“Tidbits From TNT” Saturday 3-14-2026
TNT:
Tishwash: Among them Iraq... Total Energies prepares to halt oil production in 3 countries
Reuters reported that French oil company Total Energies announced it has halted or is preparing to halt production in Qatar, Iraq, and some offshore sites in the UAE, amid escalating security tensions in the region .
The agency, as reported by Al-Sa’a Network, stated that “the cessation of production in the Middle East could lead to a loss of approximately 15% of its global production .”
This decision comes after two Iranian explosive-laden boats were targeted, resulting in them colliding with two fuel tankers and catching fire near the port of Umm Qasr in Basra link
Tishwash: Bahaa al-Araji calls for a decisive second term for al-Sudani: an urgent necessity
Bahaa Al-Araji, a leader in the “Reconstruction and Development” coalition, confirmed that renewing Al-Sudani’s term has become an “urgent necessity” imposed by the rapid developments in the region.
Al-Araji called on the opposing parties within the framework to abide by the decision of the senior leadership and to distance themselves from “media posturing” that serves dubious agendas.
Al-Araji added: “The stability of Iraq’s security and keeping it away from conflict zones is the top priority. At this critical stage, there is no room for maneuvering at the expense of the nation’s security.”
Informed sources within the coordination framework revealed that the official announcement of the re-nomination of Al-Sudani, which was scheduled for last Monday, has been postponed due to reservations from some forces.
The sources explained that the dissenting parties failed to convince the majority of their position, which was described as “disproportionate to the magnitude of the serious challenges” facing Iraq. According to these sources, key figures within the framework are pressing for a swift resolution to this issue, accusing other parties of prioritizing “regional interests” over the national interest.
In a more forceful tone, MP Alia Nassif, a member of the Reconstruction Coalition, confirmed that the coalition is “free” from giving up the nomination of Al-Sudani in favor of the head of the State of Law Coalition, Nouri Al-Maliki.
Nasif warned Shia political leaders against continuing what she described as “obstinacy and playing games with regional conflicts,” indicating that the United States might resort to drastic measures to completely change the current system if the political turmoil persists. Nasif stated that Washington “will not simply stand by and watch,” but might instead “crush and dismantle” the existing system to replace it with a new model. link
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Tishwash: Al-Baiji: The presidency will be decided next week, and the PUK candidate is the most likely to win.
MP Mansour al-Baiji revealed on Thursday that the selection of the new president of the republic is nearing resolution, predicting that political negotiations on this matter will conclude next week.
He also indicated that the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan PUK) candidate is ahead of his rivals. Al-Baiji told the Information Agency that "the political blocs' efforts have reached advanced stages in nominating a presidential candidate," explaining that "next week will be decisive for this issue, ending the political deadlock and moving forward with forming the government."
He added that "current indicators and data within the halls of parliament suggest that the PUK candidate is the most likely to secure the position," noting "broad understandings supporting this choice to ensure the stability of constitutional entitlements."
He clarified that "resolving the presidential issue will directly pave the way for tasking the candidate of the largest bloc with forming the new cabinet," emphasizing "the necessity of prioritizing the national interest to expedite the passage of laws that serve the Iraqi citizen." link
Tishwash: Sudani’s coalition released from Maliki nomination concession, says bloc MP
The Reconstruction and Development Coalition and its leader Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani are no longer bound by a previous concession to support Nouri al-Maliki’s nomination as prime minister, coalition MP Aliya Nsaif said Wednesday, citing both domestic and international opposition to his candidacy.
“The Reconstruction and Development Coalition today is dealing realistically with internal and regional data,” Nsaif told Dijlah TV. “As long as there is a national space rejecting the nomination of Mr. Maliki, and there is also regional and international rejection, based on these two internal and external rejections we are now released from that concession.”
The Coordination Framework nominated Maliki on Jan. 24 following Iraq’s November 2025 elections. After being nominated, he faced mounting pressure to stand down but refused to formally withdraw, repeatedly absenting himself from Framework meetings and leaving the alliance in the position of having to either force him out or proceed with a nominee Washington had publicly rejected. U.S. President Donald Trump warned that Washington could reconsider its support for Iraq if Maliki became prime minister, and the Foreign Ministry said the U.S. message included an “explicit hint” of sanctions.
Nsaif also addressed the assault on Bahaa al-Araji, head of the coalition’s parliamentary bloc, who was struck inside parliament after expressing opposition to Iraq’s involvement in the regional conflict. “When a member of parliament expresses his opinion and says he does not want to drag Iraq into the ongoing war and that the commander-in-chief should decide, does this position require that he be slapped?” she said. “What is this terrorism? This is terrorism of the word.”
She said some factions had reacted emotionally due to their historical and religious ties with Iran, but warned against escalatory rhetoric. “I say to them: this is the Islamic Republic — go there if you have energy and want to release it. Do not make this people bear responsibility.” link
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Mot: Suck in Stomach
