“Tidbits From TNT” Saturday 1-17-2026

TNT:

Tishwash:  Mark Savaya arrives in Erbil

Shafaq News Agency's correspondent reported that Mark Savaya, US President Donald Trump's envoy for Iraq affairs, arrived in Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region, early Saturday morning, as part of a visit that coincides with broader US diplomatic activity related to the Iraq and Syria files.

Tom Barrack, Trump’s envoy for Syria, is scheduled to arrive in Erbil later on Saturday to meet with Mazloum Abdi, the commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces, at a time when the Syrian arena is witnessing a military escalation and international mediation efforts to de-escalate the situation.

Trump had appointed Savaya as special envoy for Iraq affairs on October 19, 2025. He is an American businessman of Iraqi origin.

In his latest remarks, attributed to him ahead of the visit, he said he would deal with the "appropriate decision-makers" in Iraq, and had previously hinted that "big changes are coming" with a focus on "actions, not words."  link

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Tishwash: Sudanese advisor: The government has achieved economic success, and the International Monetary Fund is witnessing it. 

Despite talk of a severe financial crisis in Iraq and the decline of the dinar against the dollar, the Prime Minister's financial advisor, Mazhar Muhammad Salih, says that the country recorded a low inflation rate of about 1.5% by the end of 2025. He pointed out that inflation in Iraq is the lowest in the Arab world, noting that the government's monetary policy succeeded in maintaining price and exchange rate stability and protecting the purchasing power of the dinar.

Regarding the recent cabinet measures, Salih explained that their aim is to address what is known as "job inflation" as a step to support social stability and improve income levels, as he put it.

Saleh told the official agency, as reported by 964 Network , that “the Iraqi economy is witnessing a remarkable phase of monetary stability, as it recorded a low inflation rate of about 1.5% by the end of 2025, according to estimates by the International Monetary Fund, which is among the lowest rates in the Arab region.” He explained that “this achievement is attributed to the monetary policy that succeeded in maintaining price and exchange rate stability, and protecting the purchasing power of the dinar, which strengthened confidence in the national currency and provided a more favorable environment for investment.”

He added that “the recent Cabinet decisions aim to address what is known as ‘job inflation’ as a step to support social stability and improve income levels,” noting that “these measures achieve positive short-term returns by stimulating domestic demand and enhancing economic confidence, especially if they are financed within the limits of financial sustainability and do not exceed the absorptive capacity of the economy.”

He explained that “the biggest challenge remains in transforming this monetary stability into sustainable productive economic growth, since government employment, if not linked to productivity, may create a gap between public spending and real output, and increase the economy’s vulnerability to fluctuations in oil prices.”

He added that “the solution lies in linking employment to training and qualification programs, empowering the private sector through legislative and financial reforms, as well as diversifying the economic base by focusing on agricultural development, manufacturing, renewable energy, and increasing opportunities in the digital economy.”

He stressed that “Iraq today has a rare dual opportunity represented by low inflation and monetary stability,” adding that “this opportunity can turn into a long-term gain if it is invested in building a solid productive base, which will ensure the continuity of financial and monetary stability in the medium and long term, and move the economy from the cycle of rentier dependency to the path of sustainable growth.”  link

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Tishwash:  Government advisor: Tourism investment is a gateway to stimulating the private sector and diversifying national income.

The Prime Minister’s financial advisor, Mazhar Muhammad Saleh, confirmed on Friday that Iraq has more than 12,000 archaeological sites that form the basis for a comprehensive tourism launch, explaining that tourism investment is a gateway to stimulating the private sector and diversifying national income.

Saleh told the Iraqi News Agency (INA): “Tourism in Iraq is more than just a recreational activity; it is a strategic tool for wealth creation, achieving balanced development, and diversifying national income sources, provided that investment in it is done seriously and with a clear institutional approach.”

He explained that “this sector has the potential to become a major economic pillar, capable of restoring Iraq to its natural civilizational position and contributing to building a more stable and sustainable economic future.”

He added that “tourism in Iraq represents a strategic economic lever capable of reducing the single dependence on oil, opening up broad prospects for diversifying national income, creating direct and indirect job opportunities, revitalizing the service and commercial sectors, as well as providing the economy with important revenues from foreign currency.”

He pointed out that "tourism leads to an increase in demand for local products and services, especially handicrafts, food products, and national cuisine, which strengthens local value chains. At the employment level, it is estimated that a single tourism event in the hotel accommodation sector alone is capable of generating more than 25 job opportunities at once, which highlights the multiplier effect of this sector on the labor market."

He pointed out that "tourism investment contributes to stimulating private sector trends by supporting the growth of small and medium enterprises, such as transport companies, restaurants and shops, and it also has a positive impact on the macroeconomy through the development of infrastructure by investing in roads, airports, hotels and public facilities, which enhances the investment attractiveness of the country as a whole."

Saleh emphasized that “Iraq has more than 12,000 archaeological sites stretching from Babylon, Ur and Nineveh to Baghdad and Samarra, as well as holy religious shrines. These are unique cultural treasures, some of which have been included in UNESCO’s World Heritage List, and they form a solid foundation for a comprehensive tourism initiative with economic, cultural and civilizational dimensions.  link

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Mot:  Simply Can't Win !!! -- Can He!!!??? 

Mot: Love the Wisdom of the ""Wee Folks""!!!