News, Rumors and Opinions Monday 7-13-2026
KTFA:
Clare: Al-Zaidi Heads to US to Transition Ties into Long-Term Economic Partnership
Iraqi Government Spokesperson Haider al-Aboudi
Daban Mohammed 7/12/2026
Government spokesperson Haider al-Aboudi announced that Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faeh al-Zaidi will lead a high-level delegation to the United States on Monday to sign key memorandums of understanding in the oil and gas sectors.
Al-Zaidi will be accompanied by several cabinet ministers, the Central Bank Governor, and private investors from the energy and banking sectors.
Channel8 earlier reported that the delegation will discuss key security, economic, and banking issues with U.S. officials, with a central focus on drawing American investments into Iraq's oil, electricity, and natural gas sectors.
Al-Zaidi previously stated that his trip to Washington is "not just a routine protocol visit" and that Iraq "prioritizes American companies" as it actively pivots from military to economic ties.
Al-Aboudi: Al-Zaidi's US Visit to Prioritize Balanced Ties
Al-Aboudi told a press conference on Sunday that the visit aims to build balanced foreign relations based on mutual interests, noting that al-Zaidi will hold crucial meetings with President Trump and financial institutions to turn these dialogues into real progress.
He stressed that the visit aims to strengthen ties with Washington, with discussions focusing primarily on developing economic and investment relations.
Al-Aboudi highlighted that the visit aims to boost Iraq's regional presence by prioritizing talks with the U.S. on economic cooperation, development, and investment in the energy, trade, and technology sectors.
Economic Partnership and Focus on Energy and Framework Integrity
The spokesperson noted that unlike previous visits, "its primary theme is the economy," emphasizing that all new agreements will remain fully based on the existing Strategic Framework Agreement.
He emphasized that upcoming Iraq-U.S. energy agreements will bring in specialized American firms to boost oil and gas production and build alternative export routes to avoid the Strait of Hormuz crisis.
Haider al-Aboudi further emphasized that the bilateral dynamic will transition from "crisis management to a long-term economic partnership." LINK
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Clare: Iraq’s prime minister: Why I’m coming to Washington
My government is disarming militias, strengthening the rule of law and opening the country to American investment.
July 12, 2026 at 7:15 a.m. EDTToday at 7:15 a.m. EDT
Iraqi lawmakers at a parliamentary session in which Prime Minister-designate Ali al-Zaidi received a vote of confidence in Baghdad on May 14. (Murtadha Al-Sudani/Anadolu/Getty Images)
By Ali al-Zaidi
Ali al-Zaidi is the prime minister of the Republic of Iraq.
Iraq is experiencing a defining moment of national reform, one long anticipated by every segment of society. It has been a difficult road since the transformation of 2003 and the end of dictatorship. Iraqis have striven to rebuild institutions, fight terrorism and reinforce the country’s unity.
Since being sworn into office in May, my priority has been to build the kind of state that all Iraqis can be proud of. I lead a government committed to ensuring that the state possesses the legitimate monopoly on the use of force. In less than 60 days, my government has made progress on disarming a significant number of armed groups and opening the door for their integrating into state institutions. And I have worked on strengthening the rule of law and providing opportunities and essential services.
I have also made a firm commitment to the Iraqi people that Sept. 30 — the date marking the end of the Coalition forces’ mission in Iraq — will also mark the beginning of a new phase of ambitious partnership with the United States.
This week, I will be traveling to Washington, where I look forward to meaningfully deepening that partnership. I want to move the relationship beyond crisis management to opportunity creation — particularly opportunities that have a measurable economic impact. In my meeting with President Donald Trump, I will present concrete ways in which we can make that vision a reality.
President Trump prioritizes results. I share that same approach. Our discussions will focus on investment. We want leading American companies to consider opportunities in developing Iraq’s infrastructure, its energy sector, manufacturing, technology and digital economy.
Iraq will do its part in pushing through vital reforms. My experience in business has taught me that global confidence, stability, clarity of vision and an attractive investment climate are necessary for transforming aspirations into tangible economic progress.
At the same time, regional stability is vital for my country’s development. Iraq possesses the resources to become a leading economic hub in the region, with one of the world’s largest proven oil reserves, abundant natural resources, a capable workforce and a substantial domestic market. The U.S. is indispensable for advancing international peace and expanding trust and cooperation between Iraq and its neighbors.
Conflicts and wars only widen the circle of those who suffer while diminishing opportunities for the development that underpins prosperity.
Iraq, too, can be a partner for regional stability. I will also be discussing ways to advance the Strategic Framework Agreement and expand cooperation in education, training and technology transfer, as well as the continued development of Iraq’s security capabilities to protect our people’s achievements.
Iraqis have endured war, dictatorship and terrorism. Today, they understand that the time has come to write a new chapter in Iraq’s relationship with the world and with its strategic partners, one founded on integration into the global economic and financial system. I carry to the United States a message of confidence: that a sovereign Iraq stands apart from regional alignments and conflicts, and chooses instead the path of development, with an open hand extended to its friends.
Great nations are not shaped by chance. They are built through a conscious determination that seizes the right historical moment when hope is joined to wisdom, and through leadership that chooses to build bridges to the future. That is the choice Iraqis have made. I look forward to realizing that future with our American friends.
Courtesy of Dinar Guru: https://www.dinarguru.com/
Frank26 Pips are partial movements of a currency rate. Two days before the 10th we saw that the dinar was gaining value against the dollar in the street markets. Yesterday we saw it wasn't doing so much [going up] but it was jumping all over. Then today...the IQD is slightly up. I don't care if it's slightly. It's going up. We need to see the direction to be upward like walking up a staircase...I'm extremely excited that what we wanted to see, we're seeing.
Militia ManASYCUDA system is a big deal because it's going to support the value or REER (Real Effective Exchange Rate) on into the future. Their focus is on non-oil revenues diversification...
Walkingstick [Iraqi bank friend Aki update] AKI: Zaidi already knows what Trump is going to talk to him about. He's going to talk to him about the movements about [the dinar] on the global market scale now because it has started dedollarizing on the 10th of July...Trump feels Iraq still owes the United States some money...Trump is being bold...
Jeff We at the civilian level will have 90-days to exchange. Countries, central banks, will not have to adhere to the 90-days. Don't confuse central banks with you and I at the civilian level. We will have a 90-day period to get them turned in most likely because they've already done that twice in Iraq. The central banks won't have to adhere to 90 days. The central banks will use it under Basil III compliance to asset back their currency values. Central banks and governments are different than you and I...at the civilian level. Don't mix those two up.
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'10 TIMES Higher' - What SILVER Will Do as Fiat Collapse Accelerates: Alasdair Macleod
Commodity Culture: 7-12-2026
Alasdair Macleod thinks that those sitting on the sidelines hoping for a further drop in the silver price are playing a dangerous game because when silver does move, it moves fast, and as the continued decay of fiat currencies accelerates, the price move up ahead for silver could be legendary.
00:00 Introduction 01:05 Silver is Going Much Higher 03:26 6th Year of Silver Deficit 10:15 China's Silver and Gold Production 12:14 New Hong Kong Gold System 19:50 End of Paper Gold in China 23:26 Energy Crisis and Gold Price 32:15 GDP - The Real Story 40:17 Rise of the Surveillance State