IRAQI DINAR POLITICS & ECONOMY

Qubad Talabani: Our crisis is not about dividing up positions, but about implementing the principles of partnership in Kurdistan.

Qubad Talabani: Our crisis is not about dividing up positions, but about implementing the principles of partnership in Kurdistan.

2026-05-31

Shafaq News – Raparin
On Sunday, Qubad Talabani, a leader in the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), reiterated his party’s position supporting the swift formation of the new Kurdistan Regional Government, emphasizing support for any initiative or decision that would bring the region out of the political deadlock.

This came in a statement he made to journalists on the sidelines of his visit to the administration of the independent “Raparin” region, in which he was asked about the possibility of holding a Read more…

Prime Minister’s Office in Iraq

Prime Minister’s Office in Iraq

2026-05-31 04:56

Duaa Hazzaa Al-Jabri
The Iraqi Prime Minister’s Office: Changing faces, but a closed system perpetuating corruption.
Since the collapse of the Iraqi state structure in 2003, public positions have no longer been merely places to serve the people or temporary national responsibilities, but have gradually turned into open political spoils, the value of which is measured by the privileges, salaries, protections, contracts and influence they generate. Thus a new political class has emerged, which often does not fight over principles or programs as much as it fights over sources of Read more…

Why might this government be the most important turning point in the history of the Iraqi economy?

Why might this government be the most important turning point in the history of the Iraqi economy?

5-31-2026

Researcher Shatha Khalil*
The speech of Iraq’s new Prime Minister, Ali al-Zaidi, was not merely an announcement of a new government program; it was laden with economic and political messages reflecting the magnitude of the challenges facing the Iraqi state at this pivotal moment in its history. When the government speaks of comprehensive economic reform, combating corruption, stimulating investment, and supporting the private sector, it implicitly acknowledges that Iraq is not facing a passing financial crisis, but rather a structural Read more…

Al-Zidi directs the formation of the Supreme Sovereign Council for Integrity and Oversight

Al-Zidi directs the formation of the Supreme Sovereign Council for Integrity and Oversight

2026-05-30

Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Saturday, Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi directed the formation of the Supreme Sovereign Council for Integrity, Oversight and Recovery of Public Funds.

A statement from the Prime Minister’s Media Office, received by Shafaq News Agency, indicated that Al-Zaydi chaired a special meeting regarding procedures for auditing government contracts, in the presence of the head of the Federal Board of Financial Control, the head of the Federal Integrity Commission, the head of the Public Prosecution, and the judge Read more…

Al-Jubouri: What happened in the session to grant confidence to Al-Zidi’s government was a conspiracy, and Al-Halbousi violated the law.

Al-Jubouri: What happened in the session to grant confidence to Al-Zidi’s government was a conspiracy, and Al-Halbousi violated the law.

5-30-2026

Information/Baghdad..
MP Iyad al-Jubouri, from the Azm Alliance, accused unnamed parties on Saturday of being behind what he described as a “conspiracy” to thwart the passage of a number of ministers during the vote on Ali al-Zidi’s government, stressing that the session’s management witnessed legal violations.

Al-Jubouri told Al-Maalomah News Agency, “What happened during the session to grant confidence to Ali Al-Zidi’s government was a conspiracy aimed at obstructing the passage of some ministers,” indicating that Read more…

Al-Fayez sets a date for completing the cabinet.

Al-Fayez sets a date for completing the cabinet.

5-30-2026

Information/Baghdad..
The head of the “Design” coalition, Amer Al-Fayez, confirmed on Saturday that the completion of the ministerial cabinet of Prime Minister Ali Al-Zidi’s government will take place after the Eid Al-Adha holiday, noting that the decision will be made through an emergency session or immediately after the end of the parliamentary legislative holiday.

Al-Fayez told Al-Maalomah News Agency that “political forces and blocs are currently holding intensive internal meetings to discuss the names nominated to fill the remaining ministerial portfolios and to ensure Read more…

Economic sovereignty in Iraq: Between pressure from the US Federal Reserve and weak national decision-making

Economic sovereignty in Iraq: Between pressure from the US Federal Reserve and weak national decision-making

5-30-2026

Information / Baghdad..
Parliamentary warnings continue regarding the repercussions of the Iraqi economy remaining dependent on external variables and pressures, amid increasing calls to strengthen the independence of economic decision-making and activate the private sector as one of the most important solutions to address the financial crises facing the country.

In this context, former Finance Committee member Mueen Al-Kadhimi warned against the continued dominance of the US Federal Reserve over monetary policy in Iraq, stressing that Washington uses this issue as a tool Read more…

MP: Power struggles within the Sunni bloc have widened the political divide

MP: Power struggles within the Sunni bloc have widened the political divide

5-30-2026

Information / Special..
MP Kamel Al-Akeeli, from the Coordination Framework, confirmed on Saturday that one of the most prominent reasons for the disputes that accompanied the confidence vote session was due to the competition within the Sunni component regarding the distribution of positions and ministerial portfolios, noting that this conflict was directly reflected in the course of the session and the atmosphere of political consensus.

Al-Akeeli told Al-Maalouma that “the most prominent dispute was the competition between the Progress and Read more…

Al-Zaydi and a delegation from Al-Sadr discuss the integration of Saraya Al-Salam into the security forces.

Al-Zaydi and a delegation from Al-Sadr discuss the integration of Saraya Al-Salam into the security forces.

2026-05-30

Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Saturday, the Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Ali Faleh al-Zaidi, received a delegation representing the leader of the Shiite National Movement, Muqtada al-Sadr, in the presence of the Deputy Commander of Joint Operations and the personal secretary.

The Prime Minister’s Media Office stated in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency that the meeting discussed the mechanism for implementing Al-Sadr’s initiative to integrate Read more…

After his term ended, Rubio said: Tom Barrack will continue to play a leadership role in Iraq and Syria.

After his term ended, Rubio said: Tom Barrack will continue to play a leadership role in Iraq and Syria.

2026-05-30

Shafaq News – Washington
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that US Ambassador Tom Barrack will continue to play a leading role in the Syria and Iraq files within President Donald Trump’s administration, despite the end of his term as special envoy to Syria.
Rubio said in a post on the X platform that “Ambassador Tom Barrack has played an invaluable role as our special envoy to Syria.”

He added that “this title will end, but he will continue to play a leading role in the Trump administration, in both Syria and Iraq, where his experience, relationships, and understanding Read more…

The Al-Azm Alliance: The Ministries of Planning and Culture are our entitlement, and we will present our candidates after Eid.

The Al-Azm Alliance: The Ministries of Planning and Culture are our entitlement, and we will present our candidates after Eid.

2026-05-30

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Ghanem Al-Aifan, a leader in the Al-Azm Alliance, confirmed on Saturday that the Ministries of Planning and Culture are allocated to the alliance, noting that the alliance will submit the names of its candidates for the two ministries after the Eid al-Adha holiday.

Al-Aifan told Shafaq News Agency that “the Azm Alliance supports the government, and this support is not limited to a specific name, but rather there are many names and talents within Read more…

“Integration and non-prosecution”: A crucial meeting between Al-Zaydi and security and faction leaders to “control weapons”.

“Integration and non-prosecution”: A crucial meeting between Al-Zaydi and security and faction leaders to “control weapons”.

2026-05-30

Shafaq News – Baghdad
A government source revealed on Saturday that Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi will hold an extensive meeting with security leaders and armed factions that have announced the handover of their weapons to the state, in order to establish mechanisms and a timeframe for integrating their members and dismantling their positions, in addition to discussing the “guarantees” that will be given to the factions.

The source told Shafaq News Agency that “the meeting that al-Zaydi will hold will include leaders in the Ministries Read more…

Special forces arrest senior oil official on corruption charges in Salah al-Din

Special forces arrest senior oil official on corruption charges in Salah al-Din

2026-05-30

Shafaq News – Baghdad
An informed source reported on Saturday that a special security force arrested the Deputy Minister of Oil for Refining Affairs (General Manager of the Northern Refineries Company and Baiji Refinery) Adnan Hamad Hamoud, on charges related to corruption cases.

The source explained to Shafaq News Agency that the arrest operation was carried out in the “Ishaqi” area of ​​Salah al-Din Governorate, and came after the Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi declared war on corruption and audited government contracts. Read more…

The first official move to integrate the Peace Brigades into the state and sever their ties with al-Sadr

The first official move to integrate the Peace Brigades into the state and sever their ties with al-Sadr

2026-05-29

Shafaq News – Najaf
The committee appointed by the leader of the National Current, Muqtada al-Sadr, regarding the disengagement of the Peace Brigades, announced on Friday that it had held its first meeting to officially disengage the brigades.

The private office of Al-Sadr said in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency that, in accordance with what was stated in Al-Sadr’s statement, in which he ordered the completion of the procedures for the separation of the military side of the Peace Brigades Read more…

Kurdish politician: The region’s finance ministry continues to “steal” employee salaries amid deteriorating living conditions.

Kurdish politician: The region’s finance ministry continues to “steal” employee salaries amid deteriorating living conditions.

5-29-2026

Information/Duhok…
Kurdish politician Saman Ali revealed on Friday that the Kurdistan Regional Government’s Ministry of Finance continues to steal its employees’ salaries despite the deteriorating living conditions. This comes amidst renewed calls for protests demanding employee rights and the prosecution of those involved in the theft.
Ali told the Information Agency, “The Kurdistan Regional Government’s Ministry of Finance continues to steal its employees’ salaries under the pretext of saving them as deposits. However, Read more…

The confidence vote session triggers a crisis… Al-Halbousi is accused of muddying the waters and obstructing the formation of the government.

The confidence vote session triggers a crisis… Al-Halbousi is accused of muddying the waters and obstructing the formation of the government.

5-29-2026

Information / Report
Political disputes have not ceased regarding the repercussions of the session to grant confidence to the government of Prime Minister Ali al-Zidi, in which MPs and politicians held the Speaker of Parliament, Hebat al-Halbousi, responsible for what happened, accusing him of deliberately obstructing the passage of the names of some candidates for the government cabinet, as well as reneging on the political agreements concluded between the forces participating in the government.

Observers believe that what happened during the session reflected a clear political escalation, amid accusations that Read more…

Al-Barti: Al-Halbousi deliberately obstructed the approval of some ministers, and we await the Federal Court’s response.

Al-Barti: Al-Halbousi deliberately obstructed the approval of some ministers, and we await the Federal Court’s response.

5-29-2026

Information / Exclusive
Rebin Salam, a member of the Kurdistan Democratic Party, confirmed on Thursday that the party’s parliamentary bloc is awaiting the Federal Court’s decision regarding the appeal against the session granting confidence to Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi’s cabinet, and the accompanying failures and deliberate mismanagement by Parliament Speaker Hebat al-Halbousi.

Salam told Al-Maalomah, “There is clear evidence of violations in some of the procedures followed by the Speaker of Parliament during the voting session, especially regarding Read more…

Abdul Hadi: There are no red lines in opening corruption files and tracking down those who plunder public funds.

Abdul Hadi: There are no red lines in opening corruption files and tracking down those who plunder public funds.

5-29-2026

Information/Baghdad…
On Friday, Uday Abdul-Hadi, a member of the Coordination Framework, affirmed that there are no red lines in opening files on financial corruption and pursuing those involved in embezzling public funds.
Speaking to Al-Maalouma, Abdul-Hadi said, “The forces of the Coordination Framework support all efforts aimed at combating financial and administrative corruption within state institutions and proceeding with transparent investigations through the relevant departments to uncover all files.”
He added, “There are no red lines in this path, and everything that contributes to combating corruption Read more…

Warning of US interference in security appointments in the new government

Warning of US interference in security appointments in the new government

5-29-2026

Al-Maalomah/Anbar –
Anbar Alliance leader Mohammed al-Dhalimi warned on Thursday of the repercussions of subjecting Ali al-Zaidi’s government to the Trump administration’s control over security personnel in Iraq.
Al-Dhalimi told Al-Maalomah News Agency that “the Trump administration informed Ali al-Zaidi, the prime minister-designate, that he should not interfere in the appointment of the ministers of the interior and defense, as well as other security officials. The selection for these positions will be American, and the newly elected government will not be allowed to interfere Read more…

Washington removes the name of an Iraqi with 12 titles from its sanctions list.

Washington removes the name of an Iraqi with 12 titles from its sanctions list.

2026-05-29

Shafaq News – Washington
The U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced Thursday evening that it had lifted sanctions on 76 entities and individuals who were on old sanctions lists, including an Iraqi citizen whose name appeared in various forms in the department’s records.

This move came as part of an initiative to modernize the US sanctions system, a trend discussed by Treasury Secretary Scott Bisent during the “No Money for Terror” conference held in the French Read more…