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.
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February 17, 2026 Mnt Goat News Brief
Guten Tag everyone:
The RV saga continues with the election cycle. Who will become the next prime minister of Iraq is still undecided? Yes, still undecided meanwhile constitutional deadlines come and go. Parliament asks the Federal Court to decide on what is next to end the impasse. Let’s explore today what options are available to the court.
GIVE A GIFT TO MNT GOAT
I decided to allow everyone to give a Free-will GIFT to Mnt Goat on PayPal if you so desire. Here is the link below. Please show your appreciation for all the hard work I do.
I recommend $15-$20 dollars a month or whatever you can afford. Do you realize I write up to eight (8) Newsletters every month. This is like a second job to me. The only way I know that people are reading and appreciating all the FACTUAL news I bring is through their appreciation. If I do not receive equal appreciation for all the hard work I do, I will simply end the Newsletter and save myself endless hours at the computer. You do want to get paid for your job, don’t you? What makes my job any different? Tell me….. I am tired of this RV saga just as you are. We are now down to addressing the Iranian militia in Iraq. This is a very good thing and had to happen sooner or later. The RV will not happen as long as Iraq is a proxy state of Iran.
Let’s all try to chip in!
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2 Corinthians 9:7
It is written we are all called to be cheerful givers to those in need. “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
STATUS OF THE RV
I hope everyone is ready for a pivotal week in this Iraqi election saga. The news this period connects many pieces together and confirms to all of us what my contact in the CBI has been saying all along. So, let’s get to the FACTS and forget the rest of the bullshit from many of these idiotic intel gurus out there with their everyday / anyday scenarios. Folks once again I warn everyone that there are still these five (5) issues that need to be worked out and resolved. But remember how Iraq works. Things could speed up and change on a dime, if they want it to.
I know, I know the CBI is independent and can actually RV anytime they want to. The question is will they? Yes, will they with the instability from the election cycle. Ali al-Alaq also remember Maliki’s two terms and remembers when he came after the CBI with false allegations of corruption, in what Dr Shabibi later said was nothing more than to stop the reinstatement of the dinar from going back to FOREX. So, you tell me knowing all this if Ali Al-Alaq is going to RV with the stability element of the elections in play. What do you believe will happen?
The delays in the elections cycle all stem around ONE issue – the nomination of the good-for-nothing, peanut-head Nori al-Maliki for prime minister. Oh… but you may say that you thought it was the presidential nomination and not the prime minister so much that was the next step and was holding up the process? Folks we must sit back in times like this and think about what is really going on. Since Kurdistan is outwardly against Maliki then they have the power to hold up the process since the Kurds decide the presidential candidate. Remember Maliki was trying to buy old WW2 Russian tanks and then wanted to start a war with the Kurds for control of the oil up north. Get it? The Kurds are holding up the process until Maliki is out!!!!! But didn’t Mnt Goat tell you last week this was all settled and the presidential candidate was announced? Yes, I did however Maliki deceived the Kurds and lied about his withdrawal from the nomination. Later he pulled back and said it was the Coordination Framework that would have to withdrawal him. He has a lust for power and will not let go unless someone else does it for him.
Let’s take a peek at the article titled “THE IRAQI STREET IS PAYING THE PRICE FOR BUREAUCRATIC DELAYS, POLITICAL INACTION, AND RISING PRICES”. How does this election cycle affect our long-awaited RV? We read and I quote – “that the political vacuum represents one of the most serious challenges facing the stability of countries emerging from accumulated crises, as the absence of central decision-making becomes a daily reality affecting every aspect of citizens’ lives. The Iraqi scene stands as a prime example, where the impact of political paralysis extends beyond the ruling elites to the public, the economy, the market, and the currency”. Did you read this? Is says the political paralysis extends to affect even the currency.
We know for a FACT that if this election has gone smoothly we would have been at the bank by now and this reinstatement completed. But tell me how can the CBI justify the reinstatement and the swap out of the notes in times like this instability not knowing the future even of the direction of the country. And we all know that if Maliki should be the next prime minister, Iraq would take a drastic direction down the toilet. Remember Ali al-Alaq was in the CBI and one the deputies under Dr Shabibi when the then prime minister Maliki raided the CBI in the December of 2012 and falsely accused the bank of corruption. This halted the reinstatement in January. Yes, he remembers Malaki and his tactics all too well.
So, again we get the true picture of this guy Maliki and how he is the great liar and deceiver. Even during his first two terms he made agreements and later rolled back on them. He came to the US twice under the then president Barrack Obama and so we will just let you stew on that one for a while as to which US president was an Iranian sympathizer….. ☹ Was something going on between Obama and Iran?
And we won’t even get into Maliki’s total disregard for the new Iraqi constitution back then too. But he is doing it again now as his lust for power takes precedence over his regards for Iraq and settling this election saga. He has the power to settle the impasse and do it quickly. All he has to do is resign his nomination and pull out. He should have done this weeks ago.
Let’s also take a peek at the article titled “BLOOMBERG: WASHINGTON THREATENS BAGHDAD WITH REDUCED OIL REVENUES IF MALIKI RETURNS TO THE PREMIERSHIP” In the article we read that Bloomberg reported on Tuesday “that Washington had informed Iraqi officials in recent days that it might reduce Iraq’s access to oil export revenues if Nouri al-Maliki were appointed prime minister, given the United States’ view of him as being close to Iran”. Yes, too close, the Obama era closeness still lingers with Maliki. By the way this corruption of Obama and Iran with the nuclear deal is all coming out now. I find it amazing how TNT Tony can worship this guy Obama. We can clearly see the racism in this guy Tony Renfrow too as he overlooks the FACTS as greed and race overrides his patriotism. Just remember the many promises made to all you TNT members way back since 2013 by these so-called three letter agency guys, then who was president at the time. Obama has absolutely no intention of EVER getting this reinstatement completed and orchestrated the stoppage of the reinstatement back in 2012 through his buddy Maliki. Enough said…. Who are you going to worship now Tony?
I continue quotes from the article– “The agency, in a report citing sources who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the talks, indicated that the United States issued a new warning during a meeting held last week in Turkey between the governor of the Central Bank of Iraq, Ali Al-Alaq, and senior American officials.”
Remember I said in my earlier Newsletter that Maliki has not given even a political speech as to what he intends to do for Iraq to make it great again. Does this strike yu strange? Yes, not a peep about what he plans to do as prime minister should he get elected, yet he was the top candidate for the nomination of the Coordination Framework. Something funky going on here…. ☹ Instead, we find more and more negative comments from him trying to convince the people of Iraq he is going to be the savior of Iraqi sovereignty as he pushes to keep the Iranian militia (PMK) forces in Iraq and keep them armed. Yes, anything to show he is more powerful than president Trump of the U.S. This is the picture he tries to paint. Everything is about Trump being the big bully to Iraq. Yes, its always about Trump and again we see Maliki not taking responsibility for the mess he created for Iraq during his first eight years. Oh… but Iraq is not living up to its constitution either, is it? Foreign intervention is not allowed in their elections either like in the U.S. and so what about this point with Iranian interference? This is why Maliki has no arguement to make about the militia staying in Iraq and just pushes the blame back to the Coordination Framework as to why he is the candidate. He can’t justify why he should be the next prime minister and either can the largest block that nominated him. Folks, this is illogical reasoning. The reasoning of Maliki and someone that is not in his right frame of mind and someone who is even worthy to be prime minister of the great country of Iraq. Yes, this corruption continues in Iraq.
Let’s take a peek at the article titled “AL-MALIKI: TALK OF DISBANDING THE POPULAR MOBILIZATION FORCES IS JUST RUMORS; THE PRIORITY IS THE AUTHORITY OF THE STATE.” The head of the State of Law Coalition, Nouri al-Maliki, affirmed on Wednesday that the priority of the current stage is to consolidate the authority of the state and unify the security decision, stressing that the Popular Mobilization Forces are part of the Iraqi security system. So, now we know Maliki would be head-butting the US on this issue of the militias too. Is this really someone they want as prime minister?
Oh…. didn’t al-Sudani already tell us that this issue of these militia was resolved and there was a popular consensus to disarm then, only the process needs to be worked out as to how it will be done? We assumed he would do this in his next term. Is this the issue that killed al-Sudani as the nominee for prime minister and his next term? Yes, I believe it is since the Coordination Framework is all stacked with pro-Iranian members and this makes total sense that any stance against Iran by any candidate will not be acceptable. They need the Militia as their strong-arm in Iraq when they need terrorist events and crisis. These are the ones to orchestrate their dirty work. And so we see this too now in the U.S. as under the Biden era we witnessed thousands of unvetted terrorists groups filter across the southern border. They are here, waiting for the signal to create the crisis when needed. They will be used as the deep state democrat militia. How did we ever let this happen to America? And worst yet in Iraq too.
Let’s take a peek in the article titled “AL-MALIKI PRAISES AL-SUDANI: HIS SUPPORTIVE STANCE TOWARDS MY NOMINATION IS UNFORGETTABLE”. So, in this article we see the liar in Maliki come out again when he it is said that “The head of the State of Law Coalition, Nouri al-Maliki, praised on Tuesday the position of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani in support of his nomination for the position of Prime Minister, while stressing that his supportive position will not be forgotten.”
Al-Maliki said in a televised statement followed by “Mail” that “Al-Sudani’s position supporting my nomination for the position of Prime Minister is unforgettable,” stressing that “Al-Sudani did not demand any guarantees in return for his support for my nomination for the position of Prime Minister.”
Okay so why did Maliki say these things about al-Sudani?
Folks just so you know that Al-Sudani supports any nominee from the coalition largest block as he is part of it. Get it? Maliki makes is sound as though al-Sudani is jumping for joy that Maliki is the nominee. Al-sudani still feels he should have another term in office and wants it. Al-Sudani knows Maliki would probably never get the votes in parliament anyhow to ratify him. He is waiting and taking his time for all this foolishness to fall apart and it will eventually one way or the other. How do I know this? Look folks, if parliament had the votes for Maliki they would move ahead with him and force the Kurds to seat the president, get it? Is it Maliki that won’t back down and resign his nomination as al-Sudani did for the good of Iraq. Get it? So, who is the real patriot?
But then later in the article Maliki tells us the truth as he adds “we searched extensively for a way out of the dilemma of choosing between the candidates for prime minister,” indicating that “I did not speak with Al-Sudani about his withdrawal from the nomination for prime minister.” So Maliki is a liar as he never even spoke to al-Sudani. He wants to paint a picture that he is supported by Al-Sudani to get al-Sudani’s supporters on his side. Remember the majority of the citizens voted for al-Sudani.
So, in my 02/12 Newsletter I presented some news to you about three options being considered that might resolve the impasse in the election process. Will one or more of these options work or are they just blowing off steam? One of them was extending the al-Sudani term for another year. How did this turn out?
Let’s read what al-Sudani has to say about this in the article titled “A MEMBER OF THE “RECONSTRUCTION” COALITION: AL-SUDANI REJECTS EXTENDING HIS GOVERNMENT’S TERM”. On Thursday, February 12, 2026, Sami Salam, a member of the “Reconstruction and Development” coalition, stated that the proposal to extend the term of the Sudanese government does not have the consensus of all parties within the “Coordination Framework,” but is a proposal submitted only by certain parties; while emphasizing that the Sudanese government categorically rejects this matter.
So, what happened next? In the next article titled “THE IRAQI PARLIAMENT RESORTS TO THE FEDERAL COURT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE OF THE PRESIDENCY… DOCUMENT”. The Speaker of the Iraqi Parliament, Hebat al-Halbousi, has submitted a request to the Supreme Federal Court to interpret a constitutional provision related to the election of the President of the Republic, given the inability to hold a session with a quorum for this purpose. Remember that the president is only the leverage the Kurds have to hold up the next stage in the process, which is the prime minister. They are doing this because they DO NOT want Maliki. Their boycotting parliament in multiple sessions to holdup a vote on a president also reflects this action.
So, what if the federal court does rule that the president is beyond the time frame already? Then what? Does this force the issue of moving ahead? Can the Kurds still block the process regardless of the court’s decision? Folks, short of dissolving the current parliament and re-running the elections, it is my belief the court is NOT going to resolve anything. What we need simply is for Maliki to resign from his nomination and another candidate picked by the Coordination Framework. I certainly hope that will be the case when all is said and done and the next candidate will be al-Sudani.
Let’s talk for a bit about re-running the elections?
First take a peek at the article titled “THE STATE OF LAW COALITION IS THREATENING TO DISSOLVE PARLIAMENT DUE TO ITS FAILURE TO DECIDE ON THE POSITION OF PRESIDENT.” On Wednesday, MP Youssef al-Kalabi, from the State of Law bloc, threatened to go to the Supreme Federal Court to request the dissolution of the House of Representatives if the item on choosing the President of the Republic is not included in the next session of the Council. This would mean re-running the elections. We read later in another article that parliamentary sessions have been ‘put on hold’ until the Iranian crisis is over.
Is re-running the elections a real possibility as it could come out from the Federal Court to proceed in this direction. Yes, it is a REAL possibility based on the time frames already passed that the courts could make this their decision. Could their decision be what the US wanted all along. And what did they want all along? They want to clean out these Iranians from the government. Seems like a logical, legal way to do it. Could this be the plan all along coordinated with the Kurds covertly to get it done. Just asking….. 😊
What would be the impact if they did re-run the elections?
1.It could get all these 28 Iranian parliamentary members out of parliament, something that Mark Savaya told us needed to happen. They would have to ban non-Iraqi citizens from running for office. Oh…I believe the Iraqi constitution already dictates this.
2.It could get the pro-Iranian deputy speaker out too, as he is a known pro-Iranian member of a terrorist organization on the US terrorist list. His assets have already been frozen!
3.It could also ultimately hurt the Coordination Framework as they might not come out on top as the largest block considering their failure to form the government this first round of elections. Could Iraq end up with a more conservative, less Iranian majority block tasked at forming the next government? Then the rest of the election process just could move along with little to no snags from this next go around? As investors we might be better off with this solution.
In the following article we hear what al-Sudani has to say about the real possibility of re-running the elections. It is titled “THE SUDANESE BLOC REJECTS THE CARETAKER GOVERNMENT: EITHER FORM A GOVERNMENT OR HOLD EARLY ELECTIONS.” I quote from the article “On Saturday, Mohammed Al-Khalidi, a leader in the Reconstruction and Development Coalition, expressed his rejection of the proposal to keep outgoing Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani in a caretaker government. He pointed out that Ammar Al-Hakim, head of the Wisdom Movement, Qais Al-Khazali, secretary of Asaib Ahl Al-Haq, and Haider Al-Abadi, head of the Victory Coalition, threatened to break away from the coalition and form a political bloc if a government was not formed. However, Hussein Al-Shihani, a member of parliament from the Sadiqun Movement, quickly denied this information, stressing that there was no intention to break away from the coalition.”
“Al-Khalidi said in an interview with journalist Haider Zweir, which was followed by 964 Network , that “Mr. Ammar al-Hakim, Mr. al-Khazali and Mr. al-Abadi said: If we do not reach a result, we will split off and announce a political bloc, if the government is not formed.”
So, we can already hear undertones in this article of many of these political parties/forces beginning to think about breaking away from the Coordination Framework majority block and putting together another majority block that can get the job done of forming the next government. This might even happen if elections are not re-run but it will have to be done soon and not procrastinate. This could be done without even re-running the elections. This would certainly speed things up for us too.
Incidentally, for all you Bruce (big stupid call) followers he told his listeners on his Thursday call 2/12 that al-Sudani was the new prime minister and was voted in already in a parliament session last week. Really? Doesn’t he verify anything he says? I am sorry I don’t like to bash anyone but when the shoe fits, wear it. This guy is an idiot! ☹ I will also add he is a liar and should take responsibility what he says on his calls and not push off the fake intel to someone else. You said it Bruce not someone else. Do we even know there is someone else or is this all lies too to sell Sue’s classes and Boomer’s products? Is this really what his calls are all about? Note how he always pushes Sue’s latest class at the end of the call, so go figure….
To prove just how wrong this idiot intel guru Bruce is and others like him, let’s take a peek at a very recent the article titled “THE KURDS ARE KEEPING THE GOOD NEWS SECRET TO AVOID EMBARRASSING THE SHIITES AND MALIKI’S SITUATION…” In the article we read that “Parliament is on recess until the Trump and Khamenei issues are resolved. On Sunday, Ikhlas al-Dulaimi, a leading figure in the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), linked the suspension of parliamentary sessions to the negotiations between Iran and the United States. She indicated that political circles are awaiting the outcome of these negotiations before proceeding with government formation.” Oh… so tell me Bruce how parliament just ratified al-Sudani? They didn’t even had a session last week to do it. Also I told everyone too that this issue of the elections would be connected to what is happening in Iran and so we see it first hand how it is affecting parliament too. Yes, they don’t want to keep scheduling parliament sessions and then nothing happens. Yes, it would be embarrassing to the rest of the world to see.
Some good news…..
😊 😊 😊 In the recent article titled “THREE BLOWS TO MALIKI IN ONE NIGHT… HIS CLOSEST ALLY SIGNALS A RETREAT” It appears that the bloc supporting Maliki is shrinking day by day. We read that the Framework has already begun discussing the alternative to Maliki. It appears that more and more resistance factions are gradually distancing themselves from supporting Maliki and moving to the opposing side, which began with the Asaib movement and the Hikma movement and today includes a large gathering of factions and political forces.“The Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada bloc, led by Abu Ala al-Walai, said that the framework has already begun discussing replacing Maliki.”
“The Victorious Bloc, affiliated with the Sayyid al-Shuhada Brigades, hinted at the possibility of withdrawing Nouri al-Maliki’s nomination for prime minister, given “the importance of the close economic relations between Iraq and America,” according to what was stated by MP Jassim al-Moussawi.
The hints from the Loyalist bloc come in conjunction with the demands of the Services bloc (linked to the Imam Ali Brigades faction) to collect signatures to dissolve Parliament, in order to end the current political deadlock, while Parliament Speaker Hebat al-Halbousi gave the third indication when he decided to go to the judiciary, due to the expiration of the legal period for electing the President of the Republic. I already presented this article to you above.
SUMMARY:
I wish I had better news for everyone today. The blog is all about getting to the TRUTH. Lies about false targets for the RV are not reality at this point and even the best of wishes will not get us to the banks without the Iranian corruption in Iraq being cleaned up. This is now political corruption as Iran seeks Iraq as one of their ‘puppet’ states. We witnessed al the efforts of the CBI and the US Treasury with the financial and banking reforms. I don’t believe they will want a set back to the sanction days of the 90’s.
Today I have given you probable actions by the Iraqi Federal Court to address the impasse in the elections. It is time for the court to make a ruling moving forward since the constitutional deadlines have passed. Legally at this point in time, even parliament is illegal and should be disbanded and the elections re-run. That’s’ the worst case.
It is obvious the Coordination Framework, the largest block, cannot play their part in selecting a prime minister that the Sunni, Kurds and Shiites can all agree on. Yeh… let’s not also forget about the average Iraqi citizen too. Aren’t they part of the mix?
Did the Coordination Framework even consider the fact that al-Sudani won the majority vote? Al-Sudani is a Shiite, an Iraqi citizen, a patriot and had a very good first term. It baffles me as to why they refuse to renew him for a second term. Oh…. but we know why as they are stacking the government as pro-Iranian. Al-Sudani has also already stated he will work out a plan to dismantle the Iranian militias at the request of the U.S. Go figure…. Corrupt terrorist have infiltrated the Iraqi government just as they have infiltrated the US politics.
We learn some good news, if there can be any even, that as time passes more and more Shiite parties are moving their support away from the Coordination Framework over this Maliki issue. If the Coordination Framework does not back down on Maliki, there is a real possibility the majority block could be broken up even and lose the status as the majority block. If this continues even al-Sudani could move his party’s support out too. As a result, yet another block might emerge as the largest block from it. So, we can see there are alternatives to release the deadlock besides re-running the entire election but it has to happen soon, very soon. The clock is ticking. What will the Federal Court decide to do?
As outside investors in the Iraqi dinar all we can do is hang in and watch this saga play out. I cautioned everyone earlier in 2025 that the election was coming and the chaos that always prevails from it. I have not seen an election as worst as this one. This will be the truest test of democracy in Iraq and their new constitution. Will the citizens let the government be taken over by a foreign entity, and I don’t mean the U.S. but rather Iran. The US only wants to help Iraq though this process and then work with an honest government to rebuild their economy and bring Iraq to its potential. There is money to be made with this partnership with Iraq. Part of this process at some point is of course, the reinstatement of the dinar. The CBI has told us they are working on it and even told us it was very close as they only needed STABILITY and SECURITY to make it happen. Opps I said these dirty words again…. lol.. lol.. lol.. These terms can be ambiguous as we ask what is the gauge for these two things to know Iraq is stable and secure? This is where we must pay close attention to the news over a period of time and get a feel for what the CBI says as it is important for stability. In today’s news we got some informaiton from the CBI on this topic and so we can see that the issues with Iran are now on the top of the list of stability issues.
Today I have tried to connect the pieces with you and present the TRUTH as to what is actually going on. Please take the time to re-read the commentary and peek into the articles I listed in it (RED). I do not need bank memos or three letter agency lies to tell me this is going to RV any time soon. We must buckle down and relax. I can assure you my CBI contact has told me many times this event of the reinstatement and deleting the zeros is on the table and is of a high priority. Didn’t we read many articles last fall on this topic too. So, relax, soak in the FACTS and watch it all play out. PS- don’t forget to PRAY, PRAY and PRAY some more…..
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We pray-
A nice prayer from one of my blog followers. Thank You!
“Be still, wait on the Lord, my modern David will slay the so-called giant of Islam. It will fall they are already begging for mercy, but it will not come as they have sinned so greatly with their blasphemy, disregarded all warnings for the Lord and now HIS WRATH WILL CONSUME ALL WHO CURSE THE CHOSEN!!
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Their words not mine…..No Rumors, No Hype, No Opinions ,,,,,
Just the FACTS!
PRAYING WITH SINCERITY
Many may ask why their prayers are not being answered. Our new Shepard in Rome Pope Leo XIV has given us some direction.
You can purchase a nice pair of Rosary Beads here to pray:
These prophecies are more important now more than ever. They give us the strength, perseverance and hope that a better time is coming and that God’s Hand is at work behind the scenes. If you just take a second even to look around you at these past three election cycles, how can you deny that God is at work? Are you sleeping or what?
It is amazing and there is no other way that these events could have happened the way they turned out. But there is more to come, much, much more, I assure you! Now that God has his biblical David re-elected, we need to pay attention to what He does next.
NOTE: These prophecies just keep getting better and better, giving us HOPE of a brighter future. But the real reason why I listen to them is that we can actually see what God says He will do is taking place right in front of our noses. It is a confirmation to me that God is real and is still with us forever just as in biblical times.
Prophetic Words from prophet: Julie Green
“Shocking Announcements Will Be Made Before The 2026 Midterms“
Go to mark 11:05 for prophecy. Given on Feb 5th.
“Nothing Is As It Seems“
Go to mark 13:15 for prophecy. Given on Feb 6th.
Prophet Carolyn Dennis:
“IT IS WEALTH TRANSFER TIME!”
There is no time in the history of the planet like what is about to come.
Fr. DON BOSCO EXPOSED THE DARK SECRET BEHIND ISLAM
— And the Truth the World Forgot about the so-called Muslim religion. Fr.Don Bosco, also known as John Bosco, was an Italian Catholic priest and educator, born on August 16, 1815. He founded the Salesian Society in 1859 to help disadvantaged youth, particularly boys, through education and community service. His teachings emphasized lovekindness, and the importance of education for young people, making him a beloved figure in Catholicism and a patron saint of youth. Don Bosco was canonized in 1934.
LET’S GET TO THE ROOT CAUSE OF THESE ILLEGAL SANCTUARY STATES
Deportation is an ‘administrative effort’ not a ‘judicial effort’. Instead of the democrats helping in this matter, they are trying to put road blocks in place to slow down or inhibit altogether the efforts of ICE agents. Why would the do this? What was their plans for all these illegals anyhow? Was it to change the demographics for voting purposes? Why do the democrats appose the ‘SAVE’ act?
Oh…. was it also to infiltrate our country with a foreign militia that can be activated to riot or cause covert operations of sabotage?
U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE RUBIO AT THE MUNICH SECURITY CONFERENCE, GERMANY FEBRUARY 14, 2026
A wakeup call to Europe. How can we all be successful?
In watching try to pick out the KEY POINTS secretary Rubio keeps making throughout his speech. These are the important points he is making to European leaders without being condescending or negative, just FACTUAL. This is a reality check for Europe on what has been destroying their economies and culture. He is trying snap them out of the FEAR mode the globalist have put them in over these last couple decades. The globalist ideology is the problem. Decisions have been made on ideology and not on common sense and what actually works, says Rubio. We must get back to common sense.
He is a wonderful statesman.
‘The SAVE’ Act: MOVING AHEAD TO THE SENATE TO ‘SAVE’ OUR ELECTIONS.
What will happen in the Senate?
VIRGINIA DEMOCRAT GOVERNOR ABIGAIL SPANBERGER IS DONE!
As you may remember the state of Virginia recently ran their election for Governor. Abigail Spanberger won the election mostly based on spicy socialist ideas, but in moderation. Now can she back it up or is she going to destroy the state? Once elected, will she revert to radical ideas of socialism and the climate change ideology? It appears she is….
She had no intention of governing as a moderate. She is raising taxes on everything even items not formally taxed. It’s crazy taxes on EVERYTHING based on an ideology not common sense or even FACTS in most cases. So, here we go again with more of these socialist radical ideologies again. She is a traitor to those who voted for her. Listen carefully how democrats are about to destroy Virginia. Here we go again…..
Voters now know who the real Spanberger is.
Spanberger? Sounds like a cheep slice of meat that you put between a hamburger bun. Oh…. Do you mean Spam-Burger…lol.. lol.. lol..
WHY IS IT SO HARD TO CLEAN OUT THE CORRUPT FROM OUR GOVERNMENT?
Tim Burchett Reveals SAVE Act’s Future. Seems to be a very simple, uncomplicated, common sense voter reform. Why won’t the democrats support it?
God told us the only way to get these corrupt out of our government is through Martial Law. It is coming and we all can feel it. We just can’t get convictions and thus justice without it since the system is so rigged.
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.
15% GROWTH? TRUMP CONFIRMS MASSIVE STIMULUS — THIS WOULD CHANGE U.S. HISTORY
If the U.S. is to reach up to 15% growth rate the monetary policies would have to drastically change. What would the new policies look like? Is his new Fed chairman going to have the task of dismantling the Fed?
Citizens would need more money in their pockets, in other words, much more of the money than ever seen before will have to flow through the system to get this kind of growth.
The tax system would have to also drastically change. Perhaps the IRS will also be dismantled and newer means of revenue generation will be devised to support the Federal government expenditures.
Periodic stimulus checks to the citizens would have to be paid out.
What will be the driving catalyst? It’s a lofty goal (15%) and so can his administration pull it off?
THE KURDS ARE KEEPING THE GOOD NEWS SECRET TO AVOID EMBARRASSING THE SHIITES AND MALIKI’S SITUATION…
Parliament is on recess until the Trump and Khamenei issues are resolved.
On Sunday, Ikhlas al-Dulaimi, a leading figure in the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), linked the suspension of parliamentary sessions to the negotiations between Iran and the United States. She indicated that political circles are awaiting the outcome of these negotiations before proceeding with government formation.
She also revealed the existence of lobbies within parliament that she said control the disruption, obstruction, and suspension of sessions. This came in response to accusations that the Kurds were obstructing sessions due to the lack of agreement on a presidential candidate. Al-Dulaimi suggested that parliament take a recess until the confrontation between US President Donald Trump and Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei ends.
Regarding the possibility of withdrawing Nouri al-Maliki’s nomination for prime minister due to US objections, al-Dulaimi dismissed this, noting that the entire coordinating body is close to Iran. This occurred during an interview with journalist Ahmed Mulla Talal, who opened his program with breaking news that the two Kurdish parties had reached an agreement that afternoon to nominate Nizar Amidi for the presidency. He added that the agreement stipulated that this would not be announced publicly in order to avoid increasing pressure on the coordinating body. The one who is preoccupied with whether to proceed with or withdraw Nouri al-Maliki’s nomination for Prime Minister.
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A MEMBER OF THE “RECONSTRUCTION” COALITION: AL-SUDANI REJECTS EXTENDING HIS GOVERNMENT’S TERM
A member of the “Reconstruction and Development” coalition announced that Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani rejected the idea of extending the term of his current government.
On Thursday, February 12, 2026, Sami Salam, a member of the “Reconstruction and Development” coalition, stated that the proposal to extend the term of the Sudanese government does not have the consensus of all parties within the “Coordination Framework,” but is a proposal submitted only by certain parties; while emphasizing that the Sudanese government categorically rejects this matter.
These statements come in conjunction with the meeting held yesterday between Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani and Nouri al-Maliki, head of the State of Law Coalition and the Coordination Framework’s candidate for the position of Prime Minister in the next government.
Regarding the content of the meeting, Salam explained that “the issue of extending the government’s term was not discussed at all, but rather the talks focused on the position of the President of the Republic, the current tensions in the region and with Iran, in addition to a range of local and regional issues.”
In a related development, amid reports that Nouri al-Maliki has been nominated as a candidate for the coordinating framework for the premiership, US President Donald Trump expressed his concern about this in a letter, indicating that the United States would stop providing aid to Iraq if al-Maliki were chosen as prime minister.
Nevertheless, Sami Salam believes that Nouri al-Maliki remaining a candidate for the framework does not pose any danger to Iraq, considering that the existing disputes relate to political and security issues, most notably the nature of the relationship between Iraq and Iran.
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THE IRAQI PARLIAMENT RESORTS TO THE FEDERAL COURT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE OF THE PRESIDENCY… DOCUMENT
The Speaker of the Iraqi Parliament, Hebat al-Halbousi, has submitted a request to the Supreme Federal Court to interpret a constitutional provision related to the election of the President of the Republic, given the inability to hold a session with a quorum for this purpose.
According to an official document issued by the Presidency of the House of Representatives, published by Shafaq News Agency, the request is based on the texts of the Constitution and the Federal Court Law, and aims to interpret Article (72/Second/B), which stipulates that the President of the Republic shall continue to exercise his duties after the end of his term until a new president is elected within thirty days from the date of the first session of the House of Representatives.
The document explained that the election of the President of the Republic was not achieved within the constitutional period, despite the House of Representatives continuing to hold its sessions, due to the lack of a legal quorum in more than one session dedicated to this purpose.
The request indicated that the council continues to hold its sessions according to the usual agenda, without including the item of electing the president of the republic, due to the lack of the required quorum, and asked the Federal Court to state the legal opinion on this matter.
The Iraqi constitution stipulates that the president must be elected within a period not exceeding 30 days from the date of the first session of the House of Representatives.
Taking into account this period from the first session held on December 29, 2025, the constitutional time limit ended on the night of January 28, 2026.
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TRUMP: WE ARE WAITING FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF A NEW PRIME MINISTER IN IRAQ AND WE HAVE SOME OPTIONS
- US President Donald Trump confirmed on Friday that his country is waiting for the appointment of a new prime minister in Iraq, noting that Washington is considering this file and has “some options.”
- “We are looking forward to a prime minister for Iraq, and we have some ideas about that,” Trump added in press statements, stressing that “in the end, everyone needs us.”
- In a related context, Trump touched on the file of tension with Iran, noting that “if an agreement is reached with it, the US aircraft carriers in the region will leave soon.”
- Trump’s statements come amid accelerated regional political developments, related to the future of the US military presence in the region, relations with Tehran, as well as the political scene in Baghdad.
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TRUMP: WE ARE LOOKING INTO THE ISSUE OF THE IRAQI PRIME MINISTER AND WE HAVE SOME OPTIONS REGARDING THAT.
US President Donald Trump announced on Friday (February 13, 2026) that the US administration is considering the issue of the Iraqi Prime Minister.
Trump told reporters outside the White House that “the United States is closely monitoring the selection of the next Iraqi prime minister.”
Regarding the Iranian issue, he indicated that “the ongoing negotiations with Iran may lead to successful results,” adding that “failure to reach an agreement would mean a very bad day for Tehran.”
The US president added that Washington might resort to strengthening its military presence by sending a second aircraft carrier to join the existing fleet, as a precautionary measure in case the diplomatic track with the Iranian side fails.
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WASHINGTON CLARIFIES TRUMP’S STATEMENT REGARDING MALIKI: A NEGATIVE OUTCOME FOR THE IRAQI PEOPLE
A U.S. State Department official revealed on Friday the U.S. administration’s firm stance on the issue of Nouri al-Maliki, leader of the State of Law Coalition, returning to the premiership in Iraq, stressing that this move would put bilateral relations between Baghdad and Washington on the table for “reassessment.”
The decisive US stance comes after President Donald Trump said earlier on Friday that he was considering the appointment of a new prime minister in Iraq, indicating that he had “some options” regarding the matter.
The American official, who preferred not to be named, told Shafaq News Agency that “President Trump was clear in his remarks: choosing Nouri al-Maliki as the next prime minister of Iraq will force the US government to reassess the relationship between the United States and Iraq.”
He added: “We will not go into details, but choosing Maliki would be a negative outcome for the Iraqi people.”
He explained that “the parameters of American policy towards Iraq in the next stage are based on fundamental points that are not open to compromise, namely:
- ending the dominance of Iranian-backed militias over the Iraqi political scene,
- reducing Iranian influence within state institutions, and
- strengthening strong economic partnerships between Iraq, the United States, and regional partners.”
In response to a question about whether this position represents a final “red line” or is negotiable, the US official stressed that Washington is “looking for partners who share the same goals.”
It is worth noting that Trump said on January 27, 2026, in a post on the “Truth Social” platform, that the return of former Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to the premiership is “something that should not be allowed,” considering that Iraq “slid into poverty and chaos” during his previous term.
For his part, Nouri al-Maliki, the head of the State of Law Coalition and the Coordination Framework’s candidate for the position of next Prime Minister, said on February 3 that Trump had been misled against his candidacy for a third term by three countries and internal parties, adding: “I heard that the tweet was written here, but I have not yet confirmed this matter.”
(Oh…. this Maliki guy is a very slick operator! Of course this Trump message is confirmed. It has been said a dozen times already.)
In a televised interview, Maliki indicated that his candidacy would not expose Iraq to economic sanctions by the United States, noting that this matter was being promoted in order to push for him to give up this candidacy.
According to the head of the State of Law Coalition, he would be prepared to give up his candidacy for prime minister, if this were done at the request of the majority of the coordinating framework.
For its part, the Coordination Framework repeatedly reiterated its support for its candidate, Nouri al-Maliki, for the premiership, stressing that the selection of the Prime Minister is a purely Iraqi constitutional matter, done away from external dictates.
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EXPERT: IGNORING US THREATS COULD PLUNGE IRAQ INTO COMPLEX CRISES
Strategic affairs expert Hussein Al-Asaad confirmed on Saturday (February 14, 2026) that the United States’ threats to impose sanctions on Iraq if any new government is formed that does not have its approval must be taken very seriously and carefully considered, given their potential repercussions on the political, economic and financial stability of the country.
Al-Asaad told Baghdad Today that “Washington has multiple pressure tools, starting with financial and banking sanctions, and not ending with economic and trade restrictions, in addition to its direct impact on Iraq’s relationship with international institutions and foreign investments. Any escalation in this matter may negatively affect the value of the national currency, market activity, and the financing of vital projects.”
He explained that “the current stage requires Iraqi political forces to adopt a realistic and balanced approach, based on protecting national sovereignty on the one hand, and avoiding entering into uncalculated clashes with influential international powers on the other, especially in light of the sensitive regional conditions and internal economic challenges.”
He added that “the formation of the government must be based on a broad national consensus and a clear government program that reassures the international community about Iraq’s commitments, while at the same time preserving its independent decision-making. Ignoring or downplaying American warnings may open the door to complex crises, the price of which will be paid primarily by the citizens.”
Al-Asaad concluded by saying that “managing this file requires active diplomacy, responsible political dialogue, and a strategic vision that protects Iraq’s higher interests and prevents the use of sanctions as a tool of pressure that hinders the path of stability and state-building in the next stage.”
From time to time, political and economic warnings are raised in Iraq that any tension with influential international powers, especially in financial and economic matters, may affect market activity, investments, and foreign transactions, prompting some parties to call for a balance that combines preserving national decision-making with avoiding escalation.
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THREE BLOWS TO MALIKI IN ONE NIGHT… HIS CLOSEST ALLY SIGNALS A RETREAT
“THE FRAMEWORK HAS ALREADY BEGUN DISCUSSING THE ALTERNATIVE.”
It appears that more and more resistance factions are gradually distancing themselves from supporting Maliki and moving to the opposing side, which began with the Asaib movement and the Hikma movement and today includes a large gathering of factions and political forces. The Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada bloc, led by Abu Ala al-Walai, said that the framework has already begun discussing replacing Maliki.
The Victorious Bloc, affiliated with the Sayyid al-Shuhada Brigades, hinted at the possibility of withdrawing Nouri al-Maliki’s nomination for prime minister, given “the importance of the close economic relations between Iraq and America,” according to what was stated by MP Jassim al-Moussawi.
The hints from the Loyalist bloc come in conjunction with the demands of the Services bloc (linked to the Imam Ali Brigades faction) to collect signatures to dissolve Parliament, in order to end the current political deadlock, while Parliament Speaker Hebat al-Halbousi gave the third indication when he decided to go to the judiciary, due to the expiration of the legal period for electing the President of the Republic.
It appears that the bloc supporting Maliki is shrinking day by day. After his nomination began with the support of 10 out of 12 leaders within the Shiite coordination framework, the Victory Coalition, led by Haider al-Abadi, expressed its objection in a subsequent statement to the nomination decision.
The opposition bloc began with the leader of the Wisdom Movement, Ammar al-Hakim, who was absent from the meeting, and the leader of the Asaib Ahl al-Haq movement, whose circles raised clear voices and at unusual levels against al-Maliki’s nomination.
Following the stormy tweet from US President Donald Trump against al-Maliki’s nomination, some opponents of al-Maliki’s nomination say that the forces supporting him have retreated, with the exception of the Badr Organization and the Sayyid al-Shuhada Brigades, represented by the Victorious Bloc, which is part of the State of Law Coalition, and which represents the most important faction supporting al-Maliki, before the bloc’s MP, Jassim al-Moussawi, made his final signal, which was interpreted as a retreat from supporting al-Maliki.
On the night of al-Maliki’s nomination by the Coordination Framework, Abu Alaa al-Walai appeared with heartfelt emotions, thanking everyone who contributed to this achievement. He addressed the head of the Badr Organization, Hadi al-Amiri, saying, “You did not fall short, Hajji,” in recognition of his efforts in hosting the session that resulted in al-Maliki’s nomination.
Al-Moussawi stated in an interview with journalist Ahmed Al-Tayeb, which was followed by the 964 network , that “the new actor that entered this stage was unexpected, which is the American intervention that is happening for the first time in this way, which brought the understandings back to square one,” explaining, “There was a prior agreement on the premiership and other entitlements, except for the reservations of two parties within the framework, and now these reservations have deepened in light of the external intervention, for fear that this will be reflected on the economic situation of the country.”
Al-Moussawi added, “Today we are witnessing an expansion of the disagreement within the coordination framework regarding the seriousness of this intervention, especially as we are living through a difficult economic situation.” He explained that “the brothers within the framework, especially Haj Abu Israa, have their opinion and final say, but if we go to the second option, which is the alternative, we will need some time to reformulate the understandings.”
Al-Moussawi pointed out that “Iraq is an oil-producing country and we have close economic ties with the United States that cannot be avoided, so it is possible that we will proceed with our choice, or perhaps we will reconsider the entire project (nominating al-Maliki),” noting that “talk about an alternative is now being raised within the framework, and the current deadlocks are different from the previous ones that were caused by demonstrations and confrontations. Today’s deadlock is on the table, and it can be overcome, but the matter requires a little time.”
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THE SUDANESE BLOC REJECTS THE CARETAKER GOVERNMENT: EITHER FORM A GOVERNMENT OR HOLD EARLY ELECTIONS.
On Saturday, Mohammed Al-Khalidi, a leader in the Reconstruction and Development Coalition, expressed his rejection of the proposal to keep outgoing Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani in a caretaker government. He pointed out that Ammar Al-Hakim, head of the Wisdom Movement, Qais Al-Khazali, secretary of Asaib Ahl Al-Haq, and Haider Al-Abadi, head of the Victory Coalition, threatened to break away from the coalition and form a political bloc if a government was not formed. However, Hussein Al-Shihani, a member of parliament from the Sadiqun Movement, quickly denied this information, stressing that there was no intention to break away from the coalition.
Al-Khalidi said in an interview with journalist Haider Zweir, which was followed by 964 Network , that “Mr. Ammar al-Hakim, Mr. al-Khazali and Mr. al-Abadi said: If we do not reach a result, we will split off and announce a political bloc, if the government is not formed.”
Al-Khalidi asked: “What is a caretaker government? Where did this caretaker government come from? This is unacceptable and such talk should not be uttered. Either a government is formed or we return to early elections, and this is what the constitution stipulates.”
For his part, MP Hussein Al-Shihani, from the Sadiqun bloc, responded to the split from the framework, saying: “There is absolutely no indication from Al-Hikma, Sadiqun, or Mr. Al-Abadi of splitting from the coordinating framework, and Mr. Al-Hakim and Sheikh Qais are among the most keen on the unity of the framework.”
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THE STATE OF LAW COALITION IS THREATENING TO DISSOLVE PARLIAMENT DUE TO ITS FAILURE TO DECIDE ON THE POSITION OF PRESIDENT.
On Wednesday, MP Youssef al-Kalabi, from the State of Law bloc, threatened to go to the Supreme Federal Court to request the dissolution of the House of Representatives if the item on choosing the President of the Republic is not included in the next session of the Council.
Al-Kalabi told Shafaq News Agency, “The failure to include the item of electing the President of the Republic on the agenda of the next session will push us to go to the Federal Court and request the dissolution of the House of Representatives due to its inability and exceeding the constitutional term.”
The MP explained that the move to dissolve the House of Representatives came in view of the failure to include the item of electing the President of the Republic on the agenda of the House, as he pointed out that this item should be the third item after electing the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and opening the door for nomination for the position of President of the Republic.
The MP believes that “the failure to add the clause on electing the President of the Republic has put Iraq in a state of anxiety, which requires resolving the issue and adding the clause to the agenda of the next session.”
The House of Representatives did not include a special clause regarding the selection of the President of the Republic in its session today, despite the fact that the constitutionally mandated period for him has been exceeded.
The constitution stipulates that the president must be elected within a period not exceeding 30 days from the date of the first session of the House of Representatives. Calculating this period from the first session held on December 29, 2025, the time limit is close to the night of January 28, 2026.
The Kurdistan Democratic Party candidate, Fuad Hussein, and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan candidate, Nizar Amidi, are leading the presidential race, according to the list of candidates that the Iraqi judiciary and the House of Representatives announced they had reviewed and decided on their eligibility, after the number of applicants was reduced from more than 40 applications to a final list of 14 names.
It has become customary in the Iraqi political system after 2005 for the presidency to go to the Kurds, in exchange for the prime minister going to the Shiite blocs and the speakership of parliament going to the Sunni forces.
During most of the previous sessions, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) had the most prominent share in this position through presidents such as Jalal Talabani, then Fuad Masoum, then Barham Salih, and finally Abdul Latif Rashid, which established an internal political tradition that the presidency was closer to the PUK, before the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) decided to enter into this competition.
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WITH THE START OF RAMADAN, A BREAKTHROUGH IS EXPECTED IN THE PRESIDENTIAL DEADLOCK, WITH THE NOMINATION OF THE CANDIDATE FROM THE LARGEST BLOC.
Abdel Samad Zarkoushi, a member of the coordinating framework, predicted on Friday (February 13, 2026) that the candidate of the largest bloc would be appointed during the first days of the holy month of Ramadan.
Al-Zarkoushi told Baghdad Today that “dialogues and meetings of the Coordination Framework forces are continuing almost daily, and there are serious efforts to resolve the issue of the position of President of the Republic,” noting that “important understandings have been reached in the past few days, and are expected to be reflected in next week’s meetings.”
He added that “the readings available to us indicate that the issue of electing the President of the Republic and assigning the candidate of the largest bloc will be resolved in the first days of Ramadan,” noting that “the forces of the framework are still holding on to their candidate Nouri al-Maliki for the next government, and there are no changes in this direction.”
Al-Zarkoushi confirmed that “the forces of the framework will hold an important meeting next week, perhaps before the month of Ramadan, to discuss several issues, and its outcomes may lead to accelerating the pace of setting a session for the House of Representatives to vote on the President of the Republic, after which the latter will assign the candidate of the largest bloc.”
These statements come amid continued political deadlock over the appointment of the President and Prime Minister, following repeated rounds of talks between the Coordination Framework forces and other political forces.
The House of Representatives had failed in previous sessions to achieve the legal quorum necessary to elect the President of the Republic, which led to postponing the decision more than once, amid political tensions and disagreements over the candidates.
According to the Iraqi constitution, the election of the president of the republic precedes the step of assigning the candidate of the largest parliamentary bloc to form the government, which makes this entitlement pivotal in ending the state of paralysis and moving towards forming a new government to manage the next stage.
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THE COORDINATING FRAMEWORK IS LOOKING FOR AN ALTERNATIVE TO MALIKI.
(Hey….what about al-Sudani? He had a great past three years in office. Oh… but he did not do the bidding of Iran did he?)
Iraqi parliamentarian: Election of a president is unlikely without prior political agreement
As pressure mounts to convene a parliamentary session to elect a new president, an Iraqi parliamentarian warned that the process could falter without a prior political agreement. Meanwhile, with the US vetoing Nouri al-Maliki’s candidacy remaining in place, a leader in the Hikma Movement revealed that the coordinating body is working to identify a new candidate acceptable to all parties.
Sunday, February 15, 2026 – Iraqi MP Faisal Al-Issawi told Kurdistan 24: “There is intense pressure within Parliament to hold a session dedicated to electing the President of the Republic during this week, but there is no tangible political agreement so far, and it is difficult to proceed with the session without consensus.”
Al-Issawi pointed out that the Speaker of the House of Representatives addressed the Federal Supreme Court to request clarification regarding Article (72)/ Paragraph Two/ Clause (B) of the Constitution, which relates to the continuation of the President of the Republic in his duties and setting a date for the election of his successor, stressing that everyone is waiting for the court’s response.
The data indicates that the main obstacle to electing a president lies in the failure to resolve the issue of the prime ministerial candidate within the “coordination framework.” According to the Iraqi constitution, the candidate of the largest parliamentary bloc must be tasked with forming the government immediately after the presidential election, thus linking the two positions to each other as a single package.
In this context, Sami Al-Jizani, a member of the Wisdom Movement, stated that “the coordination framework is continuing its political efforts to break the current deadlock, especially in light of the sensitive circumstances and challenges facing the region.”
Al-Jizani revealed an “anticipated political breakthrough in the next few days through the introduction of an alternative candidate,” explaining that “this candidate will be chosen by consensus of the framework’s forces, and must be acceptable and non-controversial at the local, regional, and international levels.”
Al-Jizani added that just as the Shiite forces contributed to supporting the Sunni component to decide the election of the Speaker of Parliament, efforts are now focused within the “Shiite House” to overcome internal differences.
Although Nouri al-Maliki remains the only official candidate of the Coordination Framework for the premiership at the moment, American reservations and the refusal to assign him have pushed the Framework’s forces towards searching for alternative options to ensure the government’s passage.
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THE SUDANESE COALITION SENDS A SIGNAL: THE FRAMEWORK MAY CONVINCE MALIKI TO WITHDRAW HIS CANDIDACY.
Mohammed Al-Akeeli, a member of the Reconstruction and Development Alliance, suggested on Monday that the issue of nominating Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki would be decided by a decision from the Coordination Framework forces, noting that withdrawing the nomination – if it happens – will be with the approval of Al-Maliki himself, and not by an individual decision from him, in reference to efforts within the framework to address the political deadlock.
Al-Akeeli’s statements come in conjunction with indications of a decline in support for Nouri al-Maliki within the coordination framework, as the Victorious Bloc, affiliated with the Sayyid al-Shuhada Brigades, had previously hinted at the possibility of withdrawing al-Maliki’s nomination for the premiership due to “the importance of close economic relations between Iraq and America,” according to what was stated by MP Jassim al-Moussawi, while the Services Bloc, the political wing of the Imam Ali Brigades faction, called for collecting signatures to dissolve Parliament.
It appears that the bloc supporting Maliki is shrinking day by day. After his nomination began with the support of 10 out of 12 leaders within the Shiite coordination framework, the Victory Coalition, led by Haider al-Abadi, expressed its objection in a subsequent statement to the nomination decision.
The opposition bloc began with the leader of the Wisdom Movement, Ammar al-Hakim, who was absent from the meeting, and the leader of the Asaib Ahl al-Haq movement, whose circles raised clear voices and at unusual levels against al-Maliki’s nomination.
In the latest developments, Muhammad al-Akeeli, a leader in the Sudanese coalition, said in an interview with journalist Muhammad al-Khaza’i, which was followed by 964 Network , that “the constitution did not mention in its articles any punitive or penal matters for constitutional violations, which made the political blocs live in a state of relaxation that does not serve the interests of the Iraqi people.”
Regarding whether the Coordination Framework will proceed with or withdraw al-Maliki’s nomination, al-Akeeli said: “I don’t think Mr. al-Maliki will withdraw, but I think there will be a decision from the Coordination Framework, with Mr. al-Maliki’s approval, to withdraw his nomination.”
Al-Akeeli added, “The Reconstruction and Development Coalition forms an important part of the coordination framework, but the rest of the parties in the framework must take steps similar to the Reconstruction and Development Coalition. We first sent a message consisting of five points before supporting Maliki, and it served as a working guide for the coordination framework, but it was not taken into account, and we went to a deadlock. Then, the competition was limited to 3 candidates, so Mr. Al-Sudani withdrew in favor of Mr. Maliki, and we returned to a deadlock again. What more do you want the Reconstruction and Development Coalition to do?”
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THE IRAQI ARMY AFTER THE INTERNATIONAL COALITION: A NEW PHASE OF PROFESSIONALISM AND READINESS
The Iraqi armed forces face a major responsibility to secure the borders and protect the country from any internal and external threats, following the withdrawal of the international coalition forces from the country.
This transformation comes as an opportunity to demonstrate the Iraqi army’s ability to assume full responsibility without relying on external support, with a focus on building a professional national army that is trained and equipped with the latest weapons and military technologies.
The history of the Iraqi army extends for more than a century, during which it has fought internal and external battles, from the Iran-Kuwait wars to confronting ISIS.
The spokesman for the Commander-in-Chief of the Iraqi Armed Forces, Sabah al-Nu’man, affirms that Iraq “is moving steadily towards building a professional military system based on field experiences accumulated in battles that were decided in favor of the state, and this vision is based on a unified national doctrine and the exclusive loyalty to the state and the constitution.”
Al-Nu’man adds to Shafaq News Agency that the Iraqi army seeks to achieve technical self-sufficiency by reviving military manufacturing and localizing military technology, while developing the air force, preparing for electronic warfare, and employing the army’s experience in urban warfare and confronting terrorist gangs, to become at the forefront of the region’s armies in terms of equipment and numbers.
Capacity building
Observers note that the “new” Iraqi army after 2003 relied on a volunteer approach to build a professional military institution, whose members choose military life voluntarily, while some experts point out that the “integration officers”, that is, the figures associated with political entities who were thrown into the army after the regime change, within the army affected the level of efficiency.
In this context, military expert Alaa Al-Nashou says, “Establishing a professional national army requires significant resources, and begins with forming military schools, institutes, and colleges to train officers and fighters, and proceeds to preparing military divisions and corps to lead operations internally and externally.”
Al-Nashou’ confirms to Shafaq News Agency that preparing a professional soldier is not limited to physical training only, but includes physical, psychological and tactical maneuvers that prepare him to deal with all military scenarios, from attack and defense to retreating combat.
The expert stresses the need to put in place mechanisms to ensure professionalism within the army, most notably keeping the military institution away from partisan and political conflicts, combating corruption and nepotism within it, and removing unqualified officers and ranks, especially “integration officers”.
It also calls for the need to grant military formations direct powers to confront any threat on the borders without the intervention of “armed factions,” and to form a military council of former commanders and officers to oversee the development of combat, organizational and moral capabilities, and to bring military personnel into training courses inside and outside Iraq, especially in countries with advanced military experience such as America, Europe and Russia.
Modern armament
Military experts believe that developing the air force has become a crucial element in protecting Iraq. Between August 2024 and October 2025, the Iraqi army received 15 American Bell 505 training aircraft, in addition to French Caracal aircraft designated for search and rescue, air transport and support for ground forces.
Observers note that these aircraft represent a qualitative leap in military training and pilot qualification, and contribute to providing fire support to ground forces and increasing their flexibility, at a time when Iraq is preparing to receive the Korean M-SAM air defense system during February to ensure the protection of the borders from any possible air intrusion.
In this regard, military expert Adnan Al-Kinani confirms that Iraq now possesses an advanced air force that includes fighter jets, drones, short, medium and long ballistic missiles, and an air defense system to protect the borders from infiltration.
Al-Kinani adds to Shafaq News Agency, “Iraq also has a local military manufacturing industry to provide weapons and equipment in the event of any potential aggression or difficulty in importing, and multi-specialty ground forces that include special forces, infantry, mechanized infantry, armor and artillery, and electronic warfare capabilities to counter modern threats.”
In conclusion, he notes the importance of having qualified national leaders to guide training, supervise armament, and carry out operations, stressing that the presence of unqualified leaders poses a threat to the army’s ability to protect the state.
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BAGHDAD AND ERBIL UNIFY CUSTOMS SYSTEM TO CONTROL MARKETS AND PROTECT THE VALUE OF THE DINAR
The Iraqi General Authority of Customs announced on Thursday tangible progress in economic relations between the federal government and the Kurdistan Regional Government, confirming the region’s response to the initiative to unify customs tariffs and implement federal decisions, in a strategic step aimed at controlling local markets, combating money laundering, and maintaining the stability of the value of foreign currency.
In a press statement, the Director General of the General Authority of Customs, Samer Qasim, revealed that “the Kurdistan Region has actually begun to respond to the issue of unifying customs tariffs with the federal ports,” noting that the steps to comply with Resolution No. (597) and the customs instructions issued by Baghdad have entered into force.
Qasim explained that “the past two days witnessed a series of meetings in the capital, Baghdad, which resulted in initial agreements and practical understandings to begin unifying the customs system,” considering this step a fundamental pillar for resolving many outstanding files and issues between the two sides.
The Director General of Customs emphasized that traders operating outside the customs and tax system will be the “most affected” by these measures. He added, “Working with the ASYCUDA electronic system requires traders to possess a valid import ID and tax ID. Accordingly, no financial transfers will be allowed to pass through this unified digital system.”
Qassem explained that the tariff unification process will not include all goods in the first phase, but will focus on the “most imported goods” that cause large amounts of dollars to be drained abroad.
The Iraqi official concluded his statement by noting that the objectives of this coordination are “to regulate import operations, protect the Central Bank’s hard currency reserves, prevent the entry of low-quality goods, and provide a safe environment to protect the national product through a clear and comprehensive national customs policy.”
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AL-MALIKI: TALK OF DISBANDING THE POPULAR MOBILIZATION FORCES IS JUST RUMORS; THE PRIORITY IS THE AUTHORITY OF THE STATE.
The head of the State of Law Coalition, Nouri al-Maliki, affirmed on Wednesday that the priority of the current stage is to consolidate the authority of the state and unify the security decision, stressing that the Popular Mobilization Forces are part of the Iraqi security system.
Al-Maliki said in a statement, “The priority today is not to dissolve this or merge that, but to consolidate the authority of the state and unify the security decision,” stressing that “the Popular Mobilization Forces are part of the Iraqi security system, were established by law, and their role was decisive in confronting terrorism.”
He added that “any organization or development of the work of security institutions is done within the vision of the state and in a way that preserves sovereignty and stability, away from media posturing.”
Al-Maliki pointed out that “the Popular Mobilization Forces are an official institution that was established by law and voted on by Parliament, and any talk about dissolving or merging is done exclusively within the framework of the constitution and the law and by a decision of the state, not through rumors,” stressing that “any development of the Popular Mobilization Forces must protect it from weakness and support its combat readiness.”
Shafaq.com
(We in this article Maliki’s obvious pro-Iranian stance. So, here we get Maliki’s views on the elimination of the PMF, something that the US is mandating be disarmed. Already we see a conflict in policy that is butting heads with the Trump administration. This is not going to be good if he does become prime minister.)
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AL-MALIKI PRAISES AL-SUDANI: HIS SUPPORTIVE STANCE TOWARDS MY NOMINATION IS UNFORGETTABLE.
The head of the State of Law Coalition, Nouri al-Maliki, praised on Tuesday the position of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani in support of his nomination for the position of Prime Minister, while stressing that his supportive position will not be forgotten.
Al-Maliki said in a televised statement followed by “Mail” that “Al-Sudani’s position supporting my nomination for the position of Prime Minister is unforgettable,” stressing that “Al-Sudani did not demand any guarantees in return for his support for my nomination for the position of Prime Minister.”
(Al-Sudani supports any nominee from the coalition , get it? Maliki makes is sound as though al-Sudani is jumping for joy that Maliki is the nominee. Al-sudani still feels he should have another term in office and wants it.)
He added that “we searched extensively for a way out of the dilemma of choosing between the candidates for prime minister,” indicating that “I did not speak with Al-Sudani about his withdrawal from the nomination for prime minister.”
Al-Maliki continued, “We respect the differences of opinion within the coordination framework and we will return to it in the event of any changes,” noting that “the issue of whether or not I will concede to Al-Sudani is up to the coordination framework.”
He explained that “if the coordinating framework decides by a two-thirds majority to change its candidate for prime minister, I will comply with its decision.”
Miliq.news
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BLOOMBERG: WASHINGTON THREATENS BAGHDAD WITH REDUCED OIL REVENUES IF MALIKI RETURNS TO THE PREMIERSHIP
Bloomberg reported on Tuesday that Washington had informed Iraqi officials in recent days that it might reduce Iraq’s access to oil export revenues if Nouri al-Maliki were appointed prime minister, given the United States’ view of him as being close to Iran.
The agency, in a report citing sources who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the talks, indicated that the United States issued a new warning during a meeting held last week in Turkey between the governor of the Central Bank of Iraq, Ali Al-Alaq, and senior American officials.
Türkiye’s meeting came almost simultaneously with a social media post by US President Donald Trump, in which he stressed that Iraqi politicians could not choose Maliki.
The sources pointed out that American frustration increased due to al-Maliki’s insistence, who served as prime minister between 2006 and 2014, on not backing down.
In contrast, sources familiar with Tehran’s strategy reported that Iran informed Iraqi political leaders close to it of the need to resist Trump and his threats.
Sources told the agency that Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei sent Ismail Qaani, commander of the Revolutionary Guard, to Baghdad last month carrying a congratulatory message to Iraqi leaders on the nomination of Maliki, a move that angered American officials.
Iraqi oil export revenues are currently deposited in an account in the name of the Iraqi Ministry of Finance at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, and are managed by the Central Bank of Iraq.
The Iraqi government uses these funds to cover its expenses, including public sector salaries and pensions, amounting to approximately $7 billion per month. It also receives roughly $500 million in cash monthly, flown from New York to Baghdad.
Iraq is one of the world’s most oil-dependent countries, with oil revenues accounting for about 90% of its budget.
Shafaq.com
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THE IRAQI STREET IS PAYING THE PRICE FOR BUREAUCRATIC DELAYS, POLITICAL INACTION, AND RISING PRICES.
The political vacuum represents one of the most serious challenges facing the stability of countries emerging from accumulated crises, as the absence of central decision-making becomes a daily reality affecting every aspect of citizens’ lives. The Iraqi scene stands as a prime example, where the impact of political paralysis extends beyond the ruling elites to the public, the economy, the market, and the currency.
The delay in forming a government exacerbates the complexities of the economic and social crises, disrupting support programs, slowing investments, and eroding market confidence. Prices are rising faster than salaries, while demands for services are mounting in major cities. Observers note that local markets have begun to treat political timing as an economic indicator, as financial stability is now practically linked to the clarity of executive authority.
On the other hand, disagreements persist between the major blocs and lists, exceeding the constitutional deadlines for determining the president and prime minister, reflecting a structural flaw in the consensus-building mechanism. Negotiations have devolved into an open-ended tug-of-war, with each faction attempting to secure its position within the future power structure before even agreeing on the government itself.
The government formation crisis then takes on a form that is more a struggle over the nature of the next executive system than a mere competition for positions.
The parties are torn between a broad consensus government model and a political majority model, which is hindering any quick settlement, because the agreement is no longer just on names but on the rules of governance.
In parallel, the political vacuum has entered a critical phase after the constitutional deadlines for voting on senior positions were missed, leaving institutions in a state of administrative limbo. Ministries are hesitant to make long-term decisions for fear of political challenges or a sudden government reshuffle.
This reality is directly reflected in the economic and social fabric of the state, with the salary crisis and rising prices emerging as the first indicators of its impact. Economic anxiety transforms into a general mood that puts pressure on the political process, as citizens feel that the political crisis has shifted from the halls of parliament to the very means of sustenance.
The caretaker government headed by “Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani” operates within limited powers, so it cannot launch infrastructure projects, pass budgets, control the market and monetary policy, or confront the financial deficit. The state becomes a temporary administration, while the heavy economic files require full sovereign decisions.
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NO TURNING BACK ON THE ASYCUDA… THE GOVERNMENT CALLS ON TRADERS TO ACCEPT THE NEW REALITY
The 2003 system has ended
The Iraqi government called on Sunday (February 15, 2026) for those objecting to the implementation of the ASYCUDA system and customs tariffs to accept the new reality and comply with the law. Speaking on behalf of the government, spokesperson Bassem Al-Awadi explained that this system, which is implemented in more than 100 countries, will be applied in Iraq under international and UN supervision. He added that part of the ASYCUDA implementation is linked to Iraq’s international obligations in the areas of combating money laundering, currency and goods smuggling, and international trade.
He further stated that after 2003, Iraq relied on a process he termed “arbitrary” in managing customs and taxes, and that the time has come to change this process.
Al-Awadi stated in an interview with the official channel, which was followed by 964 Network , that “during the past few days with the beginnings of the implementation of the ASYCUDA system, there was some delay in the ports and many goods were delayed. According to the government’s estimates, some of them were delayed normally and others were delayed abnormally. When the government implemented the ASYCUDA system, this does not mean that there is a problem between it and the traders, but this step is an organizational process.”
Al-Awadi added, “In order to facilitate the movement of goods and make things easier for the private sector and Iraqi traders, the Iraqi government decided to zero out the government’s percentage of goods in warehouses – these warehouses are a joint facility between the ports and maritime transport, and also in cooperation with the private sector – so the government’s fees were zeroed out, and also 50% of the fees of the investing partner were zeroed out.”
Al-Awadi pointed out that “in light of the recent atmosphere that we all experienced, and the many rumors that try to make the government and the Iraqi state in general seem like something poised to harm the private sector or harm the people, and this is something that does not exist,” indicating that “the private sector and the merchant class are witnesses to the level of interaction that the government has undertaken, and in the end, only the truth will prevail.”
Al-Awadi pointed out that “trade from 2003 until today, especially with regard to taxes and customs, was more like arbitrariness. In simple terms, things were done in the form of a small container with 3 million and a large container with 4 million, regardless of what was inside the container. This was an old method that was imposed by the reality of the change after 2003, and it continued due to the repercussions and recent events.”
Al-Awadi stressed that “the ASYCUDA system is a United Nations system and was not brought by the Iraqi government. It is implemented in 102 countries around the world and is linked to the United Nations Convention against Torture (UNCTAD). Part of the implementation of ASYCUDA is linked to Iraq’s international obligations in the areas of combating money laundering, smuggling of currency and goods, and international trade.”
The government spokesman stressed that “this system is not targeting a specific class, and the rumors that speak of a lack of liquidity in the Iraqi state and that is why it went towards this system are untrue. All of this is incorrect, because the process of trade, accounting and customs since 2003 was an arbitrary emergency process, and in the end, now this year or next year or after 3 years, everyone knows that these temporary matters must end and we must move towards the right things.”
Al-Awadi explained that “this new system (ASYCUDA) has been implemented, and we do not have (Quranic texts nor angels). It is an electronic automation system, operated by Iraqi teams under international and UN supervision.” He pointed out that “over time and after implementation, if there is any kind of injustice that may befall an economic class, group, or a specific type of goods, there are unions and federations of the Iraqi private sector and spokespeople for them, and the door of the Prime Minister and the Iraqi government is open to them, and it is possible to address any injustice that may affect merchants or other classes.”
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THE CENTRAL BANK OF IRAQ CLARIFIES THE MECHANISMS FOR DEALING WITH THE DOLLAR IN ALL ITS ISSUANCES.
The Central Bank of Iraq, in a directive to licensed banks and non-bank financial institutions, stressed the importance of reducing discrimination in the exchange rate of the US dollar between old and new issues, stressing the need for all banks and financial institutions to adhere to the instructions for trading and exchanging banknotes, in accordance with the approved standards for foreign banknotes, especially the US dollar, in order to ensure the safety of monetary transactions and market stability.
The Central Bank clarified that the laws, instructions and regulations in force do not adopt any discrimination between the different editions of the US dollar currency, noting that the bank continues to receive these issues and deal with them through all authorized banks, provided that they are within the internationally and locally approved standards and regulations.
This clarification comes within the framework of the Central Bank of Iraq’s commitment to enhancing transparency and discipline in the banking sector, protecting customers, and supporting monetary and financial stability in Iraq.
Central Bank of Iraq,
Media Office,
February 16, 2026
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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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