Iraq Economic News and Points To Ponder Wednesday Morning 7-22-26
The Hand That Will Disarm The Factions Is Not Iraqi… Middle East Monitor: US Special Operations May Target Factions Refusing To Surrender Their Weapons - 7/22/2026
Baghdad - One News - 7/22/2026 The British website Middle East Monitor said that Iraq is facing a pivotal stage that could reshape its political, security and economic reality, in light of simultaneous American moves aimed at ending the issue of armed factions, reducing Iranian influence and rearranging the American presence in the country.
The website stated, in an analytical report, that September 30th represents the date on which all armed factions are supposed to be dissolved and hand over their weapons to the state, coinciding with the withdrawal of US combat forces from Iraq, with the exception of Erbil, which the report considered Washington to be determined to maintain its presence in due to its strategic importance, to monitor Iran, as well as to maintain the Kurdistan Region’s connection with the United States.
The report added that the United States, in addition to its military influence, relies on extensive financial and economic leverage. It explained that approximately 90% of Iraq's budget revenues come from oil proceeds deposited in an account at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, which, according to the report, gives Washington significant power to influence Iraqi financial decisions.
The report also noted that Washington froze approximately $500 million of Iraqi funds last April, a move described by a Kurdish official as the "nuclear option" available to the US Treasury Department.
The website noted that US envoy Thomas Barak has become the central figure in managing the Iraqi file, considering that his main mission is to dismantle the armed factions and separate Iraq from Iranian influence, based on an American vision that considers that Iraq, during the past two decades, has constituted an economic outlet for Tehran to circumvent international sanctions.
The report indicated that some factions have already agreed to place their weapons under the authority of the state, while the factions closest to Iran still refuse to do so, noting that Washington has threatened to continue sanctions and military operations against those who do not comply with the specified deadline.
The report also addressed the anti-corruption campaign in Iraq, noting that the recent security and judicial measures, which included the arrest of 47 people, including 12 members of parliament, may expand to include senior officials, former prime ministers, and faction leaders, in conjunction with the freezing of financial assets. The report emphasized that corruption has cost the Iraqi economy, according to the report, about $776 billion since 2003.
In a regional context, Middle East Monitor considered that what is known as the "Shia Crescent," extending from Iran through Iraq and Syria to Lebanon, is undergoing a gradual reshaping, pointing to the transformations witnessed in Syria, the pressures imposed on Iran, and the ongoing developments in Lebanon, culminating in Iraq, which it described as the final link in this trajectory. https://1news-iq.net/اليد-التي-ستنزع-سلاح-الفصائل-ليست-عراق/
Iraqi MP Urges Corruption Probe After Audit Report
2026-07-21 / 10:11 Shafaq News- Baghdad The Federal Board of Supreme Audit’s 2025 report is “late and incomplete,” an Iraqi lawmaker said on Tuesday, arguing that it failed to quantify financial losses or identify those responsible for corruption. ( https://shafaq.com/en/Iraq/Iraqi-MP-urges-corruption-probe-after-audit-report. )
Miqdad Al-Khafaji, an MP from the Hoqooq parliamentary bloc, within the Shiite Coordination Framework, told Shafaq News that board officials offered “unconvincing” explanations during Tuesday’s parliamentary session.
He urged the Federal Commission of Integrity to investigate cases lawmakers believe have cost Iraq billions of dollars over recent years.
Earlier today, the Federal Board of Supreme Audit’s report, obtained by Shafaq News, identified major delays in resolving corruption cases, failures to exercise key legal powers, and widespread financial violations across several government sectors. https://shafaq.com/en/Iraq/Iraqi-MP-urges-corruption-probe-after-audit-report
Central Bank Governor Discusses Development Of Electronic Payment
An expanded meeting was held, chaired by His Excellency the Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq, which included licensed electronic payment companies in Iraq, to enhance its role in supporting digital transformation and implementing the Central Bank’s strategy aimed at developing the electronic payments system and promoting financial inclusion.
His Excellency the Governor stressed that the next stage requires electronic payment companies to raise the level of services provided to beneficiaries, and to adhere to the highest standards of quality, efficiency and reliability, in order to enhance citizens’ confidence in using electronic payment methods, encourage the expansion of adopting digital payment solutions, and contribute to reducing reliance on cash and promoting the digital economy.
He stressed the importance of electronic payment companies adhering to international standards, especially with regard to foreign financial transactions and operations, to provide broader opportunities for developing the sector, including increasing card usage limits and adding new financial services and products that meet citizens’ needs and keep pace with global developments.
The meeting also discussed the joint instructions and procedures that the Central Bank of Iraq will work with electronic payment companies to implement in order to reduce card misuse, enhance the safety and efficiency of the payment system, raise operational limits, and open new horizons for providing innovative and advanced services to citizens.
The governor called for the importance of strengthening cooperation and coordination between electronic payment companies, which would contribute to expanding the network for accepting electronic cards, developing collection and processing services, as well as strengthening the partnership with banks licensed by the Central Bank of Iraq, in order to achieve integration between the various parties of the financial sector, to develop a modern, secure and advanced payment system that is in line with best practices and international standards.
Baghdad – Media Office, July 21, 2026 https://cbi.iq/news/view/3270
The Prime Minister's Advisor Clarifies The Borrowing Law: Will It Replace The Budget?
2026-07-21 | Alsumaria News- Economy: The Prime Minister's financial advisor confirmed,Mazhar Muhammad Salih On Tuesday, he said that the adoption of the borrowing and grants law is a temporary measure to ensure the continuation of spending until the budget is approved, and does not represent a permanent alternative to the general budget, while he pointed out that the volatility of oil prices and the expansion of the size of expenditures reinforce the need to borrow to cover the deficit and secure the necessary financing.
Saleh said in a statement to the official news agency, which was followed by Alsumaria News He said: “If the borrowing and grants law is adopted as an alternative to the budget law, the government will resort to a temporary financing mechanism that will allow it to continue to cover basic expenses and meet its financial obligations until the general budget is approved.”
He pointed out that "Asylum This option, instead of passing the budget law, is often linked to budget delays and the resulting lack of legal cover for government spending, which compels the government to seek temporary financing tools to ensure the continued payment of salaries and funding.public services"
And to fulfill urgent financial obligations," he explained, adding that "weak liquidity or a decline in public revenues, especially given the volatility of oil prices and the expansion of expenditures, may be an additional factor that reinforces the need for borrowing to cover the deficit and secure the necessary financing."
He further stated that "adopting the borrowing and grants law is not a permanent alternative to the budget, but rather an exceptional and temporary measure aimed at ensuring the continued operation of state institutions until the completion of the constitutional and legislative procedures for approving the general budget."