Iraq Economic News and Points To Ponder Wednesday Evening 2-18-26
Sunni Sovereignty Alliance Expects Al-Maliki To Withdraw Amid US Sanctions Threat
2026-02-18 Shafaq News- Baghdad The Sovereignty Alliance, led by Khamis Al-Khanjar, on Wednesday said it expects State of Law Coalition (SLC) leader Nouri Al-Maliki to withdraw his nomination for prime minister.
Fahd Al-Rashed, a senior figure in the Sunni alliance, told Shafaq News that Al-Maliki is expected to step aside “given his long political history and his concern for the country’s interests.”
“We have no objection to Al-Maliki personally,” Al-Rashed added, “but we fear the repercussions of US reservations over the candidate, including threats of economic sanctions.”
Meanwhile, a source told Shafaq News that the Shiite Coordination Framework (CF), parliament’s largest bloc that includes the SLC, is heading toward a “decisive” meeting in the coming hours to settle its prime ministerial nominee, after a US message was delivered yesterday to one of the Framework’s leaders urged that the issue be resolved within 48 hours. The CF later sought, through an intermediary, a five-day extension to the deadline, which now expires on Thursday.
The CF remains divided over former prime minister Al-Maliki’s candidacy, with some leaders pushing for his withdrawal to preserve unity and others backing his nomination. Earlier today, the US State Department told Shafaq News that Washington’s position remains “firm and resolute” regarding Al-Maliki’s nomination, warning that his selection would compel the United States to reassess its relationship with Iraq.
Acting US chargé d’affaires in Iraq Joshua Harris also pledged to use “all available tools” to counter Iran-linked activities threatening Iraq’s stability, while noting that Iraqi leaders are working to develop a political framework that prioritizes national interests.
Read more: Nouri Al-Maliki’s return rekindles Iraq’s divisions as Iran and the US pull apart
US Warns Of Diplomatic Rupture Over Al-Maliki PM Candidacy
2026-02-18 Shafaq News- Washington The United States on Wednesday reaffirmed its opposition to former Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki’s bid to return as Iraq’s premier, warning that advancing his candidacy could trigger serious diplomatic repercussions.
Asked by Shafaq News correspondent about reports of a US “deadline” for withdrawing Al-Maliki and whether American policy had shifted, a State Department spokesperson stressed that President Donald Trump’s position remains firm: selecting Al-Maliki would force the US to reassess its relationship with Iraq.
He outlined three key priorities guiding the stance: “ending the dominance of Iran-backed militias in Iraqi politics,” reducing Tehran’s hold over state institutions, and building economic partnerships with allies aligned with Washington’s objectives.
The Shiite Coordination Framework (CF), representing more than 185 of Iraq’s 329 parliamentary seats, nominated Al-Maliki as its candidate for prime minister; he previously led two governments from 2006 to 2014.
Earlier, a source informed Shafaq News that Al-Maliki rejects reports of a potential withdrawal from the race for Iraq’s premiership, noting that no CF meeting was scheduled to reassess his nomination.
Trump has publicly opposed Al-Maliki’s potential return to office, asserting that Iraq would have “zero chance of success, prosperity, or freedom” under his administration and warning that Washington “will no longer help Iraq” if he is chosen. For Shafaq News, Mostafa Hashem, Washington D.C.
Read more: Nouri Al-Maliki’s return rekindles Iraq’s divisions as Iran and the US pull apart
https://www.shafaq.com/en/Iraq/US-warns-of-diplomatic-rupture-over-Al-Maliki-PM-candidacy
Coordination Framework: The Blocs' Positions Have "Changed" And The Next Phase Will Witness The Birth Of A "Strong Government"
Baghdad Today – Baghdad A leader in the Coordination Framework, Amer Al-Fayez, confirmed on Wednesday (February 18, 2026) that the Framework’s forces are proceeding with the formation of a “strong” government capable of meeting the requirements of the current stage and serving the citizen, indicating that the process of forming the government will not depend on the participation of former Speaker of Parliament Mohammed Al-Halbousi and his party or their non-participation, “as this is their decision, and their opinion is respected whether they choose to participate or remain outside the formation.”
The winner told Baghdad Today that “the framework is not afraid of the issue of the blocking third related to the election of the President of the Republic, according to which it will proceed with assigning Nouri al-Maliki to form the government,” explaining that “some blocs had reservations after assigning al-Maliki, but their positions have changed today, and thus the process will move forward as soon as the Kurdish forces agree among themselves on a candidate for the position of President of the Republic.”
He added that "the political experience in Iraq has proven that there are no final constants in positions, and that positions are subject to change according to new data and understandings, and this makes the way clear for the formation of the next government if the issue of the presidency of the republic is settled between the Kurdish forces."
During previous sessions, the process of electing the president of the republic witnessed repeated setbacks due to the conflict of the Kurdish parties over the position on the one hand, and the disagreements between the Shiite and Sunni blocs over the form of the next government on the other hand, as the constitution requires the presence of two-thirds of the members of the House of Representatives to hold a session to elect the president, which gave the major blocs a tool of pressure by disrupting the quorum at crucial moments.
On more than one political occasion, the so-called "blocking third" was used to obstruct the election of the President of the Republic and postpone the resolution of the issue of the Prime Ministership, whether by forces seeking to impose their conditions in the negotiation, or parties trying to prevent specific candidates from reaching power, which plunged the country into crises of political vacuum that lasted for months and affected the economic and service conditions.
Today, the Coordination Framework, according to statements by its leaders, is trying to present a different picture based on reassuring its audience that the constitutional path will not be held again at the obstacle of the third, while betting that the Kurdish parties will reach an internal settlement on the presidential candidate, which would open the door to assigning Maliki and forming a new government, even if Halbousi and his party choose to position themselves in the opposition instead of participating in power. Baghdad Today + Agencies https://baghdadtoday.news/293502-.html
Washington Pledges To Counter “Iran’s Destabilizing Activities" In Iraq
2026-02-18 Shafaq News- Baghdad The US will use “all available tools” to counter Iranian activities that threaten Iraq’s stability, the US chargé d’affaires in Iraq, Joshua Harris, vowed on Wednesday, regarding Iraq’s ongoing government formation deliberations.
In a statement posted on the US Embassy’s official account on X, Harris said he consulted with leaders in the Kurdistan Region to advance the shared interests of safeguarding Iraqi sovereignty, bolstering regional stability, and strengthening economic ties, reaffirming the US commitment to “supporting a fully sovereign, stable, and prosperous Iraq, as well as a robust and enduring US partnership with the Iraqi Kurdistan Region, to deliver concrete benefits for Americans and Iraqis. “
U.S. Consulate General Erbil @USCGERBIL
CDA Harris consulted with leaders in the IKR to advance the shared interests of safeguarding Iraqi sovereignty, bolstering regional stability, and strengthening economic ties. He reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to supporting a fully sovereign, stable, and prosperous Iraq, as well as a robust and enduring U.S. partnership with the Iraqi Kurdistan Region, to deliver concrete benefits for Americans and Iraqis.
Regarding Iraq’s ongoing government formation deliberations, CDA Harris reiterated U.S. readiness to use the full range of tools to counter Iran’s destabilizing activities in Iraq as Iraqi leaders work to advance a political framework that is fully independent and able to put Iraq’s own interests first.
Harris met in Erbil with President Nechirvan Barzani, where both addressed Washington’s ties with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, as well as the trajectory of Iraq’s political process, according to a statement from the Kurdistan Region Presidency. He also met with Leader Masoud Barzani, who stressed the need to end the “unimportant deal” with the Kurdish nation on the subject of budget and other issues by the next government in Baghdad.
Earlier, a US Department of State spokesperson stressed, in an interview with Shafaq News, that President Donald Trump’s position remains firm: selecting Al-Maliki would force the US to reassess its relationship with Iraq, outlining three key priorities guiding the stance: “ending the dominance of Iran-backed militias in Iraqi politics, reducing Tehran’s hold over state institutions, and building economic partnerships with allies aligned with Washington’s objectives.”
https://www.shafaq.com/en/Iraq/Washington-pledges-to-counter-Iran-s-destabilizing-activities-in-Iraq
The Prime Minister And Members Of The Badr Bloc Stress The Need To Work With A Unified Vision To Complete The Constitutional Entitlements
Baghdad – Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani and members of the House of Representatives from the Badr parliamentary bloc stressed on Wednesday the need to work with a unified vision and shared responsibility to complete the constitutional entitlements.
The Prime Minister's Media Office said in a statement received by the Iraqi News Agency (WAA) that "Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani received members of the House of Representatives from the Badr parliamentary bloc, where they exchanged congratulations on the occasion of the holy month of Ramadan."
The statement added that "the meeting discussed the developments and developments of the general situation in the country, and stressed the importance of working in the spirit of national partnership and strengthening the parliamentary role, through the legislation of laws that support investment and strategic projects, in a way that contributes to stimulating economic growth, enhancing stability and sustaining the development renaissance."
He pointed out that "the need to work with a unified vision and shared responsibility was stressed to complete the constitutional entitlements
and form a government that is capable of completing the process of reconstruction and economic renaissance, in a way that meets the aspirations of the Iraqi people and provides the supreme interest of the country."