Iraq Economic News and Points To Ponder Friday Afternoon 10-10-25

Oliver Wyman Reviews Criteria For Iraq’s Digital Banks
   
Iraq     Amr Salem     October 9, 2025     650      Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – The Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI), Ali al-Alaq,  revealed on Thursday that   Oliver Wyman is reviewing the criteria set by the CBI  to issue licenses for digital banks in the country.
 
In a statement to the Iraqi News Agency (INA),  al-Alaq indicated that the leading international management consulting firm  will provide the CBI with a final report within the next few days.

 An aerial view of the new headquarters of the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI). Photo: Zaha Hadid Architects

The CBI has received approximately  80 applications to create digital banks in the country, according to al-Alaq.
 
Licenses can only be awarded following a set of criteria based on  market research, the  nature of the business, and  other countries’ experiences,  where the number of digital banks is often limited to three or four.
 
Officials from the CBI and representatives from Oliver Wyman  discussed in August a banking reform proposal  offered by the Iraqi Private Banks League (IPBL)  to modernize Iraq’s banking industry and  align operations with worldwide practices.
 
The strategy intends to  stabilize the banking sector  so that it can function securely and effectively  in accordance with international norms and standards,  as well as local legislation,  while also strengthening governance, compliance, and risk management.
 
The strategy also allows banks to perform an economic role that promotes growth  while providing the most effective services possible.
 
The CBI noted that adopting the  strategy will boost local and international trust in Iraq’s banking industry.

Iraq’s Central Bank revealed last month that  it reached an agreement with Oliver Wyman to perform a thorough analysis of the conditions under which Iraqi banks are prohibited from conducting transactions in US dollars.
 
The two sides discussed the  usage of electronic payment cards andstrategies to encourage and manage their usein keeping with Iraq’s shift toward electronic payments.
 
The CBI stated that Oliver Wyman will focus on  improving bank procedures to align with international standards.
 
Additionally, they will create effective strategies  for reintegrating Iraqi banks that have been barred from conducting US dollar transactions  back into the banking sector,both domestically and internationally.    
  
https://www.iraqinews.com/iraq/oliver-wyman-reviews-criteria-for-iraqs-digital-banks/

 The Central Bank Discusses With The German Commerzbank Ways To Enhance Banking Cooperation.
 
October 09, 2025   His Excellency the Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq, Mr. Ali Mohsen Al-Alaq,received in Baghdad Mr. Michael German,Representative of the    Institutional Clients and International Transaction Banking Sectorat Commerzbank AG,  to   discuss ways to enhance cooperation between the two sides.

The meeting  discussed prospects for developing banking relations  with Iraqi banks operating in the local market, which would contribute to supporting economic activity and   strengthening financial ties   between Iraq and  Germany.

The importance of   exchanging technical expertise and  developing cooperation mechanisms   in the areas of  trade finance, international payments management, and banking correspondence was emphasized, thus  enhancing the  efficiency of the Iraqi financial system and its   connection to the European banking sector.
 
The two parties expressed their commitment to   continuing     coordination and    joint consultation   to  support Iraq's global financial standing and   develop its foreign banking relations   in accordance with the highest approved standards. 
    Central Bank of Iraq     Media Office      October 9, 2025    https://cbi.iq/news/view/3008    

Combating Financial Fraud Enhances Confidence In The Banking Sector

Due to the successes achieved by the government and the Central Bank during the years (2023-2025) in expanding the field of digital transformation, activating electronic payment, and spreading the culture of using electronic cards among citizens.

The Central Bank and banks have begun receiving complaints of electronic financial fraud involving the exploitation of the accounts of retirees and various segments of society, particularly this year. Several cases of electronic financial fraud have been identified, including the withdrawal of deposits and salaries from employees' and bank customers' accounts using various fraudulent methods, which constitute financial crimes punishable by the Iraqi judiciary.

In addition to the entry and exit of funds through unofficial border crossings, which are exploited for currency counterfeiting and money laundering, the Central Bank has announced the creation of a complaints platform and is urging banks to launch a broad media and advertising campaign to warn citizens of the dangers of engaging in these illegal activities and their potential to harm the national economy.

Government agencies, the judiciary, and oversight bodies in Iraq have amended their applicable laws, issued new instructions and proactive controls, and developed procedural and electronic means to combat these crimes and protect their funds and the national economy.

Iraq, like other countries, has activated its economic and legislative apparatus and institutions to combat these crimes. It issued Anti-Money Laundering Law No. 39 of 2015, which included 12 chapters and articles that defined the crimes covered by the law and the penalties for each financial crime. It also adheres to international standards that limit money laundering issued by the FATF, in addition to the crimes of counterfeiting, forgery and fraud stipulated in the Iraqi Penal Code and the instructions issued by the financial and monetary authorities, represented by the Central Bank of Iraq and the Ministry of Finance, to combat these crimes with the aim of preserving Iraq’s funds, especially its foreign currency, due to the impact of these crimes on the national economy and the creation of stifling economic and financial crises, which reflects on sustainable development.

The serious matter that contributes to the spread of this phenomenon is the weak compliance of financial and banking institutions with international compliance rules and standards, which means they are exposed to financial risks of all kinds, the most important of which are reputational risks, which directly affect Iraq’s international economic, financial and banking transactions, which affect Iraq’s external economic relations with countries around the world, especially the financial and banking transactions of Arab and foreign correspondent banks.

However, laws alone and internal judicial procedures cannot combat these financial crimes, which requires the development of local and international proactive electronic oversight methods by adopting mechanisms and policies regulated by international agreements for cooperation in reducing financial crimes related to money laundering, terrorist financing and electronic financial crimes related to electronic payment operations. https://economy-news.net/content.php?id=60929

For current and reliable Iraqi news please visit:  https://www.bondladyscorner.com

Seeds of Wisdom RV and Economics Updates Friday Afternoon 10-10-25

Good Afternoon Dinar Recaps,

U.S. Backs Argentina with $20B Peso Swap Amid Crisis

Washington steps in with pesos and a swap line — shifting from geopolitics to banking leverage.

What Happened

• The U.S. purchased Argentine pesos and finalized a $20 billion currency swap framework with Argentina’s central bank, according to statements by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

• Bessent said the move responds to “acute illiquidity” in Argentina and framed the U.S. as uniquely able to act swiftly. 

• The timing coincides with a sharp peso devaluation (~6% drop), dwindling foreign reserves, and political strain ahead of Argentina’s October midterm elections. 

Why It Matters

• Hard intervention via currency plumbing — instead of just sanctions or debt relief, the U.S. is directly influencing Argentina’s forex and liquidity.

• Political optics & alignment — Argentina’s President Milei is a pro-Trump ally. This swap underscores U.S. influence in regional politics and economics.

• Credit risk & legitimacy — Some U.S. lawmakers have called this a hidden “bailout,” citing inconsistency with “America First” rhetoric. 

How This Ties to Global Reform Narratives

• When a superpower steps into another nation’s currency markets, it shows how monetary sovereignty is porous under global pressure.

• Deals like this strengthen the argument for parallel financial infrastructure: nations that fear external intervention may prefer local rails, gold, or crypto hedges.

• In a multipolar world, capital flows are another front for influence — not only military or trade sanctions.

Why This Matters / Key Takeaway

The U.S. swap with Argentina is more than financial rescue — it’s a projection of influence through currency leverage.
This reinforces how financial tools are being weaponized in the new world order — the kind of shift that signals more than just a bailout.

This is not just politics — it’s global finance restructuring before our eyes.

@ Newshounds News™ Exclusive

Sources:
• Al Jazeera – U.S. buys Argentinian pesos, finalises $20bn currency swap, says U.S. Treasury Al Jazeera

~~~~~~~~~

Coinbase & Mastercard Vie for BVNK — A $2B Stablecoin Power Move

Traditional finance and crypto giants race to control the backbone of tomorrow’s payments rails.

What’s Playing Out

• Coinbase and Mastercard are in advanced talks to acquire BVNK, a London-based stablecoin infrastructure firm. The potential price tag? $1.5 to $2.5 billion. 

• While nothing is finalized, sources suggest Coinbase currently leads the bidding. 

• BVNK builds enterprise-grade stablecoin payment systems, reportedly processing over $20 billion annually and serving clients like Worldpay, Flywire, and dLocal. 

Why It Could Be a Game Changer

• If completed, this deal would become the largest acquisition in stablecoin history, overtaking Stripe’s $1.1B purchase of Bridge in 2024. 

• It signals how deeply traditional finance (Mastercard) and crypto infrastructure (Coinbase) see stablecoins as central to future payment systems.

• This move is likely influenced by recent regulation shifts—e.g. the GENIUS Act in the U.S. pushing stablecoin clarity and adoption.

Challenges & Tensions Ahead

• Regulatory uncertainty still looms large—will stablecoins face harsher oversight, reserve requirements, or restrictions?

• Integration & scaling risks: BVNK’s tech must mesh seamlessly with legacy banking systems and comply with cross-border rules.

• Valuation risk: Betting $2B on a payments infrastructure firm could backfire if adoption, security, or interoperability falters.

• Conflict of control: If Mastercard wins, it could tilt stablecoin rails toward traditional finance dominance; if Coinbase wins, crypto infrastructure holds more influence.

How This Ties into Global Restructuring

• Control over stablecoin rails = control over capital flows. Whoever owns the infrastructure captures downstream influence over payments, data, and settlement.

• This race reflects the broader shift toward hybrid monetary systems, where stablecoins, CBDCs, and fiat coexist and compete.

• As nations push de-dollarization, having dominant stablecoin infrastructure offers a lever to shape alternative (non-USD) economic corridors.

Why This Matters / Key Takeaway

This isn’t just a big acquisition fight—it’s a battle for the plumbing of future money.
Whoever wins BVNK gains a strategic node in the next global payments regime.
In a world where financial sovereignty matters more than ever, the stakes of this race go beyond profit—they tie into who defines the next monetary order.

This is not just politics — it’s global finance restructuring before our eyes.

@ Newshounds News™ Exclusive

Sources & Further Reading
• Coinbase and Mastercard in $2 billion bidding race for stablecoin firm BVNK — TradingView TradingView
• Coinbase and Mastercard held talks to acquire BVNK — CoinDesk CoinDesk
• Coinbase, Mastercard compete to acquire stablecoin firm BVNK — FXStreet FXStreet
• The stablecoin discount & hybrid monetary ecosystems (papers on stablecoin-finance relations) arXiv

~~~~~~~~~
Trump Passed Over: Why the 2025 Nobel Went to Machado Instead

He claimed to stop wars — but the Nobel Committee backed a fighter for democracy in Venezuela.

What the Nobel Committee Actually Recognized

• 2025 Nobel Peace Prize awarded to María Corina Machado for her “tireless work promoting democratic rights” and “struggle to achieve a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy.” 

• Machado has been a central figure in Venezuela’s opposition — despite being banned from holding office, living in hiding, and seeing many of her allies arrested. 

• In contrast, although Trump has publicly campaigned for the prize — citing ceasefires and peace deals — his record is contested. 

Trump’s Peace Claims Under Scrutiny

• Trump repeatedly says he “stopped six or seven wars” in his presidency, citing conflicts like India/Pakistan, Congo/Rwanda, Cambodia/Thailand, and Israel/Iran. 

• Experts and fact-checkers point out that many of his cited "wars" were ceasefires, diplomatic mediations, or claims with limited verification — not full, lasting conflict resolution.

• The Nobel Committee tends to favor long-term impact, human rights, and the reinforcement of peace over episodic or politically timed interventions. 

Why Machado’s Selection Speaks to Deeper Shifts

• Democracy as Peacework: Awarding the prize to a democracy advocate under authoritarian duress signals that political freedom is now a central criterion for global peace legitimacy.

• Undermining the Old Narrative: Trump’s framing treats peace as a prize for dealmaking; Machado’s framing treats peace as a struggle embedded in sovereignty.

• Message to Global Order: In a time when financial and institutional systems are fracturing, honoring someone rooted in resistance suggests prestige is shifting toward those who build from the ground up.

The Bigger Implication — Who Sets the Story of Peace?

If peace is defined by treaties and accords, Trump’s narrative fits.
If peace is defined by resilience, justice, and transformation, Machado’s narrative holds deeper weight.
The Nobel decision may reflect a transition: from honoring political actors of scale to honoring agents of structural change.

Why This Matters / Key Takeaway

Trump may claim to have ended wars, but the Nobel honors those whose peace work withstands time, repression, and systemic pressure.
Choosing Machado over Trump is more than a prize decision — it signals a shift in how the world measures peace and power in an era of realignment.

This is not just politics — it’s global finance restructuring before our eyes.

@ Newshounds News™ Exclusive

Sources:
• NobelPrize.org – 2025 Nobel Peace Prize press release NobelPrize.org
• Reuters – Machado wins Nobel Peace Prize Reuters
• CBS News – Nobel Peace Prize awarded to Machado CBS News
• Washington Post – Nobel and Trump position The Washington Post
• FactCheck.org – Trump’s war-stopping claims analysis FactCheck.org
• The Independent – Expert views on Trump’s Nobel campaign The Independent
• The Guardian – coverage of Machado’s selection The Guardian

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Seeds of Wisdom Team RV Currency Facts Youtube and Rumble

Newshound's News Telegram Room Link

Follow the Gold/Silver Rate COMEX

Follow Fast Facts

Seeds of Wisdom Team™ Website

Thank you Dinar Recaps

“Tidbits From TNT” Friday 10-10-2025

TNT:

Tishwash:  US Senate unanimously endorses repeal of 2002 Iraq war resolution

WASHINGTON (AP) — More than two decades later, Congress is on the verge of writing a closing chapter to the war in Iraq.

More than two decades later, Congress is on the verge of writing a closing chapter to the war in Iraq.

The Senate voted Thursday to repeal the resolution that authorized the 2003 U.S. invasion, following a House vote last month that would return the basic war power to Congress.

The amendment by Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine, a Democrat, and Indiana Sen. Todd Young, a Republican, was approved by voice vote to an annual defense authorization bill that passed the Senate late Thursday — a unanimous endorsement for ending the war that many now view as a mistake.

Iraqi deaths were estimated in the hundreds of thousands, and nearly 5,000 U.S. troops were killed in the war after President George W. Bush’s administration falsely claimed that then-President Saddam Hussein was stockpiling weapons of mass destruction.

“That’s the way the war ends, not with a bang but a whimper,” Kaine said after the vote, which lasted only a few seconds with no debate and no objections. Still, he said, “America is forever changed by those wars, and the Middle East is too.”

Supporters in both the House and Senate say the repeal is crucial to prevent future abuses and to reinforce that Iraq is now a strategic partner of the United States. The House added a similar amendment to its version of the defense measure in September, meaning the repeal is likely to end up in the final bill once the two chambers reconcile the two pieces of legislation. Both bills also repeal the 1991 authorization that sanctioned the U.S.-led Gulf War.

While Congress appears poised to pass the repeal, it is unclear whether President Donald Trump will support it. During his first term, his administration cited the 2002 Iraq resolution as part of its legal justification for a 2020 U.S. drone strike that killed Iranian Gen. Qassim Soleimani. It has otherwise been rarely used.

Young said after the vote that he thinks Trump should “take great pride” in signing the bill after campaigning on ending so-called “forever wars,” especially because he would be the first president in recent history to legally end a longstanding war.

He said the vote establishes an important precedent.

“Congress is now very clearly asserting that it is our prerogative and our responsibility not only to authorize but also to bring to an end military conflicts,” Young said.

The bipartisan vote, added to the larger bipartisan defense measure, came amid a bitter partisan standoff over a weeklong government shutdown. Young said the quick vote was an “extraordinary moment” that he hopes “will help some people see that we can still do consequential things in the U.S. Congress.”

The Senate also voted to repeal the 2002 resolution two years ago on a 66-30 vote. While some Republicans privately told Kaine that they were still opposed to the measure, none objected to the unanimous vote on the floor Thursday evening.

A separate 2001 authorization for the global war on terror would remain in place under the bill. While the 2002 and 1991 resolutions are rarely used and focused on just one country, Iraq, the 2001 measure gave President George W. Bush broad authority for the invasion of Afghanistan, approving force “against those nations, organizations, or persons” that planned or aided the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States.

Passed in September 2001, it has been used in recent years to justify U.S. military action against groups — including al-Qaida and its affiliates, such as the Islamic State group and al-Shabab — that are deemed to be a threat against America.  link

************

Tishwash:  Preemptive strikes thwart attempts to promote counterfeit currency in Iraqi markets.

The Parliamentary Security and Defense Committee revealed, on Wednesday, that new qualitative strikes had been directed against networks specialized in counterfeiting local and foreign currency in several governorates.

Committee member, MP Yasser Iskandar, told Al-Maalouma Agency, “Several joint and specialized security teams have succeeded over the past two weeks in carrying out four qualitative operations during which a number of suspects were arrested and counterfeit money was seized that was on its way to the markets.”

He added that "these operations came within the framework of a distinguished intelligence effort aimed at blocking the path of these networks that are trying to harm the national economy by counterfeiting and circulating currency," noting that "citizens' awareness and cooperation with the security services have contributed fundamentally to the success of many of the seizure procedures."

Iskandar pointed out that "investigations are ongoing to uncover the nature of the work of these networks and completely block attempts to re-counterfeit currency in the future."   link

************

Tishwash:  Italy considers Iraq, Kurdistan safe for Italian investors, eyes deeper economic ties

Italy is pushing to expand its business footprint in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region beyond oil and energy, the country’s ambassador to Iraq told Rudaw in an exclusive interview on Tuesday, as Baghdad and Erbil’s growing stability and developments across all sectors draw renewed interests from European investors. 

 “We started our cooperation decades ago, and the two main sectors were infrastructure, construction, and energy sector, so oil and gas mainly,” Italy’s Ambassador to Iraq Niccolo Fontana told Rudaw, adding Rome’s diplomatic missions in Iraq are currently focused on diversifying cooperation into non-oil fields.

Rome and Erbil enjoy good ties and last year Italy upgraded its consulate in Erbil to a consulate general.

 Italy is a member of the global coalition against the Islamic State (ISIS) that was formed by the United States in 2014 when the terror group seized control of a swath of Iraqi and Syrian land. Italian forces have had a key role in training Kurdish Peshmerga forces.

 A year into office in Iraq, the Italian ambassador said he had witnessed clear signs of transformation and economic momentum. 

 “I saw a transformed city for the better, notably in terms of infrastructure. But I see a lot of construction works going on, both in Baghdad and Erbil,” he said, adding that “We say in Italy that when there is construction going on, it means there's a push towards social economic development.”

 “What we as an embassy and with the consulate general in Erbil, are trying to do right now is to attract more companies in non-oil sectors,” the ambassador said, adding Rome is encouraging companies to work in the “agro industrial sector” to work in Kurdistan, underscoring the safety and security in the Region. 

 Fontana described “stability” as “the right word to describe what's going on now in the country,” crediting both Baghdad and Erbil for playing “a role as a stabilizing factor in the region.”

 The ambassador noted that his country is “committed to working alongside Iraq and Kurdistan to enhance furthermore this development,” highlighting a shared interest in stability and economic diversification. 

 “Together with the Kurdish government, we organized a mission to Rome last July, and apparently we succeeded in convincing an important Italian group to come here,” the ambassador revealed, adding that “they are coming in mid-October here to check, really in person, if those opportunities are real, and how to cooperate with local partners.”

 As Iraq and Kurdistan seek to attract broader foreign investment, Italy’s strategy aligns with their vision of diversifying the economy, strengthening local industries and deepening regional ties. 

Below is the full transcript of the interview with Niccolo Fontana. link  link

************

Mot: Who Else can Relate – siigghhhhh 

Mot:   Warning fir Ya!!!! 

Seeds of Wisdom RV and Economics Updates Friday Morning 10-10-25

Good Morning Dinar Recaps,

BRICS Digital Currency Network Bypasses the West — Dollar Weakens

As BRICS nations integrate digital currencies, they’re quietly rerouting global finance away from Western control.

What Is Unfolding

• BRICS is not launching a single unified digital currency for now, but is integrating Russia’s digital ruble, China’s digital yuan, and India’s digital rupee into a combined payments infrastructure. 

• The system is expected to become operational between 2026 and 2027, allowing direct conversions between national digital currencies — without intermediaries such as Western banks or SWIFT. 

• The BRICS Pay platform will act as a messaging / settlement layer, tying together other national systems like SPFS (Russia), CIPS (China), UPI (India), and PIX (Brazil). 

Why This Is a Strategic Shift

• Dollar Bypass: By enabling settlement in local digital currencies, transactions can stay within BRICS rails, reducing exposure to dollar-based sanctions or surveillance.

• Soft De-Dollarization: This isn’t an overnight dethroning. It’s gradual: local-currency trade, payment infrastructure integration, and settlement mapping instead of an outright currency swap.

• Autonomy & Resilience: Nations in the bloc gain more independence from Western financial chokepoints — reinforcing sovereignty in money flows.

Challenges & Unanswered Questions

• Trust & Stability: How will exchange rates be managed between digital currencies? How to prevent volatility?

• Adoption & Scale: For new rails to matter, a critical mass of trade volume and users is needed — plus cross-border liquidity.

• Interoperability: Will BRICS digital rails integrate with or conflict with existing global systems (e.g. correspondent banking)?

• Gold or Asset Backing? Some speculation suggests backing in gold, but no official commitment has been made yet. 

Global Implications

• Erosion of Dollar Hegemony: As more trade migrates off-dollar, the U.S. dollar’s dominance in global reserves and payments could gradually weaken.

• Financial Bloc Formation: This may accelerate the emergence of regional financial zones — BRICS rails on one side, Western rails on another.

• Credit & Capital Flow Shifts: New corridors of investment may favor nations aligned with BRICS rails, altering capital allocation.

• Sanctions Recycle: In future conflicts, excluded nations might plug into BRICS rails to evade financial isolation.

Why This Matters / Key Takeaway

BRICS isn’t trying to smash the dollar overnight — it’s building alternative rails under its feet.
Once payment, settlement, and currency infrastructure realign, the dollar’s grip becomes more symbolic than structural.
The future architecture of global liquidity is being sketched today — and it may center outside the Western system.

This is not just politics — it’s global finance restructuring before our eyes.

@ Newshounds News™ Exclusive

Sources & Further Reading
• Watcher.Guru – BRICS Digital Currency Network Bypasses the West, Dollar Weakens Watcher Guru
• GIS Reports – BRICS making progress on payment system GIS Reports
• InvestingNews – How Would a New BRICS Currency Affect the US Dollar? Investing News Network (INN)
• Wikipedia – BRICS Pay Wikipedia
• Hudson Institute – How to Counter BRICS and Preserve Global Dollar Dominance Hudson Institute
• ArXiv – Prospects of BRICS Currency Dominance arxiv.org

@ Newshounds News™ Exclusive
Source:  

~~~~~~~~~

Seeds of Wisdom Team RV Currency Facts Youtube and Rumble

Newshound's News Telegram Room Link

Follow the Gold/Silver Rate COMEX

Follow Fast Facts

Seeds of Wisdom Team™ Website

Thank you Dinar Recaps

Iraq Economic News and Points To Ponder Friday Morning 10-10-25

The Biggest Corruption Disaster In Iraq's History: $35 Billion Is "Stolen" Annually, And $775 Billion In Losses Are "Without A Trace."

Five National Budgets   Politics / Economy / Special Files Yesterday, 5:00 PM | 11:18  Baghdad Today – Baghdad  Iraq is experiencing what can be described as   an "economy plagued by structural corruption."
 
Corruption is no longer a passing incident  or a deviation in administrative behavior,  but has become an integral component of the power equation  and a hidden driver in political and economic decision-making circles.

Monitoring and research estimates indicate that  Iraq has lost more than $600 billion over two decades  due to administrative and financial corruption,   at a time when actual spending on  infrastructure,  education, and  health  did not exceed 20% of total oil revenues.
 
However, this tally,  officially announced by former Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi in 2023,  only covers the period until mid-2020.
 
This means that the last five years (2021–2025)  remain beyond any comprehensive official disclosure,  despite the accumulation of cases and scandals witnessed by state institutions.
 
According to observers, the continued absence of updated data after 2020  indicates that the corruption hemorrhage is ongoing  and may have worsened in some sectors  that have not yet been subjected to actual scrutiny.
 
If the same annual rate of losses recorded up to 2020,  amounting to approximately $35 billion annually, were adopted, the   subsequent five years (2021–2025) would have added   approximately $176 billion to the total waste and embezzlement.
 
Thus, the estimated total accumulated losses today could exceed $775 billion,    equivalent to five full Iraqi budgets according to 2024 figures.
 
This mathematical equation demonstrates that the  persistence of the corruption structure at the same pace  means that the state has not stopped the bleeding,  but rather shifted it from one stage to another  without a genuine institutional rupture.
 
This makes the   cost of corruption in Iraq escalating over time   and politically complex.
 
This figure alone—even in its incomplete form—  is sufficient to depict the magnitude of the structural crisis that has   afflicted state institutions and   weakened their ability to provide   even the most basic public services,  despite the fact that total oil revenues since 2003 have exceeded $1.2 trillion.
 
This figure summarizes   a horrific gap between realized wealth and development returns,  and between what was collected and what was wasted.
 
Institutional analyses confirm that   these losses represent not only wasted money,  but also lost "political capital."
 
Corruption has impacted public trust in the state   and Iraq's standing   on international integrity indicators,  ranking 140th out of 180 countries in  Transparency International's 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index.
 
This continued decline not only means that corruption persists,  but that it is now measured more by the   extent of the collapse of trust in oversight institutions  than by the amount of stolen assets.

Thus, every reform attempt—no matter how belated—  turns into an existential test for the state itself:
 
Is it still capable of holding itself accountable,  or has corruption become a condition of its political survival?
 
When we talk about $600 billion,  we are not talking about a figure in accounting books,  but rather 3.7 times Iraq's current annual budget,  which amounts to approximately $162.9 billion  according to the 2024 budget law.
 
In other words,  the funds wasted until 2020  were enough to finance Iraq's entire budget for four consecutive years  without exporting a single barrel of oil.
 
If we add the documented cases that occurred after 2020—    most notably the "theft of the century," which alone amounted to $2.5 billion—  the actual losses appear to be much greater than the official figure.
 
Since that year,  no government has released an updated financial statement, and  no cumulative figures have been presented to parliament  regarding the amount of recovered or wasted funds,   meaning that the lost budget has already exceeded the $600 billion ceiling.
 
By simple comparison,  Jordan, with an annual budget of approximately $25 billion,  could have been fully funded for 24 years from these wasted funds.
 
Lebanon, with a budget of no more than $16 billion,   could have covered its public spending for 37 consecutive years.
 
Syria, with a budget ranging between $8 and $10 billion,  could have funded its budget for approximately 60 years.
 
These amounts would be sufficient   to cover Kuwait's $80 billion budget for seven full years.
 
Independent economic estimates indicate that  this figure would be sufficient to build  10,000 modern schools,  1,000 hospitals, and  5,000 integrated housing complexes, as well as  establish a self-sufficient national electricity system, in addition to  water and sewage networks covering all governorates.
 
It is, in essence, a budget for rebuilding a country from scratch,  but it has disappeared into a vortex of  illusory contracts,  shoddy deals, and  political quotas  that have reproduced corruption with each election cycle under new guises.
 
In this context, MP Yasser Al-Husseini confirmed, during an interview with Baghdad Today, that  "the oversight and judicial authorities are proceeding with   one of the most important stages of   combating corruption in Iraq's history, by   referring 22 files that are considered   the most important in our battle against corruption  to the judicial authorities,  including the Public Prosecution,  the Integrity Commission, and the  Board of Financial Supervision."

He added,  "The ball is now in the court of the judiciary,  which has the final say in resolving these cases."
 
Cross-referenced legal readings  confirm that the referral of this number of cases at this time  represents a moment of dual political-judicial pressure.

On the one hand, the current government is trying to demonstrate  its seriousness in combating corruption just one month before the end of its term.
 
On the other hand,  the judiciary finds itself facing a simultaneous test of independence and speed.
 
Legal deliberations indicate that the  value of these referrals is not measured by their number,  but rather by the standing of the individuals and institutions they target,  and the judicial system's ability to overcome the political pressures  that typically accompany major cases.
 
Past experience confirms that most similar cases were closed  under the pretext of "insufficient evidence"  or were transferred to subsequent governments.
 
This means that the true success of these referrals   will not be measured by the announcement,  but by the enforceable judicial ruling.
 
Anti-corruption expert Saeed Yassin Musa told Baghdad Today,  "The lack of serious accountability and   the dominance of political forces over institutions  are the most prominent reasons for the persistence of corruption.
 
The entities or individuals involved in major cases   have not been held accountable,  despite the existence of official documents and reports  proving the extent of the violations and transgressions."
 
Research studies confirm that what Iraq is facing is not "individual corruption,"   but rather an integrated system of influence extending across the  political,  administrative,  financial, and  legal levels.
 
Such that state institutions have become spheres of partisan influence  rather than neutral executive units.

According to public administration studies, the  lack of civil service independence, the  lack of transparency in government contracting, and the  integration of oversight bodies within the party system  have made combating corruption nearly impossible  without radical and comprehensive administrative reform.
 
This is why Musa emphasizes that  "restoring confidence in the Iraqi economy cannot be achieved  without  sincere political will and  firm legal measures  that restore the state's prestige and  halt the drain on public funds that threatens the country's future development."
 
He calls for the implementation of the principle of  "where did you get this from" and the  enactment of laws that protect whistleblowers  and require public disclosure of financial assets.
 
Political assessments unanimously agree that the  timing of the referral of these files—  one month before the elections—  raises suspicion,  not because they are unimportant,  but because they follow years of silence and oversight procrastination.
 
The government, preparing to hand over power,  appears to be seeking to leave a last-minute moral impact  rather than actual reform.

According to modern political approaches,  the fight against corruption is not measured by the extent of its announcement,  but rather by its sustainability.
 
Delayed measures   are not enough to change the general impression in a country  where most citizens believe that selective accountability  has become part of the political game itself.
 
Academic readings indicate that  a state that postpones confrontation  until the moment of farewell  loses the legitimacy of reform  because it chose not a difficult  but a safe time.
 
True reform does not occur when power is at its demise,  but when it is at the peak of its power,  able to confront challenges  without electoral calculations or coalition agreements.
 
The loss of $600 billion—until 2020—  represents a magnifying glass of the structural flaws in the Iraqi state.
 
What makes the picture even bleaker, however,  is that no official disclosure of the new toll has been made in the five years since,  despite the accumulation of major cases that have yet to be opened.
 
This means that the actual figure today   may exceed $7 billion of the total wasted budget.
 
While the referral of 22 difficult cases represents a positive development in form,  its substance will remain dependent on the  judiciary's ability to overcome political will  and apply justice without selectivity.
 
What will decide the battle against corruption in Iraq   is not the number or size of the cases,  but the state's ability to hold itself accountable  before holding others accountable.
 
A state that wastes enough resources to build three neighboring countries,  then refers corruption cases in the final weeks of its political cycle,  is not practicing actual reform  as much as  it is offering a delayed admission of its structural inability to manage accountability in a timely manner.
 
Every missing dollar of those six billion is documentary evidence of the state's absencewhen it should be present as a guarantor of justice and oversight.
 
Every case closed without an enforceable rulingis an embodiment of the continuing imbalance between law and authority,where justice remains deferred in text before being deferred in application.     https://baghdadtoday.news/284866-35-775.html  

For current and reliable Iraqi news please visit:  https://www.bondladyscorner.com

MilitiaMan and Crew: IQD News Update-Central Bank-Oil & Gas-Digital Currency

MilitiaMan and Crew: IQD News Update-Central Bank-Oil & Gas-Digital Currency

10-9-2025

The Crew:  Samson, PompeyPeter, Petra, Daytrader, Sunkissed, GIGI and Militia Man

Follow MM on X == https://x.com/Slashn

Be sure to listen to full video for all the news……..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lW36PHWAf_E

Iraq Economic News and Points To Ponder Thursday Morning 10-9-25

Central Bank Governor: We Have Received 80 Applications To Establish Digital Banks.

Buratha News Agency  2025-10-09   The Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq, Ali Al-Alaq, announced on Thursday that the bank has received approximately 80 applications to establish digital banks, stressing that the names of licensed digital banks will be announced soon. Al-Alaq told the official agency, "The Central Bank has received between 70 and 80 applications to establish a digital bank. This number can only be licensed according to a set of criteria based on market studies, the nature of the work, and the experiences of other countries, where the number of digital banks usually does not exceed two, three, or four."

He continued, "Therefore, we have begun vetting processes to determine requirements in a way that ensures that licenses are granted to entities with the best qualifications." He emphasized, "We are now in the final stages of announcing the banks that will be licensed."

He added, "Before making the final decision, we engaged Oliver Wyman to review the criteria set by the Central Bank, based on which licenses will be granted."

Al-Alaq also explained that "the aforementioned company has been studying these criteria over the past few days, having been preoccupied with the banking reform file and the comprehensive plan, and we believe we will receive a final answer within the next few days."   http://burathanews.com/arabic/economic/466243

Combating Financial Fraud Enhances Confidence In The Banking Sector.

Samir Al-Nusairi   Due to the successes achieved by the government and the Central Bank during the years (2023-2025) in expanding the field of digital transformation, activating electronic payment, and spreading the culture of using electronic cards among citizens.

The Central Bank and banks have begun receiving complaints of electronic financial fraud involving the exploitation of the accounts of retirees and various segments of society, particularly this year. Several cases of electronic financial fraud have been identified, including the withdrawal of deposits and salaries from employees' and bank customers' accounts using various fraudulent methods, which constitute financial crimes punishable by the Iraqi judiciary.

In addition to the entry and exit of funds through unofficial border crossings, which are exploited for currency counterfeiting and money laundering, the Central Bank has announced the creation of a complaints platform and is urging banks to launch a broad media and advertising campaign to warn citizens of the dangers of engaging in these illegal activities and their potential to harm the national economy.

Government agencies, the judiciary, and oversight bodies in Iraq have amended their applicable laws, issued new instructions and proactive controls, and developed procedural and electronic means to combat these crimes and protect their funds and the national economy.

Iraq, like other countries, has activated its economic and legislative apparatus and institutions to combat these crimes. It issued Anti-Money Laundering Law No. 39 of 2015, which included 12 chapters and articles that defined the crimes covered by the law and the penalties for each financial crime.

It also adheres to international standards that limit money laundering issued by the FATF, in addition to the crimes of counterfeiting, forgery and fraud stipulated in the Iraqi Penal Code and the instructions issued by the financial and monetary authorities, represented by the Central Bank of Iraq and the Ministry of Finance, to combat these crimes with the aim of preserving Iraq’s funds, especially its foreign currency, due to the impact of these crimes on the national economy and the creation of stifling economic and financial crises, which reflects on sustainable development.

The serious matter that contributes to the spread of this phenomenon is the weak compliance of financial and banking institutions with international compliance rules and standards, which means they are exposed to financial risks of all kinds, the most important of which are reputational risks, which directly affect Iraq’s international economic, financial and banking transactions, which affect Iraq’s external economic relations with countries around the world, especially the financial and banking transactions of Arab and foreign correspondent banks.

However, laws alone and internal judicial procedures cannot combat these financial crimes, which requires the development of local and international proactive electronic oversight methods by adopting mechanisms and policies regulated by international agreements for cooperation in reducing financial crimes related to money laundering, terrorist financing and electronic financial crimes related to electronic payment operations. https://economy-news.net/content.php?id=60929

Gold Prices Fall Globally After A Record Rally

Thursday, October 9, 2025, 09:57 AM | Economics  Number of reads: 249  Baghdad / NINA / Gold prices fell on Thursday, after a record rally that pushed the metal above the $4,000 per ounce barrier for the first time ever, as investors headed towards profit-taking following the historic rise amid economic and geopolitical uncertainty.

Spot gold fell 0.4% to $4,020.99 per ounce by 03:02 GMT, after hitting an all-time high of $4,059.05 on Wednesday. US gold futures for December delivery also fell 0.7% to $4,040.70.

In other precious metals, spot silver fell 0.1% to $48.83 an ounce after hitting an all-time high of $49.57. Platinum fell 0.8% to $1,649.81, and palladium fell 0.1% to $1,447.81. https://ninanews.com/Website/News/Details?key=1256074

Iraqi Oil Prices Stabilize Again In Global Markets.
economy | 09:40 - 09/10/2025  Mawazine News - Baghdad -  Iraqi oil prices stabilized during daily trading on Thursday in the global market.

According to data released by Mawazine, Basra Medium crude rose to $65.63 per barrel, while Basra Heavy crude reached $64.08 per barrel, a change of -0.09 for both.

As for global oil prices, British Brent crude reached $66.16 per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate crude reached $62.51 per barrel, with a change of -0.16 and -0.09, respectively.  https://www.mawazin.net/Details.aspx?jimare=268083

The Dollar Closed Lower Against The Dinar In Baghdad.

Economy | 04:23 - 09/10/2025   Mawazine News – Baghdad  The dollar exchange rate fell in the markets of Baghdad and Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region, today, Thursday, with the stock exchange closing at the end of the week.

The dollar exchange rate fell in Al-Kifah and Al-Harithiya, recording 141,600 Iraqi dinars for every $100, while this morning it recorded 141,700 dinars for every $100.

Selling prices also decreased in the exchange market in the local markets in Baghdad, where the selling price reached 142,500 dinars for every $100, while the buying price reached 140,500 dinars for every $100.

https://www.mawazin.net/Details.aspx?jimare=268110

  For current and reliable Iraqi news please visit:  https://www.bondladyscorner.com

Seeds of Wisdom RV and Economics Updates Thursday Evening 10-9-25

Good Evening Dinar Recaps,

BRICS Pushes Eurasian Nations to Curb the U.S. Dollar

At the 2025 SCO Summit, China led a campaign for 10 Eurasian countries to agree on reducing dollar dependence—and forging new financial paths.

What Was Unveiled

  ● New Development Bank in Local Currencies: During the 2025 SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organization) Summit, China proposed that Eurasian member countries create a New Development Bank where loans are issued in local currencies instead of the U.S. dollar. 
  ● Alternative Payment System: The summit also agreed on advancing a new cross-border payment network to bypass U.S. dollar-based systems entirely. 
  ● Countries Involved: The SCO and BRICS overlap among these 10 nations — including China, Russia, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Belarus.

Why This Shift Matters

• Undermining Dollar Hegemony: By routing lending and payments through local currencies and non-USD rails, BRICS seeks to erode the structural dominance of the U.S. dollar.

• Sovereign Leverage: Countries issuing debt or receiving investment in their own currency avoid exchange rate risk, sanctions, and external leverage.

• Regional Financial Architecture: A Eurasian bloc using a shared financial infrastructure creates network effects that reduce reliance on Western institutions.

• Test Case for Global South: Success in Eurasia could inspire other regions—Africa, Latin America, Southeast Asia—to adopt similar frameworks.

Challenges & Frictions

• Divergent Interests: Within SCO, relationships are fraught—India vs. China or India vs. Pakistan tensions may impede unified action. 

• Economic Disparities: Many participant states lack capital market depth or strong currencies, making local-currency lending risky.

• Institutional & Legal Hurdles: Frameworks for cross-border conversion, interoperability, and dispute resolution are complex and not yet in place.

• Dollar Inertia: Many contracts, trade deals, and reserves are still denominated in USD—transitioning away is a process, not an instant shift.

How This Fits Into the Bigger Reordering

• Building Parallel Rails: This move is consistent with BRICS’ strategy: rather than attacking the dollar directly, build alternatives that gain traction over time.

• Decentralizing Reserve Sovereignty: With local currency lending, member states reclaim control over capital flows and credit.

• Momentum for De-Dollarization: This is a real operational step beyond rhetoric—moving trade, credit, and payments toward non-USD systems.

• Blueprint for Others: If Eurasia succeeds, it becomes the template for financial realignment across other geographies.

Why This Matters / Key Takeaway

China’s leadership in persuading Eurasian states to curb dollar dependence is a bold tactical maneuver in the broader strategic war over currency dominance.
If global capital and credit gradually shift to these new rails, the architecture of international finance will recalibrate from the ground up.

This is not just politics — it’s global finance restructuring before our eyes.

@ Newshounds News™ Exclusive

Source:
• Watcher.Guru – BRICS Makes 10 Eurasian Countries Agree To Curb the US Dollar (watcher.guru)

~~~~~~~~~

Seeds of Wisdom Team RV Currency Facts Youtube and Rumble

Newshound's News Telegram Room Link

Follow the Gold/Silver Rate COMEX

Follow Fast Facts

Seeds of Wisdom Team™ Website
Thank you Dinar Recaps

Seeds of Wisdom RV and Economics Updates Thursday Afternoon 10-9-25

Good Afternoon Dinar Recaps,

IMF Chief Declares “Uncertainty Is the New Normal”

In the face of persistent volatility, global resilience is being tested—and the era of stable certainty may be over.

Headline Warning

• IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva stated at the Milken Institute that “uncertainty is the new normal,” signaling elevated risks across global markets and economies.

• Despite ongoing challenges, she noted the global economy has held up “better than feared,” projecting ~3% growth in 2025. 

• Georgieva warned that current market valuations resemble pre-dotcom bubble levels and cautioned that a sharp correction could expose deeper fragilities. 

Underlying Risks Highlighted

• Tariff tailwinds & policy spillovers: She warned that trade tensions, especially U.S. tariffs, are yet to fully unfold and could trigger inflation or financial stress. 

• Gold demand as a signal: Soaring gold prices—already above $4,000/oz—serve as an early warning of investors fleeing safer assets. 

• Debt overload and tight policy windows: Public debt nearing critical thresholds in many nations means less room to maneuver when shocks hit. 

• Vulnerability of emerging economies: Smaller states face amplified risk in such environments, as capital flight, FX volatility, and debt stress can cascade quickly. 

Connection to Global Financial Restructuring

• Normalization of volatility: The IMF’s tone shift legitimizes the idea that structural instability is now baked in, not an aberration.

• Reserve & capital rethinking: In conditions of uncertainty, nations will prefer asset-backed, less dollar-centric instruments (i.e. gold, sovereign alternatives).

• Blocs & parallel systems gain appeal: Traditional centralized institutions may be bypassed more aggressively in favor of regional or sovereign networks.

• Stress test on financial dominance: If confidence in Western institutions falters, the legitimacy of alternative architectures strengthens.

Why This Matters / Key Takeaway

Georgieva’s declaration is more than cautionary — it’s a herald of a new era.
As uncertainty becomes constant, actors—states, funds, and financial institutions—must reposition toward resilience, autonomy, and strategic flexibility.
The global economy is no longer about stability; it’s about managing disruption.

This is not just politics — it’s global finance restructuring before our eyes.

@ Newshounds News™ Exclusive

Sources:
• Reuters – IMF chief says global economy doing ‘better than feared,’ risks remain Reuters
• The Guardian – IMF chief warns ‘uncertainty is the new normal’ The Guardian
• AP News – IMF chief warns of economic uncertainty, offers advice “buckle up” AP News
• Xinhua – IMF warns global economic uncertainty to persist Xinhua News

~~~~~~~~~

Bank of England Warns of Sharp Market Correction Risks

As AI valuations soar and central bank credibility wobbles, the UK warns that markets may be on the brink of a storm.

Core Warning

• The Bank of England (BoE) cautions that a “sharp correction” could occur if sentiment sours toward AI valuations or the independence of the U.S. Federal Reserve. 

• The BoE’s Financial Policy Committee underscored that U.S. equity valuations, especially in AI-focused stocks, mirror levels last seen during the dotcom bubble. 

• The concentration risk is stark: five firms now account for ~30% of the S&P 500’s value, intensifying vulnerability to shifts in AI optimism. 

• Because UK and U.S. bond yields are correlated, a weakening U.S. bond market may increase U.K. borrowing costs. 

Contributing Tensions

• AI bubble risk: The overvaluation in tech — driven by AI hype — raises the possibility of abrupt reversal. 

• Fed credibility under scrutiny: Any perceived politicization or interference in the U.S. central bank could shake confidence across global markets. 

• Fragile macro linkages: High debt loads, inflationary pressures, and fragile corporate balance sheets increase systemic sensitivity. 

• Spillover danger: A crash in U.S. markets reverberates globally; emerging markets will feel amplified impact.

Link to Global Restructuring

• Fragile central legitimacy: If central bank independence is questioned, the entire edifice of credibility beneath fiat systems weakens.

• AI as a systemic catalyst: Tech bubbles now threaten macro stability — meaning future financial systems must embed circuit breakers and structural dampeners.

• Acceleration of alternative rails: When faith in old systems is shaken, capital gravitates toward safe alternatives — gold, decentralized networks, regional systems.

• Recalibrated risk patterns: Volatility becomes a core dimension of finance strategy, not an anomaly to be avoided.

Why This Matters / Key Takeaway

The BoE’s warning is a red flag: markets resting on AI-driven narratives may lack real foundations.
As risk mounts, institutions and nations must brace for rupture — not just correction.
The era where momentum alone propels markets is ending; structural resilience and alternative systems become the new edge.

This is not just politics — it’s global finance restructuring before our eyes.

@ Newshounds News™ Exclusive

Sources:
• Reuters – Bank of England warns of ‘sharp correction’ if mood sours on AI or Fed freedom Reuters
• Reuters – BoE’s financial policy committee update warning on market vulnerabilities Reuters
• The Guardian – BoE warns of AI bubble risk The Guardian
• Semafor – BoE warns of potential AI bubble Semafor

Seeds of Wisdom Team RV Currency Facts Youtube and Rumble

Newshound's News Telegram Room Link

Follow the Gold/Silver Rate COMEX

Follow Fast Facts

Seeds of Wisdom Team™ Website
Thank you Dinar Recaps

Iraq Economic News and Points To Ponder Thursday Morning 10-9-25

US Investments In Iraq: The Return Of The "Whales" Through Oil And A "Conditional" Partnership

Economy / Politics / Special Files Yesterday, 7:30 PM | 608   New test  Baghdad Today – Baghdad   
Since the fall of the former regime in 2003, the    United States has been one of the most prominent economic players in Iraq through        reconstruction and    energy.   Over the past two decades, the American presence has alternated between periods of    openness and    control   over key economic levers, and    periods of contraction and    gradual withdrawal        in favor of Asian partners,      most notably China.

US investments in Iraq during this period are    estimated at tens of billions of dollars,        concentrated in the
   oil,      gas,    electricity,      finance, and  infrastructure sectors.
 
However, only a third of the announced projects     have actually been implemented,        according to reports from the       World Bank and the    US State Department.
 
The US State Department's 2024 Iraq Investment Climate Report notes that  the country "remains a high-risk environment for foreign investment due to    bureaucracy,    corruption,    weak enforcement of commercial laws, and a    lack of transparency in public contracts."
 
Exxon Mobil
 
ExxonMobil is the most prominent example of the  fluctuating relationship between  American investors and  Iraq.
 
In 2009, the company entered the market    with a major contract to develop the West Qurna 1 field,   one of the largest fields in Basra.

However, it later faced a series of disputes with the Ministry of Oil over    contract terms and
    cost-recovery mechanisms.
 
After recovering its investments,    it officially announced its withdrawal in 2023,
    selling its 22.7% stake to the Basra Oil Company        for approximately $350 million.
 
However, the story did not end there.
 
In October 2025, Bloomberg and Reuters reported that the    company had returned to negotiations with the Iraqi government        regarding the Majnoon field in Basra,     under a more generous agreement of principles that included          developing oil export infrastructure and      sharing profits from external marketing. In this context,
 
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani    sponsored the signing ceremony of the HOA between the
        Ministry of Oil and the  American company ExxonMobil,    in the presence of the       company's Vice President, Peter Larden, and the    US Chargé d'Affaires in Baghdad. Al-Sudani affirmed that
 
the agreement is "an important step for the  future of the oil sector in Iraq and the  development of economic relations with the United States," emphasizing   "the commitment to  attracting global investments and  modernizing the infrastructure of the oil industry."
 
Economic expert Nabil Al-Marsoumi noted in his analysis that "ExxonMobil's return     after selling its previous stake in West Qurna for $350 million    raises questions about the    nature of the new contracts and      their generosity,"
 
wondering whether this return "represents a    long-term investment opening or merely a    temporary deal
   that reproduces the previous withdrawal scenario after     profits were realized and    expenses were recovered."

General Electric
 
In contrast, General Electric (GE)    has maintained a strong field presence in Iraq,    implementing project packages 
 worth more than $1.2 billion between 2020 and 2023,   including the supply and maintenance of generating units in   Basra, Hillah, and Bazian.
 
Despite the technical achievement,    financing and    payment issues   delayed some contracts,   prompting the company       to renegotiate sovereign guarantees with the Iraqi government to     secure its dues and      continue its operational commitments.
 
World Bank documents also indicate that    international financing institutions have        financed electricity projects worth $2.5 billion since 2005     with American companies participating in these projects        as part of     reconstruction programs and the     improvement of transmission and distribution networks.
 
Financial Sector
 
Despite repeated talk of US banks' intention to enter the Iraqi market,    actual presence         has been limited to a handful of representative offices such as Citigroup.
 
This caution is linked to the US Treasury Department's    2023 actions against Iraqi banks accused of        poor financial compliance,      making dollar transfers more        complex and         costly.

 In contrast, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the    US-coordinated arm of the World Bank,   has continued to provide     direct and indirect financing      exceeding $2.5 billion to support the Iraqi private sector since 2005,   including projects in    finance   agriculture, and    food production.

An Investment-Repellent Environment
 
Economist Nabil Al-Marsoumi, in his analyses published on his   official pages and   statements to the media, agrees that the   investment environment in Iraq remains repulsive to foreign and local capital,     due to the absence of         legal and financial guarantees and the    overlap of political and economic interests.

Al-Marsoumi stated, "The Iraqi environment is repulsive to investment,    whether        international or        local," explaining that      "security conditions,      administrative corruption, and the       absence of fair competition    deter investors from entering into long-term projects."
 
In another statement, he noted that "foreign investment still faces serious challenges    related to    lagging infrastructure,        complex bureaucratic procedures, and the    proliferation of uncontrolled weapons,     which makes any investment project vulnerable to    political and   security fluctuations." In a separate analysis,

Al-Marsoumi noted that major oil contracts are being exploited politically    inside and    outside Iraq, explaining that 
some projects are used as indicators of    international influence  rather than genuine economic projects. He emphasized that the absence of a unified economic vision    has transformed Iraq into a market for political projects    rather than a productive environment attractive to capital,    calling for    radical legislative reform and the     unification of administrative authorities between the       center and the      provinces.

The results of the past two decades show that    American investment in Iraq has not disappeared,    but has changed in form and content. Whereas it was based on direct control,    it now relies on        conditional partnerships,        selective funding, and        partial projects.
 
In oil, Washington seeks to regain its foothold through the Majnoon field;  in electricity, General Electric continues its presence despite obstacles; andin finance, American companies maintain a measured presence    subject to strict scrutiny by the Treasury.
 
The crux of the problem, as Nabil Al-Marsoumi describes it, is that "investment in Iraq is not measured by the size of contracts,    but rather by the state's sincerity in     protecting public funds and    implementing transparency for all."      
https://baghdadtoday.news/284812-.html   

Economist: Iraq Has The Capacity To Export Petroleum Products By 2026.
 
    October 7, 11:19 AMInformation/Baghdad… Economic expert Ali Al-Furaiji confirmed on Tuesday that
 Iraq has the necessary capabilities to export petroleum products, particularly     gasoline and     kerosene,        during the coming year,     provided that it achieves self-sufficiency in these products        during the current year.
 
Al-Furaiji told Al-Maalouma News Agency, "Current data indicates that the     Basra and Kirkuk projects are entering stable service,        which will enable Iraq to achieve self-sufficiency in gasoline     in the near future." 

He added, "Iraq has been able to achieve self-sufficiency in    kerosene and    diesel fuel since 2024,        with a real possibility of achieving an export surplus in 2026,    provided that the new units continue to operate stably,      especially the catalytic cracking (FCC) unit,     and that the     hydrogen and      energy supplies needed for the hydrogenation units 
  are guaranteed."

He pointed out that "achieving this goal requires effective management of    distribution and    blending operations       to ensure that products    comply with international specifications, in addition to     strengthening     financial and      pricing governance    to prevent a return to unjustified imports," indicating that
 
"success in the new refining plans requires    strict technical and    financial management        that transforms self-sufficiency    into a starting point for an export surplus after 2026."  End 25N    
  
https://almaalomah.me/news/112242/economy/اقتصادي:-العراق-يمتلك-القدرة-على-تصدير-المشتقات-النفطية-في-2    

 For current and reliable Iraqi news please visit:  https://www.bondladyscorner.com

Seeds of Wisdom RV and Economics Updates Thursday Morning 10-9-25

Good Morning Dinar Recaps,

Israel & Hamas Agree to Ceasefire and Hostage Deal

After years of conflict, a U.S.-brokered first phase of peace raises as many questions as hopes.

The Breakthrough Moment

• Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of a ceasefire and hostage exchange under a 20-point peace plan mediated by former President Trump. 

• The deal includes:
   • An immediate halt to hostilities 
   • Partial Israeli troop withdrawal from Gaza 
   • Release of hostages held by Hamas, in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel 

• Reuters reports that Hamas has handed over a list of Israelis and Palestinians as part of the swap deal. 

• Initial reactions: widespread relief among civilians, cautious optimism from international actors, but unresolved tensions over implementation. 

Fragile Peace vs. Structural Fault Lines

• Trust & Verification Issues: As with past ceasefires, failure to comply (e.g. disarmament, troop movements) could unravel the agreement.

• Governance & Security Vacuum: Who governs Gaza post-withdrawal? How will Hamas be held in check?

• Humanitarian Access & Reconstruction: Ceasefire opens an entry point for aid, but rebuilding requires sustained security and capital flows.

• Regional Spillover: Neighboring countries (Iran, Lebanon, Egypt) and alliances may recalibrate based on how power balances shift.

How This Connects to Global Restructuring

• Strategic Realignment: This deal isn’t just about peace in Gaza — it reorders regional alignments. States will reassess their dependency on the U.S., Israel, or Gulf actors.

• Financial & Humanitarian Levers: Post-ceasefire reconstruction will require large-scale financing. Nations pushing de-dollarization or alternative systems will seek influence in that funding.

• Narrative of Sovereignty: Governance of Gaza becomes a symbolic battleground over who sets rules — local actors or external powers.

• Precedent for Conflict Zones: If peace holds, this becomes a model for resolving deep-seated conflicts through mediated frameworks rather than military dominance.

Why This Matters / Key Takeaway

This ceasefire agreement is more than a pause in fighting. It represents a moment of potential realignment — in power, capital, and legitimacy.
If successfully implemented, it could shift how regional states fund, govern, and align their interests in the Middle East and beyond.
But failure risks reigniting conflict and reinforcing the old order.

This is not just politics — it’s global finance restructuring before our eyes.

@ Newshounds News™ Exclusive

Sources & Further Reading
• Reuters – Israel and Hamas agree to first phase of Trump’s Gaza ceasefire & hostage deal Reuters
• Reuters – Joy in Israel, Gaza after ceasefire announced Reuters
• The Guardian – Israel and Hamas agree to first phase of ceasefire deal The Guardian
• Time – Israel and Hamas have agreed to the ‘first phase’ of Trump’s peace plan TIME
• AP News – Israel and Hamas reach ceasefire agreement AP News
• Al Jazeera – World reacts to Gaza ceasefire deal

~~~~~~~~~

Finance as Battlefield: How War Transformed Global Money

Conflict no longer just forces armies to march — it sends capital, credit, and reserves to the front lines.

The New Frontline: Banking, Sanctions & Reserve Seizures

• In 2022, over $300 billion of Russia’s central bank reserves were frozen under Western sanctions — arguably the largest financial seizure in modern history.

• That same year, more than 11,000 sanctions measures were imposed globally, weaponizing finance at scale. 

• Beyond Russia, modern conflicts use SWIFT bans, asset freezes, payment system exclusions, and currency collapses as tools of economic coercion. 

What’s Being Financed — and How

• Gold & Digital Assets: In conflict zones, gold serves as a “neutral” reserve; crypto-donations to Ukraine exceeded $200 million. 

• War Finance 2.0: Traditional tools like war bonds and taxes are augmented by sanctions regimes, trade restrictions, and digital flows. 

• Weaponized Trade & Capital Flows: Sanctions often provoke counter-sanctions, capital flight, and financial fragmentation. 

• Financing the Conflict Internally: In crises like Sudan, rising gold prices have fueled smuggling and conflict financing to underwrite military operations (recent FT reporting). 

Structural Shifts: The Rules of Money Reordered

• The dollar’s dominance is under direct assault: its share in global reserves has dropped toward ~60%. 

• Over 130 countries are exploring or piloting CBDCs, partly as a response to financial weaponization. 

• Research shows that sanction risk, network effects, and capital flight trigger migration toward alternative payment rails (CIPS, regional systems). 

• The U.S. has long used chokepoints (SWIFT, dollar clearing, tech embargoes) as a coercive overlay on globalization. 

Risks, Inequities & Unintended Blowback

• Collateral damage to civilians: Sanctions can destabilize health systems, supply chains, and aid flows. 

• Liquidity shortages: States under sanction or conflict often struggle to access foreign capital or U.S. dollar funding lines.

• Fragmentation over coordination: As each bloc builds its own rails, interoperability and cross-border liquidity become harder.

• Trust decay: Confidence in the “universal” rules of finance erodes when capital is weaponized unpredictably.

Why This Matters / Key Takeaway

Finance is no longer passive infrastructure — it is now a strategic theater of war.
Nations are being forced to design economic systems that survive conflict, sanctions, and fragmentation.
The era ahead will reward those who control credit rails, reserve strategy, and payment sovereignty, not just military might.
We stand at the threshold of a new global monetary architecture — built not on fiat dominance but on resilience, assets, and alternative networks.

This is not just politics — it’s global finance restructuring before our eyes.

@ Newshounds News™ Exclusive

Sources & Further Reading
• Finance at War: How Conflict Redefines the Global Economy — Modern Diplomacy Modern Diplomacy
• War Finance in the 21st Century — IGCC blog / Oxford geoeconomics series IGCC
• The Financial March to War — Harold James, Project Syndicate Project Syndicate
• The Weaponized World Economy — Foreign Affairs Foreign Affairs
• Weaponizing Financial & Trade Flows — International Banker International Banker
• Geopolitical Tensions & Financial Networks: Strategic Shifts Toward Alternatives — arXiv arXiv
• Chokepoints: American Power in the Age of Economic Warfare — Edward Fishman (book context) Wikipedia+1
• Record Prices Fuel Conflict Gold Finance — FT report on Sudan Financial Times

Seeds of Wisdom Team RV Currency Facts Youtube and Rumble

Newshound's News Telegram Room Link

Follow the Gold/Silver Rate COMEX

Follow Fast Facts

Seeds of Wisdom Team™ Website
Thank you Dinar Recaps

“Tidbits From TNT” Thursday Morning 10-9-2025

TNT:

Tishwash:  The International Development Bank sponsors the Faw Port Summit.

The International Development Bank announced its strategic sponsorship of the Faw Port Summit, stressing that this participation aligns with its vision to support Iraq's efforts to transform into a leading regional logistics and trade hub.

The bank explained in a statement received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA), that "its active presence on the regional and international scene is consolidated by the opening of its branch in the United Arab Emirates, in addition to the Umm Qasr Port branch, as well as its network of branches spread across all Iraqi governorates, which reflects its commitment to providing innovative banking solutions that contribute to enabling investment in strategic infrastructure projects and achieving sustainable economic returns."

The bank affirmed that "its sponsorship of this important international event represents a practical step towards consolidating its role as a trusted financial partner, putting its banking expertise at the service of major national projects, most notably the Grand Faw Port Project, which represents a fundamental pillar in the future of the Iraqi economy."  link

************

Tishwash:  The Prime Minister chairs a meeting to follow up on mechanisms to support banks in implementing infrastructure and development projects.

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani chaired a meeting on Wednesday to follow up on mechanisms to support banks in implementing infrastructure and development projects.

The Prime Minister's media office said in a statement received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA): "Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani chaired a meeting today, Wednesday, dedicated to discussing and following up on mechanisms for investing banking facilities in supporting the completion of infrastructure projects and development projects being implemented throughout Iraq."

He added, "During the meeting, the progress made in reforming the banking system was discussed, making it one of the tools for supporting development and expanding banking activities within the context and controls of globally recognized banking practices."

He added, "The meeting discussed optimal investment of Iraqi assets through banking facilities for strategic investment projects and basic infrastructure projects, particularly those related to energy, such as oil, gas, and electricity projects."  link

************

Tishwash:  Al-Sudani on the oil agreement with Erbil: An achievement that represents an important milestone for Iraq

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani considered the oil agreement between Baghdad and Erbil on Wednesday an achievement that represents an important milestone for Iraq and all Iraqis.

His office stated in a statement it received:IQ), that "the Sudanese met, today, Wednesday, with representatives of the company HKN American Energy welcomed the investment partnership of the company HKN In Iraq, he considered it a positive indicator that reflects growing confidence in the country's investment environment.

Al-Sudani pointed out that "this step comes as an extension of agreements recently concluded with American companies in various sectors, which contributes to strengthening bilateral economic relations between Iraq and the United States."

He expressed his "appreciation for the role of the company." HKN In completing the recent agreement to export oil from the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, and facilitating the reopening of the Iraq-Turkey pipeline, as an important station in developing the energy sector, enhancing sovereignty and fair management of wealth, ensuring that the Iraqi people benefit from their national resources," stressing that "this achievement represents an important milestone for Iraq and for all Iraqis."  link

************

Tishwash:  Al-Sudani and Barzani agree on a US-sponsored financial deal. Iraq is losing its wealth to Erbil.

Recent amendments to the Iraqi budget have sparked widespread controversy over the granting of illegitimate financial privileges to the Kurdistan Region, amid accusations by MPs and government opponents of foreign influence over the country's financial policies.

Amid ongoing disputes between the federal government and the Kurdistan Region over the distribution of financial resources, the budget amendment has intensified criticism, with Kurdish officials accused of exploiting public funds for personal political gain.

Political deal or constitutional amendment?

Independent MP Yasser al-Husseini criticized the passage of the budget amendment, describing it as “serving foreign agendas at the expense of national autonomy.” He added that the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) tends to prioritize its partisan and personal interests over the fair distribution of funds among citizens in the region.

Al-Husseini told Al-Maalouma, “Talk about autonomy and adherence to the constitution is unrealistic in light of the weakness of state institutions and the efforts of some parties to please the US at the expense of the interests of the Iraqi people.”

He stressed that "the continuation of these policies confirms that some forces continue to prioritize foreign interests over national autonomy, which requires a firm national stance to preserve Iraq's wealth and prevent its exploitation to serve non-Iraqi agendas."

Financial Flexibility Raises Concerns

In turn, economic researcher Abdul Salam Hassan Hussein pointed out that the budget was designed with great flexibility, allowing the region to dispose of oil revenues without clear restrictions. This opens the way for the funds to be used to pay off debts rather than develop the local economy.

Hussein added to Al-Maalouma, “The constitutional laws are clear, but political pressures allow for circumventing difficult provisions and passing decisions without strict adherence to the constitution.”

Persistence of Old Crises

Observers point out that the financial relationship between Baghdad and Erbil suffers from a lack of oversight and transparency. The region has continued to manage the oil fields and deduct funds for more than two decades without any real change, which increases fears of a recurrence of political deals that ignore the interests of the Iraqi people.   link

************

Mot: Has This Happened to You -- Too!!! 

Mot: Funny Tweet about Dads being Dads

Iraq Economic News and Points To Ponder Wednesday Afternoon 10-8-25

Al-Sudani Confirms Significant Progress In Implementing Compliance And Anti-Money Laundering Standards.

Tuesday, October 7, 2025,  Economics Number of readings: 327  Baghdad / NINA / Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani confirmed that significant progress has been made in implementing compliance and anti-money laundering standards. 

A statement by his media office stated that Al-Sudani received, on Tuesday, a delegation from the international auditing and financial consulting company KPMG, where the progress of the company's cooperation with the Iraqi banking sector was reviewed, as part of the government's efforts to enhance the transparency of this sector's work and sustainably improve Iraq's financial reputation.

Al-Sudani pointed out that the banking reform in Iraq has become a model of commitment and trust, and appreciated the role played by financial auditing companies in consolidating governance and professionalism in this sector, stressing that the government looks forward to a strategic partnership with these companies, on the path to enhancing the credibility of Iraqi state institutions before the international financial and economic community.

The Prime Minister explained, according to the statement, that Iraq is proceeding with implementing the government's financial and banking reform program plans, which has contributed to improving the financial rating, raising the confidence of international partners in Iraqi banks, and achieving significant progress in applying compliance and anti-money laundering standards, and the transition to modern electronic reporting.

Al-Sudani pointed out the importance of benefiting from the company's expertise in structuring government companies and raising their operational efficiency, public debt management issues, and specialized technical and legal consultations in drafting contracts for major strategic projects.

He stressed the government's support for the steps of the Central Bank of Iraq and the Trade Bank of Iraq in continuing technical coordination with KPMG to ensure the rapid completion of audit tasks, adherence to international standards, and the timetable for issuing the final accounts of banks, stressing that the government considers transparency and financial accountability a fundamental pillar in building a modern national economy. /End
https://ninanews.com/Website/News/Details?key=1255737

World Gold: Iraq Has Not Been Updated Since January

Money and Business  Economy News – Baghdad  The World Gold Council announced on Tuesday that Iraq has not updated its gold reserves data since January 2025.

In its latest statistics for October, reviewed by Al-Eqtisad News, the council stated that "Iraq has not updated its data on its gold reserves and has not announced any purchase or sale since last January, and therefore reserves have remained unchanged." It indicated that it "maintained its 29th place globally out of the 100 countries with the largest reserves of the precious metal."

He added, "Iraq's gold reserves amount to 162.7 tons, equivalent to 17.4% of its other foreign currency reserves, ranking fourth in the Arab world after Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, and Algeria in terms of gold reserves."

The Council noted that "the United States of America tops the list of the world's largest gold holders, with 8,133,000 tons, followed by Germany with 3,350,000 tons, then Italy with 2,451,000 tons, while Trinidad and Tobago and Iceland came in last with two tons each."

The UK-based World Gold Council has extensive experience and in-depth knowledge of the factors influencing the gold market and includes the world's largest and most modern gold mining companies as members.
https://economy-news.net/content.php?id=60892

Gold Exceeds $4,000 For The First Time In Its History

Economy | 08:13 - 08/10/2025  Mawazine News - Follow-up  The price of gold surpassed $4,000 an ounce on Wednesday morning for the first time in the precious metal's history, as investors flocked to the safe haven amid concerns over several issues, including the US government shutdown and the political crisis in France.

Gold also received support from investors seeking a safe haven amid rising economic and geopolitical uncertainty, along with expectations of further interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve.

Spot gold rose 0.3 percent to $3,997.09 per ounce by 0202 GMT, after hitting an all-time high of $4,000.96. US gold futures for December delivery rose 0.4 percent to $4,020 per ounce, according to Reuters data.

Gold is often considered a store of value in times of uncertainty. Spot gold has risen 52% since the beginning of the year, following a 27% rise in 2024.

"There's so much confidence in this trade now that the market will be waiting for the next big number, 5,000, with the Fed likely to continue cutting interest rates," said Tai Wong, an independent metals  trader.

 "There will be some bumps in the road, such as a permanent truce in the Middle East or Ukraine, but the fundamental drivers of trade – massive and growing debt, reserve diversification, and a weaker dollar – are unlikely to change in the medium term."

A combination of factors, including increased central bank buying, renewed interest in gold-backed exchange-traded funds (ETFs), a weaker dollar, and strong retail demand, have fueled the yellow metal's rally.

The US government shutdown entered its seventh day on Tuesday, delaying the release of key economic indicators, forcing investors to rely on secondary non-government data to predict the timing and extent of interest rate cuts.
https://www.mawazin.net/Details.aspx?jimare=267999

Global Oil Prices Rise After Oversupply Fears Are Alleviated.

Economy | 08/10/2025   Mawazine News - Follow-up  Oil prices rose in early trading on Wednesday as markets began to shake off concerns about a supply glut for now after absorbing OPEC+'s decision to modestly increase production in November.

Brent crude futures rose 40 cents, or 0.6%, to $65.85 a barrel by 00:45 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures rose 44 cents, or 0.7%, to $62.17.

Both benchmarks settled largely flat in the previous session as investors assessed signs of a supply glut against lower-than-expected production increases from OPEC+, which includes the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies.   https://www.mawazin.net/Details.aspx?jimare=268001

Again. The Exchange Rate Rose In Baghdad.

Economy | 10:35 - 08/10/2025   Mawazine News - Baghdad -  The exchange rate of the US dollar rose against the Iraqi dinar, Wednesday morning, in the markets of the capital, Baghdad.

The dollar price rose slightly in the Al-Kifah and Al-Harithiya stock exchanges in Baghdad, recording 141,600 dinars for every $100, compared to yesterday's prices of 141,550 dinars on Tuesday.

The selling price in exchange shops in the local markets in Baghdad reached 142,500 dinars for every $100, and the purchase price reached 140,500 dinars.   https://www.mawazin.net/Details.aspx?jimare=268013

 For current and reliable Iraqi news please visit:  https://www.bondladyscorner.com