Nechirvan Barzani: The mind of stability amidst regional minefields
2026-06-17
Venus Baban
The geography of the Middle East, in its current complexities, is unlike any historical period that has passed. It is not merely a politically troubled geography, but a geography of fire in which lines of contact intersect, and over which the strategies of major powers intersect with the ambitions of regional powers. At the heart of this inflamed environment, the Kurdistan Region stands as a constitutional entity facing the challenge of survival and prosperity amidst a minefield stretching from Baghdad to Damascus, and from Tehran to Ankara.
In these critical historical moments, political success is no longer a matter of chance, but rather the product of a mind of stability and flexible pragmatism embodied by the President of the Kurdistan Region, Nechirvan Barzani, as the architect of a safe Read more…
Armies are no longer enough: the new world war is being waged from within the banks.
6-17-2026
Researcher Shatha Khalil*
For decades, wars were fought with armies, tanks, and missiles. Today, the most impactful battles are waged silently through banks, financial networks, economic sanctions, and data flows. The battlefield is no longer confined to military fronts; it has extended to the heart of the global financial system, where control over the movement of money can determine the fate of governments, economies, and even entire populations.
The growing role of private financial intelligence firms, such as K2 Integrity, raises a fundamental question: Is the mission of these companies limited to helping countries combat money laundering and financial crimes, or have they Read more…
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Iraqi Dinar Guru opinions 6-16-2026
6-16-2026 Newshound Guru Clare Article: “Al-Zaidi at the White House in mid-July… Iraq and America reaffirm strategic partnership” Quote: “Barak conveyed President Trump’s desire to receive the Prime Minister at the White House in mid-July to discuss the future of this relationship.” Read more…
Barak’s mission: From confining weapons to the center to strengthening energy security in the region
2026-06-16
Ramzi Mirkani
The arrival of Tom Barrack, the US presidential envoy to Iraq and Syria, in Baghdad and his subsequent visit to Erbil, was not merely a routine diplomatic procedure on the US administration’s agenda. Rather, this visit, with its timing and the significance of the person undertaking it, represents a clear declaration of a fundamental shift in US policy toward Iraq; a shift from managing relations and political courtesies to managing decisive and critical decisions.
Tom Barrack (79), the billionaire investor of Lebanese descent and a close confidant of President Donald Trump, is not a traditional diplomat raised within the corridors of the State Department. He is a master dealmaker, fluent in Arabic, and Read more…
US forces arrive at Ain al-Asad base in Anbar
6-16-2026
Al-Maalomah/Anbar…
A security source in Anbar province revealed on Tuesday that a US force, supported by military vehicles, equipment, and fighter jets, arrived at Ain al-Assad Air Base in the western part of the province, accompanied by tight security measures.
The source told Al-Maalomah News Agency that “a US force arrived unexpectedly at the base, located in the al-Baghdadi district, amidst tight security and a lack of transparency regarding the nature of the mission or its objectives.” The source added that “the force was accompanied by warplanes and drones and Read more…
The real estate deal of the century… How did the Sudanese grant billions of dinars worth of land to cronies for a handful of dinars!
6-16-2026
Information / Special..
Informed sources revealed serious information about what they called the “real estate deal of the century” that took place during the era of former Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani. It involved distributing plots of land in the Al-Qadisiyah area, which is considered one of the most prestigious and expensive residential areas in the capital, Baghdad, to political, party, and journalistic figures close to the government, in a move described as a blatant exploitation of positions, manipulation of powers, and squandering of public funds to buy loyalties.
Sources told Al-Maalomah that residents of the Qadisiyah district confirmed the existence of suspicious land allocations granted as “presidential gifts” to influential figures Read more…
Ending the “militias” and the relationship between Erbil and Baghdad are on the table for Masoud Barzani and Tom Barrack
2026-06-16
Shafaq News – Erbil
Kurdish leader Masoud Barzani discussed with US President’s Special Envoy for Iraq and Syria, Tom Barak, on Tuesday, ways to enhance stability in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. While Barak stressed the need for Baghdad to restrict weapons to the state and end the influence of “militias,” Barzani pointed to the importance of the federal government’s commitment to the principles of partnership, balance, and consensus within the framework of the constitution.
A statement from Barzani’s headquarters, received by Shafaq News Agency, stated that Masoud Barzani received Read more…
The government announces the purpose of al-Zaidi’s visit to Washington
2026/06/16
Government spokesman Haider Al-Aboudi confirmed on Tuesday that Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi’s visit to Washington aims to strengthen the Iraqi-American partnership, noting that economic, trade and investment issues will be at the forefront of the visit’s agenda.
Al-Aboudi said in a press statement: “The Prime Minister, Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi, will pay an official visit to Washington in mid-July with the aim of establishing the necessary momentum to strengthen the Iraqi-American partnership and elevate it to an effective level within the framework of the strategic relationship Read more…
Radhi: The stability of the dollar is linked to the continued flow of oil revenues.
6-16-2026
Information/Baghdad…
Rasoul Radhi, a member of the State of Law Coalition, confirmed the resumption of oil revenue transfers from the US Federal Reserve to Iraq after a recent halt. He noted that the funds arrived in Iraq, particularly after the selection of the new prime minister.
Radhi told Al-Maalouma, “The exchange rate of the dollar in local markets depends on the foreign currency sent to Iraq, especially since Iraqi oil sales go to the US Federal Reserve.”
He added, “Iraq receives approximately $350 million weekly from the Federal Reserve as revenue from oil sales, but Read more…
Despite the disagreements, the absence of division between the blocs opens the door to completing the cabinet.
6-16-2026
Information/Baghdad…
Previous statements from most political parties indicated that the cabinet would be finalized after Eid al-Adha. However, this has not yet happened, despite 20 days having passed since the end of the holiday and the return of pilgrims to the country. This confirms the existence of internal disagreements that have not been openly discussed in the media. Nevertheless, statements from some parties suggest that there are no divisions among the political blocs, despite external interference and internal disputes that may be overcome in order to proceed with nominating Read more…
A call for strict governmental and legal action to control the oil smuggling issue across the region.
6-16-2026
The economic expert Hashim al-Haboubi called on the federal government on Tuesday to take firm and realistic measures against the Kurdistan Regional Government to prevent ongoing oil smuggling operations, coinciding with the recent international breakthrough of reopening the Strait of Hormuz to compensate for Iraq’s losses in recent months.
Al-Haboubi told the Information Agency that “the recent agreement between Tehran and Washington, which allowed for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the resumption of oil exports, necessitates decisive government action to control the internal Read more…
A race against time… Parliament heads to an extraordinary session to decide on the cabinet.
6-16-2026
Information / Report…
Political and parliamentary efforts are intensifying to complete the new cabinet and fill the remaining vacant ministerial posts before the end of the current legislative recess. This comes amidst increasing pressure from members of parliament on the leaders of political blocs to expedite agreement on the nominated candidates and convene an extraordinary session to vote on them.
MP Mukhtar al-Youssef revealed that there is a parliamentary movement underway to gather the necessary signatures to hold an extraordinary session of parliament to finalize the remaining cabinet positions. He confirmed that a number of MPs are exerting significant Read more…
Trump: The Strait of Hormuz will remain open without any fees.
2026-06-16
Shafaq News – Paris
US President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that the Strait of Hormuz will be fully reopened by next Friday, stressing that the strait will be opened without imposing any fees.
Speaking on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Paris, Trump said, “Iran will not have a nuclear weapon, and the Strait of Hormuz will be opened without any fees even after the 60-day period ends,” adding that “the new relationship with Iran has become normal, and things will move forward quickly in the next phase.”
He added that “Iran wants to get this done and return to normal business,” noting that Read more…
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Türkiye opposes extending the oil pipeline agreement with Iraq.
2026-06-16
Shafaq News – Ankara
A senior Turkish official said on Tuesday that Ankara does not want to extend the existing Ceyhan-Kirkuk oil pipeline agreement under the current circumstances, after Baghdad requested an extension of at least one year to allow time for further talks.
When asked about the Iraqi request for an extension, the Turkish official told Reuters: “There is no point in extending an agreement that was subject to arbitration.”
Iraq had asked Turkey on Monday to extend the Kirkuk-Ceyhan oil pipeline agreement for Read more…
Cautious anticipation… What awaits Iraq after the US-Iran agreement?
2026-06-16
Shafaq News – Baghdad/London
While political assessments in Baghdad and the region’s capitals race to read what might result from the recent US-Iranian understanding, the Iraqi scene seems closer to a gray area that oscillates between optimism about the possibility of capitalizing on the breakthrough, and cautious waiting until it becomes clear whether the agreement will actually hold on the ground or remain a fragile political framework that is susceptible to shaking at the first regional test.
This ambiguity is further compounded by the complexities of the Iraqi scene itself, where political, security and Read more…
Al-Zaidi at the White House in mid-July… Iraq and America reaffirm strategic partnership
2026-06-16
Shafaq News – Baghdad
Iraq and the United States affirmed on Tuesday their commitment to strengthening a “strong and mutually beneficial” strategic partnership that includes security, energy, and investment, as well as supporting political and economic stability in the country.
This came in a joint statement issued today by Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi and US President Donald Trump’s special envoy Tom Barrack, as reported by Shafaq News Agency.
According to the statement, Al-Zaidi and Barak reaffirmed the shared commitment of the Iraqi Read more…
Losses approaching 8%… Iraqi oil leads global crude declines
2026-06-16
Shafaq News – Basra
Iraqi crude oil prices fell sharply on Tuesday, making them among the biggest losers in global markets, amid pressure stemming from optimism about a preliminary agreement between the United States and Iran.
Basra Heavy crude fell to $53.50 a barrel, a loss of $4.64 or 7.98%, while Basra Medium crude declined to $55.60 a barrel, down by the same amount and by 7.70%. Read more…
Araghchi: The war has ended on all fronts and the agreement will come into effect on Friday.
2026-06-16
Shafaq News – Tehran
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi confirmed on Tuesday that the war on all fronts, including Lebanon, has ended, noting that the peace agreement with the United States will come into effect on Friday.
Araghchi said in press statements that “the declaration of the end of the war was the most important achievement in the first phase of the agreement, and it was officially announced yesterday morning, Monday,” indicating that “the official start of the implementation Read more…
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Parliamentary movement to end acting appointments to senior positions in Iraq
2026-06-16
Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Tuesday, MP Ibtisam Al-Hilali, from the State of Law Coalition, revealed a political movement within the House of Representatives to submit a request to the Speaker of the House aimed at issuing a parliamentary resolution that sets a date for ending the management of senior and special positions, undersecretaries of ministries, and acting directors-general.
Al-Hilali told Shafaq News Agency that there are dozens of senior positions in the Iraqi government, including Read more…
Barak from Erbil: Trump has special respect for the Kurdish people and the Kurdistan Region.
2026-06-16
Shafaq News – Erbil
US President Donald Trump’s special envoy to Iraq and Syria and US ambassador to Turkey, Tom Barrack, affirmed on Tuesday that President Trump has special respect for the Kurdish people, the Kurdistan Region, and its leadership.
This came during a meeting between Barak and the Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region, Masrour Barzani, in Erbil, in the presence of the Chargé d’Affaires of the US Embassy in Baghdad, Joshua Harris, and the Commander of the Coalition Forces in Iraq Read more…
