Oman expresses its readiness to cooperate with Iraq in the fields of ports and airports.

Shafaq News / Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani discussed on Thursday with the Omani Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, Said bin Hamoud al-Maawali, developing cooperation in various fields. The latter expressed his country’s readiness to do so, especially in the ports and airports sectors.

This came during Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani’s reception of the Omani minister in Baghdad. Al-Sudani welcomed al-Maawali and extended his greetings to the Sultan of Oman.

Al-Sudani pointed out, according to a statement from his media office received by Shafaq News Agency, the progress and advancement of the development, labor, and investment sectors in Iraq, including the telecommunications sector, thanks to the political, security, and social stability and the economic renaissance witnessed by the country. He stressed that the many commonalities between Iraq and the Sultanate of Oman represent an opportunity to develop economic and investment cooperation between the two countries.

For his part, Al-Maawali commended Iraq’s achievements on various fronts and reviewed the results of his discussions in Baghdad, affirming the readiness of his country’s public and private sectors to cooperate with Iraq in the field of the digital economy and digital government. He also expressed his country’s willingness to cooperate in the ports and airports sectors by investing in projects related to various Iraqi airports.

Shafaq.com

Experts: The US has moved a third of its naval forces to the Middle East in preparation for a major war.

Shafaq News / Satellite images revealed that the United States has moved a third of its naval forces to the Middle East, appearing to be preparing for a major war if negotiations with Iran over the nuclear issue fail.

Erem News reported that, according to satellite images from specialized websites, the aircraft carrier CVN-70 Carl Vinson was spotted, along with a number of other warships from the Carrier Strike Group 1 (CSG-1).

At the same time, the guided-missile cruiser CG-59 Princeton and two Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, believed to be DDG-104 Sterett and DDG-108 Wayne E. Meyer, were observed patrolling off the coast of Oman.

The destroyer DDG-108 Wayne E. Meyer departed its home port of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, as part of Carrier Strike Group 11 (CSG-11) alongside the aircraft carrier CVN-68 Nimitz, which is currently operating in the Pacific Ocean.

The Pentagon had previously announced the deployment of three US aircraft carriers to the Middle East: the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68), the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), and the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN-73).

Aircraft carriers are powerful and advanced military units and an important strategic asset for the US Navy, tasked with carrying out military missions in various countries around the world.

The US Naval Institute confirmed that the number of military vessels deployed by the US in the Middle East and Indian Ocean region has reached approximately 96, representing one-third of the total US naval force.

According to previous statements made by military sources to “Erem News,” the large mobilization of this number of naval vessels stems from strategic and geopolitical reasons that have contributed to the US increasing its naval presence in the Middle East.

Military sources confirmed that the mobilization of a third of the US Navy in the Middle East, as witnessed in recent days, is not related to minor tensions or limited conflict. Rather, these sources believe that the United States and Israel are preparing for a major war.

It is noteworthy that the US naval buildup in the Middle East in recent days has been accompanied by the deployment of approximately one-third of the US B-2 bomber fleet, a quarter of the B-52 fleet, and a tenth of the B-1 fleet to its military bases in the region.

Shafaq.com

New and fortified… The United States begins building trenches for its forces at Ain al-Asad base.

Al-Maalouma /Anbar… A security source in Anbar province revealed, on Thursday, that US forces have begun the process of constructing fortified trenches for their forces inside the Al-Assad base building, west of Anbar.

The source said in a statement to Al-Maalouma agency, “The US forces stationed inside the Ain Al-Assad base building in the Al-Baghdadi area of ​​the Hit district, west of Anbar, began the process of constructing fortified trenches for their forces, coinciding with the landing of a plane carrying US soldiers.”

The source added that “the US forces also began constructing new buildings for their forces to sleep in, in addition to deploying 80 CIRAM defense systems around the base building,” indicating that “the US forces have installed dozens of watchtowers around the building as part of measures that suggest the presence of a military operation, the details of which have not been determined.”

He explained that “the US forces have deployed ground forces at the entrances leading to the base building.”

The source concluded by saying, “Senior US military officials and officers visited Ain al-Assad base unannounced.”

Almaalomah.me

Iraqi government banks suspend loans and advances

Shafaq News / An informed source stated on Thursday that some government banks, including Rafidain Bank, have suspended granting loans and financial advances to citizens.

The source told Shafaq News Agency, “Some government banks, particularly Rafidain Bank, have stopped granting loans and advances so far, despite the passage of five months of the current fiscal year. Others have issued loans and advances, but on a very limited basis.”

He added, “The main reason behind banks’ failure to perform their credit role, including granting loans and advances, is the lack of financial allocations.”

The source also pointed out that “many citizens have called on Parliament, the Finance Committee, and the government to intervene to release loans, advances, construction loans, and home purchase loans.”

Both Rafidain and Rashid Banks provided loans and advances to employees and citizens for various purposes, such as construction, land purchases, car purchases, and other purposes, at a specific interest rate and for a predetermined period.

Shafaq.com

Al-Sudani announces his candidacy in the upcoming elections.

Al-Maalouma / Baghdad… Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani announced today, Wednesday, his candidacy in the upcoming legislative elections scheduled for next November.

During his speech at the Ninth Sulaymaniyah Forum, followed by Al-Maalouma Agency, Al-Sudani said, “The Popular Mobilization Forces are an essential part of the security system,” noting that “Iraq is witnessing great security stability.”

He added, “All security operations in Iraq are carried out by our security forces,” noting that “Iraq today is not the same as it was in 2014.” Al-Sudani pointed out that “the relationship between Baghdad and Erbil has moved to a technical and legal dialogue, and this is for the first time.”

Almaalomah.me

Al-Hassan: Iraq no longer needs a UN mission, and the next phase requires a new reality.

Shafaq News / The Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations in Iraq, Mohammed al-Hassan, confirmed on Wednesday that Iraq is witnessing a qualitative shift in its political and security situation, which no longer requires the continued work of the United Nations Mission in Iraq (UNMIS). He called for preserving the gains achieved over the past years and building on them towards a more stable future.

During his speech at the Ninth Sulaymaniyah Forum, which was documented by Shafaq News Agency, Al-Hassan said, “Iraq has reached a stage where it no longer needs the United Nations mission, which is a clear indication of the improvement of the situation in the country, especially with regard to security and political aspects.”

He added, “The country is approaching a significant constitutional deadline, namely elections, and the United Nations continues to support this process to ensure fair and transparent elections and strengthen the path of development and reform.”

Al-Hassan stressed that “Iraq’s stability represents a fundamental pillar for the stability of the entire Middle East,” noting that “the region has suffered for four centuries from foreign occupations and interventions, and it is time for its people to enjoy security and stability.”

He continued: “A few years ago, scenes of the killing of children in Iraq and Gaza were unfolding before the eyes of the international community, alongside crimes committed by extremist groups against religious and ethnic groups, including the sale of Yazidi women as commodities, which is completely unacceptable.”

Al-Hassan concluded his remarks by calling for “consolidated regional and international efforts to unleash a new reality in the region, one marked by stability, peace, and human dignity.”

Shafaq.com

Nechirvan Barzani calls on Al-Sudani to activate the Article 140 Committee and thanks him for his efforts regarding Halabja.

Shafaq News / Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani called on Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani on Wednesday to activate Article 140 of the Constitution regarding the disputed areas between Erbil and Baghdad, while praising his role in establishing Halabja Governorate.

In a speech delivered at the ninth Sulaymaniyah Forum, Nechirvan Barzani said, “In the Kurdistan Region, regarding our relations with the federal government in Baghdad, we affirm our unwavering commitment to the Iraqi constitution as a framework for regulating this relationship. We believe that the constitution, with its principles of federalism, pluralism, and partnership, is the true guarantor of the rights of all components of Iraq without discrimination.”

He added, “The recent period has witnessed remarkable progress in resolving the issues between Erbil and Baghdad, thanks to the commendable efforts of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, which deserve our appreciation.” He added, “Al-Sudani’s vision of strengthening commonalities and reducing differences is the correct vision for a solution, and I emphasize here the urgent implementation of the property restitution law and the activation of the committee to implement Article 140 of the Iraqi Constitution.”

Nechirvan Barzani stressed that “we will continue constructive dialogue with the federal government to reach permanent solutions to all problems in a way that serves the interests of Iraq, with all its components, and guarantees and secures the constitutional rights and entitlements of all.”

He stressed that “the Kurdistan Parliament must be activated in light of the current circumstances and challenges in the region. Therefore, the primary task of the Kurdistan Democratic Party, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, and the winning parties in the Kurdistan Parliament elections is to expedite the formation of the new government cabinet for the Kurdistan Region, and for it to be a government that responds to the aspirations of the citizens and is capable of dealing appropriately with developments and challenges.”

Shafaq.com

Relations between Washington, Baghdad, and Erbil are on the agenda of Nechirvan Barzani and a US official.

Shafaq News / Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani discussed on Wednesday with US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Taylor relations between the United States, Iraq, and the Kurdistan Region, in addition to discussing relations between Erbil and Baghdad and the situation in the region.

A statement issued by the Kurdistan Region Presidency, received by Shafaq News Agency, stated that “Barzani met with Victoria Taylor, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, in the city of Sulaymaniyah. During the meeting, they discussed relations between the United States, Iraq, and the Kurdistan Region, in addition to discussing relations between Erbil and Baghdad, and the continuation of dialogue between the two sides to resolve outstanding issues.”

According to the statement, the two sides also discussed “the situation in the region and its repercussions on Iraq and Kurdistan, stressing the importance of maintaining security and stability in the region. The meeting also touched on a number of other issues of common interest.”

On Tuesday, Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) leader Masoud Barzani discussed with US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Taylor the challenges and obstacles facing the peace process in Turkey, as well as the status and future of Kurdish parties in Syria.

Shafaq.com

Parliamentary Finance Committee warns against not adjusting the price of a barrel of oil in the budget

Shafaq News / The Parliamentary Finance Committee warned on Wednesday against adjusting the price of a barrel of oil in the Iraqi federal general budget due to the decline in global oil prices.

Committee member Jamal Kocher told Shafaq News Agency, “The price of a barrel of oil was set in the general budget law at $70 per barrel. At the time, the price of a barrel of oil was more than $70. It is not yet known whether the government has adjusted the price of a barrel of oil in the budget or not.”

Kocher pointed out that “the Iraqi state’s operating budget is only 90 trillion dinars, and if the price of a barrel of oil falls below $60 and is not addressed, this will plunge the country into a financial crisis, and the government will spend oil revenues on employee salaries only.”

Regarding the fate of the budget tables, the MP explained that “the budget tables have been delayed in the Cabinet and a date for sending them to the House of Representatives has not yet been set.”

The Prime Minister’s financial and economic advisor, Mazhar Mohammed Salih, told Shafaq News Agency that the delay in submitting the 2025 budget schedules to the House of Representatives until now is due to “amendments related to the costs of extracting and transporting Kurdistan Region oil, which required restructuring the calculation methods.”

Saad al-Nubi, a member of the Parliamentary Finance Committee, told Shafaq News Agency on Tuesday that he was surprised by the government’s delay in sending the budget law tables to the House of Representatives. He explained that “the budget was supposed to reach Parliament before the end of last month,” noting that “the committee pressured the Minister of Planning and the Minister of Finance, asking them to explain the reason for the delay in sending it, but they have not received any response so far.”

Shafaq.com

Corruption, Mismanagement, Unemployment, and Poverty in Iraq: A Comprehensive Economic Analysis and a Path to Solution

Researcher Shaza Khalil*

More than two decades after the US invasion in 2003, Iraq continues to face a series of interconnected structural challenges that hinder its economic and social development. These challenges include widespread financial and administrative corruption, chronic mismanagement, high unemployment rates, and increasing poverty rates. Despite Iraq’s vast natural resources, particularly oil, transforming these resources into sustainable growth and social welfare remains elusive.

This analysis aims to shed light on the roots and intersectionality of these crises from a holistic economic perspective. It also proposes a set of policies and reforms to address structural weaknesses and achieve long-term stability and development.

First: Financial and Administrative Corruption – A Threat to the State

Corruption in Iraq is not merely an occasional phenomenon; it is a systemic crisis that pervades public administration and economic policies. It is estimated that hundreds of billions of dollars have been squandered due to corruption over the past two decades, placing Iraq at the top of the global corruption rankings, according to Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index.

This rampant corruption has drained the state treasury and crippled the government’s ability to finance essential public services. Vital sectors, including health, education, infrastructure, and industry, have been harmed by corruption, sham deals, and ghost employees. Corrupt networks, often linked to political parties and militias, control state institutions, undermining the rule of law and hindering effective oversight.

Second: Mismanagement and the fragility of the oil-based rentier economy.

The Iraqi economy remains almost entirely dependent on oil, which accounts for more than 95% of state revenues. This rentier model makes Iraq vulnerable to fluctuations in global oil prices, leading to periods of financial abundance followed by severe economic crises. For example, the collapse in oil prices in 2020 led to an 11% contraction in GDP, while the economy experienced a temporary recovery in 2022 thanks to a 9.3% increase in prices.

This overreliance on oil hinders medium- and long-term economic planning and prevents the building of a stable economic environment. Successive governments have failed to diversify sources of income by developing productive sectors such as agriculture, industry, and technology.

Managing oil revenues is further complicated by international agreements after 2003. Under US Presidential Executive Order 13303, Iraqi oil revenues are deposited in a special account at the US Federal Reserve known as “Iraq-2,” pursuant to a 2015 US Presidential Resolution 13303, purportedly to protect Iraq’s assets from international lawsuits. Despite the legal protections this mechanism provides, many Iraqis view it as an infringement of national sovereignty. A recent agreement has been reached to gradually end the currency sales window and transition to direct transfers, which could pave the way for Iraq to regain its financial sovereignty.

Third: Unemployment and Poverty – A Social Time Bomb

The social impacts of corruption and mismanagement are having a serious impact on Iraqi society. The unemployment rate reached 16.5% at the beginning of 2024, while the poverty rate reached approximately 22%, with more than 10 million Iraqis living below the poverty line.

This crisis is exacerbated by the effects of war and displacement, with an estimated 6 million orphans and 2 million widows, in addition to more than 4 million people living in slums and marginalized areas, lacking basic services such as clean water, healthcare, and education.

The Iraqi labor market relies largely on employment in the public sector, which is bloated, unproductive, and plagued by waste and corruption. The private sector, meanwhile, is weak and limited due to poor infrastructure, administrative corruption, and difficulty accessing financing. Young people entering the labor market face an uncertain future, increasing the likelihood of migration, protests, and extremism.

Fourth: Recommendations – Towards a Resilient and Inclusive Economy

To address these intertwined crises, Iraq must adopt a comprehensive national reform plan that focuses on diversifying the economy and rebuilding institutions.

1. Combating Corruption: Establishing an independent anti-corruption commission with judicial authority.

Digitizing government services and public procurement to enhance transparency. Enforcing mandatory financial disclosure and auditing for officials.

2. Diversify the economy by investing in agriculture and food industries to create jobs and reduce imports. Support small and medium-sized enterprises through targeted financing programs.

Developing strategic industries such as renewable energy, technology, and construction.

3. Reform the labor market by updating vocational and technical education programs to meet market needs. Support public-private partnerships to provide job opportunities for youth.

Launching temporary employment programs in infrastructure and housing.

4. Social Protection: Expanding conditional cash assistance programs for the poorest families. Providing housing support and basic services to marginalized areas.

Supporting social and psychological rehabilitation programmes for orphans, widows and displaced persons.

5. Reform fiscal and monetary policies, restructure the general budget to focus on capital investment rather than operating expenditures, and enhance the independence and efficiency of the Central Bank of Iraq.

Reviewing the legal framework for managing oil revenues to enhance Iraq’s economic sovereignty.

In conclusion, Iraq today stands at a historic crossroads. Despite the enormous challenges related to corruption, unemployment, poverty, and mismanagement, overcoming them is not impossible. With genuine political will, comprehensive institutional reforms, and a comprehensive and just economic vision, Iraq can turn a new page toward stability and prosperity.

The path to recovery requires not only financial resources; it also requires courageous leadership, popular participation, and a firm belief in justice and fairness. Only then can Iraq regain its status as an independent, prosperous, and fully sovereign state.

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