Some “Iraq News” Posted by Tishwash at TNT 4-14-2026
TNT:
Tishwash: AFP: Maliki's chances of returning to the premiership are dwindling
Nouri al-Maliki's chances of returning to the post of Prime Minister in Baghdad have declined, political sources told AFP on Monday, as political parties began searching for an alternative candidate following the war in the Middle East, from which Iraq has not been spared the repercussions.
The “Coordination Framework” announced in January the nomination of Maliki to succeed Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, following the elections held in the country. However, Washington threatened to halt support for Baghdad if Maliki returned, causing confusion in Iraqi political circles.
Adding to the complications was the war launched by the United States and Israel against Iran on February 28, which affected Iraq, which has been striving for years to achieve a balance in its relations with the two influential powers, Washington and Tehran.
A source close to Maliki told AFP on Monday that it would be “difficult” for him to assume the post of prime minister in the next phase.
Other sources also confirmed his declining chances. link
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Tishwash: Maliki sets conditions to obstruct Sudani's second term... and the Popular Mobilization Forces enter the fray.
An informed source revealed on Monday that Nouri al-Maliki, head of the State of Law Coalition, informed the leaders of the Coordination Framework of his readiness to withdraw his candidacy for the position of Prime Minister, in exchange for not nominating and renewing the term of the current Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, for a second term.
The source told Shafaq News Agency that "Maliki also stipulated that no figure who had previously held the position of Prime Minister in previous governments should be assigned," referring to the leader of the Victory Coalition, Haider al-Abadi.
He added that "several names have been put forward for the position, but no candidate has been decided yet," indicating that "the meeting of the coordination framework, scheduled for today, will discuss al-Maliki's conditions and look into alternative names."
The source indicated that "leaders in the Popular Mobilization Forces will have a role in choosing the candidate for prime minister," noting that "today's meeting may not resolve the issue, with the possibility of postponing the selection of the candidate to a later meeting."
The Reconstruction and Development Coalition confirmed on Monday that its leader, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, could be tasked with forming the new government within 48 hours, and indicated that he has broad support within the coordination framework and from other political forces.
The framework is preparing to hold a meeting this Monday evening to discuss nine candidates, amid the introduction of alternative names, including a consensus candidate, after the largest bloc called for naming its candidate in accordance with Article 76 of the Constitution, in light of political and security complications that may delay the resolution of the issue. link
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Tishwash: The return of the vice presidents: A compromise proposal to appease Maliki and Halbousi
Various political sources revealed on Monday a governmental and political movement to reactivate the position of the two vice presidents of the republic, with a proposal to assign the two positions to Nouri al-Maliki and Mohammed al-Halbousi as part of settlements aimed at achieving political balance.
A source told Shafaq News Agency that "the political forces within the State Administration Coalition are studying a mechanism to reactivate the two positions, assigning one of the seats to Maliki and the other to Halbousi," noting that "the position may be acceptable to both figures."
In contrast, MP Firas Al-Muslawi, spokesman for the Reconstruction and Development bloc, told Shafaq News Agency that “activating the two vice-presidential positions is open for discussion within the political understandings and is subject to consensus,” indicating that “Al-Maliki had previously rejected the position, and it is unlikely that he will accept it even if it is activated, with the possibility of a decision being issued soon on this matter being ruled out.”
Regarding the meeting of the Coordination Framework, Al-Muslawi indicated that "the leaders of the Shiite House will hold their periodic meeting today to decide on the mechanism for choosing the Prime Minister," considering that Muhammad Shia Al-Sudani is "the most likely to be elected for a second term, with the support of the majority of the Framework’s components, especially since the Reconstruction and Development bloc has 51 seats."
But another political source explained that “Al-Sudani received messages from conservative Shiite leaders, advising against relying on the results of the presidential election session, because the numbers are not fixed and the previous scenario may not be repeated.”
Parliament Speaker Hebat al-Halbousi had called on President Nizar Amidi, after he took the constitutional oath on Saturday (April 11), to consult with the political blocs to name the vice presidents of the republic in accordance with Article 75 of the constitution.
In 2016, Haider al-Abadi’s government abolished the positions of vice presidents as part of a package of reforms, before the Supreme Federal Court later ruled the abolition unconstitutional, stressing that the position was a constitutional duty. link
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Tishwash: Government advisor: Proposal to build a land logistics system linked to regional ports
The Prime Minister’s financial advisor, Mazhar Muhammad Saleh, confirmed on Monday that closing the Strait of Hormuz threatens global energy markets, while noting that there is a proposal to develop logistical routes in cooperation with neighboring countries that are less expensive.
Saleh told the Iraqi News Agency (INA): “The repercussions of closing the Strait of Hormuz depend primarily on the duration of the ongoing conflict in the region, and whether it is short-term or extends for years, given the direct impact this would have on energy markets and the global economy.”
He explained that "a long-term shutdown scenario is radically different from short wars, as it will have profound effects on global energy markets and reinforce the position of oil as a strategic commodity with crucial political and economic dimensions."
He pointed out that “the continuation of the war for years may turn the Gulf into something resembling a sea that is almost closed to global trade, which will push the countries bordering it, including Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Iran, to reshape their trade relations, especially with regard to oil export outlets and trade exchange,” noting that “the cost of the conflict will rise to significant levels for the Gulf states, which will bear direct and indirect economic consequences, which necessitates a reconsideration of economic geography and a search for alternative trade outlets, as well as the possibility of adapting to a scenario of partial or temporary dispensing with the Strait of Hormuz.”
He explained that “Iraq’s options remain relatively limited, as it relies mainly on land routes to neighboring countries overlooking the seas, such as Turkey, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon, in addition to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Despite the high cost of alternatives in the short term, the necessity dictates building an integrated land logistics system linked to regional ports.”
He noted "a growing trend towards developing logistical routes, both old and new, in cooperation with neighboring countries that are less expensive, in order to ensure the continued marketing of Iraqi oil and trade."
He added, "The (Development Road) project represents a fundamental pillar in this approach, as it is based on linking regional economic interests with transport and trade networks that enhance stability and reduce dependence on sensitive and more costly maritime routes."
He pointed out that "the decisive factor in the long term remains the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and ensuring that it remains a free passage for global trade, in accordance with the principles of freedom of navigation and the rights of states."
He added that “keeping the strait open is strategically integrated with the (Development Road) project, and contributes to creating a less costly economic environment, and enhances the geo-economic interdependence between the countries of the North and the South, enabling Iraq to become a major axis in this interdependence, by moving from the concept of (shared loss) to (shared profit) link
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Tishwash: The Central Bank of Iraq: Our reserves cover approximately 13 months of imports.
The Central Bank of Iraq affirmed the strength of its foreign reserves and its ability to maintain monetary and financial stability, noting that these reserves cover about 12 months of imports, providing a large margin of safety to face economic challenges.
The bank stated in a statement that its board of directors held an extraordinary session to follow up on economic and financial developments, during which a comprehensive assessment was made of macroeconomic indicators, liquidity levels, and the performance of the banking sector, in addition to studying the potential risks resulting from regional and international changes.
He explained that the council discussed a number of economic scenarios for the coming period, focusing on enhancing the flexibility of monetary policy and ensuring the sustainability of financial stability, stressing that the bank has the tools to deal with various developments.
The statement indicated that the current foreign reserves are comfortable and secure, and support the bank's ability to manage monetary policy effectively, as well as enhance confidence in the country's financial system.
He also stressed the importance of ensuring that salaries and basic expenses are secured during the coming months, which will contribute to supporting living standards and the continuation of normal economic activity.
He explained that the bank continues to support the liquidity of banks to ensure the smooth flow of daily banking operations, enabling them to meet the needs of citizens and the private sector, in addition to confirming the continued smooth flow of external transfers to cover import operations and international payments.
The Central Bank of Iraq concluded its statement by affirming its readiness to take appropriate measures at the right time to maintain market stability and enhance confidence in the banking sector. link