Al-Zaydi launches the biggest battle against corruption… Will the Iraqi economy begin its recovery journey?

Despite possessing one of the world’s largest oil reserves, the Iraqi economy faces significant challenges. It remains heavily reliant on oil revenues, while state institutions suffer from administrative corruption, weak economic diversification, and declining public trust in the banking sector, in addition to the impact of political and regional conflicts. Since 2003, Iraq has faced accumulating challenges that have affected the efficiency of state institutions and delayed the implementation of numerous development and reconstruction projects. Today, with the new government’s approach, an opportunity has emerged to launch a reform phase that could rebuild confidence in the Iraqi economy and pave the way for investment and sustainable development.

Analysis

The arrest campaigns carried out by the new Iraqi government under Prime Minister al-Zaidi represent a significant step in the fight against corruption, and a message that the state is moving towards strengthening the rule of law and holding accountable those proven to be involved in the squandering of public funds. However, these measures should be the beginning of a long reform process that addresses the root causes of corruption, and not be limited to prosecuting individuals alone.

Over the past years, corruption has been linked to the structure of state institutions, as some government institutions have transformed from public service providers into centers of political and financial influence, which has weakened the efficiency of management and affected the state’s ability to implement its development projects and attract investments.

Financial reform stands out as one of the most important tools for change. The transition to a more transparent financial system, based on digital transactions and modern oversight, contributes to documenting the flow of funds, reducing money laundering, and minimizing opportunities for bribery and tax evasion. In the modern economy, the efficiency of the financial system has become one of the most important indicators that investors rely on when making their decisions.

Moreover, the relationship between the economy and security has become more intertwined than ever before. The stability of financial and administrative institutions not only reflects on economic performance, but also enhances political stability and strengthens the confidence of the local community and international partners in the state’s ability to manage its resources efficiently.

Therefore, developing the banking system, strengthening financial compliance, and increasing transparency are all essential factors in creating a more stable investment environment. The greater the confidence of both local and foreign investors, the greater the opportunities for implementing new projects, creating jobs, and diversifying national income sources away from near-total dependence on oil.

This stage also requires launching a national program for institutional reform, based on modernizing state institutions, developing oversight systems, enhancing the independence of oversight and judicial bodies, and simplifying administrative procedures, in order to reduce bureaucracy and increase the efficiency of government performance.

At the same time, investment in infrastructure is one of the most important keys to economic growth. Rehabilitating electricity, water, road, port, and public service networks will provide a more attractive environment for investment, support the private sector, and contribute to improving the quality of life for citizens.

From an economic standpoint, genuine reforms can boost investor confidence, strengthen the banking sector, reduce money laundering, improve public revenues, encourage local and foreign capital to invest in Iraq, expand the use of the formal banking system, and shrink the size of the informal economy.

If reforms remain limited or merely cosmetic, the same challenges may persist, including weak investor confidence, capital outflows, continued reliance on cash, and declining efficiency of financial institutions, limiting the economy’s ability to achieve sustainable growth.

Conclusion

The new government’s anti-corruption campaign represents an important opportunity that could establish a different phase in the history of modern Iraq. However, its true success will not be measured by the number of detainees, but rather by the state’s ability to transform these steps into a comprehensive institutional and financial reform project that enhances transparency, enshrines the rule of law, and strengthens state institutions.

More than two decades have passed since 2003, and today Iraq has an opportunity to rebuild its economy on more sustainable foundations by attracting investments, developing infrastructure, diversifying sources of income, and establishing an economic environment based on efficiency, transparency, and accountability.

If the government succeeds in combining anti-corruption efforts with economic and administrative reform, this could mark the beginning of a new phase that opens up broader horizons for growth and stability, restores Iraq’s economic standing, and gives citizens hope for a more prosperous future.

Economic Studies Unit / North America Office,

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Washington resumes dollar shipments to Iraq after months of suspension

The New York Times revealed on Thursday that the United States has resumed dollar shipments to Iraq after a months-long suspension.

The newspaper reported that “the United States has resumed some airlifts of US dollars to Iraq, after several months of suspension, in a move that was intended to put pressure on the Iraqi government to distance itself from Iran.”

The newspaper quoted two aides to Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi as saying that “the resumption of dollar transfers came after a hiatus of several months.”

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Gold records its biggest monthly collapse in 18 years

Gold prices fell by more than 1% on Tuesday, heading towards their biggest monthly decline since October 2008, driven by rising expectations of a US interest rate hike to combat inflation.

Spot gold fell 1.5% to $3,956.92 an ounce, marking a sharp monthly loss of 12.7%, its fourth consecutive monthly decline. Meanwhile, US gold futures for August delivery fell 1.7% to settle at $3,969.30.

The precious metal is also on track for its first quarterly loss since 2024 and its largest quarterly decline since the second quarter of 2013, due to pressure from a strong dollar and high global inflation rates.

As for other precious metals, silver followed the downward trend, declining by 2% to $57.13 per ounce. Platinum also fell by 1.1% to $1,557.21, and palladium dropped by 0.4% to settle at $1,208.17.

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Washington is preparing a “blacklist” and moving to dismantle Tehran’s influence in Baghdad.

David Des Roche, an associate professor at the Center for Near East and South Asian Security Studies and a former defense policy official in the US Secretary of Defense’s office, asserted that Washington views the recent “anti-corruption” campaign in Baghdad as a necessary step to dismantle “Iranian influence.”

Des Roche, who previously held sensitive positions in the Pentagon and the White House, said, “There are unannounced American expectations that political and security figures linked to Tehran should be removed from the Iraqi scene.” MiddleEast news

He added: “Washington has always considered rampant corruption, particularly Iranian-backed corruption, a real obstacle to establishing a close relationship between Iraq and the United States. Iraq is seen as a state with somewhat diminished sovereignty, given that Iranian-directed militias, funded by the Iraqi government, challenge the will of the state itself. Therefore, any move that shows a genuine desire to eradicate the corruption and violence rampant in the system would be very welcome in Washington.”

The American strategic expert warned of potential security repercussions that the affected parties might resort to in order to destabilize the Iraqi government.

He continued, saying: “There are concerns about instability within the Iraqi government as a result of this campaign. We have seen the Iranian Revolutionary Guard’s playbook in Lebanon, where they resort to threatening the entire country with sliding into chaos if they feel that Iranian interests are threatened. This possibility exists in Iraq, but given the current level of confrontation between the United States and Iran, Washington sees this action as something that must be done, even if it is difficult and involves some pain.”

Des Roche added that the Trump administration is seriously looking to eradicate the “malign activities” of non-state actors linked to Iran, stressing that “after the gradual destruction of Lebanese Hezbollah, the various Iraqi militias are now the most powerful part of this Iranian system.”

Regarding the conditions and guarantees that Washington demands to prove the seriousness of this campaign, Des Roche revealed the view of American political and security circles: “I don’t think that the United States has specific figures and indicators, but it wouldn’t surprise me if there were a list of names of politicians and figures in the security services whom Washington believes do not serve Iraqi interests but rather Iranian interests. Washington would tell Baghdad: In order to be a credible government, you must at least not include these people in power, and better yet, deal with them through the judiciary.”

The American expert also pointed out that Washington is looking to reduce the influence of the factions under the umbrella of the “Popular Mobilization Forces” which operate as “proxies for Iran”.

Des Roche cited as an example the ongoing trial of Mohammed Baqir al-Saadi in New York, stressing that such figures are of great concern to the United States, and that any Iraqi action against them or their infrastructure would be a very welcome step in Washington.

On Sunday morning, Baghdad and several other provinces witnessed a large-scale arrest campaign targeting political officials, members of parliament, and businessmen. It was described as one of the largest anti-corruption operations in years, targeting networks accused of wasting public funds and smuggling billions of dollars, amid indications that the investigations may extend to include high-ranking figures in the state.

Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi confirmed during a cabinet meeting last night that the campaign represents a “first phase” within the anti-corruption file. While pledging to continue procedures to recover public funds, he tasked oversight bodies with receiving any indicators related to government performance or the performance of ministries, in order to uncover cases of corruption or negligence.

Earlier on Monday, Iraqi government spokesman Haider al-Aboudi confirmed that the government is continuing its fight against corruption and protecting public funds, noting that 21 people involved in Operation Dawn Charge had been arrested.

Shafaq.com

After Washington, Al-Zaidi announces a tour to Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Iran.

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi announced on Tuesday that his upcoming visit to the United States will be followed by a tour that includes Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Iran, while confirming that the government has not found any evidence to support the accusations regarding attacks on Gulf states being launched from Iraqi territory. Iraqeconomic reports

Al-Zaydi told Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper that his foreign travel program includes, after the visit to the United States, working visits to Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Iran.

He stressed that the government has not found any evidence that the attacks targeting the Gulf states originated from Iraqi territory, noting that specialized committees have been formed to investigate this matter.

He added that he had informed all security force commanders of the need to confront any attempt to use Iraqi territory to attack neighboring countries.

On the economic front, Al-Zaydi explained that the government is proceeding with the establishment of the “Energy and Development Fund,” in which the Central Bank of Iraq will contribute, and which will be offered for public subscription, with invitations extended to Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar, in addition to American and European funds and banks, to contribute to it.

He stressed that Iraq will not enter into a loan program from the International Monetary Fund, noting that the government seeks to adopt a market economy and work on amending economic laws that are no longer in line with the current reality.

On the oil file, he said that Iraq’s share in OPEC is not commensurate with its circumstances, population size, and the cost of the war on ISIS, stressing Baghdad’s pursuit of a fairer mechanism for distributing oil export quotas.

Al-Zaydi also stressed that his government is continuing to fight corruption and end the phenomenon of weapons outside the framework of the state, stressing that the factions have begun to hand over weapons, and that the state will not accept the presence of any armed entity outside its institutions.

Earlier, an informed source told Shafaq News Agency that Prime Minister Ali al-Zubaidi will discuss during his upcoming visit to Washington next month the release of one of the Iraqi bank guarantees held by the United States, estimated at about $30 billion, in addition to economic and investment files.

Shafaq.com

“The King of Iraq” leads the fight against corruption… Will al-Zaydi dare to overthrow those who brought him to power?

An American report suggested that the campaign led by Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, with direct support from Chief Justice Faiq Zaidan, against corruption, is similar to the campaigns launched by previous Iraqi prime ministers at the beginning of their terms.

A report by the US-based Al-Monitor website, translated by Shafaq News Agency, stated that the real test of Ali al-Zaidi’s seriousness will not be in pursuing middle-ranking officials, but rather in his willingness to target the same influential forces that helped him reach the premiership.

The report quoted Renad Mansour, director of the Iraq Initiative at Chatham House, as saying that “mid-level officials are targeted because it is possible, but those at the top, above the rule of law, do not usually end up in prison.”

Mansour pointed out that the new governments in Iraq use anti-corruption campaigns to achieve two main goals. The first is to remove opponents of the previous government and appoint loyal figures in their positions, while the second aims to convince public opinion that the current government is “different this time” and gain popular legitimacy.

For his part, Ramzi Mardini, founder of the Geopol Labs consultancy, said that anti-corruption campaigns in Iraq have always been political in nature and have often been used as a pretext for coercive measures.

He added that these campaigns have historically been linked to elite conflicts and have been used by heads of government to consolidate their power, weaken the patronage networks of their opponents, and achieve political gains in front of the local and international public.

The report went on to mention that Iraq possesses one of the world’s largest oil reserves, as well as significant natural gas wealth, yet the majority of citizens still suffer from poor living conditions.

According to the Monitor report, youth unemployment rates range between 25 and 35 percent, which increases public discontent amid repeated corruption scandals, while Iraq is ranked by Transparency International as one of the fifty most corrupt countries in the world.

An American report considered that the anti-corruption campaign comes at a time when American pressure is escalating on Iranian-backed armed factions, while it saw that the real test for the government will be its willingness to pursue the most influential entities linked to Tehran.

Al-Zaidi is preparing to visit Washington in mid-July to meet with US President Donald Trump at the White House, according to a joint statement issued earlier this month by the Prime Minister and US Special Presidential Envoy Tom Barrack.

The report suggested that the campaign was aimed, at least in part, at strengthening the government’s position ahead of the visit, given the intense US pressure to dismantle and disarm Iranian-backed armed factions, which are seen as deeply entrenched in corruption networks within Iraq.

The report quoted informed sources as saying that US authorities, particularly the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), are cooperating with the Iraqi government by providing it with intelligence information about the suspects and their ties to Iran, without disclosing further details.

The Monitor’s report touched on the current investigations with political detainees, and confirmed that the Supreme Judicial Council, headed by Judge Faiq Zaidan, is leading the current anti-corruption campaign. He is sometimes nicknamed “the King of Iraq” because of his extensive influence and close ties with influential figures in Iran. He has also become a key player in building communication channels with the Trump administration, and played a pivotal role in Ali al-Zaidi’s rise to the premiership after months of political deadlock. He represents the real power behind the throne of power in Iraq.

Shafaq.com

The unification of Peshmerga forces begins… Kurdistan affirms its ability to manage the situation after the end of US support.

On Tuesday, the Minister of Peshmerga Affairs in the Kurdistan Regional Government, Shorsh Ismail, announced the start of the practical phase of unifying the Peshmerga forces under the umbrella of the Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs, stressing that the ministry will be able to manage the affairs of its forces autonomously after the end of the financial support agreement with the US Department of Defense (the Pentagon) next September.

Ismail said during a press conference following the launch ceremony of the first joint training course for the Peshmerga forces, in the presence of representatives of the international coalition forces, that the process of unifying the forces has entered into force after overcoming the obstacles that were hindering it, indicating that all forces will be under the direct supervision and management of the Ministry of Peshmerga.

He explained that the ministry will manage housing, training, logistical and administrative tasks according to a unified system, within the framework of implementing the directives of the President of the Kurdistan Region, Nechirvan Barzani, and within the plan to integrate the forces that were outside the scope of the ministry.

Regarding cooperation with the international coalition, Ismail revealed that the financial support agreement concluded with the US Department of Defense will end next September, noting that there are no indications yet regarding its extension or the signing of a new agreement.

He stressed that the Ministry of Peshmerga has the ability to manage its affairs in terms of training, housing and developing the administrative system independently, adding that continued support from the coalition forces would be an additional gain, but that stopping it would not affect the ministry’s ability to meet the needs of its forces.

A senior official in the Ministry of Peshmerga in the Kurdistan Regional Government revealed to Shafaq News Agency on Monday that the process of reorganizing the Peshmerga forces, which is supervised by the international coalition, will begin with the opening of a training course entitled “Decision-Making Process,” noting that the course represents the actual beginning of the integration and restructuring of the Peshmerga forces that were previously known as Units “70” and “80,” and were then renamed to “First Region” and “Second Region,” while indicating that the ultimate goal is to fully integrate these forces and place them under the direct umbrella of the Ministry of Peshmerga.

The Kurdistan Regional Government had previously launched a project to reorganize and unify the Peshmerga forces under the umbrella of the Ministry of Peshmerga, including the integration of formations historically associated with the two main parties in the region, namely Unit 80 of the Kurdistan Democratic Party and Unit 70 of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan.

The Peshmerga forces base their legal status on the constitutional powers granted to the Kurdistan Region to manage its security forces and regional guard, but their organizational reality has remained for years divided between brigades directly affiliated with the Ministry of Peshmerga, and others subject to the influence of the two main parties.

After the emergence of ISIS in 2014, international efforts to reform these forces accelerated, as the international coalition, particularly the United States, the United Kingdom and Germany, worked to support a strategic project to unify the Peshmerga in terms of administrative affiliation, armament, military doctrine, leadership structure, funding mechanisms and deployment map, as well as training and receiving military support and donations.

Shafaq.com

80 ships in one month… an unprecedented recovery for Iraqi shipping traffic

The northern port of Umm Qasr in Basra, in the far south of Iraq, recorded an increase in commercial ship traffic during the current month of June, receiving 80 ships, compared to 66 ships last May, while the port director confirmed that the docks are preparing to receive more giant ships in the coming days. Iraqeconomic reports

The director of the Umm Qasr North Port, Muhammad Tahir Fadhil, said in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency that the number of ships received rose during the month of June to 80 ships, surpassing the previous month of May, which recorded the arrival of 66 commercial ships.

He added that among the ships received by the port was the giant ship (KCL), coming directly from Chinese ports, which successfully docked at berth number (18) in the northern port of Umm Qasr without an intermediary.

Fadel explained that this type of giant ship represents a strong return for the major shipping lines that had stopped coming to the port during previous periods, noting that the resumption of receiving them is evidence of the port’s readiness and its logistical docks.

He revealed that the docks are preparing within the next 48 hours to receive two to three more large ships with high storage capacities, which will enhance commercial stability and the flow of goods through the most prominent seaport in Iraq.

He noted that the port is currently witnessing a continuous flow of ships coming from several regional and international destinations, most notably shipping lines from the United Arab Emirates via Jebel Ali Port, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, as well as some direct international lines.

Shafaq.com

“It will end in two months”… Discounts on Iraqi oil due to the Strait of Hormuz

Trade sources reported on Tuesday that the Iraqi State Oil Marketing Company (SOMO) has offered significant discounts on official selling prices for Basra Medium and Heavy crude to contracted buyers, with the aim of encouraging oil imports from its terminal in the Gulf during the month of July. An oil expert confirmed that these discounts came as a result of the exceptional circumstances related to the Strait of Hormuz crisis, and will gradually decrease. Iraqtravel guides

Reuters, citing reliable trade sources, reported that the discount on Basra Medium crude ranged between $14 and $16 per barrel, while the discount on Basra Heavy crude ranged between $16.80 and $18.80 per barrel, depending on the loading period.

She added that discounts are greatest for shipments loaded between July 1 and 5, before decreasing for shipments loaded between the 6th and 10th of the month, and then for shipments between July 11 and 31.

The agency noted that SOMO had asked buyers to submit their requests for the required quantities within one day of receiving the letter, while quoting trade sources as saying that large discounts might encourage buyers, but questions remain about the possibility of crossing the Strait of Hormuz to transport the shipments.

Commenting on this, oil expert Hamza al-Jawahiri told Shafaq News Agency that the Iraqi Oil Marketing Company indicated that some purchasing companies have become reluctant to buy Iraqi shipments or are hesitant to purchase them due to tensions related to the Strait of Hormuz crisis.

Al-Jawahiri added that Iraq preferred to sell oil at limited discounts rather than stop sales, because continuing exports is better than stopping them completely, expecting that these measures would not last more than one to two months.

He explained that the discounts will begin to gradually decrease as fears subside and purchasing activity returns to normal, so that Iraqi oil selling prices return to their usual levels.

On Tuesday, Iraqi crude oil prices fell, coinciding with a decline in global oil prices.

Basra Heavy crude fell to $60.66 a barrel, down $0.39 or 0.64%, while Basra Medium crude dropped to $62.76 a barrel, down $0.39 or 0.62%.

Globally, Brent crude futures fell to $72.74 a barrel, down 0.56%, while West Texas Intermediate crude dropped to $70.50 a barrel, down 0.28%.

The daily charter rate for a supertanker to ship two million barrels of crude oil from the Middle East to China rose to about $300,000 from about $220,000 on February 27, before the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran, but data from the London Stock Exchange Group indicates that it has fallen from its peak of nearly $600,000 last March.

Last week, SOMO issued a tender for the sale of crude oil scheduled to be loaded in July, but another source said the company did not receive interest from buyers due to the difficulties traders faced in booking oil tankers to enter the Gulf.

Other Middle Eastern oil producers are continuing to load oil, but shipping traffic in the Strait has slowed following new attacks on vessels and renewed strikes between the United States and Iran in the past few days.

Shafaq.com

The Ministry of Finance and the Supreme Judiciary are coordinating mechanisms to prosecute corrupt individuals and recover public funds.

Finance Minister Faleh Sari met with the head of the Supreme Judicial Council, Judge Faiq Zaidan, on Tuesday to discuss ways to enhance cooperation and coordination between the executive and judicial authorities to protect public funds and follow up on the recovery of funds obtained from corruption.

The ministry stated in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency that the meeting discussed mechanisms to enhance procedures related to the recovery and deposit of public funds in accordance with the approved legal frameworks, in order to ensure their preservation and protection from waste.

Sari stressed that protecting public funds is a shared national responsibility, emphasizing the ministry’s commitment to supporting efforts to prosecute those involved in corruption, thereby enhancing citizens’ trust in state institutions and enshrining the principles of integrity and the rule of law.

These official moves come in conjunction with an escalating campaign of measures launched by the government at dawn last Sunday, targeting officials, members of parliament, and businessmen, which Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi described as the “first phase” of a broader path to recover public funds, directing oversight bodies to be on alert to receive any indications related to corruption files or institutional shortcomings.

In a related context, the Strategic Center for Human Rights warned this morning against misleading campaigns aimed at spreading frustration by claiming that anti-corruption efforts will stop or that they will not reach the “big fish,” considering these attempts an effort to undermine public confidence in the ongoing governmental and judicial procedures.

Shafaq.com