Some “Iraq News” Posted by Clare at KTFA 12-11-2025
KTFA:
Clare: American company Starlink expresses its readiness to operate satellite internet service in Iraq.
12/11/2025- Baghdad
SpaceX (Starlink), the American company specializing in networking, information and communications technology, announced on Thursday its readiness to launch satellite internet service in Iraq within a short period.
This came during a meeting between outgoing Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani and a delegation from the company, in the presence of the US Chargé d'Affaires to Iraq, Joshua Harris.
According to a statement issued by the Sudanese office, the meeting discussed the final stages of granting satellite internet licenses, including to SpaceX, and enhancing cooperation in the field of communications and the services provided by the company and its coverage areas.
The statement quoted Al-Sudani as saying that Iraq has made an important leap in attracting various international companies and securing all their requirements and needs, including satellite internet systems, to sustain their work and activities.
He emphasized the government’s interest and keenness to keep pace with the development of the world of communications and information technology, and the digital transformation through cooperation with SpaceX and its entry into the Iraqi market, which today includes many promising investment opportunities.
For its part, the SpaceX Starlink delegation expressed their keenness and interest in working, providing services and cooperation in the information technology sector, stressing that their company is ready to operate and work to provide satellite internet service within a short period, after officially obtaining a license to operate in Iraq. LINK
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Clare: Cardinal Sako: Iraqis are waiting for the birth of a new Iraq
12/11/2025
Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako stated that Iraq is a country of immense importance, not only because of its geographical location, its historical identity, its civilizations, and its wealth, but also because of the vitality of its people, their ethnic and religious diversity, and the radical thinking and creativity of its sons and daughters.
He added: After the fall of the previous regime in 2003, Iraqis aspired to a new, safe, stable, democratic, and sovereign Iraq, with a civil system that ensures equality for all citizens and places their interests above all other considerations.
However, what transpired was a system of sectarian power-sharing and tribal sheikhdoms, which paved the way for the bitter experience of ISIS, legalized corruption, spread bribery, and established militias that, over time, became more powerful than the state, driving Iraqis, especially the elite, to emigrate!
In a message, Sako stated that today, after 22 years of experience and the recent parliamentary elections, as we prepare to welcome the new year of 2026, shouldn't we seriously revisit the essence of the change that occurred in 2003 and its objectives? This should be a courageous step towards correction and reconciliation.
He emphasized that crises are not resolved by force, but rather by embracing contemporary culture—a more rational and realistic culture that prioritizes service, social, cultural, legal, and economic institutions, similar to those in developed countries—through dialogue, understanding, and the search for common ground.
He pointed to the importance of respecting the rule of law and implementing the concept of citizenship. Therefore, the current constitution should be amended to protect the rights and freedoms of all citizens as true and equal partners in the nation. He stressed the need to confine weapons to the state and make this a priority for the next government, as armed factions do not build a state. He also called for rejecting unilateralism, preoccupation with private interests, and the struggle for power and "representation." Finally, he emphasized the need for a strong and developed economy through concrete steps, serious monitoring of corruption, and the recovery of stolen funds for the state treasury.
He stressed that delaying the formation of the government does not serve the country, therefore it is imperative to expedite the formation of a new government that reflects the aspirations of the Iraqi people—a government that is sovereign and decisive, capable of restoring Iraq's well-being and prestige, a government that strives to implement justice, equality, and integrity, and to address failures and crises and provide services through actions, not promises. LINK
Clare: Starting in 2026… the Ministry of Finance will suspend appointments, bonuses, and promotions pending the federal budget.
12/11/2024
The Iraqi Ministry of Finance issued an official directive to all ministries, non-ministerial entities, and governorates, stressing the strict adherence to the spending powers specified in the Federal General Budget Law for the year 2021, and preventing the creation of any new financial obligations outside the approved allocations.
The ministry stated in a document that the powers based on the provisions of Article (13/Second) of the Financial Management Law No. 6 of 2019 confirm the necessity of adopting spending in accordance with the financial ceilings contained in the budget without exceeding them, noting that the allocations were confirmed according to national and international reports without any amendment to the operational or investment budget chapters.
The government directive included a number of restrictions, most notably:
• Prohibiting transfers between chapters and sections of the operational or investment budget.
• Banning new contracts outside of approved financial allocations.
• Prohibiting funding for investment projects not included in the 2021 budget.
• Requiring ministries to submit a detailed monthly report on actual spending and remaining allocations.
The ministry stressed that any government entity that enters into contracts or commits to funding outside of the allocated funds will bear full legal responsibility, in accordance with the applicable Financial Management and Public Budget Law.
According to experts, this tightening comes within the framework of the government's attempts to impose fiscal discipline and prevent inflation of expenditures, especially with the continued economic pressures facing the country. LINK
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Clare: The Securities Authority affirms its commitment to enhancing the investment environment in line with international standards.
12/11/2025 Baghdad (INA)
The Securities Authority announced on Thursday the importance of strengthening frameworks for joint cooperation with the Union of Arab Securities Authorities, while pointing to the importance of enhancing the investment environment in accordance with the best international standards.
A statement issued by the commission and received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA) stated that "the Iraqi Securities Commission and the Iraq Stock Exchange received the Secretary-General of the Union of Arab Securities Authorities, Jalil Tarif, on an official visit during which he affirmed the Union's keenness to enhance joint cooperation with the two parties in a way that serves the development of the securities sector in Iraq and the Arab region."
He explained that “during the meeting, ways to develop cooperation in the areas of regulation, supervision and capacity building were discussed, in addition to strengthening the legislative and regulatory environment that supports the capital market. Joint training programs were also discussed, through which the Federation seeks to raise the efficiency of employees and enhance their skills in supervision, control and regulation of markets.”
The head of the Iraqi Securities Commission, Faisal Al-Haimas, affirmed that "this visit represents an important opportunity to strengthen the frameworks of joint cooperation with the Union of Arab Securities Authorities," noting "the Commission's keenness to expand the horizons of partnership in a way that contributes to raising the efficiency of regulatory performance and enhancing the investment environment in Iraq in accordance with the best international standards."
For his part, Secretary-General Jalil Tarif explained that "the Union is ready to support the Authority and the market in all areas of cooperation, including training, exchange of experiences, and learning about the best regional and international practices, in order to enhance the efficiency of the market's performance and maintain the protection of investors."
The Iraqi Securities Commission and the Iraq Stock Exchange appreciated the visit of Secretary-General Jalil Tarif, stressing that “this cooperation represents a fundamental pillar in developing the Iraqi capital market and enhancing its role at the regional and Arab levels, in a way that achieves the Commission’s goals of improving governance, transparency and regulatory efficiency.” LINK