Iraq Excluded From 2026 Index Of Economic Freedom

2026-03-16    Shafaq News- Baghdad   Iraq did not appear in the 2026 Index of Economic Freedom due to insufficient reliable economic data and weak transparency standards, the Heritage Foundation said on Monday.

The foundation placed Iraq among unranked countries for the third consecutive year, alongside Afghanistan, Libya, Somalia, Syria, Yemen, Liechtenstein, and Ukraine. The index covers around 176 countries and evaluates economic freedom across four main pillars: rule of law, government size, regulatory efficiency, and open markets. It measures 12 sub-indicators, assigning scores between zero and 100 to determine each country’s level of economic freedom.

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Oil Shock and Currency Tensions: Strait of Hormuz Crisis Sends Ripples Through Global Finance

Energy chokepoints and currency experiments collide as the Iran conflict intensifies.

Overview

Escalating tensions around the Strait of Hormuz are sending powerful signals through global financial markets, highlighting how energy supply routes remain one of the most critical pressure points in the international economic system.

State of Law Coalition: Iraq’s Economic Security Above All Considerations

Baghdad – INA   The State of Law Coalition affirmed on Monday that Iraq’s economic security must remain above all considerations, stressing that disputes should be addressed through dialogue.

In a statement received by the Iraqi News Agency, the coalition said it had followed with deep concern the statements issued by the Iraqi Ministry of Oil and the Ministry of Natural Resources of the Kurdistan Regional Government, noting the divergence in positions amid the sensitive economic conditions facing the country and the potential repercussions that could directly affect citizens’ livelihoods.

Hormuz Blockade Threatens Iraq’s Cash Buffer

2026-03-15   Shafaq News- Baghdad   Iraq’s economy is under severe pressure as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz slashes oil exports, threatening the government’s ability to pay salaries, pensions, and cover essential expenses. The disruption follows the war that erupted on February 28, 2026, between the United States and Israel on one side and Iran on the other, cutting Iraqi oil production by two-thirds.

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Global Payment System Reform Accelerates as Regulators Warn of Fragmentation Risks

International financial regulators push for urgent modernization of cross-border payments as digital currencies and alternative systems reshape global finance.

Overview

Global financial regulators are warning that the international payment system — the backbone of global trade and finance — is under growing pressure to modernize.

EU Envoys Urge Keeping Iraq Out Of Regional Conflict

2026-03-15     Shafaq News- Baghdad    Ambassadors of European Union member states accredited to Iraq on Sunday expressed hope that the country would not be drawn into the escalating regional conflict, amid rising tensions linked to the confrontation between the United States and Israel on one side and Iran on the other.

The diplomats made the remarks during a meeting with Iraq’s National Security Adviser Qasim al-Araji, where they also condemned recent attacks targeting the Kurdistan Region and critical sites across the country.