“Tidbits From TNT” Saturday 12-13-2025
TNT:
Tishwash: Savaya speaks of a historic moment of pride for Iraq
US President Donald Trump’s envoy to Iraq, Mark Savaya, expressed his gratitude to UN Secretary-General Tony Guterres for his role in supporting the selection of former Iraqi President Barham Salih to lead the UNHCR, stressing that this decision represents international recognition of a figure with “great vision and deep experience.”
In a post, Savaya congratulated Barham Salih on assuming his new position, describing him as an “exceptional leader” capable of making a real difference in humanitarian issues related to refugees around the world, especially since he himself experienced being a refugee in earlier stages of his life.
He added that this appointment is “a historic moment and a source of pride for Iraq and its people,” noting that the arrival of an Iraqi figure to an international position of this magnitude reflects Iraq’s growing status on the world stage.
Savaya concluded his message by saying: “Congratulations to Dr. Barham. We ask God that your leadership brings hope and dignity to millions of people in need of support and protection.” link
Tishwash: Central Bank: Regional businesses must be registered in ASICOD by the end of the year
Central Bank of Iraq
The Iraqi central bank has significantly reduced the supply of dollars and in a new decision imposed strict conditions for the payment of dollars to businessmen in the Kurdistan Region, which is described as a "political" move.
The central bank has reportedly reduced the supply of dollars by 50 percent in the past two weeks. The reduction is due to the decision to suspend the operations of four commercial banks, which had a huge impact and previously accounted for 40 percent of total dollar sales in the market.
Meanwhile, according to a new decision of the Central Bank, from December 1, 2026, any businessman in the Kurdistan Region if he is not registered in the system "Asicode", will be deprived of receiving dollars at official prices and can not import goods.
Shukri Jamil, president of the Duhok Chamber of Commerce, said that businessmen were previously asked to bring support from Baghdad, but despite the completion of measures, it is noticed that the decision is political and aims to shape the economy of the Kurdistan Region.
Shukri Jamil said that the goods of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) companies have been detained in the port of Umm Qasr since November 3, so they call on the Kurdistan Regional Government and the Iraqi government to reach an agreement on this issue. link
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Tishwash: Iraq welcomes the US Congress vote to repeal the authorizations for the use of military force.
The Embassy of the Republic of Iraq in Washington welcomed the vote by the US House of Representatives to repeal the 1991 and 2002 authorizations for the use of military force against Iraq and to repeal the war laws.
The embassy confirmed in a statement, a copy of which was received by Al-Furat News, that "this step strengthens the partnership between Iraq and the United States and supports the bilateral relationship on the basis of dialogue and cooperation."
The embassy also looked forward to the US Senate vote in the coming days.
On September 11, 2025, the U.S. House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly to repeal the authorizations for the use of military force related to Iraq, as part of the National Defense Authorization Act, which outlines Washington's military policies.
The House passed the bill by a vote of 231 to 196, with unusual support from some Republicans: only four Republicans voted against it, while 17 Democrats joined the Republican majority in voting for the bill as a whole.
The most significant amendment in this bill was the repeal of the two older war authorizations: the 2002 authorization used to invade Iraq and the 1991 authorization related to the Gulf War. This amendment received broad support, with 261 representatives voting in favor and 167 against, including all Democrats and 49 Republicans—nearly one-fifth of the Republican Party.
It is worth noting that the US House of Representatives had previously approved the repeal of the 2002 authorization in 2021, while the Senate passed a bill in 2023 repealing both authorizations (1991 and 2002). Their repeal now represents a significant legislative step toward restoring the balance of power between the executive and legislative branches in war-making. link
Tishwash: Sudani discusses satellite internet licenses with US company SpaceX
On Thursday, December 11, 2025, caretaker Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani discussed with a delegation from SpaceX (Starlink) the final stages of granting satellite internet licenses.
A statement from the office of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, a copy of which was received by Al-Jabal, said: “Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani received today, Thursday, a delegation from the American company SpaceX (Starlink), which specializes in network, information and communications technology, in the presence of the American Chargé d'Affaires to Iraq, Joshua Harris.”
According to the statement, the meeting included "discussions on the final stages of granting satellite internet licenses, including to SpaceX, and strengthening cooperation in the field of communications and services provided by the company and its coverage areas."
According to the statement, Al-Sudani pointed out that “Iraq has achieved an important shift in attracting various international companies and securing all their requirements and needs, including satellite internet systems, to sustain their work and activities,” stressing “the government’s interest and keenness to keep pace with the development of the world of communications and information technology and digital transformation through cooperation with SpaceX and its entry into the Iraqi market, which today includes many promising investment opportunities.”
Al-Sudani stressed that “work in the communications sector within Iraq has governmental priorities, foremost among them being the preservation of Iraq’s information and technological sovereignty, investing in the capabilities of young people specializing in this field, training them, and handing over the responsibility of work to them at a later time.”
The statement concluded, "For their part, the SpaceX (Starlink) delegation expressed their keenness and interest in working, providing services and cooperating 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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