Iraq Economic News and Points To Ponder Sunday Afternoon 2-22-26
Al-Maliki Pledges Global Partnerships Under Iraqi Sovereignty
2026-02-22 / 10:15 Shafaq News- Baghdad State of Law Coalition leader Nouri Al-Maliki affirmed on Sunday Iraq’s openness to solid international partnerships with the United States and Europe, noting that “Baghdad’s hand is extended” for regional and global cooperation.
In a post on X, Al-Maliki framed this stance as a national duty, stressing the importance of strengthening Iraq’s political process and investing in the country’s infrastructure, education, energy, and public services. He also insisted that Iraq’s identity is “purely Iraqi,” noting that decisions are made in the best interest of its people.
X Nouri Al-Maliki @nourialmalikiiq
Our national responsibility towards our people and our homeland #Iraq compels us to strive and dedicate our expertise to correcting and strengthening the course of the political process.
We believe in a democratic, civil Iraq that is open to solid international partnerships such as the United States and Europe, where economic relations with them will bring about a revolution in expanding and deepening infrastructure, education, service development, and energy.
We affirm that our identity is purely Iraqi, based on the will of our Iraqi people, and that our decision stems first and foremost from the interest of our people.
And our hand is extended for regional and international cooperation and integration for the benefit of the peoples of the countries of the region and the world.
The remarks come amid a split within the Shiite Coordination Framework (CF), Iraq’s largest parliamentary bloc, over whether Al-Maliki should remain its candidate for the country’s next premier.
Earlier today, several sources informed Shafaq News that Al-Maliki insisted any decision to withdraw his nomination for prime minister must be made by a majority vote within the CF, framing voluntary withdrawal as “yielding to US pressure.” According to the sources, some figures within the CF are using intermediaries to encourage a withdrawal without public attribution, while others are mobilizing support to secure enough backing for a majority vote at a meeting expected within hours, ahead of a US-linked deadline.
Nouri Al-Maliki’s new doctrine for power: Pragmatism over defiance?
The United States has openly opposed Al-Maliki’s potential return to office. A US State Department spokesperson indicated to Shafaq News that President Donald Trump’s position remains unchanged, cautioning that selecting Al-Maliki would prompt Washington to reassess its relationship with Iraq. The spokesperson cited concerns about the influence of Iran-backed armed factions in Iraqi politics and the need to strengthen economic partnerships aligned with US objectives.
Al-Maliki, who led the government for eight years between 2006 and 2014, has reaffirmed his commitment to his candidacy, noting that any reversal must come through a formal decision by the CF.
Read more: Nouri Al-Maliki’s return rekindles Iraq’s divisions as Iran and the US pull apart
https://www.shafaq.com/en/Iraq/Al-Maliki-pledges-global-partnerships-under-Iraqi-sovereignty
SLC, PUK Review Iraq Government Formation Amid Presidential Deadlock
2026-02-22 Shafaq News- Baghdad State of Law Coalition (SLC) leader Nouri Al-Maliki and Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) President Bafel Talabani discussed on Sunday Iraq’s political impasse and efforts to form a new government.
A statement from Al-Maliki’s office indicated that discussions addressed recent political and security developments and the need for coordination among key forces to preserve stability and reinforce state institutions. Both sides stressed resolving the presidency within constitutional mechanisms and affirmed that the premiership should go to the nominee of the Shiite Coordination Framework (CF), the largest bloc in parliament.
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The head of the State of Law Coalition, Mr. Nouri Al-Malki, receives the head of the Kurdistan National Party
The head of the State of Law Coalition, Mr. Nouri Al-Malki, was received at his office today, the head of the National Kurdistan Union Party, Mr. Pavel Talibani, and his accompanying delegation.
During the meeting, a research was conducted on the developments of the political and security situations in the country, and emphasized the importance of promoting cooperation and coordination among national forces in order to consolidate stability and support the path of the state and its constitutional institutions.
The two sides addressed the constitutional merit file, where it was emphasized the necessity of adherence to it and respecting the legal frameworks in deciding the presidential candidate and commitment to the assignment of the Atar candidate for the presidency of ministers, thereby strengthening the principle of national partnership and maintaining the democratic path.
The parties also stressed the importance of continuing constructive dialogue between different political forces, working with the spirit of national responsibility to overcome existing challenges, and achieving the aspirations of the Iraqi people in security, stability and development. The media office of Mr. Nouri Alalki 22 / February / 2026
Under Iraq’s power-sharing arrangement, the presidency is allocated to a Kurd, the premiership to a Shiite, and the speakership to a Sunni Arab. Attempts to elect a president have repeatedly failed due to divisions between the two main Kurdish parties, the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the PUK, preventing quorum.
Read more: Iraq slips into constitutional vacuum as presidential deadlock drags on
Parliament Speaker Haibet Al-Halbousi has requested a Federal Supreme Court interpretation of Article 72 (Second/B), which sets a 30-day deadline from parliament’s first session to elect a president. The deadline expired on January 28, and although sessions continue, a vote has not been scheduled due to low attendance.
A two-thirds quorum is required to elect a president, who then tasks the largest bloc with forming a cabinet. The CF remains split over Al-Maliki’s candidacy, with the head of the Al-Hikma Movement, Ammar Al-Hakim, and Asaib Ahl Al-Haq leader Qais Al-Khazali expressing reservations. International reactions, including warnings from the United States over the potential implications of his selection, have also raised concerns among some Sunni factions.
Read more: Iraq’s next Prime Minister held hostage by US-Iran standoff
https://www.shafaq.com/en/Iraq/SLC-PUK-review-Iraq-government-formation-amid-presidential-deadlock
Iraqi Capital Stands As Second-Most Populous Arab City
2026-02-22 Shafaq News- Baghdad Baghdad ranked as the second-largest Arab city by population in 2026, with over 8 million residents, according to new estimates released by World Population Review.
The report places the Iraqi capital’s population at 8,370,410, reflecting an increase of 229,290 people over the past year —an annual growth rate of 2.82%. By comparison, Baghdad had 579,167 residents in 1950.
Cairo topped the list with 23.5 million residents, while Riyadh ranked third with 8.0 million. Khartoum and Alexandria recorded 6.9 million and 5.9 million, respectively, followed by Jeddah with 5.1 million and Casablanca with 4.0 million. Sanaa was listed with 3.6 million residents, Kuwait City with 3.4 million, and Dubai rounded out the top ten with 3.1 million.
Read more: Census shock: Can Iraq’s system absorb its population explosion?
https://www.shafaq.com/en/society/Iraqi-capital-stands-as-second-most-populous-Arab-city
EIA: Iraq’s Oil Exports To US Rank Third Over Week
2026-02-22 Shafaq News- Baghdad/ Washington Iraq’s crude oil exports to the United States rose to 371,000 barrels per day (bpd) last week, ranking third among the largest suppliers, US Energy Information Administration (EIA) data showed on Sunday.
According to the data, Iraqi shipments were up 122,000 bpd from 249,000 bpd a week earlier.
Total US crude imports from ten major suppliers increased to 6.0 million bpd, up 122,000 bpd from 5.878 million bpd the previous week. Canada remained the top supplier at 3.877 million bpd, followed by Saudi Arabia with 707,000 bpd, Iraq with 371,000 bpd, Mexico with 325,000 bpd, and Colombia with 221,000 bpd.
Additional imports came from Brazil at 208,000 bpd, Libya at 191,000 bpd, Ecuador at 50,000 bpd, Venezuela at 49,000 bpd, and Nigeria at 1,000 bpd. https://www.shafaq.com/en/Economy/EIA-Iraq-s-oil-exports-to-US-rank-third-over-week