“Iraq News” Posted by Tishwash at TNT 4-11-2026

TNT:

Tishwash:  The parliament's leadership threatens MPs who are absent from tomorrow's (Saturday’s) session to elect the president.

 The Speaker of Parliament vowed on Friday to publish the names of MPs who will be absent from tomorrow's session to elect the President of the Republic.

Parliament Speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi said in a statement, "We call on political leaders, heads of parliamentary blocs, and members of the House of Representatives to attend tomorrow's session, Saturday, which is dedicated to electing the President of the Republic, and to proceed with completing the constitutional requirements and prioritizing the supreme national interest, in light of the security and economic conditions the country is going through, which require everyone to bear their national responsibilities."

He confirmed that "the names of the absent MPs, as well as the political blocs that prevent their MPs from attending, will be published in order to inform the public."  link

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Tishwash:  Washington summons Iraqi ambassador and issues "strong warning"

The US State Department summoned the Iraqi ambassador to Washington, Nizar Khairallah, on Thursday, April 9, 2026, to inform him of a strongly worded protest and the US government’s condemnation of the increasing attacks launched by pro-Iranian militias from Iraqi territory.

A statement issued by the US State Department spokesperson said that Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau met with the Iraqi ambassador to express US outrage over the "serious terrorist attacks" targeting diplomatic personnel and facilities, the latest of which was the ambush targeting US diplomats in Baghdad yesterday, April 8.

Open criticism of the Iraqi government

Landau noted that these attacks are part of a series of hundreds of attacks that have occurred in recent weeks, targeting not only American interests, but also institutions in Iraq and its neighbors, including the Kurdistan Region.

In an unprecedentedly escalating tone, the Deputy Secretary of State criticized the Iraqi government's "failure" to prevent these attacks, noting that some entities linked to the Iraqi government continue to provide "effective political, financial, and operational cover" for these militias, stressing that this situation negatively and directly affects the future of bilateral relations between Washington and Baghdad.

Demands for "immediate dismantling"

The US official stressed that the United States "will not tolerate" any targeting of its interests or citizens, and called on Baghdad to immediately begin practical measures to dismantle the militia groups active in Iraq.  link

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Tishwash:  The Revolutionary Guard establishes a "front" in Baghdad

 Iraqi requests to halt attacks rejected

Sources revealed that officers in the Iranian Revolutionary Guard continue to manage the operations of armed factions in Iraq and reject political requests to stop the attacks, acting as a “shadow military supervisor” to establish a pressure front on Washington in anticipation of the failure of negotiations.

Two sources from the “Coordination Framework” and the Iraqi government said that the heads of four Shiite parties held discussions in recent weeks with Iranian officials inside Iraq with the aim of convincing them of the need to stop the attacks, but they did not respond.

Sources said that a Quds Force officer with significant influence in Baghdad "does not respond to calls from allies within the coordination framework, limiting his communications to operations officials in armed factions." The sources quoted a senior Iraqi official, speaking during a private security meeting, as saying, "How is it possible that we cannot stop this man (the Revolutionary Guard officer)?" He added, "Why can't we arrest him?"  link

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Tishwash:  Experts: The Hormuz crisis is a wake-up call for restructuring the Iraqi economy.

 The economic circles in Iraq are witnessing a remarkable rise in calls for the adoption of comprehensive structural reforms aimed at diversifying sources of income and reducing the almost total dependence on oil, following the recent crisis that the country was exposed to as a result of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, and the direct repercussions that followed on global and local markets.

Iraq relies heavily on oil revenues, which constitute more than 90 percent of its general budget revenues, making it vulnerable to external shocks and sharp fluctuations in energy prices. Experts believe that this single-resource economic model exposes the country to recurring risks, as global crises quickly translate into domestic crises that directly affect the lives of citizens.

Risk management and sovereign wealth funds

In this context, economic researcher Imad Al-Muhammadawi emphasizes the importance of adopting proactive policies for risk management, stressing the need to establish sovereign wealth funds to which a percentage of oil revenues are allocated, with the aim of confronting crises and emergencies.

Al-Muhammadi points out that many oil-producing countries have succeeded in limiting the impact of economic shocks by establishing such funds, which act as a financial line of defense that contributes to stability when prices fall or supplies are disrupted, noting the importance of developing alternative plans to confront regional and international crises.

 Improving the investment environment

In a related vein, economic experts emphasize the importance of improving Iraq's investment climate by modernizing legislation and regulations to attract both domestic and foreign capital. They stress that investment is the primary driver of any economy, as increased investment leads to higher GDP, particularly in projects that contribute to technology transfer and skills development.

Investment activity also has a positive impact on multiple sectors such as transportation, trade and services, within the framework of what is known economically as the “investment multiplier effect”, which helps to reduce the severity of market shocks and enhance the resilience of the economy.

Economic diversification and human development

For his part, academic Dr. Kazem Eidan Shadeed stresses that the next stage requires serious and intensive work to diversify the economy and not rely on a single resource, stressing that building the human being represents the cornerstone of any sustainable development process.

He adds that achieving economic stability is closely linked to strengthening national unity and long-term planning, noting the importance of establishing a “Generations Fund” as a strategic step towards ensuring the rights of future generations and achieving financial sustainability.

 Banking system reform

Eidan emphasizes that confronting crises, whether internal or external, requires adopting a package of integrated measures, foremost among them developing the banking system to be more efficient and stable, in addition to supporting digital transformation in the financial sector.

It also calls for strengthening the role of small and medium enterprises, given their importance in stimulating the local economy and creating job opportunities, as well as the need to rationalize consumption, manage resources efficiently, and build community support networks capable of adapting in times of crisis.Regional influences 

Global repercussions

On the global markets front, European stock exchanges saw a notable rise of over 3 percent following the announcement of a two-week ceasefire in the Middle East and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20 percent of the world's oil supply passes.

Brent crude futures also fell by about 15 percent, settling below $100 a barrel, indicating a relative improvement in market confidence and a resumption of oil and gas flows. Despite this temporary relief, investors are still waiting to see if this lull paves the way for lasting solutions that will ensure stable supplies and prices.   link