Iraq Economic News and Points To Ponder Friday Afternoon 8-14-26
Sabah Al-Nu'man: The First 100 Days Of Al-Zaidi's Government Shifted Security From Crisis Management To Consolidating The State's Authority
latest news Friday, August 14, 2026 Baghdad - One News The spokesman for the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Sabah al-Nu’man, confirmed on Friday that the first 100 days of the government of Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Ali Falih al-Zaidi, have laid the foundation for a new phase of security stability, stressing that the monopoly of weapons and the decision of war and peace are the exclusive prerogatives of the official security and military institutions.
Al-Nu’man told the Iraqi News Agency (INA) that the first 100 days of the government were not just a time limit to evaluate performance, but rather constituted a roadmap for moving the security file from the context of crisis management to rebuilding the prestige of the state, consolidating its sovereignty, and establishing a new phase of stability.
He explained that the vision of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces stemmed from a firm constitutional principle based on the fact that protecting national security, monopolizing weapons, and making decisions about war and peace are exclusive and direct entitlements of the official security and military institutions, and do not accept, in his words, “division or interpretation.”
Al-Nu’man pointed out that the field procedures during the past period led to a comprehensive review of the leadership structure, which included injecting new blood and replacing a number of field and intelligence joints, which contributed to raising the level of preventive readiness and accelerating the response of the security and military units.
He added that these measures coincided with a strategic move to fully secure Iraq’s borders with neighboring countries, in addition to seeking to acquire the latest radar and air defense systems, and activating intelligence plans aimed at anticipating threats before they occur.
The spokesman for the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces affirmed that the Iraqi security decision has become more robust and independent, noting that the military institutions have reached high levels of discipline and readiness to protect national sovereignty and ensure the stability of the country.
Al-Nu'man stressed that the first hundred days reflect a trend towards re-establishing the responsibility of the state and its official institutions for managing the security file, foremost among which is the monopoly of weapons, the possession of the decision of war and peace, securing the borders, and strengthening air defense and intelligence capabilities.
https://1news-iq.net/صباح-النعمان-أول-100-يوم-من-حكومة-الزيدي/
Hussein Arab: Saudi Arabia Is Ready To Support Baghdad Economically, Politically, And In Terms Of Security, But It Wants A Decision
latest news Friday, August 14, 2026 Baghdad - One News - 8/14/2026 Former MP Hussein Arab affirmed that Saudi Arabia has possessed significant political and economic influence in the region for decades, considering that the Kingdom has entered a new phase under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, which has been reflected in its internal policies and regional relations, especially with Iraq.
Arab said that Saudi Arabia’s economic strength and unified decision-making have given it an influential role in the region for nearly fifty years, noting that the decisions taken during the reign of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman have transformed the Kingdom, as he described it, into a “new experiment,” and have pushed towards greater openness towards Iraq.
He added that this openness included a Saudi readiness to implement large investment projects inside Iraq, including a project to establish a large economic city in Al-Muthanna Governorate, as well as proposing a project to build a sports stadium at a cost of up to one billion dollars.
Arab believes that there are parties who do not want Saudi or Gulf investments to enter Iraq, (pro Iran political & IRI groups) noting that implementing projects of this size would expand the Gulf economic presence and strengthen relations between Baghdad and its Arab surroundings.
He stressed that Saudi Arabia, in his estimation, is ready to provide Iraq with the economic, political, security and international support it needs, but in return it wants one essential thing, which is that the Iraqi decision should come from within and be independent of external influences. (Iranian & IRGC incfuences)
Arab explained that Riyadh is not asking Baghdad to side with it, nor does it want to enter into a state of hostility with Iraq, but rather seeks to deal with a country that has its own national decision and determines its foreign relations based on its own interests. (not Iran's)
He pointed out that the recent Mecca agreement between Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan paves the way, in his view, for a new phase in the region and the world, in light of the political, security and economic transformations taking place in the region.
Arab stressed that Iraq has an opportunity to benefit from Saudi and Gulf openness and obtain broad support on multiple issues, provided that it strengthens the independence of Iraqi decision-making and utilizes its regional relations in a way that serves the country's interests. https://1news-iq.net/حسين-عرب-السعودية-مستعدة-لدعم-بغداد-اق/
Al-Zaydi Orders "Unprecedented And Decisive" Measures To Combat Corruption At Border Crossings
latest news Friday, August 14, 2026 Baghdad - One News - Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ali Faleh al-Zaidi announced on Friday that he has taken “unprecedented and decisive” measures to combat corruption at border crossings, directing that they be fully automated and linked to a robust electronic system to monitor work and revenues.
This came during a visit by Al-Zaydi to the headquarters of the Border Ports Authority, where he met with the Authority’s officials and greeted, via video conference, the directors of the ports and their employees, appreciating their role in protecting the country’s sovereignty and economy and ensuring the safety of citizens.
The Prime Minister stressed that border crossings represent the face of the state and its economic, security and sovereign gateway, emphasizing the need to expedite the completion of the automation project and put an end to attempts at fraud, corruption and manipulation.
Al-Zaydi directed that all border crossings be linked to a robust electronic system, and that a comprehensive daily report be provided on the movement of work and revenues, in addition to benefiting from leading global experiences in managing border crossings.
He also directed that border crossings be self-financed, through the deduction of tax and customs fees at the outset and before transfers are made, as well as the deduction of service fees and their allocation for the purposes of rehabilitating and developing the crossings.
Regarding the issue of corruption and smuggling, Al-Zaydi stressed that combating corruption at the ports will be a "top priority," and that the next phase will witness unprecedented and decisive measures, emphasizing that there will be no leniency towards drug and medicine smuggling operations, circumventing the competent authorities, and other forms of smuggling.
The Prime Minister described smuggling operations as serious crimes targeting society, stressing that the government will not tolerate those who commit them and will continue to tighten measures to reduce the exploitation of border crossings for illegal activities. https://1news-iq.net/الزيدي-يوجه-بإجراءات-غير-مسبوقة-وحاز/
Completing The Cabinet, Controlling Weapons, And Combating Corruption: Al-Zaydi And Al-Maliki Discuss Political, Security, And Economic Issues
Baghdad - One News - 8/13/2026 Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi discussed on Thursday with Nouri Kamel al-Maliki, head of the State of Law Coalition, a number of political and national issues, foremost among them completing the formation of the cabinet and supporting the course of government work.
This came during Al-Zidi’s meeting with Al-Maliki, where the meeting addressed the issue of completing the ministerial formation, in a way that supports the performance of state institutions and enhances the government’s ability to implement its program and tasks during the next stage.
The two sides discussed government measures in the field of combating corruption and promoting integrity, along with economic reform paths and steps aimed at addressing the challenges facing the country.
The issue of restricting weapons to the state was also discussed, with emphasis on the importance of enforcing the rule of law, consolidating security and stability, and protecting state institutions.
The meeting also addressed Iraq’s foreign relations, and the importance of continuing to open up to the regional and international environment, in order to strengthen the country’s presence and relations with various countries.
On the economic side, emphasis was placed on the need to expand economic and investment partnerships, in order to contribute to confronting the current challenges facing the region and reducing their impact on the Iraqi economy.
The meeting comes amid political and governmental moves to complete the cabinet, in parallel with internal issues that top the government's priorities, most notably restricting weapons to the state, combating corruption, economic reform, and strengthening Iraq's regional and international relations. https://1news-iq.net/استكمال-الكابينة-وحصر-السلاح-ومكافحة/
Cabinet Gaps, Disarmament On Table Between PM Al-Zaidi And Nouri Al-Maliki
2026-08-13 / 13:57 Shafaq News- Baghdad Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi and State of Law Coalition (SLC) leader Nouri Al-Maliki on Thursday discussed completing the Cabinet and bringing all weapons under state authority, with nine ministries still unfilled and a September 30 weapons-control deadline approaching.
The meeting also covered anti-corruption measures, integrity safeguards, and economic reform, alongside efforts to strengthen state institutions and government performance.
Iraqi Prime Minister Media Office
Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi Receives Head of the State of Law Coalition
•••••
Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi received today, Thursday, the Head of the State of Law Coalition, Nouri Kamel Al-Maliki. The meeting addressed a number of political and national issues, foremost among them completing the formation of the Cabinet, in a manner that supports the performance of state institutions and strengthens the government’s work.
The meeting also addressed support for the government’s measures to combat corruption, promote integrity, advance economic reform, ensure that all arms remain under state authority, and uphold the rule of law, in a manner that contributes to consolidating security and stability and protecting state institutions.
The meeting reviewed matters related to Iraq’s foreign relations and emphasized the importance of continuing Iraq’s engagement with its regional and international partners, as well as strengthening economic and investment partnerships to address the current challenges facing the region and their impact on the Iraqi economy.
•••••
Media Office of the Prime Minister August 13, 2026 On May 14, Parliament approved Al-Zaidi’s government and ministerial program but granted confidence to only 14 of 23 ministers, with unresolved portfolios including Defense, Interior, Planning, Higher Education, Labor, Migration and Displacement, Culture, Reconstruction and Housing, and Youth and Sports. During earlier cabinet negotiations, Al-Maliki’s SLC backed Qasim Atta for the Interior Ministry, while the Defense portfolio remained subject to political bargaining.
Al-Zaidi also told CENTCOM chief Adm. Brad Cooper on August 12 that the US-led Coalition’s military mission and the departure of foreign forces would be completed by September 30, leaving Iraq free of foreign military forces from October 1. He also stressed that weapons must be confined exclusively to state authority under the law.
Read more: Iraqi armed group: No disarmament before US withdrawal, air defense