Sunday News Posted by Tishwash at TNT 8-30-2026
TNT:
Tishwash: Venezuela is considering leaving OPEC.
Informed sources reported on Friday that Venezuela is seriously considering withdrawing from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). They revealed that this issue was the focus of recent discussions between Venezuelan and American officials, though no official decision has yet been reached.
These developments come at a time when Venezuela's oil influence in global energy markets has clearly diminished, following years of economic sanctions and internal turmoil that have reduced its production to less than half of the levels recorded a decade ago. This decline is also attributed to the rise of new competitors and the increasing supply of shale oil, as well as the giant discoveries in Guyana and Brazil.
Economic observers believe that Caracas’s move to leave will reinforce concerns about the organization’s cohesion and its strategic ability to control and balance oil prices, especially as it comes in the wake of the UAE’s withdrawal months ago, and the escalating wave of criticism from other members, including Iraq, which puts the future of the “OPEC+” alliance to major tests.
It is worth noting that Venezuela is one of the five founding members of OPEC, which was launched in Baghdad in 1960, and played a pivotal role in formulating and establishing the OPEC+ alliance with Russia in 2016. link
Tishwash: Al-Zidi's cabinet is nearing completion; Parliament prepares to vote on nine ministerial portfolios.
Najat Al-Tai, a leader in the Al-Azm Alliance, confirmed on Saturday that the vote on the remaining ministerial portfolios in Ali Al-Zidi’s government will be decided during the next week or the week after at the latest, while she indicated that her alliance had submitted its candidates for two ministries that it was entitled to.
Al-Ta’i explained in her interview with Al-Ma’louma that “the recent meetings that brought together representatives of the important political parties in the Iraqi scene resulted in important agreements, most notably the agreement to proceed with the vote on nine ministerial portfolios in Ali Al-Zidi’s government,” expecting that “a session of the House of Representatives will be scheduled during the next week or the week after, and a vote will be held on the candidates for the nine ministries.”
She added that "the Al-Azm Alliance has submitted its candidates for the Ministries of Planning and Culture, as they are its entitlement," denying "the bloc's backtracking on its entitlement, as it is an agreement that was signed by all political parties during the consultations to form Ali Al-Zidi's government."
Al-Ta'i confirmed that "the coming days will be crucial in completing Ali al-Zaidi's cabinet and resolving the issue of the remaining ministerial portfolios." link
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Tishwash: Iraq Prepares for US-Led Coalition Withdrawal by September 30
At a Glance
The Iraqi government remains firm on completing the withdrawal of coalition forces by September 30, 2026.
The Kurdistan Region is urgently requesting advanced air defense systems to counter persistent drone and missile threats.
Coalition financial support for the Peshmerga will cease post-withdrawal, transitioning solely to training, logistics, and reform assistance.
A specialized federal committee has been formed to structure bilateral military coordination, with evacuated bases transferring to Peshmerga control.
In a statement, sources confirmed that federal and regional authorities are actively negotiating security arrangements ahead of the scheduled September 30 deadline for ending the coalition's military mission in Iraq.
Key Statements and Focus Area
Regional Security Demands: Kurdistan Region Interior Minister Rebar Ahmed emphasized that ongoing talks with Baghdad and Washington focus on securing advanced air defense systems to prevent security vacuums left by departing coalition assets.
Peshmerga Assistance Shifts: Former Peshmerga Ministry Secretary-General Jabar Yawar noted that while direct financial stipends will end after September 30, technical, logistical, and reform-oriented backing will persist.
Base Handovers: Joint Operations Command spokesperson Sabah Noman stated that Prime Minister Ali Zeidi ordered a specialized committee to oversee future relations, ensuring that military outposts vacated by coalition forces are handed over directly to the Peshmerga.
The transition marks a pivotal turning point in Iraq's defense posture, shifting from international coalition-led operations to bilateral security frameworks. Both federal and regional commanders continue to evaluate logistical requirements to maintain counter-terrorism readiness and airspace protection.
FYI
The US-led coalition has operated in Iraq since 2014 under an invitation from the Iraqi government to support military campaigns against ISIS. The upcoming 2026 transition represents a complete pivot toward bilateral defense cooperation, focusing on institutional reform, intelligence sharing, and specialized tactical training. link
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Tishwash: Washington outlines its partnership with Baghdad: An Iraq free of terrorism and weapons in the hands of the state.
A spokesman for the US State Department confirmed on Sunday that Iraq has begun a new path under the leadership of Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, and in full partnership with the United States.
The ministry spokesman told Shafaq News Agency that "Washington, as emphasized by US President Donald Trump during his meeting with Prime Minister al-Zaidi on the historic visit on July 14, strongly supports the Iraqi government's vision for a better and brighter future for all Iraqis, free from terrorism."
He added that "the United States clearly supports efforts to prevent the execution or launching of any attacks from within or through Iraqi territory," noting that "proceeding with the process of controlling and restricting weapons to the state is a fundamental pillar for enhancing security and stability in Iraq."
The spokesman explained that "restricting weapons to the state would reduce the threats that armed factions and groups may pose, and create a stable security environment that would allow for building a strong and mutually beneficial partnership between Baghdad and Washington."
The issue of armed factions is one of the most sensitive issues facing the Iraqi government, with the approach of September 30, which the main political forces have set as the deadline for restricting weapons to official institutions.
The State Administration Coalition, which includes the most prominent Shiite, Sunni and Kurdish political forces, stressed during its meeting on August 5 the need to restrict weapons to the state, and considered the parties that carry out activities that threaten the security of the country outside the framework of official institutions as “outlaws and must be fought.”
The coalition warned that any armed activity outside the framework of the state after September 30 would be dealt with according to the anti-terrorism law.
Following this, Iraqi security and military forces raised their readiness level throughout the country, and the leave of a number of commanders and officers was cancelled, while security agencies began implementing field movements and exercises in anticipation of any emergency or friction that might develop into an armed confrontation.
Last week, Baghdad witnessed hours of security tension coinciding with threats by armed factions to retaliate against Saudi Arabia after strikes targeted Popular Mobilization Forces sites, before it ended with contacts and a dawn meeting between Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zubaidi and Badr Organization leader Hadi al-Amiri, which led to a mutual calming and opened the way for diplomatic action to address the crisis.
Al-Amiri later called on the "Islamic Resistance" factions to postpone any military response against Saudi Arabia and to prioritize "Iraq's higher interest," but he returned and stressed during a meeting with a number of Popular Mobilization Forces leaders the importance of maintaining a high level of readiness.
The plan to restrict weapons does not have a unified stance from the armed factions.
While some forces expressed a willingness to reorganize their military and security relationship with the state, other factions, including Kataib Hezbollah, Harakat al-Nujaba and Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada, announced their refusal to relinquish their military capabilities, and linked any discussion about their weapons to the end of the presence of foreign forces and ensuring the protection of Iraq from external attacks.
September 30th also coincides with the deadlines related to ending the international coalition's military presence in Iraq, which some factions use as a basis for linking the future of their weapons to the withdrawal of foreign forces. link
Tishwash: Iraq Orders Seizure of Assets Belonging to 12 MPs and Former PM Adviser
The Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) announced on Saturday that a court has ordered the seizure of the movable and immovable assets of 12 members of parliament and an adviser to the former Iraqi prime minister in connection with corruption investigations.
In a letter sent to state-owned and private banks and reviewed by PUKMEDIA, the bank said the Karkh Investigation Court, which handles integrity cases, issued the order on 27 August 2026.
The order requires banks to freeze the accounts, funds and shares belonging to those named in the decision and to prohibit any financial transactions involving them.
The individuals named in the order include MPs Alia Nassif Jassim al-Obeidi, Muthanna Abdul Samad al-Samarrai, Ashwaq Salem al-Jubouri, Bahaa Nouri Mohammed, Hind Mohammed Saleh al-Abbasi, Mudhar Maan Saleh, Ziad Tariq al-Janabi, Abdul Rahman Hassan Khalid and Mohammed Farman al-Jubouri.
The list also includes former MPs Bushra Rajab al-Qaisi and Mohammed Saadoun al-Sudani, as well as Ibrahim Mohammed Abbas, an adviser to the former prime minister.
The Ministry of Finance has instructed relevant ministries and government departments, including the Ministries of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, as well as the Real Estate Registration, Traffic and Taxation authorities, to take the necessary measures to implement the court order and freeze the assets of those named.
The decision follows a large-scale security operation, dubbed “Operation Dawn”, launched in the early hours of 28 June 2026. According to statements issued by the relevant authorities at the time, the operation resulted in the arrest of several individuals named in the case over alleged corruption-related offences.
Iraq launched an aggressive, high-profile anti-corruption campaign dubbed Operation Dawn (Sawlat Al-Fajr) under Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi. The sweeping drive has targeted senior government officials, lawmakers, and business figures, resulting in the recovery of over $300 million in hidden cash and hundreds of kilograms of gold.
Iraqi authorities have recovered over 295 billion Iraqi dinars, $44.9 million and 484 kilograms of gold in connection with the corruption investigation involving Adnan al-Jumaili. Authorities have also seized commercial properties, flour mills, transport trucks, vehicles and other assets linked to the case.
The latest seizure is part of one of Iraq’s largest corruption investigations in recent years. Al-Jumaili previously served as the Oil Ministry’s undersecretary for refining affairs and as general manager of the North Refineries Company, which oversees the Baiji refinery. He was removed as head of the North Refineries Company in late May and replaced by Qusay Khalaf.
Iraqi security forces arrested al-Jumaili on 30 May near al-Ishaqi in Saladin province, shortly after his removal from the refinery post and days after Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi ordered a broad review of government contracts signed under previous administrations. Around $11 million was reportedly found in his possession at the time of his arrest.
Investigators subsequently reported a series of additional seizures linked to the case. In early July, authorities said they had recovered more than 100 billion Iraqi dinars, tens of millions of dollars, gold, property and dozens of vehicles. Some of the assets were reportedly concealed inside plastic water bottles and the walls of properties linked to al-Jumaili in Tikrit. By July 6, the Supreme Judicial Council said the total value of funds seized in the case had reached $121 million.
On 13 July, the Supreme Judicial Council announced the recovery of 358 kilograms of gold directly linked to the al-Jumaili case, in coordination with the Kurdistan Region and under the supervision of Council Chief Justice Faiq Zaidan. A further 17 kilograms was seized the same day in a related but separate investigation, bringing the total recovered that day to 375 kilograms.
Separately, an investigative court specialising in integrity cases in Nineveh ordered the seizure of nine commercial properties, three flour mills and seven transport trucks in Mosul in connection with the investigation. Further seizures, including around 25 billion Iraqi dinars as well as additional gold and cash, were reported in mid and late July. link