News, Rumors and Opinions Monday 1-19-2026
KTFA:
Clare: Mark Savaya @Mark_Savaya
We had a very successful meeting with Tulsi Gabbard, the Director of National Intelligence, and Joe Kent, the Director of @ODNIgov’s National Counterterrorism Center, during which we discussed a range of critical issues related to the matters I have previously raised.
Our discussions included the role of Iranian-backed militias and related networks. We also highlighted the importance of maintaining and building on the Iraqi government's efforts over the past year to secure borders, fight smuggling and corruption, and strengthen state authority. Under President Donald J Trump’s leadership,
I am fully committed to exposing and pursuing wrongdoing wherever it exists, stabilizing Iraq, and ensuring its security in the service of Iraqi sovereignty and the well-being of the Iraqi people. IRAQI PEOPLE WILL MAKE IRAQ GREAT AGAIN ....
https://x.com/mark_savaya/stat.....89771?s=46
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Clare: Erbil tells the story of reviving the "gold lira" as an inherited economic refuge
1/18/2026
Erbil (Kurdistan 24) Salar Gharib, who has twenty-three years of experience, begins the journey of converting raw “broken” gold into shiny liras by melting the metal at temperatures ranging from 1300 to 1600 degrees Celsius, after determining the carat with extreme precision to be “21 carat” (91.6% purity), which is the most popular and trusted grade in the local markets.
In keeping with the culture of saving that is deeply rooted in the Kurdistan Region society in all its cities, regions and extensions, and with the increasing demand for the yellow metal as a safe haven for wealth, gold crafting factories in the capital Erbil are witnessing remarkable technical and artistic activity to produce the “gold lira” with local and international specifications, as these small pieces have turned into an economic icon that combines investment value and traditional beauty.
At the heart of a specialized workshop, after the gold is poured into molds to produce longitudinal ingots, the material passes through rolling and pressing machines to form precise gold sheets.
Their thickness is measured with sensitive electronic instruments to ensure a consistent weight. Here, goldsmith Salar points out that the 5-gram gold lira is the most sought-after coin among the residents of Erbil. It is cut to a diameter of 80 millimeters before undergoing a purification and drying process in preparation for the final "minting" or stamping under immense hydraulic pressure of up to 1500 bar, which gives it its distinctive visual identity and seal of quality.
When discussing production capacity, the factory managers emphasize that the increasing demand has prompted them to raise the pace of work. The factory produces between 600 and 700 gold liras daily in various shapes and weights, with the possibility of printing more than 4,000 copies of some highly sought-after models. This reflects a revival in the local industry and the ability of craftsmen in Erbil to compete with imports in terms of accuracy and purity.
Experts believe that, looking at the future of the market, this trend towards local manufacturing of gold savings coins not only provides job opportunities for local staff, but also gives the Kurdish consumer an additional guarantee of purity and weight, so that the “Erbil” gold lira remains a solid bridge that citizens cross towards financial stability that defies the fluctuations of paper currencies. LINK
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Courtesy of Dinar Guru: https://www.dinarguru.com/
Frank26 I don't believe Maliki is going to be the next prime minister...To be honest with you, every time we talk about Maliki is a a waste of time...
Jeff You were hearing from other [dinar gurus] that Sudani was out, that he conceded to Maliki. I told you guys that was all B.S. nonsense and you have to know how to correctly vet the news...I told you... Sudani was not out. Sudani did not concede. Many of you guys were frustrated and upset...They still don't have a final decision towards Maliki...You can't trust the political news. It's very misleading and they lie to you extensively in it. Article: "What if Mohammed Shia al-Sudani rebels against the coordination framework..." This article doesn't suggest Sudani conceded to Maliki.
Mnt Goat Article: “AN ECONOMIC OBSERVATORY REVEALS THE CENTRAL BANK OF IRAQ’S CONDITIONS FOR BANKS TO TRADE IN CURRENCIES OTHER THAN THE DOLLAR.” Another step in the breakaway from sanctioned times, this time global payment for trade...But this is not the end yet and there is still much work to be done. Yes, Iraq must get out of this 1991 and 2003 UN sanction-mode mindset and get back to regular international trade processes. We are now witnessing yet another step forward and this is a good one.
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Silver 1:1 with Gold? The Hidden Gold That Changes Everything
Bix Weir: 1-18-2026
Financial analyst and creator of the “Road to Roota Theory,” Bix Weir, joins the Friday Night Economic Review for an in-depth, wide-ranging conversation on silver, gold, and the shifting foundations of global power.
- In this discussion, we explore Weir’s view that silver could ultimately reach a 1:1 valuation with gold, and the structural, monetary, and geopolitical forces that could drive such a move.
Rather than a formal presentation, this is a dynamic exchange of ideas—connecting macro trends, suppressed markets, industrial demand, and the growing strains on the global financial system.
- We also dive into potential gold stores around the world and how the acknowledgment of these reserves could radically alter the balance of power between nations.
From central bank strategy to geopolitical leverage, we examine how precious metals may play a critical role in the next phase of the global reset. –
This is a thoughtful, exploratory conversation for those watching the cracks in the current system and looking beyond the headlines. –
Learn more and follow Bix Weir at https:// RoadtoRoota.com