Seeds of Wisdom RV and Economics Updates Friday Morning 5-15-26

Good Morning Dinar Recaps,

UAE Breaks From OPEC Constraints: Gulf Energy Realignment Reshapes Global Oil Power

Abu Dhabi’s pipeline expansion and production flexibility signal a major shift in energy security, export independence, and global market influence

The UAE’s accelerated push to bypass the Strait of Hormuz reflects a broader transformation in global energy strategy as geopolitical instability forces nations to rethink trade security and production control.

 OVERVIEW (KEY POINTS)

The United Arab Emirates is rapidly expanding its oil export infrastructure after formally exiting OPEC, giving the country significantly greater flexibility over production and energy strategy.

The move comes after months of instability surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, where shipping disruptions and regional conflict exposed the vulnerability of Gulf energy exports. The UAE is now accelerating pipeline expansion projects designed to bypass the strait entirely.

At the same time, Abu Dhabi is increasing long-term oil production ambitions, with ADNOC targeting five million barrels per day in capacity ahead of schedule and signaling future expansion toward six million barrels daily.

The broader implication is substantial. The UAE’s shift reflects a growing trend where energy-producing nations prioritize national flexibility, infrastructure resilience, and independent export control over traditional cartel coordination.

KEY DEVELOPMENTS

1. UAE Gains Freedom From OPEC Production Quotas

The UAE’s departure from OPEC removes long-standing production limitations.

• Abu Dhabi no longer bound by coordinated output caps

• Greater flexibility to respond to global demand and pricing conditions

• Saudi-led production management structure faces new pressure

2. Pipeline Expansion Reduces Hormuz Dependence

The UAE is accelerating infrastructure designed to bypass the Strait of Hormuz.

• Fujairah export corridor becoming strategically critical

• Alternative export routes improve resilience during regional conflict

• Energy security increasingly tied to infrastructure independence

3. ADNOC Accelerates Production Growth

The UAE is aggressively expanding oil capacity.

• ADNOC targeting 5 million barrels per day ahead of schedule

• Officials suggest capacity could eventually rise to 6 million barrels daily

• Long-term investment signals confidence in future energy demand

4. Gulf Shipping Risks Continue Rising

Commercial shipping remains vulnerable to geopolitical escalation.

• Reports indicate some tankers disabled tracking systems to reduce attack risk

• Insurance and transport costs continue climbing across Gulf routes

• Global markets remain highly sensitive to Hormuz disruptions

5. Energy Security Becomes National Security

Oil infrastructure is increasingly viewed through a geopolitical lens.

• Gulf nations focusing on strategic export independence

• Energy corridors becoming central to foreign policy planning

• Infrastructure investments reshaping regional power balances

WHY IT MATTERS

The UAE’s strategy reflects a deeper transformation in how nations approach energy security and economic resilience.

For decades, Gulf oil exporters depended heavily on shared regional coordination and open maritime trade routes. The recent conflict demonstrated how quickly those systems can become vulnerable during geopolitical escalation.

By building independent export infrastructure and increasing production flexibility, the UAE is positioning itself as one of the most resilient energy suppliers in the region.

This also has broader consequences for inflation, shipping costs, industrial production, and monetary policy worldwide, since stable Gulf energy flows remain critical to the global economy.

WHY IT MATTERS TO FOREIGN CURRENCY HOLDERS

• Oil market volatility could continue impacting currency stability

• Energy-exporting nations may strengthen reserve positions

• Inflation pressures tied to shipping disruptions may persist

• Commodity-linked currencies could gain influence during instability

IMPLICATIONS FOR THE GLOBAL RESET

• Pillar 1: Energy Infrastructure Replaces Cartel Dependence

Nations are increasingly prioritizing direct control over export routes and supply chains rather than relying solely on multinational energy coordination systems.

• Pillar 2: Strategic Trade Corridors Gain Financial Importance

Control over pipelines, ports, and shipping corridors is becoming central to economic power, reserve stability, and long-term geopolitical leverage.

CONCLUSION

The UAE’s accelerated pipeline expansion marks more than an infrastructure project — it represents a strategic shift in how global energy power is organized.

As geopolitical instability reshapes trade routes and export security, countries are investing heavily in systems designed to preserve economic flexibility during crisis conditions.

The move also reflects the gradual weakening of older energy coordination structures as nations prioritize national resilience over collective production management.

In the emerging global financial order, control over energy routes may become just as important as control over currencies themselves.

Seeds of Wisdom Team
Newshounds News™ Exclusive

Sources

• Modern Diplomacy — "UAE Accelerates Oil Pipeline Expansion to Bypass Strait of Hormuz"

• Reuters — "UAE Expands Fujairah Oil Infrastructure Amid Gulf Shipping Risks"

 🌱 A Message to Our Currency Holders🌱

If you’ve been holding foreign currency for many years, you were not foolish.

You were not wrong to believe the global financial system would change.

What failed was not your patience — it was the information you were given.

For years, dates, rumors, and personalities replaced facts, structure, and proof. “This week” predictions created cycles of hope and disappointment that were never based on how currencies actually change.

That is not your failure.

Our mission here is different:   • No dates • No rates • No hype • No gurus

Instead, we focus on:

• Verifiable developments • Institutional evidence

• Global financial structure • Where countries actually sit in the process

Currency value changes only come after sovereignty, trade, banking, settlement systems, and fiscal coordination are in place. History and institutions confirm this sequence.

You will see silence. You will see denials. That is not delay — that is discipline.

Protect your identity. Organize your documents.    Verify everything.

Never hand your discernment to anyone who cannot show proof.

You deserve truth — not timelines.

Seeds of Wisdom Team
Newshounds News™

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Thank you Dinar Recaps

Iraq Economic News and Points To Ponder Friday Morning 5-15-26

When will dollar shipments arrive in Baghdad? Washington ignores the Central Bank, while al-Zidi prioritizes it.

 2026-05-14    964 Network    The Asharq Bloomberg website published a report in which a senior Iraqi official, who declined to reveal his identity, stated that addressing the crisis of delayed dollar shipments from the United States to Baghdad, amounting to about $10 billion annually, will be among the priorities of Ali al-Zaidi's government, in order to avoid destabilizing the exchange market in light of the sharp decline in oil exports due to the repercussions of the Iran war.

He confirmed that the Iraqi authorities are trying to find out the reasons for the delay in the latest shipments, but the Central Bank has not yet received any response from the American side.

Washington denies releasing Iraqi dollars: Shipments suspended until further notice

The Iraqi dollar's soaring price has "truly stopped"... An American article continues the "phase of candor".

Earlier, the administration of US President Donald Trump suspended dollar shipments to Iraq and froze funding for security cooperation programs with Baghdad, pressuring it to dismantle Iranian-backed armed factions. The US Treasury Department blocked an air shipment of about $500 million in Iraqi oil revenues held in accounts at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, according to the Wall Street Journal.

According to banking expert Mustafa Hantoush, speaking to Asharq Bloomberg, Washington is expected to resume sending shipments soon, based on a similar precedent in 2023, at a time when the International Monetary Fund expects the Iraqi economy to shrink by 6.8% this year, with central reserves amounting to $100 billion before the war.

A report by the “Al-Sharq Bloomberg” website, as reviewed by 964 Network :

A senior Iraqi official said that addressing the crisis of delayed dollar shipments from the United States to Baghdad will be a priority for the new government to avoid destabilizing the exchange market, especially after the sharp decline in the country's oil exports due to the repercussions of the Iran war.

Iraq receives a portion of its oil revenues in the form of cash shipments in US dollars, estimated at around $10 billion annually. These funds are distributed in installments arriving via chartered flights at Baghdad Airport, while transfers related to financing foreign trade—which have not been affected by the delays—are managed through official banking channels.

The government official, who spoke to Asharq on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the Iraqi authorities are indeed trying to find out the reasons for the delay in the latest shipments, but the Central Bank has not yet received a response from the American side.

The US State Department confirmed in response to an inquiry from Asharq News' Washington bureau that dollar shipments to Iraq remain "suspended." It referred any further inquiries to the Treasury Department and the Central Bank of Iraq.

The Treasury Department did not respond to Al-Sharq's questions about the crisis, while officials at the Central Bank of Iraq could not be reached for comment.

Reuters reported in late April, citing several sources, that the administration of US President Donald Trump had halted a cash shipment worth about $500 million and suspended part of its security cooperation with Baghdad in an attempt to pressure the Iraqi government to reduce the influence of Iranian-backed armed factions, which have launched several attacks on Gulf states since the start of the conflict at the end of February in support of the regime in Tehran.

The Stability Of The Dinar Is At Stake

Although the value of the shipment represents only a small fraction of the total demand for dollars in the Iraqi market, its delayed arrival and the ongoing crisis could affect the stability of the dinar and widen the gap between the official exchange rate and the parallel market rate, which has only fluctuated within a narrow range since the outbreak of the conflict.

Therefore, the official confirmed that the issue will be a priority for Prime Minister-designate Ali al-Zaidi as soon as he officially assumes office. The Iraqi parliament is scheduled to vote tomorrow, Thursday, on granting confidence to the new government.

Iraq is among the countries most affected by the war in the region. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) projects a 6.8% contraction in its economy this year due to its reliance on oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz, which account for 90% of government revenue. A senior IMF official told Asharq Al-Awsat last month that Baghdad's options for dealing with the crisis until a new government is formed focus on reducing spending and temporarily drawing on the central bank's reserves, which stood at approximately $100 billion before the war.

Trump had invited al-Zaidi during a phone call at the end of last month to visit Washington after the government was formed, and wished him success “in forming a new government free of terrorism that can provide a brighter future for Iraq and the United States.”

The Historical Roots Of The Crisis

Iraqi banking expert Mustafa Hantoush told Asharq that he expects Washington to resume sending dollar shipments soon. He added that the United States had previously suspended these shipments temporarily in 2023 without publicly stating the reasons.

The story of relying on the United States to send dollar shipments to Baghdad dates back to 2003, when then-US President George W. Bush issued an executive order during the American occupation following the overthrow of Saddam Hussein's regime.

This order mandated that all of Iraq's oil revenues be transferred to a special account called the "Development Fund for Iraq," managed through the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, ostensibly to protect the funds from lawsuits and use them for reconstruction. Since then, the executive order has been renewed annually, meaning that US approval is required before any funds can be transferred to Baghdad.  https://964media.com/681037/

Trump's Envoy Congratulates Al-Zaidi On Gaining Confidence: We Are Ready To Work With The New Iraqi Government –

5/14/2026  Baghdad – One News     US President Donald Trump’s envoy, Tom Barrack, congratulated Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi on his government winning the confidence of the House of Representatives.

 Barak said the United States is optimistic about the new leadership in Iraq and looks forward to cooperating with al-Zaidi's government on an ambitious agenda that aligns with the shared interests of both countries.

 He added that Washington supports building a sovereign, prosperous and stable Iraq that lives in peace with its neighbors and provides opportunities and growth for all its citizens, within a mutually beneficial partnership with the United States.

 Barak emphasized that President Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and the United States are prepared to work closely with the new Iraqi government to achieve common goals, foremost among them the prosperity of the Iraqi people and the elimination of terrorism.  https://1news-iq.net/مبعوث-ترمب-يهنئ-الزيدي-بنيل-الثقة-مستع/

US Backs Cooperation With Iraq After Al-Zaidi Cabinet Approval

2026-05-14 Shafaq News- Washington/ Baghdad  The United States is looking to work with Iraq’s new government on a “bold new agenda” focused on stability, prosperity, and economic cooperation, US envoy Tom Barrack said on Thursday after Parliament approved Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi’s cabinet and ministerial program.

Barrack added that US President Donald Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and the US administration are prepared to work closely with Al-Zaidi and his cabinet, while reaffirming support for counterterrorism efforts.

 X    Ambassador Tom Barrack      @USAMBTurkiye

 Congratulations to Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi on securing parliamentary confidence and the approval of his government by the Council of Representatives.

 We are encouraged by your fresh leadership and look forward to collaborating on a bold new agenda aligned with our shared interests: building a sovereign, prosperous, stable Iraq, at peace with its neighbors, that delivers opportunity and growth for all its citizens in mutually beneficial partnership with the United States.

 President Trump, Secretary Rubio, and the United States stand ready to work closely with you and your government to advance our shared goals of prosperity for the Iraqi people and the elimination of terrorism, which is always an impediment to the people’s progress.

 Earlier today, Iraq’s Parliament granted confidence to Al-Zaidi’s cabinet and ministerial program, approving 14 ministers while postponing votes on six portfolios, including higher education and interior, following objections to several nominees.

 The remarks came as Washington closely monitors the formation of Iraq’s next government. A US State Department spokesperson told Shafaq News that Washington’s future approach toward the incoming administration would depend on the role of Iran-linked armed factions within state institutions. “The US is looking for action, not words… Iraq has a choice to make.”

 “Iran’s terrorist militias must have no role in state institutions,” the spokesperson added, stressing that Iraqi state funds should not support such groups and indicating that Washington would “calibrate” its approach to the new government accordingly.

 Read more: Al-Zaidi named prime minister: Easy nomination, harder road ahead

 https://www.shafaq.com/en/Iraq/US-backs-cooperation-with-Iraq-after-Al-Zaidi-cabinet-approval

US State Department To Alwan News: Washington Supports The New Iraqi Government And Sees It As An Opportunity For Stability And Reform 

latest news  Thursday,  May 14, 2026  Baghdad – One News     The US State Department confirmed in a statement to One News that the United States and the White House support the new Iraqi government that is being formed.

 The Foreign Ministry indicated that they see in it an opportunity to enhance stability, reform, and consolidate state institutions, noting that the US President has confirmed this on more than one occasion and official statement.

 The Foreign Ministry added that the US administration is still holding fast to its clear and firm position that the participation of armed factions or any entities outside the framework of the state in the next government is a red line that is not open to discussion or compromise.

 It indicated that Washington will continue its support for Iraq within the framework of a state of institutions, the rule of law, and the strategic partnership between the two countries.  https://1news-iq.net/الخارجية-الأميركية-لوان-نيوز-واشنطن-ت/

MilitiaMan & CREW IRAQ DINAR UPDATE-The Big Picture-48 hours of Exciting News to Glean from! REER is the Game!

MilitiaMan & CREW IRAQ DINAR UPDATE-The Big Picture-48 hours of Exciting News to Glean from! REER is the Game!

5-14-2026

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

No drama. No intrigue. No songs and dances. Just straight, factual news that I read and interpret to the best of my ability after being an avid Dinar investor and insanely obsessed Dinarian for over 15 years.

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=l6BWGckoRYA

Iraq Economic News And Points To Ponder Thursday Evening 5-14-26

Italy’s Eni Raises Iraq Oil And Gas Output In 2025

2026-05-13 Shafaq News- Basra   Italian energy company Eni increased its oil and gas production in Iraq during 2025, producing around 11 million barrels of oil liquids and 30 billion cubic feet of natural gas —equivalent to 17 million barrels of oil equivalent— according to the company’s latest annual report.

The figure compares with 15 million barrels of oil equivalent in 2024 and 14 million in 2023.

Globally, Eni reported total production of 631 million barrels of oil equivalent in 2025, up from 625 million the previous year and 604 million in 2023, supported by a 7% annual increase in liquid hydrocarbon output.

Eni has operated in Iraq since 2009 and manages the Zubair oil field in Basra under technical service contracts with the Iraqi government.      https://www.shafaq.com/en/Economy/Italy-s-Eni-raises-Iraq-oil-and-gas-output-in-2025  

Oil Edges Up To ~$106 With Trump-Xi Talks Centering On Iran

2026-05-14 Shafaq News   Oil prices rose on Thursday, with markets focusing on the high-stakes meeting between U.S. ‌President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping to see if it will yield any positive result on the Iran war, which has significantly disrupted global oil supply.

Aside from trade matters, Trump is expected to encourage China to convince Tehran to make a deal with Washington to end the conflict, but analysts doubt that Xi will be willing to push its long-time strategic partner too hard.

Brent crude futures were up 26 cents, or 0.25%, to $105.89 a barrel by 0250 GMT, ⁠while U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures rose 32 cents, or 0.32%, to $101.34.

Both benchmark oil futures contracts fell on Wednesday as investors worried about possible U.S. interest rate hikes as higher fuel prices spur inflationary pressures. Brent crude futures fell more than $2 a barrel, while WTI futures fell more than $1.

Trump received a grand welcomeat Beijing's Great Hall of the People on Thursday ahead of talks with China's Xi Jinping set to cover their fragile trade truce, the Iran war and U.S. arms sales to Taiwan.

"Oil prices are in a wait-and-see mode," said ING analysts in a note on Thursday, adding that the market could be pinning too much hope on the U.S.-China talks yielding some positive results on Iran.

The Strait of Hormuz, ‌a ⁠key energy gateway, has been largely shut since the war broke out at the end of February.

While Trump has said hedid not thinkhe would need China's help to end the war, the president is nonetheless expected to ask Xi for assistance in resolving the costly and unpopular conflict.

"Failure to make meaningful progress on reopening the strait could leave the US with few options other ⁠than renewed military action," IG analyst Tony Sycamore said in a note.

Iran, meanwhile, appears to have tightened its control over the strait, cuttingdealswith Iraq and Pakistan to ship oil and liquefied natural gas from the region.

A Chinese supertanker carrying two million barrels of Iraqi ⁠crude sailed through the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday after being stranded in the Gulf for more than two months due to the U.S.-Iran war. It was only the third oil tanker to exit the strait since the war began. https://www.shafaq.com/en/Economy/Oil-edges-up-to-106-with-Trump-Xi-talks-centering-on-Iran

Gold Holds Firm As Markets Watch Trump-Xi Summit

2026-05-14 Shafaq News   Gold prices were steady on Thursday, as investors focused on talks between U.S. President ‌Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, and looked for signs of progress in the Iran war.

Spot gold was steady at $4,689.49 per ounce, as of 0602 GMT. U.S. gold futures for June delivery fell 0.2% at $4,696.40.

"Gold seems to be consolidating at the moment as everybody is looking at what's going to happen in the high-level talks between the U.S. and China," ⁠said GoldSilver Central Managing Director Brian Lan.

"(Gold) is a bit downward-biased and I think that is also a window for investors who are looking to come into the metal," Lan added.

Trump heads into a series of meetings with Xi in Beijing, aiming to secure economic wins, maintain a fragile trade truce and navigate thorny issues such as the Middle East conflict.

Trump is expected to seek China's help to resolve the costly and unpopular conflict, which he launched with Israel in late February, but analysts say he is unlikely to get the support he wants.

Data on Wednesday showed that U.S. ‌producer ⁠prices posted their biggest increase in four years in April, boosted by soaring costs for goods and services, the latest sign of accelerating inflation.

The U.S. Senate approved Kevin Warsh as chair of the Federal Reserve as the U.S. central bank grapples with intensifying inflation that may make it hard to push through the interest-rate cuts ⁠that Trump has demanded.

Traders have largely priced out a Fed rate cut this year, with markets now seeing a 28% chance of a hike by December, according to CME Group's FedWatch tool.

While gold is considered a ⁠hedge against inflation, higher interest rates tend to weigh on the non-yielding metal.

Meanwhile, gold discounts in India widened to a record of more than $200 an ounce on Wednesday, as a surge in prices ⁠after an import duty hike triggered investor selling in an already weak demand environment, bullion dealers told Reuters.

Spot silver fell 0.9% to $87.19 per ounce, platinum fell 0.2% to $2,133.35, and palladium was up 0.1% at $1,501.25.

(Reuters)   https://www.shafaq.com/en/Economy/Gold-holds-firm-as-markets-watch-Trump-Xi-summit

Iraq’s Basrah Crude Falls Over 2% Despite Global Gains

2026-05-14   Shafaq News- Basrah   Iraq’s Basrah crude fell more than 2% on Thursday, diverging from gains in global oil markets.   Basrah Medium crude declined to $107.85 per barrel, down 2.02%, while Basrah Heavy crude fell to $105.75 per barrel, losing 2.06%.

Brent crude futures rose 39 cents, or 0.37%, to $106.02 per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate gained 51 cents, or 0.50%, to $101.53. OPEC’s basket price also climbed sharply to $115.09 per barrel, up $7.43, or 6.90%.

The gains in global benchmarks came as markets monitored the summit between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing for possible signals on the Iran war and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, while Iraqi crude moved against the broader upward trend. https://www.shafaq.com/en/Economy/Iraq-s-Basrah-crude-falls-over-2-despite-global-gains

Dollar Steady In Baghdad, Lower In Erbil

2026-05-14   Shafaq News- Baghdad/ Erbil (Updated at 12:06)   The US dollar opened Thursday's trading holding steady in Baghdad while slipping in Erbil, hovering around 154,000 dinars per 100 dollars.

According to Shafaq News market survey, the dollar stabilized in Baghdad's Al-Kifah and Al-Harithiya exchanges at 153,800 dinars per 100 dollars, matching Wednesday's close.

In the Iraqi capital, exchange shops sold the dollar at 154,250 dinars and bought it at 153,250 dinars, while in Erbil, selling prices stood at 153,550 dinars and buying prices at 153,450 dinars.

Speaking to Shafaq News, Jabbar Goran, spokesperson for the currency market in al-Sulaymaniyah, Iraqi Kurdistan, expected the formation of Iraq’s new government to help lower the dollar exchange rate against the dinar in local markets, citing anticipated “US support” that could positively affect the financial market.

Goran predicted the exchange rate could fall below 150,000 dinars per 100 dollars in the coming period if regional conditions stabilize. He added that the gap between the official exchange rate of 132,000 dinars and the market rate should normally remain within 12,000 to 13,000 dinars. https://www.shafaq.com/en/Economy/Dollar-steady-in-Baghdad-lower-in-Erbil

Gold Prices Fall In Baghdad, Rise In Erbil

2026-05-14 Shafaq News- Baghdad/ Erbil   On Thursday, gold prices dipped in Baghdad while edging higher in Erbil, hovering around the million-dinar mark, according to a Shafaq News market survey.

Gold prices on Baghdad's Al-Nahr Street recorded a selling price of 1.012 million IQD per mithqal (equivalent to five grams) for 21-carat gold, including Gulf, Turkish, and European varieties, with a buying price of 1.008 million IQD. The same gold had sold for 1.015 million IQD on Wednesday.

The selling price for 21-carat Iraqi gold stood at 982,000 IQD, with a buying price of 978,000 IQD.

In jewelry stores, the selling price per mithqal of 21-carat Gulf gold ranged between 1.015 million and 1.025 million IQD, while Iraqi gold sold for between 985,000 and 995,000 IQD.

In Erbil, prices moved in the opposite direction, with 22-carat gold selling at 1.050 million IQD per mithqal, 21-carat at 1.003 million IQD, and 18-carat at 860,000 IQD. https://www.shafaq.com/en/Economy/Gold-prices-fall-in-Baghdad-rise-in-Erbil-2

Food Prices Continue Climbing In Iraqi Markets

2026-05-14 Shafaq News- Baghdad   Agricultural and meat prices rose across Iraq in 2025, with increases recorded in wheat, rice, red meat, dates, and several fruit and vegetable products, Iraq’s Statistics and Geographic Information Systems Authority reported on Thursday.

According to a review by Shafaq News, field crop prices recorded noticeable increases, with wheat rising 4.9% to 510 Iraqi dinars (about $0.33) per kilogram, rice increasing 4.4% to 940 dinars (about $0.61), and barley climbing 3.8% to 436 dinars (about $0.28) per kilogram. Okra prices rose by 3.6%, while tomatoes increased by 1.9%.

In the fruit sector, lemon prices increased by 3% to 3,034 dinars (about $1.97) per kilogram, while pomegranate and peach prices rose by 0.8% and 0.7%, respectively. Prices of other products, including apples and olives, declined. Date prices also increased, with Barhi dates rising 3% to 2,032 dinars (about $1.32) per kilogram and Maktoum dates increasing 3.2% to 1,755 dinars (about $1.14).

Data also revealed that red meat prices continued to climb, with lamb prices rising by 3.2% and beef by 3.1%, while chicken prices fell by 7.2% to 2,900 dinars (about $1.89) per kilogram.

Iraq’s agricultural sector has faced mounting pressure in recent years from inflation, currency fluctuations, rising production costs, and dependence on imports, while farmers have also complained about delayed government payments for strategic crops such as wheat and barley, adding further strain to domestic food production and market stability.

Read more: Iraq's farmers fed the state. Now they're waiting to be paid.

https://www.shafaq.com/en/Economy/Food-prices-continue-climbing-in-Iraqi-markets

Has The Fed Lost Control: Matthew Piepenburg on 5% Yields and the Debt Trap

Has The Fed Lost Control: Matthew Piepenburg on 5% Yields and the Debt Trap

Kitco News:  5-13-2026

Is the latest 3.8% CPI print just another energy-driven inflation scare, or is the $40 trillion U.S. debt trap finally springing?

Matthew Piepenburg, Partner at Von Greyerz, joins Jeremy Szafron, Senior Anchor at Kitco News, to break down the massive disconnect between Main Street reality and Wall Street fantasy.

As 30-year U.S. Treasury yields hover near 5% and real wages fall, Piepenburg explains why the bond market has taken control away from the Federal Reserve. They discuss the immediate spot price disconnect in precious metals, why physical gold is migrating East, and the "invisible tax" of inflation that is actively destroying the middle class.

Finally, Piepenburg reveals the hard math behind a $20,000 gold target—arguing that gold is not in a bubble, but rather paper currency is in a terminal decline. Recorded May 12 2026

CHAPTERS

00:00 Energy Shock Or Debt Trap

02:02 Bond Market Warning Signs

 06:06 Ten Year Sets The Rules

09:08 Recession Versus Stagflation

12:08 Cantillon Effect And Inequality

 14:57 Hidden QE And Data Games

18:30 End Of Dollar Privilege

22:54 COMEX Delivery Breakdown

26:13 Physical Gold Moves East

30:31 Gold vs Money Supply

34:11 Silver Deficit Debate

37:41 Main Street Inflation Reality

42:27 Fed Driven Markets

49:21 Wealth Preservation Playbook

 53:11 How High Can Gold Go?

 55:59 Closing Thoughts

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvSybXcF8w8

Seeds of Wisdom RV and Economics Updates Thursday Afternoon 5-14-26

Good Afternoon Dinar Recaps,

BRICS Tensions and Gold Surge Signal Accelerating Shift in Global Financial Power

Rising geopolitical stress, energy instability, and reserve diversification are increasing pressure on the dollar-centered financial system

Today’s developments surrounding BRICS diplomacy, gold markets, and global energy tensions highlight how rapidly the international financial landscape is evolving toward a more fragmented and multipolar structure.

 OVERVIEW (KEY POINTS)

Global financial markets are increasingly reacting to a combination of energy disruption, de-dollarization efforts, and strategic reserve diversification as tensions surrounding Iran, BRICS coordination, and commodity markets intensify.

Today’s BRICS discussions in India come at a particularly sensitive moment. The bloc faces growing internal strain over how to respond to the Iran conflict, energy shortages, and pressure from Western financial systems. At the same time, countries across the Global South continue exploring alternatives to dollar-based trade settlement.

Gold prices remain historically elevated as investors and central banks seek protection from inflation, geopolitical instability, and rising sovereign debt concerns. Central bank demand for gold continues to reflect a broader loss of confidence in relying solely on fiat reserve systems.

The broader implication is that the world economy is slowly transitioning toward a system where multiple financial, trade, and reserve frameworks coexist instead of relying almost entirely on the U.S. dollar structure.

KEY DEVELOPMENTS

1. BRICS Meeting Highlights Growing Internal Financial Realignment

Foreign ministers meeting in India are facing mounting pressure over the Iran conflict and global energy instability.

• BRICS nations increasingly divided over diplomatic strategy

• Energy shortages and fuel costs impacting member economies

• Discussions continue around alternative payment systems and local currency trade

2. Gold Markets Reflect Rising Systemic Anxiety

Gold remains near historic highs despite recent volatility.

• Investors continue viewing gold as a hedge against geopolitical and inflation risk

• Central banks maintaining aggressive reserve diversification strategies

• Elevated oil prices increasing concerns over persistent global inflation

3. Energy Disruptions Continue Reshaping Trade Flows

The Strait of Hormuz remains a major pressure point.

• Shipping disruptions continue affecting oil and LNG markets

• Countries increasingly exploring regional energy security arrangements

• Commodity-linked currencies gaining attention amid market volatility

4. De-Dollarization Momentum Continues Expanding

Alternative settlement systems remain a growing priority.

• BRICS nations continue discussing payment systems outside SWIFT

• More energy transactions being settled in local currencies and yuan

• Countries seeking protection from sanctions exposure and reserve restrictions

5. Commodity Markets Are Influencing Currency Power

Energy and raw materials are increasingly driving global financial influence.

• Commodity-exporting nations gaining stronger currency positioning

• Oil and gas supply disruptions reshaping foreign exchange markets

• Financial power becoming more closely tied to resource security

WHY IT MATTERS

These developments matter because the global financial system depends heavily on stable reserve assets, reliable trade routes, and confidence in monetary institutions.

As geopolitical tensions increasingly affect energy flows and reserve policy, countries are accelerating efforts to reduce vulnerability to external financial pressure.

This transition does not necessarily signal the immediate collapse of the dollar system. However, it does suggest a future where financial influence becomes more decentralized and competitive.

The growing connection between commodities, currency systems, and geopolitical strategy is reshaping how nations manage reserves, trade, and long-term economic security.

WHY IT MATTERS TO FOREIGN CURRENCY HOLDERS

• Gold accumulation may continue supporting hard assets over fiat exposure

• Commodity-backed economies could gain stronger currency influence

• Currency volatility likely to increase during geopolitical disruptions

• Countries reducing dollar dependency may continue diversifying reserves

IMPLICATIONS FOR THE GLOBAL RESET

• Pillar 1: Multipolar Financial Systems Expand

BRICS nations and emerging economies are increasingly building parallel settlement systems designed to operate independently from traditional Western financial infrastructure.

• Pillar 2: Commodities Become Strategic Monetary Assets

Gold, oil, LNG, and critical minerals are becoming central tools of geopolitical and financial leverage as nations reposition for long-term systemic change.

CONCLUSION

The convergence of BRICS diplomacy, gold accumulation, energy disruption, and reserve diversification reflects a deeper transformation taking place beneath the surface of the global economy.

Today’s financial environment is no longer defined solely by monetary policy or interest rates. It is increasingly shaped by strategic competition over energy, commodities, trade corridors, and reserve security.

While the dollar remains dominant, the foundations supporting that dominance are being challenged by structural shifts that continue gaining momentum across the developing world.

The global reset is no longer centered on a single event — it is unfolding through a series of interconnected economic and geopolitical realignments.

Seeds of Wisdom Team
Newshounds News™ Exclusive

SOURCES

• Reuters — "A Tense BRICS Amid Iran War Oil Crisis"

• Reuters — "Gold Edges Down as Oil, Dollar Rise as Markets Await Signals From Trump-Xi Meeting"

~~~~~~~~~~

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How The World Is Starting To Look Like 1492 All Over Again

How The World Is Starting To Look Like 1492 All Over Again

Notes From the Field By James Hickman (Simon Black / Sovereign Man) May 14, 2026

In the year 1484, a thirty-something year old sailor from Genoa was working in Lisbon when he stumbled upon a bold idea.  For the previous decade, he had served as a crewman on several Portuguese commercial expeditions to haul physical resources like gold, ivory, and fish from Asia back to European ports.

These voyages were treacherous; they all crossed into maritime territory controlled by the Venetians, Ottomans, or Egyptian Malmuk. So there was a high likelihood of a vessel being confiscated and its crew being captured or killed.

But through his marriage into a Portuguese navigator's family, this sailor had inherited a small library of nautical charts. And he spent years studying them and corresponding with scientists who studied cosmology.

Over time, he became convinced that a small fleet could reach Asia by sailing WEST, not east, and arrive to the spice markets of the Indies without passing through enemy territory.

The sailor’s name was Christopher Columbus. And he took his idea to the King of Portugal, John II.

The King was interested enough to convene a royal panel, but the ‘experts’ decided that Columbus had badly underestimated the size of the Earth and recommended against funding the voyage.

Columbus spent the next several years pitching his idea to anyone who would listen.

He sent his brother to make the case to Henry VII in England. He approached the French court. He crossed the border into Spain, secured an audience with Ferdinand and Isabella at Córdoba, and watched a second royal commission argue for nearly four years... before rejecting him for the same reasons the Portuguese had.

He gave up on Spain and was riding north to try the French court again when a royal courier caught up with him. Ferdinand and Isabella had just taken Granada on January 2, 1492 — a conquest that ended a decade-long war and brought the southern Mediterranean coast and its ports under their control.

With the war finally over and the southern frontier secured, the monarchs had excess cash to fund the next strategic venture.

So in April of that year, at the siege camp of Santa Fe outside Granada, Isabella signed the contract. A few months later, three small ships set sail— with the crew probably all assuming that they would not survive the voyage.

The Spanish crown’s investment paid off... and they spent the next century pulling staggering amounts of silver and gold out of the new continent Columbus had stumbled upon; Spain became the wealthiest power in Europe as a result.

This is how governments used to invest. They were like venture capital funds of their day, financing long-term bets on ports, territory, trade routes, and resources, all in an effort to secure strategic assets that compound over generations.

But for the last eighty years or so, the world has run a different experiment.

After 1945, the United States built a system in which the rest of the world manufactured goods, sold them to American consumers, and recycled their trade surpluses back into US Treasury bonds.

This system worked for decades; in fact the most rational thing a foreign government could do with its national savings was invest in US dollars and US government bonds. Any foreign country with a stockpile of Treasurys was considered stable and creditworthy.

But this system is now cracking. Rapidly.

After the Biden administration froze Russia's dollar reserves in 2022, foreign central banks understood that US government bonds were ‘safe’ only as long as their country stayed on America's good side.

Consequently, most foreign governments have been diversifying out of dollars ever since.

This year's Iran war drove the lesson home: the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway through which roughly a quarter of the world's seaborne oil passes, has been closed since late February.

And every foreign country holding hundreds of billions of US government bonds has been reminded that, no matter how big their Treasury stockpile, they cannot feed their population with it. They cannot fill their people’s gas tanks with it. They cannot power homes with it.

So governments are reconsidering their US dollar positions more than ever.

Just like Ferdinand and Isabella, governments around the world started by acquiring gold; central banks have been buying it at the fastest pace in modern history since 2022.

But gold is only the leading indicator.

The next phase is foreign governments and central banks stockpiling other critical resources and materials— energy, fertilizer, copper, uranium, rare earths, food production, and even fresh water.

These are all strategic assets that no government can conjure out of thin air. And no amount of paper bonds can magically summon.

China has been running this playbook for fifteen years: they’ve purchased farmland in Africa, copper concessions in the Congo, rare-earth processing across central Asia, and the Belt and Road infrastructure that physically connects the resource to the buyer.

A large part of China’s investment capital has come from their steady liquidation of US Treasury holdings.

This is the Columbus-era calculus all over again. Whereas governments around the world used to stockpile US government bonds, they are now stockpiling strategic resources.

One obvious consequence is lower demand for US government bonds— which drives up interest rates, mortgage rates, and more. It probably also leads to a lot more inflation, i.e. the 1970s all over again.

But it also means that these critical resources— and the companies which produce them— should have a very, very bright future as foreign governments throw potentially trillions of dollars at the commodities sector.

This is the primary thesis behind Schiff Sovereign's monthly investment research service, Strategic Assets.

We look for profitable, well-managed real-asset businesses with pristine balance sheets that are trading at a low multiple of free cash flow— with clear catalysts for growth.

And those catalysts include our fragmenting world and the scramble to secure physical, critical assets.

To your freedom,

James Hickman   Co-Founder, Schiff Sovereign LLC

https://www.schiffsovereign.com/investing/how-the-world-is-starting-to-look-like-1492-all-over-again-155156/?inf_contact_key=a6fc5aac6cbe83518ec150142aec6476ae788fd53dbd8435c82ea4a7febc39e6

Seeds of Wisdom RV and Economics Updates Thursday Morning 5-14-26

Good Morning Dinar Recaps,

US China Summit Raises Global Stakes: Taiwan Warning Overshadows Trade Progress

Xi Jinping’s sharp warning on Taiwan during high-level trade talks with Donald Trump highlights the fragile balance between economic cooperation and geopolitical rivalry

The Beijing summit revealed that while the world’s two largest economies still depend on each other financially, strategic tensions are intensifying across trade, technology, and military security.

 OVERVIEW (KEY POINTS)

Chinese President Xi Jinping and United States President Donald Trump held a high-stakes summit in Beijing aimed at stabilizing trade relations and preventing further deterioration in bilateral ties.

While both sides described recent trade negotiations as constructive, the summit quickly exposed deeper geopolitical divisions centered around Taiwan, semiconductor technology, military positioning, and global influence.

The meeting comes during a period of growing instability in global supply chains, slowing economic growth, and rising pressure on the international financial system. Both nations recognize the importance of avoiding direct confrontation, yet neither appears willing to compromise on core strategic interests.

The broader implication is significant: the relationship between China and the United States is increasingly evolving into a model of competitive coexistence, where cooperation in trade exists alongside expanding geopolitical rivalry.

KEY DEVELOPMENTS

1. Trade Negotiations Show Limited Progress

Both governments signaled optimism regarding economic cooperation.

• The United States pushed for increased access to Chinese markets for:

  • Agriculture

  • Energy exports

  • Boeing aircraft sales

  • Manufacturing investment

• China sought relief from restrictions on:

  • Advanced semiconductors

  • Artificial intelligence technologies

  • Chipmaking equipment exports

2. Taiwan Emerges as the Central Flashpoint

Taiwan dominated the strategic portion of the summit.

• Xi warned that mishandling Taiwan could create an “extremely dangerous situation”

• China strongly opposes expanding United States military support for Taiwan

• Reports indicate a proposed $14 billion US arms package for Taiwan remains under consideration

3. Technology Competition Intensifies

Artificial intelligence and semiconductors remain major battlegrounds.

• Washington increasingly views advanced chip exports as a national security issue

• China sees access to high-end technology as critical to long-term economic modernization

• The summit included participation from major technology leaders, reflecting the growing overlap between business and geopolitics

4. Global Security Concerns Expand Beyond Asia

The summit also addressed wider geopolitical risks.

• Discussions included:

  • Iran and Middle East instability

  • The war in Ukraine

  • Korean Peninsula tensions

• Trump reportedly encouraged China to pressure Iran toward broader negotiations

5. Power Dynamics Between Washington and Beijing Continue Shifting

Analysts note China entered the summit from a stronger position than in previous years.

• China now holds greater leverage in:

  • Rare earth supply chains

  • Manufacturing dominance

  • Global infrastructure investment

• Meanwhile, the United States faces:

  • Inflation pressure

  • Political polarization

  • Rising debt concerns

  • Multiple global security commitments

WHY IT MATTERS

The summit matters because China and the United States remain the two most influential forces within the global economy.

Any deterioration in relations between the two countries directly impacts trade flows, technology markets, currency stability, and investor confidence worldwide.

Taiwan, in particular, represents one of the most dangerous geopolitical flashpoints in modern history because it sits at the intersection of military power, semiconductor production, and strategic control in Asia.

The continued rivalry between Washington and Beijing is also accelerating broader global realignment trends, including supply chain diversification, regional trade blocs, and de-dollarization initiatives.

WHY IT MATTERS TO FOREIGN CURRENCY HOLDERS

• Geopolitical instability increases global currency volatility

• Trade tensions may strengthen demand for gold and safe-haven assets

• Asian currencies could face pressure during regional escalation risks

• Supply chain disruptions may impact inflation and purchasing power globally

IMPLICATIONS FOR THE GLOBAL RESET

• Pillar 1: Economic Interdependence No Longer Prevents Rivalry

The summit demonstrates that major powers can remain financially connected while simultaneously competing for technological and geopolitical dominance.

• Pillar 2: Taiwan Becomes a Financial System Risk

Any future Taiwan crisis would impact semiconductor production, global trade routes, energy markets, and central bank stability simultaneously, making it a major systemic risk factor.

CONCLUSION

The Trump-Xi summit highlighted both the necessity and fragility of modern US-China relations.

Trade cooperation continues because both economies remain deeply interconnected, yet strategic distrust surrounding Taiwan, technology, and military positioning continues to grow.

The world is now entering a period where economic partnership and geopolitical confrontation increasingly exist side by side.

How Washington and Beijing manage that balance may ultimately determine the stability of the global financial system for the next decade.

Seeds of Wisdom Team
Newshounds News™ Exclusive

Sources

• Modern Diplomacy — "Xi Warns Trump on Taiwan as China United States Trade Talks Advance"

• Reuters — "US-China Leaders Hold High-Stakes Beijing Summit Amid Taiwan Tensions"

~~~~~~~~~~ 

 🌱 A Message to Our Currency Holders🌱

If you’ve been holding foreign currency for many years, you were not foolish.

You were not wrong to believe the global financial system would change.

What failed was not your patience — it was the information you were given.

For years, dates, rumors, and personalities replaced facts, structure, and proof. “This week” predictions created cycles of hope and disappointment that were never based on how currencies actually change.

That is not your failure.

Our mission here is different:   • No dates • No rates • No hype • No gurus

Instead, we focus on:

• Verifiable developments • Institutional evidence

• Global financial structure • Where countries actually sit in the process

Currency value changes only come after sovereignty, trade, banking, settlement systems, and fiscal coordination are in place. History and institutions confirm this sequence.

You will see silence. You will see denials. That is not delay — that is discipline.

Protect your identity. Organize your documents.    Verify everything.

Never hand your discernment to anyone who cannot show proof.

You deserve truth — not timelines.

Seeds of Wisdom Team
Newshounds News™

~~~~~~~~~~

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Iraq Economic News And Points To Ponder Thursday Morning 5-14-26

Ahead Of The Vote, Al-Sari Reveals His Program: Sovereign Finances First And A New Era In Salary Distribution.

Money and Business   Economy News – Baghdad    On Thursday, the nominee for the Ministry of Finance, Faleh Al-Sari, revealed his top priorities and ministerial program in the event of gaining confidence, just hours before the vote of confidence session in the House of Representatives.

Al-Sari said, "The Ministry of Finance will be the number one sovereign ministry in Iraq," adding that he assures all the people of Iraq, especially employees, contract workers and farmers, that their rights will be fully guaranteed.

He stressed that “the Ministry of Finance will be radically different from what it was in the past, and that ministries will no longer operate in isolation from the Ministry of Finance,” ruling out “the possibility of ministries being separate islands that are not connected to each other.”

He continued: "We will not accept that the Ministry of Finance be merely an office for distributing salaries, but rather it will be a fundamental economic ministry that leads all financial and commercial activities in the country."

Regarding digital transformation, Al-Sari explained that "the issue of taxes and customs has made great strides in the field of automation," indicating that "digital transformation and reducing reliance on cash is a key priority for the ministry."

Regarding the ministry's relationship with the House of Representatives, Al-Sari indicated that "based on his parliamentary experience over the past five sessions, he is fully aware of what the representatives are suffering from," announcing the allocation of a special wing for them within the ministry, with the formation of a working team that will receive the representatives and quickly fulfill their requests.

He pointed out that "my approach with the MPs will be clear and we will meet their demands, provided that they understand the financial and economic situation and the crisis that the country is going through," calling on the House of Representatives, especially the Finance Committee, to cooperate in legislating and amending reform laws, considering the parliament as "my main kitchen" for achieving financial and economic reforms. https://www.economy-news.net/content.php?id=69067

Loaded With Oil And Gas, Nine Ships Have Crossed The Strait Of Hormuz Since Sunday, But Are Under US Blockade.

energy   Economy News - Follow-up   Bloomberg reported on Thursday that nine oil and gas tankers have crossed the Strait of Hormuz since last Sunday.

The agency added, citing shipping data, that some of the nine ships remain within the US blockade line in the Strait of Hormuz, amid continuing military and trade tensions in the region.

The agency reported last Tuesday that US forces imposing a naval blockade on Iran prevented a Greek ship carrying about two million barrels of Iraqi oil from continuing its journey to Vietnam for "unknown" reasons, while the Vietnamese government appealed to the United States to allow the oil shipment to proceed.

The Strait of Hormuz region has witnessed escalating tensions since last March, as the vital waterway has turned into a direct military and maritime confrontation between the United States and Iran. https://www.economy-news.net/content.php?id=69065 

Iraq Topped The List Of Exports To The Amman Chamber Of Commerce With 188 Million Dinars During 2026

Money and Business   Economy News – Baghdad   By 22.3 percent, compared to the same period last year, Iraq topped the list of importing countries with a value of 188 million dinars.

According to the Chamber's statistical data, the value of exports issued by the Amman Chamber of Commerce through certificates of origin during the first third of this year amounted to about 492 million dinars, compared to 401 million dinars for the same period in 2025.

The data showed that the number of certificates of origin issued by the chamber during the first third of this year amounted to 10,005 certificates, compared to 10,174 certificates during the same period last year, a decrease of 1.7 percent.

According to the statistics, the certificates of origin were distributed among several countries, with Syria leading with 1903 certificates, followed by Saudi Arabia with 1598 certificates, then Iraq with 1052 certificates, then Egypt with 247 certificates, and Switzerland with 8 certificates.

In terms of value, Iraq came in first place with exports valued at 188 million dinars, followed by Egypt with 29 million dinars, then Switzerland with about 26 million dinars, Syria with 24 million dinars, and Saudi Arabia with about 23 million dinars.

Exports from the Amman Chamber of Commerce during the first third of this year included foreign products ("goods of foreign origin") valued at 201 million dinars, followed by industrial products valued at 69 million dinars.

https://www.economy-news.net/content.php?id=69066

Turkish Airlines Resumes Flights To Iraq

Money and Business   Economy News – Baghdad   The Ministry of Transport announced that the coming months will witness the restoration of full operational capacity at Baghdad International Airport, after a period of suspension and disruption to air traffic as a result of the security developments in the region, revealing that Turkish Airlines will resume its flights to Iraq on Thursday.

The director of the ministry's media office, Maitham Al-Safi, told the official newspaper that air traffic at Baghdad International Airport is witnessing a remarkable improvement and a gradual return to normal, with the resumption of a large number of regular flights by Arab and foreign airlines, coinciding with the continued airlift of pilgrims to the holy lands.

He added that Thursday will see the return of Turkish airlines to operate flights to Iraq, after a hiatus of more than two months, in addition to other countries and companies that will also resume their flights next month, most notably the Sultanate of Oman.

Al-Safi explained that the airport is currently experiencing regularity in daily flight schedules, with a noticeable increase in the number of arriving and departing passengers, stressing that the ministry is seeking to restore the airport’s full operational capacity in the coming months.

He noted that the ministry is continuing its contacts with international airlines to resume all suspended flights during the next phase, in conjunction with plans to develop services at Baghdad International Airport, including travel procedures, logistics and technical services. https://www.economy-news.net/content.php?id=69060

Bloomberg: A giant Japanese oil tanker secretly and rarely crosses the Strait of Hormuz

energy   Economy News - Follow-up     Bloomberg reported that the Japanese supertanker Ineos Endeavour secretly and rarely crossed the Strait of Hormuz, according to ship-tracking website data.

The agency reported that the tanker appeared in the Gulf of Oman after its last signal was inside the Gulf north of Abu Dhabi, suggesting that it crossed the strait without revealing its movements through the usual tracking systems.

According to the data, the tanker resumed broadcasting its location north of the Omani capital, Muscat, late Wednesday evening, heading east towards the Arabian Sea, after its broadcast had been interrupted since last Monday.

Bloomberg noted that the tanker entered the Gulf in late February to load crude oil from the UAE's Das Island and Kuwait's Al-Ahmadi port, while draft readings show it is almost full of cargo.

She added that the tanker had initially identified the Japanese port of Kerry as its destination, before later indicating that it was “awaiting orders,” suggesting that a final port of call has not yet been determined.

The agency indicated that this tanker is the second giant oil tanker owned by a Japanese company to cross the Strait of Hormuz since the outbreak of the war in late February. https://www.economy-news.net/content.php?id=69061

Prices Of Crops, Lentils, And Sour Meat Rose In Iraq During 2025

Money and Business   Economy News – Baghdad   Data released by the Iraqi Directorate of Agricultural Statistics on Thursday showed that the average prices of several agricultural products rose during 2025 compared to 2024, due to the effects of local inflation, changes in the dollar exchange rate, and openness to imports from foreign markets.

According to the data, the prices of field crops have increased, with wheat recording an increase of 4.9% to reach 510 dinars per kilogram, rice by 4.4% to 940 dinars, and barley by 3.8% to 436 dinars, while okra prices increased by 3.6% and tomatoes by 1.9%.

In the fruit sector, the price of lemons rose by 3% to reach 3034 dinars per kilogram, while pomegranates recorded an increase of 0.8% and peaches by 0.7%, in contrast to a decrease in the prices of some varieties, including apples and olives.

Date prices also recorded an increase, with Barhi dates rising by 3% to reach 2032 dinars per kilogram, and Maktoom by 3.2% to 1755 dinars.

In the meat sector, red meat prices rose, with lamb prices increasing by 3.2% and beef by 3.1%, while chicken prices fell by 7.2% to reach 2,900 dinars per kilogram.

The report indicated that the rise in prices is due to local inflation and the change in the dollar exchange rate, as well as the increase in imports from Arab and foreign markets, which was reflected in the price movement in Iraqi markets.

https://www.economy-news.net/content.php?id=69068

Iraq News Posted by Tishwash at TNT 5-14-2026

TNT:

Tishwash:  Vietnam has asked the United States to allow an Iraqi oil tanker to pass

 Vietnam's oil company has warned that the disruption of the Agio Fanurios, carrying Basra oil, could disrupt operations at the Nghi Sun refinery and damage millions of consumers. US forces have blocked the ship in the Strait of Hormuz.

Vietnam has asked the United States to allow an oil tanker carrying Iraqi oil to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, the BBC reported. 

The ship, named Agio Fanurios, was carrying two million barrels of Iraqi crude oil from the port of Basra, the channel said.

As for the reason for the interception, the US Central Command said it had changed the direction of the ship as part of the implementation of sanctions against Iran. 

Meanwhile, Vietnam has said that the oil inventories of the Nghi Sun refinery have decreased significantly and if the shipment does not arrive, the refinery will be disrupted, damaging millions of consumers and the country's industrial sector.

The Vietnamese oil company said the oil belonged to Iraqi SOMO and had nothing to do with Iran.

It is unclear whether the United States will allow the ship to pass.  link

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

Tishwash:  Here’s Why 27 May Is Now Critical For Iraq’s Future And The West’s Middle East

Iraq’s Iran-aligned Coordination Framework nominated businessman Ali al-Zaidi as prime minister-designate, but he faces a difficult 30-day deadline to form a cabinet balancing pro-Iran factions, Kurdish and Sunni blocs, and U.S. pressure.

If Zaidi fails, Iraq’s constitution allows the president to nominate another candidate while caretaker PM Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani remains in office.

Iraq’s political future remains tied to the broader U.S.-Iran power struggle, with Washington, Tehran, Russia, and China all competing for influence

 After more than five months of political cajolery, threats, and infighting since Iraq’s 11 November parliamentary elections – the seventh since Saddam Hussein’s fall in 2003 – an erstwhile obscure businessman, Ali al-Zaidi, has been selected as the Prime Minister-designate of the governing Iran-aligned Shia Coordination Framework bloc.

Regarded as a compromise candidate between more pro-West sitting Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani, and one of his predecessors, the pro-Iran Nouri al-Maliki, al-Zaidi now has until 27 May to form a government. This is done by selecting a cabinet, which must, in turn, be approved by Iraq’s parliament (the Council of Representatives). So, what happens if, as occurred in 2020, he as Prime Minister-designate cannot do so, and what happens if he can?

A cornerstone of Iraq’s 2005 Constitution was the safeguarding against the re-emergence of a single dominant force in Iraqi politics, especially any resurgence of Saddam Hussein’s Ba’ath Party.

This meant a dispersal of executive power between three key jobs – Prime Minister, President, and Speaker of Parliament. These have traditionally been split between the three main groups in the country -- the Prime Ministership for the Shia Arabs (the largest demographic group), the Presidency for the Kurds (occupying the semi-autonomous state in the North), and the Speakership of Parliament for the Sunni Arabs (the other principal religious grouping).

Although this power structure has indeed prevented any meaningful revival of the Ba’ath Party, it has also complicated what on the face of it looks a straightforward and quick procedure for choosing a new premier.

According to the constitution, once the general election results have been verified, the president asks the newly elected parliament to meet within 15 days. In that first gathering, parliament elects a speaker and two deputies by a simple majority vote. It can then choose a new president – provided there is a two-thirds majority for a single candidate -- or extend the sitting president’s term. Once this has been finalised, the new president authorises the bloc that holds the most seats in the new parliament to form a cabinet led by its chosen nominee for prime minister.

 So what happens if al-Zaidi is unable to form a new government by 27 May?

Under Article 76 of the Constitution, the President (Patriotic Union of Kurdistan member and former Environment Minister, Nizar Amedi) has 15 days from the date of the deadline’s expiration (taking us to 11 June) to task another candidate with forming the Council of Ministers.

The new nominee then receives their own 30-day window to present a cabinet and government programme to the Council of Representatives, and so the process would continue until any of the subsequent Prime Minister-designates can form a new government.

In 2020, two consecutive Prime Minister-designates failed to take office after proving unable to assemble a cabinet with parliamentary support. In the interim period, the outgoing government – currently led by al-Sudani – would continue to function in a caretaker capacity to prevent a political vacuum.  link

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

Tishwash:  The President of the Republic affirms the importance of supporting the private sector as a key partner in economic development.

President Nizar Amidi emphasized the importance of supporting the private sector and enabling it to play its vital role as a key partner in economic development.

The Presidential Media Office stated in a press release: "President Nizar Amidi received today, Wednesday, Abdullah al-Jubouri, Vice Chairman of the Permanent Council for Private Sector Development."

During the meeting, al-Jubouri provided a detailed explanation of the Council's work, its responsibilities, and the economic vision it seeks to achieve, in accordance with developmental paths aligned with the state's development plans, contributing to supporting the national economy and strengthening the private sector's role in the development process.

The President stressed the importance of supporting the private sector and enabling it to fulfill its vital role as a key partner in economic development, emphasizing the need to create a suitable investment environment and remove obstacles facing businesspeople and investors, thereby contributing to achieving sustainable development, diversifying income sources, and reducing reliance on traditional resources.

He also pointed to the importance of strengthening the partnership between the public and private sectors and supporting economic initiatives that contribute to creating job opportunities and stimulating productive activity, in line with the priorities of economic reform and achieving comprehensive development.

For his part, Al-Jubouri expressed his appreciation for the President's interest in the private sector, affirming the Council's continued work on presenting initiatives and proposals that would support economic activity and strengthen the partnership between the public and private sectors, serving the national interest and enhancing economic stability in the country.  link

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

Tishwash:    In Washington, there is talk of developing relations with Baghdad and activating the "framework" agreement.

Mustafa Hashim 

The opening session of "Iraqi Dialogue Day," hosted by the Atlantic Council in Washington, was held on Wednesday. The focus was on the nature of developing the relationship between the two countries and how Iraqi delegations can contribute to this, with reference to the Strategic Framework Agreement and its activation.

Victoria Taylor, director of the Iraq program at the Atlantic Council, confirmed during the session, which was attended by a correspondent from Shafaq News Agency, that the relationship between Baghdad and Washington is going through a major transitional phase, especially with the approaching end of the international coalition’s mission (Operation Inherent Resolve) and the reduction of the American military presence.

She added that "the security element has been the main pillar of the relationship for the past 20 years, but current circumstances necessitate a change in this approach."

 She indicated that "there is currently a strong logic to focus on the business and investment sector, especially since the current US administration is interested in making economic deals," while expressing her concern about the decline in the level of exchange between the two countries, saying: "We are no longer in the days when the US president would make weekly calls to candidates or Iraqi leaders."

She called for increased visits by Iraqi delegations to Washington to explain the issues and understand the nature of the current American focus.

For his part, former Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari stressed that "the failure to develop relations was not due to a lack of legal tools, but rather to the absence of political will in previous periods."

Zebari strongly defended the Strategic Framework Agreement, which he helped negotiate, stressing that it would have provided Iraq with gains that "countries in the region would envy," if it had been properly utilized.

Zebari attributed the failure to activate the agreement to "laziness or lack of interest" on the part of subsequent Iraqi governments, which did not follow up on its provisions as they should have.

He noted that "the current US administration seems more serious and specific about the problems in Iraq," stressing that officials in Baghdad have begun to feel Washington's seriousness in dealing with the outstanding issues, despite the "utilitarian" nature that may sometimes characterize the dealings  link

Seeds of Wisdom RV and Economics Updates Wednesday Evening 5-13-26

Good Evening Dinar Recaps,

China Gains Strategic Edge as Iran War Reshapes Global Power Balance

Growing concerns inside Washington suggest the Iran conflict may be accelerating a broader shift in global influence, energy markets, and financial power structures.

 Overview

A reported U.S. intelligence assessment delivered to senior military leadership warns that the ongoing Iran conflict is “massively improving China’s geopolitical position” while increasing long-term strain on the United States economically, militarily, and diplomatically.

According to reports referenced by multiple media outlets, U.S. analysts believe Beijing is benefiting from the war without directly entering the conflict. China is reportedly gaining valuable military intelligence, expanding energy influence, strengthening ties across the Global South, and positioning itself as a stabilizing economic alternative while the United States absorbs the direct costs of prolonged military operations.

The developments arrive as global markets remain highly sensitive to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, rising inflation pressures, and escalating competition between major powers over trade, energy, and currency influence.

Key Developments

1. U.S. Intelligence Warns China Is Benefiting Strategically

A reported intelligence assessment prepared for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff concluded that the Iran war is creating significant advantages for China across multiple domains including military intelligence, diplomacy, energy leverage, and economic influence.

The report reportedly used the DIME framework — Diplomatic, Informational, Military, and Economic — to evaluate how Beijing is capitalizing on the conflict while avoiding direct military entanglement.

Analysts believe China is closely studying U.S. military operations in real time, including logistics, missile defense systems, cyber capabilities, intelligence coordination, and operational pacing. This information could potentially provide strategic insight relevant to future tensions involving Taiwan or the Indo-Pacific region.

2. Energy Disruptions Increase China’s Global Leverage

The continuing instability surrounding the Strait of Hormuz has intensified fears regarding long-term global energy security.

With oil flows disrupted and shipping uncertainty rising, China has reportedly positioned itself as a more stable economic partner for countries seeking alternative supply arrangements and infrastructure cooperation.

At the same time, Beijing continues maintaining relationships with both Gulf states and Iran, allowing it to expand influence across multiple sides of the regional conflict without direct confrontation.

The crisis highlights how energy security is increasingly becoming a geopolitical weapon, with major powers competing not only militarily but also through control of trade routes, commodities, and financial systems.

3. Concerns Grow Over U.S. Resource Depletion

The intelligence assessment reportedly raised concerns regarding the rapid consumption of U.S. precision-guided munitions, missile interceptors, and operational resources during the conflict.

Military analysts fear that prolonged engagement in the Middle East could weaken readiness for future strategic challenges elsewhere, particularly in the Indo-Pacific theater.

This issue carries broader economic implications because large-scale military operations increase federal expenditures at a time when the United States is already facing historically elevated debt levels, persistent inflation pressures, and growing scrutiny from BRICS nations seeking alternatives to Western financial dominance.

4. China Expands Diplomatic Influence Across the Global South

The report also reportedly concluded that China is using the conflict to strengthen its diplomatic narrative globally.

Beijing continues presenting itself as a supporter of stability, trade continuity, and non-intervention, contrasting its messaging against perceptions of Western military escalation.

This strategy may strengthen China’s influence among developing economies already exploring alternatives to the U.S.-led financial system, particularly within BRICS and broader Global South trade initiatives.

The timing is especially significant as China continues expanding cross-border yuan settlement systems, commodity agreements, and infrastructure partnerships outside traditional Western institutions.

Why It Matters

The reported assessment reflects growing concern inside Washington that the Iran conflict may be accelerating larger structural changes already underway in the global system.

Rather than remaining a regional war, the crisis increasingly appears tied to:

• Energy market realignment

• Strategic competition between the U.S. and China

• Growing BRICS influence

• Currency diversification efforts

• Rising pressure on Western financial systems

• Expansion of alternative payment networks

The situation also demonstrates how modern geopolitical conflicts now directly influence inflation, central bank policy, sovereign debt markets, and long-term reserve currency confidence.

Why It Matters to Currency Holders

For foreign currency holders and global reset observers, the developments are significant because they reinforce the accelerating connection between:

• Geopolitical instability

• Energy disruptions

• Debt expansion

• Inflation pressures

• Currency diversification

• Global power redistribution

As major economies increasingly weaponize trade routes, sanctions, commodities, and financial infrastructure, more countries may continue exploring systems that reduce dependence on the traditional dollar-based order.

While the U.S. dollar remains dominant globally, ongoing geopolitical fragmentation is placing increasing focus on multi-currency trade systems, gold accumulation, yuan settlement mechanisms, and BRICS financial cooperation.

Implications for the Global Financial Reset

• Pillar 1:  Strategic Wars Are Becoming Economic Wars

Modern conflicts increasingly impact energy flows, inflation, interest rates, debt markets, and reserve currency confidence simultaneously.

• Pillar 2:  China Is Expanding Influence Without Direct Military Engagement

The reported intelligence concerns suggest Beijing may be leveraging global instability to expand long-term influence while avoiding direct battlefield costs.

• Pillar 3:  Global Financial Fragmentation Continues Accelerating

As geopolitical rivalry deepens, more nations may pursue trade diversification, alternative settlement systems, and regional economic alliances outside traditional Western frameworks.

Closing Thoughts

The reported U.S. intelligence assessment underscores how the Iran conflict may be reshaping far more than Middle Eastern security dynamics.

What began as a regional military confrontation increasingly appears tied to a broader transformation involving energy security, strategic competition, reserve currencies, global trade architecture, and the future balance of financial power.

In today’s interconnected world, geopolitical conflicts no longer remain isolated events. They increasingly act as catalysts accelerating deeper economic and monetary shifts already underway beneath the surface of the global system.

This is not just a regional conflict — it is part of a larger global restructuring of power, energy, and finance.

Seeds of Wisdom Team
Newshounds News™ Exclusive

Sources

• Reuters — “Iran war looms over Trump’s China visit, shifts alliances”

• The Washington Post — “China gains major edge on U.S. amid Iran war, intelligence report find

~~~~~~~~~~

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Iraq Economic News and Points To Ponder Wednesday Evening 5-13-26

Exclusive: US warning: Iraq has only five months' worth of "financial buffers" to avoid "the mother of all crises".

2026-05-13 Shafaq News – Washington   Mustafa Hashim   On Wednesday, economist Ziad Dawood painted a "bleak" picture of the future of the Iraqi economy in light of the sharp fluctuations in global oil prices, warning that the country could find itself facing "bitter choices" within a few months if the growing financial gap is not addressed.

In remarks made during economic discussions at the Iraq Dialogue Day at the Atlantic Council in Washington, which was attended by a correspondent from Shafaq News Agency, Dawood explained that Iraq is currently experiencing a state of "excessive dependence" on oil revenues, which makes its budget more vulnerable to external shocks than it was in the crises of 2008, 2014 and 2020.

Salaries And Currency Value

Dawood defined the concept of "economic crisis" in Iraq with two main axes that represent the existential obligations of the state:

1.   Currency stability: Maintaining the dinar's peg to the dollar at its current levels.

2.   Salaries and obligations: The ability to pay employee salaries, wages, and pensions without delay.

Daoud warned that failing to meet either of these commitments would mean entering "the mother of all crises," stressing that the process of "currency revaluation" (devaluing the currency) is a painful process economically and socially.

Narrow Safety Margin

The economist presented a detailed calculation to estimate the length of time Iraq could withstand the decline in oil revenues:

Reserves: the central bank of iraq has approximately $100 billion.

Currency Cover: To ensure the stability of the dinar and maintain the circulating money supply, the central bank needs to allocate about $75 billion as cover.

Available Surplus: Iraq practically has only $25 billion left that can be used to cover the deficit.

Payroll: The annual cost of salaries and pensions is approximately $64 billion, which is equivalent to about $5.3 billion per month.

The result: According to Dawood, the available surplus ($25 billion) is only enough to cover salaries for five months in the event of a sharp interruption or decline in oil revenues, before the country reaches "the brink of collapse".

Post-World Cup Predictions

Dawood indicated that Iraq may experience a period of relative stability until next July, coinciding with the celebrations for the 2026 World Cup, but he expressed deep concern about the price levels and economic pressures that will follow this period.

He concluded his statement by emphasizing that Iraq faces "difficult choices," as dependence on oil has increased rather than decreased, making any disruption in global markets a direct threat to the social and economic stability of Iraqis.

https://www.shafaq.com/ar/اقتصـاد/خاص-تحذير-ميركي-العراق-يمتلك-مصدات-مالية-لخمسة-شهر-فقط-لتفادي-م-ال-زمات

Ahmed Al-Basheer ridicules Iraq’s political system as Al-Zaidi nomination fuels criticism

2026-05-13 / 15:49   Shafaq News- Washington    Iraqi political satirist Ahmed Al-Basheer on Wednesday delivered a public critique of Iraq’s post-2003 political order, mocking the opaque rise of businessman Ali Al-Zaidi toward the premiership and arguing that elections in Iraq have become little more than a ceremonial exercise overshadowed by elite bargaining and foreign influence.

 Speaking during a session hosted by the Atlantic Council, Al-Basheer said Iraqis were introduced to Al-Zaidi’s candidacy with almost no public understanding of who he was politically. “We woke up one morning to headlines saying Ali Al-Zaidi would become the next prime minister,” he said. “Honestly, I had never heard of him as a politician. I only knew him as a businessman whose food products I personally buy abroad.”

 The comedian then turned the discussion into a broader indictment of Iraq’s political culture. “We know nothing about this man,” he continued. “Is he Islamist? Liberal? Atheist? Nobody knows because he has never even given an interview. We are dealing with a ghost prime minister. We do not even know what his voice sounds like. The voice we eventually hear could literally be AI.”

 Read more: Who is Ali Al-Zaidi? The businessman tapped for Iraq's premiership

 Drawing laughter from the audience, Al-Basheer mocked the media image circulated of Al-Zaidi, saying he had expected “the traditional Iraqi political figure with a thick moustache and an old-fashioned suit,” only to find someone who “looks more like your friend from a café smoking shisha than the man expected to run a country drowning in crises.”

But the sharpest part of Al-Basheer’s remarks targeted the political system itself rather than Al-Zaidi personally. He argued that Iraqi elections have steadily lost meaning because real power lies in closed-door negotiations among party leaders and regional actors.

 “Since 2005, Iraqis vote in one direction and America or Iran pushes things in another,” he said. “We exhaust ourselves with purple ink [elections] while nine political leaders sit in a room deciding who comes next. Why continue this game at all?”

 Al-Basheer described parliament as a “gold mine” for comedy, portraying lawmakers as figures driven less by policy conviction than by instructions from party leadership.

 “Our MPs suddenly become guardians of morality when a woman wearing a short skirt appears on television,” he said sarcastically. “But on oil, corruption, and stolen money, they turn into puppets waiting for WhatsApp instructions.”

 The Iraqi presenter also painted a bleak picture of media freedom inside the country, arguing that most television channels operate as extensions of political factions rather than independent institutions. “Yes, Iraq has hundreds of channels,” he said. “But they function exactly like our democracy. Every outlet attacks the rival side only until political deals are reached. Once agreements happen, the ‘freedom of expression’ disappears overnight.”

He added that his ability to criticize political figures openly was tied largely to the fact that he lives outside Iraq.

 Still, Al-Basheer surprised some attendees by saying that the era of former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki witnessed broader tolerance toward media criticism than later periods. “I criticized al-Maliki relentlessly and he never pursued me legally,” he said.

 Despite his criticism, Al-Basheer ended on a more hopeful note, saying meaningful change in Iraq would ultimately come from society itself rather than from outside intervention.

 He also recalled receiving a phone call from former Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi after Al-Abadi left office, during which Al-Abadi thanked him for exposing “the snakes” surrounding his administration, despite years of criticism directed at him on the show.

 “I once believed one sentence could change the country overnight,” he said. “Now I believe change takes time. Iraqis will eventually reclaim their country from corruption and militias, just as the October protest movement surprised all of us. No Iron Man is coming to save Iraq —Iraqis will have to do it themselves.”

 https://www.shafaq.com/en/Iraq/Ahmed-Al-Basheer-ridicules-Iraq-s-political-system-as-Al-Zaidi-nomination-fuels-criticism

A Kurdistan Democratic Party MP Told Rudaw: Oil And Gas Law Talks Between Baghdad And Erbil Have Reached The Point Of Agreement

Keywords: Oil and Gas Law   Rudaw Digital    Iraq's economy is almost 90% dependent on oil production, yet remarkably, there is still no specific law governing oil and gas. Most political parties believe that the absence of such a law has been a source of tension between Erbil and Baghdad. Enacting such a law would be key to resolving many of the issues between the two sides.

Hakim Farouk, a member of parliament from the Kurdistan Democratic Party bloc, told Rudaw Media Network that the oil and gas law has been discussed and "extensive talks have taken place, reaching the point of agreement."

For nearly two decades, the oil and gas bill in parliament has not been passed; the Kurdistan Democratic Party’s condition for participating in the new Iraqi government was the passage of this law.

Hakim Farouk, a member of parliament from the Kurdistan Democratic Party bloc, told Rudaw Media Network: “During both Ali al-Zaidi and Nechirvan Barzani’s visits to Baghdad, the oil and gas law was discussed, as well as the need to pass it as soon as possible and in the next legislative session. Many talks were held on the matter, which reached the point of agreement.”

Hakim Farouk - Member of Parliament for the Kurdistan Democratic Party bloc

 In 2007 and 2011, two different drafts of the Iraqi Oil and Gas Law were prepared, but they were not passed due to disagreements between Baghdad and Erbil, and now attempts are continuing once again to amend them.

 Shaker Mahmoud Abu Turab, a member of parliament from the Fatah Alliance, told Rudaw Media Network that "there are many problems that need to be amended, and this will become apparent when they are presented and discussed. They are currently in the drawers of the House of Representatives.

We - the Badr Bloc - have two important laws as our priorities: the Popular Mobilization Forces Law and the Oil and Gas Law. There are other laws, but these two are the most important."

Shaker Mahmoud Abu Turab - Member of Parliament for the Fatah Alliance

 The draft currently in the Iraqi parliament is the 2011 draft law consisting of 49 articles; according to the principles of this draft, the “Federal Council for Oil and Gas” must be formed, which is responsible for determining oil policy in Iraq, and the Kurdistan Region will have a representative in it at the level of a minister. https://www.rudawarabia.net/arabic/middleeast/iraq/110520262

Al-Zaydi And The Dollar: Expectations Of A Breakthrough In The Exchange Market

2026-05-13 02:43 Shafaq News – Sulaymaniyah    An economic expert predicted on Wednesday that the formation of the new Iraqi government would contribute to lowering the dollar exchange rate against the dinar in local markets, noting that there was an expected “American support” that would positively affect the financial market.

Sulaymaniyah currency market spokesman Jabbar Goran told Shafaq News Agency that the resumption of government projects after the formation of the government will lead to an increase in spending in Iraqi dinars and a full return of the ministries’ activity, which will boost demand for the local currency and support the stability of the exchange rate.

He added that the United States renewed its support for the formation of the government of Prime Minister-designate Ali al-Zaidi, considering that this support gives a "positive signal" to the financial markets, provided that no new tensions or wars occur in the region.

He explained that there was confusion surrounding the news regarding the "stopping of dollar transfers" from the United States to Iraq, indicating that Baghdad had requested the transfer of part of the surplus oil revenues deposited in JPMorgan Chase Bank and subject to the supervision of the US Treasury Department.

He pointed out that Iraq does not need all of its oil revenues immediately, so part of them is kept in the United States, noting that Washington informed Baghdad that it would postpone the transfer of additional funds until after the formation of the new government.

Goran predicted that the exchange rate of 100 dollars would fall to less than 150,000 dinars in the coming period, if regional conditions stabilize and there is no security or military escalation.

He stressed that the natural difference between the official price of 132,000 dinars per 100 dollars and the market price should remain within the limits of 12,000 to 13,000 dinars only. https://www.shafaq.com/ar/اقتصـاد/الزيدي-والدولار-توقعات-بانفراجة-مرتقبة-في-سوق-الصرف

Seeds of Wisdom RV and Economics Updates Wednesday Afternoon 5-13-26

Good Afternoon Dinar Recaps,

Global Inflation Shock and BRICS Tensions Accelerate Pressure on the Financial System

Rising energy prices, surging bond yields, and deepening geopolitical divisions are increasing fears of a structural shift in the global economy

Markets reacted sharply today as inflation concerns intensified, oil remained elevated above $100, and BRICS ministers prepared for emergency discussions overshadowed by the Iran conflict

 Overview (Key Points)

Global financial markets faced renewed volatility today as investors reacted to:

• Surging U.S. inflation data

• Rising Treasury and bond yields

• Elevated oil prices tied to Middle East instability

• Growing geopolitical divisions within BRICS nations

Analysts increasingly warn that the combination of persistent inflation, geopolitical fragmentation, and weakening confidence in long-term debt sustainability may accelerate structural changes already underway in the international financial system.

Key Developments

1. Inflation Surges Again as Oil Shock Spreads Through Global Markets

Fresh U.S. inflation data released today showed producer prices rising at their fastest pace since 2022, intensifying fears that the global economy may be entering another prolonged inflationary cycle.

The U.S. Producer Price Index surged 1.4% in April, significantly above expectations, while annual producer inflation climbed to 6.0%.

Markets reacted immediately:

• Treasury yields climbed sharply

• The U.S. dollar strengthened

• Bond markets sold off

• Expectations for future rate cuts declined dramatically

Investors now increasingly believe the Federal Reserve may keep interest rates elevated longer than previously expected.

2. Oil Prices Remain Above $100 Amid Hormuz Crisis

Oil markets remained highly volatile as ongoing instability involving Iran and the Strait of Hormuz continued threatening global energy flows.

Brent crude hovered near $106–$108 per barrel, while analysts warned that any further disruption to Gulf shipping lanes could rapidly trigger another major energy spike.

Although prices eased slightly during trading, markets remain extremely sensitive to developments involving:

• The Iran conflict

• Maritime security

• U.S.–China diplomacy

• Global supply disruptions

The International Energy Agency also warned that supply conditions are tightening as Middle East disruptions continue impacting production and transportation networks.

3. European Central Bank Signals More Rate Hikes

The inflation surge is no longer limited to the United States.

A Reuters poll released today showed that economists now widely expect the European Central Bank to continue raising interest rates as energy-driven inflation spreads across Europe.

The ECB is expected to raise rates again in June, with some analysts warning that inflation could remain structurally elevated if oil prices stay high.

This creates growing concerns about:

• Slowing European growth

• Rising sovereign debt costs

• Increased pressure on banking systems

• Weakening consumer demand

4. BRICS Meeting Overshadowed by Iran Conflict and Internal Divisions

The upcoming BRICS foreign ministers meeting in New Delhi is now expected to focus heavily on the economic and geopolitical fallout from the Iran war.

The expanded BRICS alliance includes:

• China

• Russia

• India

• Brazil

• South Africa

• Iran

• UAE

• Egypt

• Ethiopia

• Indonesia

However, deep divisions within the bloc are emerging as some member nations support Iran while others maintain closer ties with Gulf states and Western economies.

The conflict is increasing pressure on BRICS nations already pursuing:

• Local currency trade settlement

• Reduced dollar dependence

• Alternative payment systems

• Greater economic fragmentation from Western-led institutions

5. Global Markets Increasingly Price in Long-Term Instability

Financial markets today reflected growing concern that geopolitical instability is becoming a permanent feature of the global economy rather than a temporary disruption.

Rising inflation, elevated energy costs, and tightening monetary policy are beginning to reinforce one another across multiple regions simultaneously.

Analysts warn this environment resembles elements of previous stagflationary periods where:

• Growth slows

• Inflation remains elevated

• Debt burdens increase

• Monetary flexibility weakens

 Why It Matters

Today’s developments highlight how interconnected the modern financial system has become with geopolitics and energy security.

The combination of:

• Persistent inflation

• Rising debt costs

• Geopolitical fragmentation

• Commodity volatility

is increasing stress across both developed and emerging economies.

Why It Matters to Foreign Currency Holders

Periods of sustained inflation and geopolitical uncertainty often lead to:

• Increased currency volatility

• Pressure on reserve currencies

• Greater diversification efforts

• Rising demand for alternative settlement systems

Several nations continue exploring mechanisms designed to reduce exposure to Western financial infrastructure.

Implications for the Global Reset

• Pillar 1: Inflation and Debt Pressures Are Reshaping Monetary Policy

Central banks worldwide are increasingly constrained between controlling inflation and preventing economic slowdown.

• Pillar 2: Geopolitical Fragmentation Is Accelerating Financial Realignment

The growing divide between Western powers and emerging economic blocs continues pushing the world toward a more multipolar financial structure.

 Conclusion

Today’s inflation data, oil market volatility, and BRICS tensions reinforce the reality that the global economy is entering a period of heightened structural uncertainty.

What began as regional geopolitical instability is increasingly influencing:

• Monetary policy

• Global trade flows

• Energy security

• Currency systems

• Sovereign debt markets

As inflation, energy disruption, and geopolitical rivalry continue converging, pressure on the existing financial order is likely to intensify throughout 2026.

Seeds of Wisdom Team
Newshounds News™ Exclusive

Sources

• Reuters — “Global equities rise modestly with the dollar, bond yields as US inflation soars”

• Reuters — “Iran war to cast a shadow on BRICS foreign ministers meeting in Delhi”

~~~~~~~~~~

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