Thursday Iraq News Posted by Tishwash at TNT 10-15-2026
TNT:
Tishwash: A conditional "green light"... Has Washington approved al-Zaidi's government?
The completion of the government formation and the entry of figures affiliated with armed factions into the race for portfolios and positions has revived the debate about the future of those forces after the withdrawal of US forces, and the limits of Washington’s influence on Iraqi political decision-making, coinciding with demands to strengthen air defenses and take international action against any violation of the country’s sovereignty.
Kato Saadallah, a researcher in American affairs, believes, in a statement followed by (Al-Mada), that the administration of US President Donald Trump is no longer interested in direct intervention in Iraqi political affairs after the withdrawal of its forces, noting the absence of a current memorandum of understanding between the governments of Baghdad and Washington regarding the formation of the government.
The United States and the international coalition forces had announced the end of Operation Inherent Resolve and the completion of the withdrawal of their forces and equipment from Iraq on September 30, 2026.
Saadallah believes that the participation of figures affiliated with armed factions in the new cabinet can be interpreted as a shift from armed action to political activity, considering that forces, including Asaib Ahl al-Haq, have shown a willingness to respond to Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi’s call to engage in state institutions.
He added that Washington’s future dealings with Baghdad will not be determined solely by the names and affiliations of ministers, but rather by the actions taken by the government and its ability to build trust-based relationships with the United States, neighboring countries, and the Gulf.
He stressed that the main challenge facing the government is to prove the independence of its decision-making and its sovereignty, and its ability to manage the country’s affairs away from the interference of external parties.
Talk of an "American condition"
In contrast, political analyst Nizar Haidar believes that granting government portfolios and positions to figures affiliated with the factions is part of an attempt to push them to disarm and abandon their previous military approach.
Haider said, in a statement followed by (Al-Mada), that there is an American condition stipulating that representatives of the factions should not assume security ministerial positions, even if they give up weapons, expecting that Al-Zaidi’s government will remain under American monitoring to verify its commitment to the understandings related to limiting weapons.
He claimed that the visit of US presidential envoy Tom Barrack to Baghdad included clarifying Washington’s position and giving a “green light” to the coordination framework and the prime minister to complete the government according to those conditions.
Neither the Iraqi nor the American governments have officially announced the existence of this condition or granted American approval for the completion of the ministerial formation, which keeps Haider's statement within the framework of political analysis that is not officially confirmed.
Haider compared the possible path to what he described as the “Syrian version,” arguing that integrating armed groups into state institutions and granting them political representation could be used as a means to dismantle their formations and change their previous ideology.
He added that the approach, in his estimation, is not only aimed at disarming, but also at redirecting the role of those forces from armed action and confrontation with the United States to political and institutional activity.
Calls to protect sovereignty
For his part, former MP Bassem Al-Gharibawi said, in statements followed by (Al-Mada), that confronting violations of sovereignty does not fall on the government alone, but requires a unified stance from political forces and parties towards any violation of Iraqi airspace or territory.
He called for official action and recourse to the United Nations to file complaints about the violations, and not to be satisfied with political stances and statements of condemnation.
He added that national sovereignty includes protecting airspace and territory and the independence of security and economic decisions, which allows the state to make its decisions away from external pressures.
Al-Gharibawi warned of the weakness of the air defense systems and their inability to provide full protection for Iraqi airspace, considering that the continuation of this deficiency may open the door to foreign military movements.
He stressed the need to combine the development of defense capabilities with diplomatic and legal action, along with unifying the political position to protect Iraq’s security and the independence of its decision.
Questions from Kataib Hezbollah
In a related context, Abu Mujahid al-Assaf, the security official of Kataib Hezbollah, addressed questions to the Prime Minister in a statement received by (Al-Mada) regarding his position on the American siege of Iran, Israeli policies towards the Palestinians and Lebanese, and what he described as repeated American violations of Iraqi sovereignty.
Al-Assaf wondered whether Washington had asked the Iraqi government to join the normalization process with Israel, and what Baghdad’s response would be if this issue were raised.
He also called for setting an annual day for burning American flags, in a stance that reflects the continued anti-Washington rhetoric of some factions, coinciding with political talk about integrating them into the state and ending the presence of weapons outside official institutions.
Between two interpretations, one that sees the withdrawal as having ended the stage of direct American intervention, and the other that believes Washington is still setting conditions on the formation of the government, the real test remains related to Baghdad’s ability to control weapons, protect its airspace, and manage its foreign relations with an independent decision. link
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Tishwash: The Minister of Finance discusses with the World Bank the financing of strategic projects and support for economic reforms.
Finance Minister Falih Sari met on Thursday with the World Bank Group’s Vice President for the Middle East and North Africa, Ousmane Dione, to discuss financing strategic projects and supporting economic reforms in Iraq.
A ministry statement said that “Finance Minister Falih Sari met in the Thai capital, Bangkok, with the World Bank Group’s Vice President for the Middle East and North Africa, Ousmane Dione, in the presence of the Central Bank Governor, Nizar Nasser Hussein, on the sidelines of the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group.”
He also affirmed that "the World Bank is a key partner in the path of economic and financial reforms," noting that "Iraq looks forward to benefiting from the group's expertise and financial contributions in implementing important projects within the energy, education, transportation and digital transformation sectors, in a way that supports sustainable development and raises the efficiency of services."
Othman Dioun also praised the existing coordination with the Ministry of Finance, noting that the ministry had organized mechanisms for work and communication with the World Bank, and that the group had sensed seriousness in dealing with joint files, stressing that “this paves the way for taking steps to support the economic and financial directions of Iraq during the next stage.” link
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Tishwash: Wealth Investment Management in Iraq
Iraq possesses vast natural, human, and economic resources that enable it to build a strong and diversified economy. However, the true value of these resources is not realized simply by possessing them; rather, it depends on how they are managed, invested, and transformed into productive projects that create jobs, improve services, and raise citizens' incomes.
Therefore, managing these resources becomes a national responsibility that requires sound planning, legislative stability, and cooperation between the government and the private sector.
The Iraqi government has made significant efforts to improve the investment climate by supporting major projects, developing infrastructure, and expanding economic ties with international countries and companies, while also focusing on transportation, energy, road, and new city projects. These initiatives represent a crucial step toward repositioning Iraq as a promising market and an economic hub capable of connecting the countries of the region.
The management of Iraq's wealth should not be limited to oil alone, despite its importance in financing the general budget. A portion of its revenues should be directed towards developing the agricultural, industrial, tourism, technology, and financial services sectors. Iraq possesses vast agricultural lands, important religious and archaeological sites, diverse mineral resources, and a young, capable workforce eager to learn, innovate, and establish businesses.
Attracting investment requires stable laws and swift, transparent procedures, along with providing guarantees for investors and facilitating company registration, licensing, land acquisition, and access to services. It also necessitates developing the banking system, providing project financing, expanding the use of electronic payments, and enhancing banks' capacity to finance real economic activity rather than relying on limited traditional transactions.
Conversely, the private sector has a responsibility to submit serious projects, adhere to professional standards, develop employee skills, and enter into partnerships that contribute to the transfer of knowledge and technology to Iraq. Iraqi companies can also play a greater role in project implementation, youth employment, supporting local production, and reducing reliance on imports.
Current government efforts offer a genuine opportunity to shift from managing resources to investing them, and from consumer spending to productive development. The success of these efforts requires continuity, measuring results, addressing obstacles, and strengthening trust between the state, investors, and citizens. Iraq does not lack resources; rather, it needs effective management to transform these resources into sustainable value, successful projects, equitable opportunities, and a more diversified and stable economy for future generations. link
Tishwash: After half a century of absence, President Al-Zaidi brings Iraqi shipping back to the seas and opens a new gateway for global trade
The Iraqi government, headed by Ali al-Zaidi, is preparing to reinstate the national shipping line to regional trade routes after an absence of more than half a century. This move signals a trend toward reviving the maritime transport sector and strengthening Iraq's presence in commercial shipping, coinciding with efforts to expand cooperation with Asian and Gulf countries and diversify the routes for goods reaching Iraqi ports. This will contribute to developing the transport system and reducing reliance on foreign companies.
The Ministry of Transport announced that October 15th will witness the launch of the first voyage of the Iraqi Shipping Line from the Jebel Ali port in the UAE to the Umm Qasr port in Basra Governorate. This comes after the cessation of Iraqi cargo ship activity in the region since the mid-1960s, and aims to provide a national option for transporting containers and goods and enhance
Iraq's ability to participate in regional trade.
This return comes within the Ministry of Transport’s plans to activate national carriers and develop their operational capabilities, in parallel with expanding maritime and land transport routes. The General Company for Iraqi Ports had previously announced that it was conducting talks with the Sultanate of Oman to enhance trade links between the two countries, and to facilitate the movement of goods from Omani ports to the port of Umm Qasr, with the possibility of linking these routes to the Grand Faw Port and the Development Road project.
A surge in trade activity
In this context, the spokesman for the General Company for Maritime Transport, Talib Al-Badiri, affirmed that “the ongoing moves to develop maritime transport lines and link Iraqi ports to Asian markets represent an important step to enhance foreign trade, especially in light of the challenges facing international navigation,” noting that “diversifying shipping routes and cooperating with countries that have advanced ports and transport networks would facilitate the arrival of goods to Iraq and reduce the impact of regional unrest on import and export activity.”
Al-Badiri told Iraq Observer that “strengthening trade ties with China, India, Oman, and the UAE opens up broader horizons for Iraqi ports, especially Umm Qasr Port, particularly with the move to revitalize national shipping lines and develop transport capabilities.” He explained that “the importance of these routes is not limited to receiving imported goods, but extends to the possibility of expanding export activity and enhancing Iraq’s role in regional and international trade.”
These moves reinforce the government’s efforts to capitalize on Iraq’s geographical location in building an integrated transport network linking southern ports to regional markets, especially since developing national shipping lines can give Iraqi companies additional options for transporting goods and help revitalize port operations and related logistics services.
The General Company for Iraqi Ports had previously announced the opening of a direct shipping line linking the UAE’s Rashid Port to Umm Qasr Port, and the arrival of the first ship on this route last December, indicating expanding maritime cooperation with the UAE. The anticipated return of the Iraqi shipping line represents a further step in restoring the national carrier to this activity.
The return of the Iraqi maritime line after more than fifty years constitutes a new milestone in the rehabilitation of the national transport system, with the launch of its first voyages expected tomorrow, Thursday.
The success and continuation of this step will enhance Iraq’s presence in the maritime shipping market and give foreign trade broader options in the coming period. link
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Tishwash: A Saudi expert says President Al-Zaidi's visit to Saudi Arabia is "key to solutions" and a promising step towards regional stability.
Saudi expert and political analyst Ashiq bin Mohammed bin Saeedan stated that the Iraqi Prime Minister's visit to Riyadh carries promising positive dimensions and represents a significant strategic step towards strengthening regional stability.
In a statement to Iraq Observer, he explained that this visit constitutes a genuine gateway to opening new horizons of robust diplomatic and economic cooperation between Baghdad and Riyadh, thus contributing to establishing strong foundations for bilateral partnership.
In his analysis of the political aspects, Bin Saeedan described the visit as “key to solutions,” explaining that it reflects a shared desire to coordinate efforts and strive earnestly to find peaceful and sustainable solutions to the crises facing the region during this sensitive and complex period.
He indicated that the step lays the foundation for an advanced stage of constructive dialogue aimed at achieving comprehensive regional security and prosperity.
Bin Saeedan also highlighted the humanitarian and political significance of the visit, considering it a genuine show of solidarity with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia following the recent attacks targeting civilian sites, holy sites, and airports, reaffirming Iraq’s unwavering stance against terrorism. On the security front, he noted that security and political issues topped the agenda, particularly regarding the establishment of intelligence cooperation and direct coordination for information sharing and preventing any future border violations.
In his analysis, he emphasized the importance of the economic file in the bilateral talks, pointing to their focus on stimulating mutual investments in vital sectors including energy, electricity interconnection, and agriculture.
“Bin Saeedan” stressed that creating a safe and successful investment environment is a prerequisite for attracting Saudi and Gulf funds to the Iraqi market, stressing that these factors promise a bright future and strong and fruitful partnerships at all levels. link