Iraq between the “elite” deadlock and the “state’s” erosion: A reading of the post-April 2026 landscape
2026-05-17 01:09
Dr. Gutiar Tamr
The question in Iraq is no longer: Who forms the government? Rather, it is: Is the state still capable of producing a government with genuine decision-making power? Since the November 2025 elections, the political deadlock has transcended mere procedural obstacles in the distribution of ministerial portfolios, reflecting a profound structural crisis within the very model of governance. Events have revealed that “consociational democracy,” initially Read more…
In numbers… Iraq continues to bleed its foreign currency reserves amid declining oil revenues
2026-05-17
Shafaq News – Baghdad
Recent financial data released by the Central Bank of Iraq on Sunday revealed a significant decline in the country’s foreign currency reserves, amid official and academic warnings of continued low oil revenues due to the security turmoil affecting energy supply chains in the region.
According to the Central Bank’s newly released official financial indicators, Read more…
The new electricity minister pledges to find solutions to end the energy crisis in Iraq.
2026-05-17
Shafaq News – Baghdad
The new Minister of Electricity, Ali Saadi Wahib, pledged on Sunday to work on finding effective solutions to the chronic energy supply crisis that has plagued most regions and cities of Iraq for a long time.
This came in a speech he delivered while officially assuming his duties within Read more…
Iran: Washington responded to the proposed agreement with 5 conditions
2026-05-17
Shafaq News – Tehran
On Sunday, the Iranian Fars News Agency revealed Washington’s conditions in its response to the proposed agreement.
The agency said that “Washington stipulated that a ceasefire in all areas be contingent upon Read more…
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Exclusive.. Al-Eidani: Iranian gas is disrupting the electricity system in Basra
2026-05-17
Shafaq News – Basra
Basra Governor Asaad Al-Eidani confirmed on Sunday that the province is facing challenges related to the decline in electricity production, coinciding with the approach of the summer season and rising temperatures, noting that the decrease in local and imported gas supplies has directly affected the operation of power generation stations in Read more…
Al-Sadr calls Al-Zaydi and urges him to preserve Iraq’s sovereignty and improve public services.
2026-05-17
Shafaq News – Najaf
The leader of the Shiite National Movement, Muqtada al-Sadr, made a phone call today, Sunday, to Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi, during which he congratulated him on the formation of the new Iraqi government.
A statement issued by al-Sadr’s media office said that during the call, he urged al-Zaydi to Read more…
Conflict of interest: Official complaint filed with the Integrity Commission gives Al-Zidi and the Minister of Electricity the choice between resigning or relinquishing their contracts.
2026-05-17
Shafaq News – Baghdad
Former MP Raed Al-Maliki announced on Sunday that he had submitted an official report to the Integrity Commission/Prevention Department and the Public Prosecution Service, with notification to the Parliamentary Integrity and Legal Committees regarding the conflict of interest of Prime Minister Ali Al-Zidi and Electricity Minister Ali Saadi Wahib, due to their having ongoing Read more…
Iraqi Dinar Guru opinions 5-16-2026
5-16-2026 Newshound Guru Militia Man Government is one, the banking is two and they work in conjunction but they’re independent. The Central Bank of Iraq is independent. Keep that in mind at all times because that’s a fact. Read more…
Petraeus in Baghdad: American messages and political moves with the new government
5-16-2026
Information / Special..
Political analyst Mohammed Talib Karim linked the visit of retired US General David Petraeus to Baghdad and his meeting with high-level officials and political figures to the continuation of US pressure on Iraq.
Karim told Al-Maalomah that Petraeus’s visit was “unusual and carries a hidden agenda that the United States seeks to implement in Iraq in conjunction with Read more…
Karkoush: Dollar prices and food commodities are the two most urgent issues facing the government.
5-16-2026
Information / Special..
Imran Karkoush, a member of the State of Law Coalition, confirmed on Saturday that the next government is required to put in place real and quick economic solutions to address the crisis of the rising dollar exchange rate and its direct impact on the prices of food and basic commodities Read more…
Following its establishment, Al-Zaidi chairs the first meeting of the Financial Stability Board.
2026-05-16
Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Saturday evening, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi chaired the first meeting of the Financial Stability Council, hours after directing its establishment during the first cabinet session.
The council includes the Minister of Finance and the Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq. Read more…
Reconstruction and Development: We will prove after Eid that we are a force to be reckoned with.
5-16-2026
Information/Special…
Mohammed al-Khalidi, a leader in the Development and Reconstruction Coalition, confirmed on Saturday that the withdrawals from the coalition over the past two days were not unexpected. He also highlighted three points he described as important for the coalition’s future.
Speaking to Al-Maalouma, al-Khalidi said, “The Development and Reconstruction Coalition is a crucial part of the political process Read more…
Al-Zaydi assigns Hussein Al-Awadi to manage the Ministry of Interior.
2026-05-16
Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Saturday, Iraqi Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ali Faleh al-Zaidi assigned the senior undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior, Hussein al-Awadi, to temporarily manage the ministry until a new minister is named to succeed Read more…
15 directives from Al-Zaydi in the first cabinet meeting
2026-05-16
Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Saturday, the new Iraqi Prime Minister, Ali Faleh al-Zaidi, launched a package of 15 government directives during the first regular session of the Council of Ministers, which included disclosing the financial assets of ministers, activating the Health Insurance Law, accelerating digital transformation, and addressing Read more…
Al-Muhammadi: The Al-Zidi government must implement urgent solutions to end the debt crisis.
5-16-2026
Information/Special…
MP Karim Aliwi Al-Muhammadawi stressed on Saturday the necessity for the new government, headed by Ali Al-Zidi, to implement urgent economic solutions to end the external debt crisis and mitigate the repercussions of fluctuating oil prices on the Iraqi economy.
Al-Muhammadawi told the Information Agency that “the almost total Read more…
A parliamentary source: New alliances are expected within parliament to put an end to Halbousi’s violations.
5-16-2026
Information/Baghdad…
A parliamentary source revealed on Saturday that new political alliances are being formed within the Council of Representatives in the coming days.
The source told Al-Maalomah that “these new alliances will have a significant impact and clear influence within the Council of Representatives, particularly in the voting process on important and vital laws that directly Read more…
Paralyzing sovereign ministries: Behind-the-scenes deals threaten political stability in Iraq
5-16-2026
Information/Report…
Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi’s cabinet continues to face “deliberate obstacles” preventing the completion of its sovereign ministries, amidst explicit parliamentary and political accusations against the “Progress” coalition, led by Mohammed al-Halbousi, of spearheading obstruction and bargaining over Read more…
Alert inside a US base near Erbil
5-16-2026
Information/Erbil…
An informed source revealed on Saturday that a state of alert was declared at a US base near Erbil, which went into effect suddenly this afternoon.
The source told Al-Maalomah that “the US base located in the vicinity of the Harir area near Erbil entered a state of maximum alert suddenly and without prior warning Read more…
Iraq is nearing completion of the Gulf electrical interconnection project to secure additional power.
2026-05-16
Shafaq News – Baghdad/Basra
The Ministry of Electricity announced on Saturday that the completion rate of the Gulf interconnection project with Iraq has reached 94%, stressing that it is hoped that the first phase of this project will provide 500 megawatts of additional energy, which can be increased in the future according to Read more…
New York Times: Trump received plans to strike Iran
2026-05-16
Shafaq News – Washington
The New York Times reported on Friday that US President Donald Trump received plans from his aides to strike Iran, including sending special forces into Iran.
The New York Times quoted US officials as saying that “Trump’s aides have prepared plans to return to military strikes on Iran, if he decides to Read more…
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