partnership.”

Alaa al-Din told Shafaq News Agency that “this decision represents a clear shift in the nature of the relationship between Baghdad and Washington, from a logic of conflict and confrontation to a logic of partnership and cooperation based on mutual respect.”

He added that “the decision on the security level reinforces the principle of national sovereignty, supports political stability, and enshrines the path of normal relations between Iraq and the United States, in a way that serves common interests and enhances security and stability in the region.”

The Iraqi Foreign Ministry described the US Congress’s vote to revoke the authorization for the use of military force against Iraq as “historic” on Wednesday evening, stressing that this revocation represents a fundamental turning point in changing the legal nature of the relationship between the two countries .

In a statement, the State Department expressed its welcome for the “historic vote by the US Congress, in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, to repeal the 1991 and 2002 authorizations for the use of military force against Iraq, as part of the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, and the Department looks forward to President Donald Trump’s ratification of the bill .”

She explained that “the completion of the stages of repealing the aforementioned authorizations for the use of military force, which are more than thirty years old, indicates a change in the convictions of American legislators for a number of internal and external considerations .”

The ministry stressed that “the cancellation of the two authorizations for the use of military force does not undermine counterterrorism efforts, as the 2001 Authorization for the Use of Military Force, issued in the wake of the September 11 attacks to counter the threats of al-Qaeda and other associated terrorist organizations, remains in effect .”

The ministry stressed “the commitment of the Government of the Republic of Iraq to strengthening bilateral relations in a way that contributes to building a long-term partnership that serves the interests of the two friendly countries and supports the stability of the Middle East region.”

Shafaq.com

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OFFICIALS: AMERICA DEMANDS THAT ARMED GROUPS NOT BE INCLUDED IN THE NEW IRAQI GOVERNMENT

More than a month has passed since the elections for the sixth session of the Iraqi Council of Representatives, and the Shiite, Sunni and Kurdish leaders are still in the midst of negotiations to form the new government, without the features of this government yet appearing.

Everyone was waiting for the results to be ratified by the Iraqi Federal Court, which ratified them last Sunday, December 14, 2025, after which the constitutional deadlines for forming the government would begin. Although these deadlines were not adhered to in some previous sessions and the formation took longer than specified by the constitution, American pressure is now emerging on Iraq to prevent the inclusion of the political wings of armed groups in the government.

Amid the dramatic changes in the Middle East, where new alliances are forming and old ones are fading, Iraqi leaders face a difficult task that requires them to define the nature of their relationships with groups that the United States has placed on its “blacklist.”

What does America want?

Given its ongoing role and influence in Iraq for over two decades, the United States expects the new Iraqi government to be free of armed groups. Mark Savaya, the Iraqi-American diplomat appointed by Donald Trump last October as the US envoy to Iraq, stated on December 11, 2025: “Iraq is at a crossroads, and no country can succeed if armed groups compete with the state and undermine its authority.”

But Iraqi leaders face other challenges, namely Iran’s demands and influence, particularly from political factions backed by Tehran. For years, Iraq has been trying to balance its relations between the two sides. Now, after the elections, Iraqi and American officials told AFP that “Washington is demanding that armed groups close to Iran not be included in the new Iraqi government.”

(Iraq got itself in a pickle when it let the Iranian militia stay in their country for so long even after ISIS was defeated. Now they are being challenged. We knew this would come some day.)

A State Department spokesman, who declined to be named, said: “Iraqi leaders are well aware of what is and is not consistent with the strong partnership between Iraq and America,” adding that Washington will continue a frank dialogue with Iraq about “the urgent need to dismantle armed groups close to Iran.”

However, some of these groups have increased their number of seats and votes in the elections and are part of the Coordination Framework, the umbrella organization for Shiite forces that will determine the next prime minister, as the framework has been holding meetings for weeks to name the candidate.

An Iraqi official indicated that “America has set conditions that armed groups should not be part of the new government, and that these groups must be dismantled, disarmed, and have all their ties with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard severed.”

(This next sentence is why we will not see the RV unless the US conditions are met and these armed groups are dismantled)

Savaya warned that the alternative to stability is “economic collapse, political chaos, and international isolation.”

Which armed groups need to be removed?

Several months ago, America designated a number of Popular Mobilization Forces factions as “terrorist,” and these factions were part of what is called the “Resistance Front,” which demanded America’s withdrawal and launched attacks on its bases since October 7, 2023.

Now, most of these groups hold seats in parliament and have strengthened their political influence. Among the most prominent is Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq, led by Qais al-Khazali, which holds 27 seats and is part of the coordinating framework, making its exclusion from the new government difficult for Shia forces. However, one option being considered is not granting it sovereign and important ministerial portfolios.

An Iraqi official (who declined to be named) said: “Previously, America turned a blind eye to some of the positions granted to them, because ultimately it deals with the government and not with the ministries controlled by the groups.”

The groups listed on the US terrorism list are:

Kataib Hezbollah: One of the armed groups, it holds 6 seats through its political wing (Rights Movement) led by Ahmed Mohsen Faraj Al-Humaidawi, and the movement received more than 230,000 votes.

(Was it the armed militia themselves that voted for them. There are over a hundred thousand Iranian backed militia in Iraq…. go figure why they won. Should they even be voting in the first place. What is the criteria to vote in Iraqi elections?)

Imam Ali Brigades: Participated in the elections through the “Services” list and obtained 5 seats, and is headed by Shibl al-Zaydi.

Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada, Ansar Allah, al-Awfiya, and al-Nujaba: other groups included on the US terrorism list.

What awaits Iraq?

Iraq faces challenges to economic growth after years of turmoil. While Washington has imposed sanctions on Iraqi banks for allegedly helping Iran evade sanctions, Iraqi leaders hope to revive the country by supporting foreign investment and American companies. Most notably, Qais al-Khazali stated, “It is in Baghdad’s interest for major American companies to invest in it.”

Since the start of the Gaza war in October 2023, Iraq has remained relatively untouched by regional escalation. Attacks by factions against the United States and Israel failed to achieve their objectives; instead, Washington responded with powerful strikes that halted these attacks. Furthermore, Iraq was among the countries that were not directly affected by Israeli attacks, despite its relations with Iran.

Several sources confirmed that the US prevented Israel from attacking Iraq, but warned Iraqi leaders against any actions by armed groups. However, it remains unclear how Iraq will meet US demands as the constitutional deadlines for forming a government approach, amid concerns surrounding the potential withdrawal of US forces from Iraq.

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“ROSY PROMISES MISLEAD CITIZENS”: AN EXPERT REVEALS 5 FACTS THREATENING IRAQ’S ECONOMIC SYSTEM

 

(Mnt Goat: Here we go again with more negativity. Part of the problem and not the solution.)

Revelation President of the Foundation “Iraq of the Future” – Economic Expert Manar Al-ObaidiToday, Friday, 5 facts that threaten the economic system in Iraq.

He said Al-Ubaidi in a post on his official Facebook page, which I followed Alsumaria News”With the first signs of the financial crisis, rosy voices proliferate, selling people illusions closer to dreams than reality. We hear people saying: ‘We have plenty of money, revenues are enough to pay all employees’ salaries, reduce the salaries of special grades and the crisis will be solved,'” he explained, adding that “this letter emotional rhetoric unsupported by statistics, aimed at appealing to and pacifying the average citizen, rather than being honest with them. Those who speak realistically are attacked and accused of pessimism or fear-mongering.

He added, “There are undeniable facts:

First, the state’s current expenditures cannot be covered unless the issue of salaries is addressed fundamentally and genuinely, not through patchwork solutions.

(Mnt Goat: Is this not what al-Sudani is now proposing for the new administration to tackle?)

Second, all non-oil revenues, however substantial, will not replace oil and will not cover more than 10-15% of the state’s operational needs.

(Mnt Goat: We have been told over and over again that once the Development Road Project is going strong this customs and tariff revenues could rival the oil revenues, but they had to be managed correctly and monies going back to the federal coffers. So, this guy is telling us today they have been lying to us all along?)

Third, there is currently no resource capable of compensating for oil. All the talk about sulfur, phosphates, silica, and other resources, even if sold as raw materials, will not exceed $300-500 million in revenue annually.

(Mnt Goat: In the news about the natural resources never told us it ALONE would compensate for the oil revenues. I don’t know where the author got his news from. Of course this is a silly notion. It the COMBINED revenues from ALL THE SOURSES that could rival the oil revenues. Get it? I wish these economists would study what is actually going on in Iraq.)

Fourth, talk of strategic industries, from refineries to manufacturing, is valid in principle, but it is not feasible at this time. These projects require at least five years to become productive, in addition to substantial funding and liquidity that are currently unavailable.

(Mnt Goat: Yes, I agree there will be a period of time to get industry up and running to create jobs necessary to get people off the government payrolls and on to private industry. But not just job salaries, there is the issue of long-term govt pensions too that could be diverted to private industry pensions. All of this combined can drastically reduce the size of the government expenditures each month)

Fifth, the establishment off investment is similar to funds of Gulf or Norway. It’s not just a slogan to be chanted. It’s a parliamentary decision that requires a clear allocation from oil revenues and management completely independent of the government. Without that, its fate will be the same as…Overseas Development Fund or development fund Iraq.

He stated that “the real problem is that Iraq is not only facing a revenue crisis and a spending crisis, but also a deficit in creating a genuine economy outside of oil,” noting that “non-oil GDP does not exceed 88 trillion dinars (approximately $66 billion), while the private sector accounts for no more than $30 billion at best.”

(Mnt Goat: Looks like to me, according to him, that Iraq is about half way there. Remember this happened in a short period of time (just 4 years). Also remember the Development Road Project has NOT yet kicked in. There is nothing bad about these numbers.)

He emphasized that “there is no solution without reducing expenditures, boldly addressing the issue of salaries, providing genuine, not merely symbolic, support to the private sector, and restoring trade balance with other countries, moving away from oil revenues,” explaining that “otherwise, it remains mere wishful thinking.”dreams.

He laughed at the citizen who is meant to believe that the crisis can be solved with simple measures, while the truth is much harsher and more complicated.”

(Mnt Goat: The author claims that the news from the govt is only “emotional rhetoric unsupported by statistics, aimed at appealing to and pacifying the average citizen, rather than being honest with them. Those who speak realistically are attacked and accused of pessimism or fear-mongering.” They he goes on with his “undeniable facts” but presents no facts and only his opinions again.)

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IRAQ AT A CROSSROADS OF INFLUENCE: EXPERTS REVEAL TO IRAQ OBSERVER A PROJECT FOR CHANGE THAT CHALLENGES HEGEMONY AND REDEFINES SOVEREIGNTY BETWEEN WASHINGTON AND TEHRAN.

 

The Iraqi scene today is no longer governed by political slogans or traditional ideological alignments, but rather has become an open arena for a struggle for influence in which regional and international interests intersect at the expense of the crisis-ridden interior. There is increasing talk about a “change project” that seeks to break the cycle of dependency and redirect the state’s compass towards a comprehensive economic and social reform path that places sovereignty and national interest at the forefront of priorities.

In this context, political analyst and former diplomat Faisal Ghazi believes that the real change maker in Iraq is not in changing faces or reproducing power, but rather in a profound project aimed at moving the country from a state of dependence on Iranian influence, with all the accompanying economic, developmental and social crises, to a state capable of managing its resources, building an effective economy and restoring its natural role in its regional and international environment.

Ghazi told Iraq Observer that this reform project “does not seek a break with Iran, religiously, sectarily, or geographically,” but focuses on resetting the relationship with it and eliminating the influence that has directly harmed the Iraqi economy.

He explained that “the Iraqi scene today is governed by a clear power struggle between the United States and Iran, with interventions by neighboring countries, but the greatest weight remains for this bilateral conflict, as Tehran has relied on political and security tools and armed factions to consolidate its influence, in contrast to Washington’s tendency to use economic and diplomatic tools, far from the option of direct military confrontation.”

He pointed out that Iraq, along with Syria, represents a fundamental pillar in the calculations of American national security in the Middle East, which makes it unlikely that the United States would abandon it. He noted that sending an American presidential envoy to Baghdad carries a clear message of continued American interest in Iraq, while emphasizing at the same time that Washington is not looking for new wars, but rather to manage its influence through interests, the economy, and diplomacy.

He explained that the economic option is the most important tool in American policy towards Iraq, as Washington possesses sensitive leverage points, most notably its relationship with the Central Bank of Iraq, the passage of oil revenues through the US Federal Reserve, and control over financial transfers, in addition to the military support file, as the Iraqi armed forces depend on more than 85% of American sources for armament, maintenance and training.

Ghazi concludes by saying that the anticipated American pressure will be primarily economic and diplomatic, aimed at restoring balance to the relationship between Baghdad and Washington, and ensuring adherence to the Strategic Framework Agreement, without sliding into an open military confrontation. He emphasizes that Iraq’s future will be determined by its ability to leverage this conflict to build a sovereign state and an economy capable of lifting society out of its chronic crises, not by its ability to side with one party or the other.

In light of this complex scenario, Iraq appears to be standing on the precipice of a crucial transformation, where international pressures intersect with the urgent internal need for reform.

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SAVAYA IS PLEASED WITH THE FACTIONS’ MOVEMENTS AND STIPULATES A COMPLETE AND IRREVERSIBLE DISARMAMENT.

 

“Statements alone are not enough.”

Mark Savaya, US President Donald Trump’s envoy to Iraq, welcomed the move by some Iraqi armed groups toward disarmament, considering it an encouraging development that responds to calls from religious authorities. However, he stressed that statements alone are not enough, calling for a comprehensive and irreversible disarmament process implemented within a binding national framework that enshrines the state’s monopoly on the use of force. He warned that Iraq stands at a critical crossroads between consolidating sovereignty and stability, or remaining trapped in a cycle of disintegration and uncontrolled weapons.

The reported steps taken by some Iraqi armed groups toward disarmament are a welcome and encouraging development. This represents a positive response to the persistent calls and aspirations of our religious authorities and esteemed scholars and leaders. I express my deepest appreciation and gratitude for their wisdom, moral leadership, and principled guidance, which continues to serve as a guiding compass for the nation.

At the same time, statements alone are not enough. Disarmament must be comprehensive, irreversible, and implemented within a clear and binding national framework. This process must also include the complete dismantling of all armed groups and ensure an orderly and legal transition of their members to civilian life.

According to the Iraqi Constitution and the rule of law, no political party, organization, or individual has the right to possess or operate armed formations outside the authority of the state. This principle applies throughout Iraq without exception. The exclusive authority to bear arms and use force must remain solely with the legitimate federal and regional institutions entrusted with organizing, commanding, and managing the armed forces to protect the Iraqi people and defend the country’s sovereignty.

Iraq stands today at a crucial crossroads: either it moves forward on the path of sovereignty, stability, prosperity, unity and the rule of law, or it remains trapped in a spiral of disintegration and insecurity, where illegal armed groups exploit state resources for personal interests and foreign agendas, further undermining state authority.

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IRAQ’S GOLD RESERVES REACHED THEIR HIGHEST HISTORICAL VALUE… AND WARNINGS WERE ISSUED AGAINST USING THEM TO COVER THE FINANCIAL DEFICIT.

 

In economic observatory announced that Iraq’s gold reserves have reached historic levels, amounting to approximately $23 billion and 64 million, warning against using them to solve the country’s financial deficit crisis.

The Eco Iraq Observatory said in a press statement on Saturday, December 20, 2025, that Iraq bought about 8.2 tons of gold during 2025, which raised its total reserves to 170.9 tons, indicating that “this increase was distributed as follows: one ton in March, 1.6 tons in June, 3.1 tons in July, and 2.5 tons in August.”

The observatory explained that “Iraq’s total reserves of 170.9 tons are currently equivalent to $23 billion and 64 million, which is the highest level that the value of gold reserves has reached in the history of Iraq.”

The Economic Observatory attributed the large increase in the value of the reserve to “the rise in global gold prices, and not to the size of the quantities purchased during 2025, which constituted 64% since the beginning of this year.”

“Eco Iraq” warned against any “manipulation” of the gold reserves to cover the financial deficit that Iraq is suffering from, “whether by selling part of it or subjecting it to high-risk investments,” stressing that it is “a sovereign asset allocated for financial stability and not for achieving immediate revenues.”

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AFTER THE PRIME MINISTER’S NAME WAS DECIDED, THE COORDINATION FRAMEWORK MOVED TO NEGOTIATING THE GOVERNMENT PROGRAM.

 

Non-controversial

The atmosphere of the movement within the Coordination Framework, the broader umbrella for Shiite political forces in Parliament, is moving towards a crucial stage, the title of which is agreeing on a name and program for the next Prime Minister, in an attempt to produce a candidate who can manage the next stage and open the door to understanding with the rest of the political forces within the framework of constitutional entitlements and political calming, which seems to have decided on the name of the Prime Minister internally, to move practically to negotiating the government program and its priorities before the official announcement of the candidate.

Salam Al-Zubaidi, a member of the Coordination Framework, confirmed to Baghdad Today that “the intensive meetings and gatherings held by the Framework’s forces are witnessing remarkable progress in viewpoints, and there is a broad understanding on the need to choose a figure capable of managing the next stage efficiently and achieving political and service stability, while taking into account the country’s supreme interest.”

Al-Zubaidi explained that “the discussions are not limited to names only, but also include the government program and executive work priorities, foremost among them improving the economic situation, supporting security and stability, and enhancing public confidence in official institutions, and agreement on these files is proceeding in parallel with the naming file.”

According to political data obtained by “Baghdad Today,” most of the figures close to the coordinating framework, who appear on political programs on television, confirm in their talks that “the decision has already been made,” and that the candidate is a figure from the Middle Euphrates region, a graduate of Baghdad University, and does not provoke a sharp dispute among the main Shiite forces.

These data indicate that the current discussion is focused on the details of the government program, which was likely formulated primarily in agreement with the candidate himself, and that the ongoing dialogues aim to incorporate the observations of the various forces before announcing the final version.

Al-Zubaidi added that “the positive atmosphere prevailing in the dialogues reflects the keenness of all parties to avoid disputes and move towards a genuine consensus that leads to the formation of a strong government capable of facing internal and external challenges, and the next few days may witness an official announcement of the name of the candidate for the premiership.”

The member of the coordinating framework concluded by saying that “the current stage requires calming down and clearly prioritizing the logic of dialogue and understanding, and the framework is proceeding with completing the constitutional entitlements in accordance with the legal contexts and in a way that fulfills the aspirations of the citizens.”

Three key factional figures broke the scene in the past few hours with similar statements, in which they expressed their readiness to hand over weapons and confine them to the hands of the state, in a move that is read – according to political sources – as one of the signs of paving the way for the new political stage, and an early message of support for the next government and its supposed security program.

The political arena is witnessing intense activity to resolve the issue of forming the new government, amid popular anticipation of the process of choosing the next Prime Minister, and whether he will be able to manage the economic and service crises and reduce the severity of political tension, after previous government experiences marred by disputes and the failure to implement reform programs.

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ZIDANE: THE PARLIAMENTARY SESSION ON DECEMBER 29TH WILL DECIDE ON THE PRESIDENCY OF THE COUNCIL AND CANNOT BE EXTENDED.

 

The head of the Supreme Judicial Council, Faiq Zaidan, confirmed that the session of the new House of Representatives scheduled for December 29 must end with the appointment of the Speaker of the Council and his two deputies, noting that it is not constitutionally or legally possible to postpone or extend it.

A statement from the judiciary, a copy of which was received by Al-Furat News, stated that: “This came during the reception of the President of the Supreme Judicial Council, Faiq Zaidan, on Saturday, by the President of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan Party, Bafel Talabani.”

He added, “During the meeting, emphasis was placed on the importance of respecting the constitutional timelines for electing the three presidencies, in order to ensure the completion of the formation of the legislative and executive authorities.”

Ziad also stressed “the importance of deciding on the nomination of the candidate for the presidency of the republic within the constitutional period of thirty days after the election of the Speaker of Parliament on the 29th of this month.”

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THE IRAQI ECONOMY IN 2025: PIVOTAL TRANSFORMATIONS BETWEEN AMBITION AND CHALLENGES

December 21, 2025   

In 2025, Iraq witnessed a crucial turning point in its economic trajectory, as growth factors and challenges intertwined in a complex equation that defined the features of the near future. While the country achieved tangible accomplishments in vital sectors such as oil, electricity, and infrastructure, it continued to face deep structural challenges related to near-total dependence on oil, exchange market fluctuations, and a growing financial deficit.

While the International Monetary Fund predicted economic growth of 5.3%, the highest rate in years, this growth was mainly driven by the oil sector, while the non-oil sector continued to suffer from weak growth and development.

The year also witnessed widespread controversy surrounding the 2025 budget, whose schedules were delayed, and the financial deficit expanded to alarming levels, raising questions about the state’s financial sustainability.

OFFICIAL PRICE AND PARALLEL MARKET

The Central Bank of Iraq maintained a fixed official exchange rate of 1,305 dinars per dollar for most of 2025, in a strategic move aimed at controlling the market and preventing the unpredictable fluctuations witnessed in previous years. However, the parallel market witnessed significant fluctuations, with the dollar price ranging between 1,397 and 1,424 dinars at different times of the year, reflecting a continuous gap between the official and parallel rates ranging between 7% and 9%.

(Remember that the IMF wants 2% or less difference)

Despite these challenges, the Central Bank recorded important positive indicators in 2025, as the cash reserve rose to $108 billion, a record level that provides a safety cushion for the economy, and the gold reserve rose from 130 to 172 tons, indicating the diversification of reserves and strengthening confidence in the national currency.

Regarding inflation, the inflation rate fell to 2.2% in the first quarter of 2025, a relatively low rate reflecting the success of monetary policy in controlling prices. Private sector credit also grew by 1.1%, indicating an improved financial environment and increased confidence in the banking system.

GROWTH FORECASTS ARE OPTIMISTIC

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) projects that the Iraqi economy will grow by 5.3% in 2025, compared to 1.4% in 2024, indicating a significant acceleration in economic activity. This growth is primarily driven by the recovery of the oil sector and increased government investment in infrastructure and services.

In a more optimistic forecast, the World Bank indicated that Iraq could achieve the highest growth rate among Arab economies, at around 6.7%, if oil prices rise to approximately $80 per barrel. However, economic experts cautioned that this scenario remains contingent on external factors beyond Iraq’s control.

NON-OIL SECTOR: SLOW GROWTH

Despite optimism about overall growth, the non-oil sector recorded modest growth of 5% in 2024, with expectations of continued growth of 4% in 2025.

This growth, while positive, still falls short of expectations and reflects the structural challenges facing productive sectors such as agriculture, industry and tourism. The IMF report indicated that non-oil growth may not exceed 1% in some estimates, reflecting the large structural dependence on oil and the urgent need to diversify sources of economic growth.

THE 2025 BUDGET: CONTROVERSY AND COMPLICATIONS

The 2025 budget witnessed widespread controversy and significant delays in approving its schedules, even though it falls within the three-year budget for the years 2023-2025, which was approved in June 2023. The Prime Minister’s advisor, Mazhar Muhammad Salih, estimated that the size of the 2025 budget is about 200 trillion dinars (about 150 billion dollars), with a projected deficit of about 64 trillion dinars.

According to estimates, operating expenses constitute approximately 67% to 70% of total public expenditures, comprising salaries, allowances, pensions, and social welfare. This budget structure reflects the rentier nature of the Iraqi economy, where the majority of spending goes toward salaries and current services, while investments in infrastructure and development projects remain limited.

APPROVAL DELAY CRISIS

2025 witnessed a major crisis due to the failure to approve the budget schedules, which affected provincial allocations, investment projects, and the salaries of some groups. Parliamentarians accused the government of stalling, while observers indicated that the delay stemmed from disagreements over revenue distribution between Baghdad and the Kurdistan Region, as well as issues related to the costs of producing and transporting the region’s oil.

Experts warned that delaying the approval of the 2025 budget would have a direct impact on the Iraqi market, investment activity and public spending, and would increase uncertainty that harms the business environment and economic confidence.

THE GROWING DEFICIT AND DEBT
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) projects that Iraq’s budget deficit will widen to 7.6% of GDP in 2024, compared to 1.3% in 2023, raising concerns about fiscal sustainability.

The Prime Minister revealed that Iraq’s total external debt exceeds $10 billion, while its domestic debt amounts to approximately 34 trillion dinars.

Al-Sudani confirmed that the new government will have to borrow due to the deficit, but stressed that the financial situation is stable thanks to large reserves.

He also announced that the number of employees in Iraq during 2025 was 4.5 million, and the number of retirees was 2.9 million, while social protection allocations amounted to 6 trillion dinars annually.

OIL PRODUCTION: COMMITMENTS AND AMBITIONS

Iraq’s crude oil production remained stable at around 4 million barrels per day for most of 2025, as Baghdad adhered to the OPEC+ voluntary production cuts. Iraq produced approximately 965 million barrels during the first eight months of 2025, generating revenues of around 73 trillion dinars, representing 90% of the country’s total revenue and underscoring its near-total dependence on oil.

Iraq pledged to compensate for its overproduction of 1.44 million barrels per day in 2024, exceeding its quota, with full compensation to be completed by September 2025. This commitment aligns with the OPEC+ production cuts and aims to maintain global price stability.

AMBITIOUS FUTURE PLANS ARE IN PLACE

In the longer term, the Ministry of Petroleum announced ambitious plans to increase production to more than 6 million barrels per day by 2029, as part of a strategy to maximize revenues and boost production capacity. This ambition requires massive investments in infrastructure, addressing associated gas issues, developing existing fields, and exploring new ones.

PRICING AND REVENUE CHALLENGES

The IMF estimates that oil revenues are set to decline from $99.2 billion in 2024 to $84.2 billion in 2025, affected by lower prices that have fallen from an average of $80.6 per barrel to $65.9.

INVESTMENTS: HUGE FIGURES AND PERSISTENT OBSTACLES

Arab and foreign investments in Iraq have exceeded $100 billion over the past two years, distributed among the housing, industry, energy, agriculture and infrastructure sectors.

These large figures reflect the government’s efforts to improve the investment environment and attract capital, and also reflect growing confidence in the country’s stability and economic opportunities.

The National Investment Commission indicated that Iraq ranked fourth among the best emerging markets in 2024, a positive indicator of the improved business climate and attractiveness of the investment environment.

INVESTMENT AND OPPORTUNITY FORUMS

The government, through the Prime Minister, announced a huge package of investment opportunities worth $450 billion, coinciding with the Iraq Investment Forum.

The Prime Minister’s advisor stressed that these steps are not just an announcement, but a roadmap for comprehensive transformation within “Iraq Vision 2050”.

This vision aims to double the gross domestic product, reduce unemployment to less than 10%, achieve 60% economic independence, and take advantage of the demographic dividend, as the population is expected to be under 30 years of age by about 60% by 2050.

FITCH RATING: CAUTIOUS INTERNATIONAL CONFIDENCE

At the international level, Iraq maintained its credit rating from Fitch Ratings at (B) with a stable outlook throughout 2025, indicating the country’s ability to meet its short- and medium-term financial obligations, despite ongoing challenges related to the structure of its economy and its dependence on oil.

According to experts, maintaining this rating is a factor that supports investor confidence and reflects an improvement in debt management and liquidity compared to previous years.

REAL CHALLENGES

Despite the large numbers, economic experts pointed out that real foreign investment is still absent from non-oil sectors, stressing that many investments classified as foreign are in fact Iraqi through companies registered abroad.

Bureaucratic, legal, and security challenges remain major obstacles to the flow of real capital. Furthermore, weak infrastructure, complex government procedures, and a lack of transparency in some areas all limit the attractiveness of the investment environment and delay the transformation of opportunities into productive projects on the ground.

Achievements of the Sudanese government: a record of service and an electoral victory

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani revealed the completion of 511 service projects, including infrastructure, roads, bridges, schools and health centers.

He also announced the resolution of the one million job gap problem and a reduction in unemployment to 2.1% during his government term, which began in October 2022.

The government implemented 43 development projects and 97 new school buildings, and provided services to areas inhabited by more than 3 million citizens. This large service record boosted the government’s popularity and paved the way for subsequent electoral victory.

BANKING SECTOR AND FINANCIAL REFORMS

The Iraqi banking sector witnessed significant reform steps in 2025, as the Central Bank worked to enhance compliance with international standards and improve financial transparency.

The government launched initiatives to develop digital banking infrastructure, encourage electronic payments, and reduce reliance on cash.

Credit to the private sector also grew by 1.1%, a positive indicator of increased confidence in the banking system.

The central bank continued its efforts to reduce the number of banks that violate international standards, and merged some small banks to enhance financial stability.

BANKING CHALLENGES

Despite the improvements, significant challenges remain, including US restrictions on some Iraqi banks, weak public confidence in the banking sector, and continued heavy reliance on cash transactions. The spread of banking culture among citizens remains limited, which limits the sector’s ability to contribute to economic development.

Environmental challenges: The water crisis and drought… the most serious crisis

The decline in water levels of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers has led to a reduction in cultivated areas and a decrease in grain production in many governorates, especially in the central and southern regions.

International reports have warned that water shortages could lead to a deficit in staple crops and a higher food import bill, putting additional pressure on foreign exchange reserves and the budget. The drought also led to the displacement of some residents from rural areas to cities, increasing the pressure on urban services.

IMPORTS AND THE TRADE BALANCE

Iraq remains heavily reliant on imports to meet its needs for consumer goods and basic commodities, with its import bill reaching high levels. Reports indicate a significant non-oil trade deficit, reflecting the weakness and uncompetitiveness of domestic production sectors.

REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL CHALLENGES

The Iraqi economy has been affected by regional developments, particularly tensions in the region and the situations in Syria, Lebanon, and Yemen. Complex relations with Iran and US pressure have also impacted Iraq’s economic freedom of movement.

US sanctions

The impact of US sanctions on some Iraqi banks continued, complicating financial transfers and foreign trade, and the cancellation of the exemption to purchase energy from Iran posed a major challenge to the electricity sector.

Regional comparison: Iraq’s position among Arab economies

According to the World Bank’s projections, Iraq leads the Arab region in expected growth rates for 2025 at 6.7% in the positive scenario. This puts Iraq in an advanced position among regional economies, surpassing countries such as Egypt (3%), Djibouti (5.2%), and Lebanon (4.7%).

COMMON CHALLENGES

Despite the superiority in expected growth rates, Iraq shares common challenges with the countries of the region, including dependence on a single source of income (oil or remittances), weak productive sectors, the need for structural reforms, and climate challenges.

The Iraqi economy faces three main scenarios for the near future:

1.Positive scenario: If oil prices remain at high levels (above $75), the government succeeds in implementing the planned reforms, and foreign investment flows in heavily, the economy could achieve sustainable growth exceeding 6% annually, with a tangible improvement in services and a decrease in unemployment.

2.Medium scenario: Continuation of the current situation with modest growth (4-5%), continued dependence on oil, slow progress in reforms, and ongoing challenges in attracting real investment.

3.The negative scenario: A sharp drop in oil prices (below $60), or worsening climate and water crises, or escalating regional tensions, could push the economy into recession and worsen the fiscal deficit.

Comprehensive summary: A pivotal year between ambition and reality

The year 2025 represents a turning point in the modern economic history of Iraq. On the one hand, the country achieved tangible accomplishments, including higher growth rates, increased foreign currency reserves, improved infrastructure, and the implementation of hundreds of service projects. On the other hand, the Sudanese government succeeded in achieving an electoral victory that reflects relative public satisfaction with government performance.

On the other hand, the structural challenges remained deep and serious. The near-total dependence on oil (90% of revenues) makes the economy vulnerable to global price fluctuations. The growing fiscal deficit (7.6% of GDP) raises concerns about fiscal sustainability, the water crisis and drought threaten food security and social stability, and the gap between the official and parallel exchange rates for the dollar reflects imbalances in the currency market.

The year 2025 proved that Iraq has the potential and resources to become a regional economic power, but achieving this ambition requires genuine political will, radical reforms, good governance, and a long-term strategic vision that goes beyond immediate gains and places the interests of future generations at the heart of national priorities.

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A NEW SHIFT IN CUSTOMS PROCEDURES IS EXPECTED AT THE BEGINNING OF NEXT YEAR.

 

The General Authority of Customs announced the full implementation of the advance customs declaration system at the beginning of next year, to include all imported goods and merchandise.

The Director General of the Authority, Thamer Qasim Dawood, explained in a press statement that “the Authority has begun the gradual implementation of the system, as the first phase included five basic materials: gold, mobile phones, jewelry, curtains, in addition to some other goods such as cooling devices and cars.” 

He pointed out that “the period from the first until (31) of this month represents a trial phase in preparation for generalizing the system to all goods and merchandise in the federal customs centers, stressing that the Kurdistan Region of Iraq ports are temporarily excluded because they are not linked to the ASYCUDA system adopted by the Authority.” 

Daoud stressed that “the electronic link between customs declarations and the Central Bank of Iraq will directly contribute to reducing currency smuggling and money transfers without corresponding goods.”

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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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