Iraq Economic News and Points To Ponder Tuesday Afternoon 2-17-26

President Barzani Marks Ramadan With Call For Tolerance And Unity

2026-02-17 / Shafaq News- Erbil

Kurdish President Nechirvan Barzani on Tuesday extended Ramadan greetings to Muslims in the Kurdistan Region, Iraq, and worldwide.

 In a post on X, Barzani said the holy month should strengthen tolerance, harmony, and coexistence, describing them as pillars of the Region’s social fabric. He expressed hope that Ramadan would help ease suffering and crises and amplify messages of unity and peace.

Nechirvan Barzani   @IKRPresident

On the occasion of the arrival of the blessed month of Ramadan, I extend my warmest congratulations to the Muslim community of Kurdistan, Iraq, and the world. I hope that the coming of this blessed month becomes a source of goodness, prosperity, and resilience for the people of Kurdistan and the entire region.

May we seize this sacred occasion as an opportunity to deepen the spirit of tolerance, coexistence, and unity, which has always been the noble identity of our homeland Kurdistan.

 From the Almighty God, we beseech that this blessed month becomes the beginning of the end of hardships and troubles, and that the message of peace and coexistence spreads throughout the world.

 May Ramadan be blessed for all, and may every year bring goodness and joy.

 Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is observed through fasting from dawn to dusk and heightened spiritual reflection. Iraq’s Sunni Endowment and the Kurdistan Region’s religious authorities announced that Wednesday will mark the first day of Ramadan, while several other Muslim-majority countries declared Thursday as the start date due to differing moon-sighting criteria.

 https://www.shafaq.com/en/Kurdistan/President-Barzani-marks-Ramadan-with-message-of-tolerance-and-coexistence

KDP Bloc Rejects Parliament Vote On Army Chief, Cites Lack Of Consensus

2026-02-17 Shafaq News- Baghdad    The Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) parliamentary bloc objected to the mechanism used to vote on the position of Iraqi Army Chief of Staff during the parliamentary session, the bloc’s head, Shakhawan Abdullah, told Shafaq News on Tuesday.

 Abdullah clarified that lawmakers had agreed beforehand to keep the agenda unchanged, “but the Speaker of Parliament (pro- Iran) introduced additional items, prompting objections from the Deputy Speaker in accordance with internal regulations.” He called the step a violation of the law and “an unsuccessful beginning,” noting that the KDP would address the matter later.

 He also argued that presenting a candidate for a position and voting on it while the government is operating in a caretaker capacity constitutes “a constitutional violation.” Abdullah described the current Chief of Staff’s relationship with the Kurdistan Region as positive, stating that “this position was allocated to the Kurds and cannot be taken and given to another component. If the position of Chief of Staff is taken from the Kurds, dialogue must be pursued, and the issue discussed.”

 In its latest session, the Iraqi Parliament confirmed the continuation of Baghdad Mayor Ammar Musa Kazem and Iraqi Army Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Abdul Amir Rashid Yarallah in their posts.

 MPs from Al-Azm bloc, led by Muthanna Al-Samarrai, condemned “Iraqi Parliament’s presidency proceeding with measures that affect the political balance at the national level,” adding that these steps “do not take into account the principle of genuine partnership in managing state institutions and distributing senior positions.”

 https://www.shafaq.com/en/Iraq/KDP-bloc-rejects-parliament-vote-on-Army-Chief-cites-lack-of-consensus

Iraqi Parliament Approves Amended Bylaws, Confirms Army Chief And Baghdad Mayor

2026-02-17 Shafaq News- Baghdad   Iraq’s Council of Representatives voted on Tuesday to approve the amended internal bylaws related to parliamentary committees, and confirmed the continuation of Baghdad Mayor Ammar Musa Kazem and Iraqi Army Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Abdul Amir Rashid Yarallah in their posts.

 Hamam Al-Tamimi, a lawmaker from the Badr bloc led by Hadi Al-Ameri, said during a press conference after the session that his bloc gathered the signatures required to confirm the Army Chief of Staff, adding that the bloc “takes responsibility for correcting the course of security leaders.” He noted that this step “is the first by the Council of Representatives to confirm a commander of the Iraqi Army, with the institution managed in an official capacity rather than by proxy.”

 Earlier, the Council of Representatives issued a parliamentary order to form a temporary committee comprising 19 lawmakers to amend Internal Regulation No. (1) of 2022, specifically regarding permanent parliamentary committees. The order stipulated that the committee would be chaired by the First Deputy Speaker of Parliament and include a number of male and female lawmakers. The committee is tasked with amending provisions related to the permanent parliamentary committees.

Later, the Speakership of the Council announced the permanent parliamentary committees for the current legislative term, which are:

1- Legal Committee.

2- Finance Committee.

3- Security and Defense Committee.

4- Integrity Committee.

5- Oil, Gas and Natural Resources Committee.

6- Foreign Relations Committee.

7- Services and Reconstruction Committee.

8- Electricity and Energy Committee.

9- Economy, Industry and Trade Committee.

10- Investment and Development Committee.

11- Health and Narcotics Control Committee.

12- Regions and Governorates Not Organized in a Region, Planning and Government Program, and Endowments Committee.

13- Transport, Communications and Governance Committee.

14- Culture, Media, Tourism and Antiquities Committee.

15- Education Committee.

16- Higher Education Committee.

17- Agriculture, Water Resources and Environment Committee.

18- Labor, Civil Society Organizations, Federal Public Service, Youth and Sports Committee.

19- Migration, Displacement, Community Reconciliation and Tribes Committee.

20- Martyrs, Victims and Political Prisoners Committee.

21- Human Rights, Women, Family and Childhood Committee.

22- Border Crossings and Protection of National Product Committee.

 https://www.shafaq.com/en/Iraq/Iraqi-Parliament-approves-amended-bylaws-confirms-Army-Chief-and-Baghdad-Mayor

“Tidbits From TNT” Tuesday 2-17-2026

TNT:

Tishwash:  Iraqi-UAE consortium to build $700 million 'WorldLink' fast data cable network

The project would comprise an undersea cable from Fujairah in the UAE to Iraq's Faw Peninsula on the Gulf, which will then run overland north to the Turkish border

 An Iraqi-Emirati consortium plans a $700 million subsea-and-terrestrial data cable linking the United Arab Emirates to Turkey via Iraq, one of the backers said, just over a week after the announcement of a Saudi-backed fiber-optic project in Syria.

Gulf neighbors Saudi Arabia and the UAE are racing to tap into the demand for connectivity in the region and to attract investment into data centers.

The Iraqi-UAE project, branded WorldLink, would comprise an undersea cable from Fujairah in the UAE to Iraq's Faw peninsula on the Gulf, which will then run overland north to the Turkish border, Ali El Ekabi, head of Iraq's Tech 964 —one of the three members of the consortium —told Reuters.

El Ekabi said the project would be privately funded, take four to five years to complete, and target "hyperscalers, international carriers, and AI applications."

It aims to ease congestion on existing east-west data routes and reduce transit times versus paths that run through the Suez Canal.

The Emirati foreign ministry did not respond to requests for comment.

Besides Tech 964, WorldLink's sponsors include Iraqi-Kurdish DIL Technologies and UAE-based Breeze Investments, according to El Ekabi, who is the son of Iraqi real estate billionaire Namir El Ekabi.

It is the second such new project planned in the region. Saudi Arabia and Syria announced on February 7 plans to set up a fiber-optic network under a wider investment package.

The project was described as a roughly $1 billion push to rehabilitate Syria's infrastructure and position it as a data route between Asia and Europe.

Iraq, which is trying to market itself as a stable transit corridor after decades of conflict, launched a $17 billion "Development Road" rail-and-road plan in 2023 to connect Faw to Turkey. link

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Tishwash: Iraq increases its holdings of US Treasury bonds by more than $1 billion

The US Treasury Department announced on Monday that Iraq's holdings of US bonds have increased by more than $1 billion, reaching approximately $40.8 billion in December 2025.

According to official data from the US Treasury, which was audited and analyzed by Shafaq News Agency, “Iraq’s holdings of US Treasury bonds for December 2025 increased by $1.1 billion, reaching $40.8 billion, after being $39.7 billion during the previous month.”

She added that this holding increased by 74% compared to January 2025, when Iraq’s holdings of bonds amounted to $23.4 billion.

In the Arab world, Saudi Arabia topped the list of countries holding the most US bonds with a value of $148.8 billion, followed by the UAE with $101 billion, and then Kuwait in third place with $50.3 billion.

The data indicated that the largest holders of US bonds are Japan with $1.202 trillion, followed by the United Kingdom with $888 billion, then China with $682 billion, and then Belgium with $481 billion.

The total holdings of US Treasury securities by countries in December 2025 amounted to approximately $9.355.4 trillion, an increase of $736.1 billion from the same month in 2024, which was $8.619.3 trillion.  link

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Tishwash:    Parliamentary move to host the Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq to discuss "salaries and citizens' income"

On Monday, MP Duha Al-Bahadli, from the National Approach bloc, revealed a parliamentary move to host the Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq, Ali Al-Alaq, to ​​discuss the reasons for the fluctuation in cash liquidity and mechanisms for addressing it.

Al-Bahadli told Shafaq News Agency that "the purpose of the meeting is to inform the MPs in detail about the reasons for the fluctuation in cash liquidity, the mechanisms for addressing it, and the extent of the efficiency of monetary policy in facing the current challenges, in addition to ensuring that no financial crisis and its impact are reflected on the salaries of employees, or the state’s obligations."

She continued: "Also to review the measures taken to ensure market stability and protect the purchasing power of citizens," noting that "the date of the meeting will be determined later by the Council Presidency."

She pointed out that "the House of Representatives is exercising its oversight role with full responsibility, and there will be a commitment to complete transparency and reassuring the Iraqi public regarding the financial and monetary situation."

It is noted that informed sources revealed yesterday, Sunday, the worsening financial liquidity crisis in Iraq, confirming that the available resources are no longer sufficient to secure the payment of salaries for employees and retirees during the coming period.

Sources who spoke to Shafaq News Agency reported that the government was forced to withdraw about 20 trillion dinars from Al-Rafidain Bank, in addition to between 7 and 8 trillion dinars from Al-Rasheed Bank, as well as withdrawing about 7 billion dollars from another bank, along with sums of money from industrial and agricultural banks, in order to cover salaries during the past months.

She explained that these measures have led to the depletion of a large portion of the liquidity available in government banks, which makes the option of delaying the payment of employee salaries strongly on the table during the next stage if urgent financial solutions are not found to contain the crisis.

She pointed out that the continuation of these conditions may exacerbate the financial crisis, especially with the existence of observations related to mismanagement, waste of public money and suspicions in some files, which calls for taking urgent reform measures to ensure financial stability and secure the salaries of employees and retirees on their specified dates.  link

Mot:  Careful What Ya Wants!! --- Siiggghhhhhh 

Mot:  ole Mot Says!!! ~~~

News, Rumors and Opinions Tuesday 2-17-2026

Dinar Recaps Note:

It has always been our policy to never post political or controversial topics. We were told that our server and posting host would/could cancel us if we did. So, we only share RV or financial related information.

Our goal is be around for the final RV and share what exchange information for our readers that we are allowed. If we are canceled…..we would not be here to do this.

So if any intel providers are political or controversial – we will not post their information for our own protection.  Thanks for understanding.    Sincerely Dinar Recaps

Gold Telegraph: Judy Shelton met Privately with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent

2-17-2026

Gold Telegraph  @GoldTelegraph

As reported by Bloomberg:

Judy Shelton met privately with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to discuss Federal Reserve reform.

Read that again.

@judyshel is one of the most original monetary thinkers of our time… unapologetically focused on restoring discipline, credibility, and integrity to the American financial system.

When serious minds start talking about reforming the Federal Reserve, watch closely.

The United States Treasury Secretary has also hinted at full reform.

In our conversation, she laid out a bold proposal:

A U.S. Treasury GOLD-convertible bond:

Issued July 4th, 2026
Maturing July 4th, 2076

A 50-year signal to the world that America is willing to anchor its debt to something real.

Think about what that would mean for demand for U.S. debt.

Watch on X: https://twitter.com/i/status/2023133931957305650

Source(s):  https://x.com/GoldTelegraph_/status/2023133931957305650

https://dinarchronicles.com/2026/02/16/gold-telegraph-judy-shelton-met-privately-with-treasury-secretary-scott-bessent/

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Courtesy of Dinar Guru:  https://www.dinarguru.com/

Militia Man  Iraq enters 2026 with political clarity, strong reserves, low inflation and digital readiness, coordinated reforms and trade banking, private sector, digital systems combined with gatekeeper support positions [Iraq] for sustained growth and full participation in the global financial system...So execution phase is underway.  I think the trajectory is clear...They fired the shot.

Jeff  Are they just trying to keep us in the dark about the formation of the government and its timing so we don't know when they're going to change the rate or is it the military actions of what the US government is doing towards Iran?  There's two different scenarios...I think they're either trying to mask the rate change date from us so we don't really know what's going on, or the military actions towards reaching a nuclear agreement with Iran.  One of those two factors is what's so-called delaying this.

Frank26   The IMF wants you to go international.  They want you to float your currency.  They want the dinar to gain value outside of your country because they know you are already set inside your country.  You are already set to at least be 1 to 1 with the American dollar when they finally release the new rate the lower notes.  

Hyperinflation Reset Looms: Why Gold is the ONLY Safe Haven

Daniela Cambone: 2-16-2026

“What we really know is coming is a hyperinflationary reset,” says Eric Griffin, President and CEO of ITM Trading.

In this exclusive New York City interview, Daniela Cambone sits down with Griffin to decode the truth behind the metals market's violent $700 drop in gold and $40 collapse in silver.

While the headlines scream volatility, Griffin warns investors not to get “sucked into the price action,” saying the machinery of the market is beginning to crack.

 Drawing on lessons learned from the 2008 crash and his father’s warnings about the Federal Reserve dating back decades, Griffin breaks down his fair-value calculation for gold at $15,000-$16,000 per ounce.

 Chapters:

 00:00 Silver and Gold: Understanding the Volatility

 02:03 Market Liquidity: What Dealers and Inventory Tell Us

 04:48 Long-Term Mindset vs. Short-Term Moves

06:23 The "Reset" is Happening

10:07 Eric's Experience: Growing Up with Gold

 11:21 Passing the Knowledge to the Next Generation

12:36 Eric's Thoughts on the New Fed Head

13:51 Daniela's View on the Fed Head

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eljJ542WmUo

Seeds of Wisdom RV and Economics Updates Tuesday Morning 2-17-26

Good Morning Dinar Recaps,

Sovereign Stress Builds as Japan Stalls and Ukraine Secures IMF Lifeline

Fiscal expansion collides with monetary hesitation as markets price optimism into fragile conditions

 Overview

• Japan’s economy expanded just 0.2% annualized in Q4 2025, far below forecasts, complicating the Bank of Japan’s rate path.

• Asian markets traded cautiously as oil prices rose ahead of U.S.–Iran nuclear talks.

• The U.S. dollar steadied while investors awaited Federal Reserve minutes and U.S. GDP data.

• Ukraine expects IMF approval within weeks, constructing financial infrastructure to manage a $140 billion budget gap.

Key Developments

• Global Markets and Oil Risk Premium
  Asian equities opened tentatively in holiday-thinned trading. Oil rose more than 1% ahead of negotiations between Washington and Tehran, even as Iran conducted drills in the Strait of Hormuz — a passage responsible for roughly 20% of global oil shipments. U.S. Treasury yields slipped to 4.044%, their lowest level since early December, signaling cautious positioning rather than conviction.

• Dollar Steady, Central Banks at a Crossroads
  The dollar held firm at 97.12 as markets awaited Federal Reserve minutes and advanced GDP data. Meanwhile, Japan’s weak growth numbers strengthened the political case for fiscal stimulus while reducing pressure on the Bank of Japan to raise rates. Markets are pricing only minimal tightening ahead, revealing uncertainty about policy direction.

• Japan’s GDP Miss Complicates Policy Alignment
  Quarterly growth of just 0.1% underscores economic fragility. The data strengthens Prime Minister Takaichi’s reflation agenda while simultaneously undermining the central bank’s justification for continued tightening. This creates a potential policy imbalance between fiscal expansion and monetary restraint, historically associated with currency weakness.

• Ukraine Builds Wartime Financial Architecture
  Ukraine expects board approval of an $8.2 billion IMF programme replacing its existing $15.6 billion facility. Combined with EU assistance, the framework helps manage a projected $140 billion shortfall over coming years. Kyiv is gradually easing wartime capital controls and positioning to re-enter emerging market bond indices, signaling preparation for prolonged conflict rather than imminent peace.

Why It Matters

Markets appear to be pricing best-case diplomatic and policy outcomes in environments where structural pressures remain unresolved. Oil optimism hinges on negotiations that have yet to deliver results. Japan’s fiscal push may collide with central bank caution. Ukraine’s financing assumes sustained Western commitment.

When markets price hope before policy delivers, volatility follows.

Why It Matters to Foreign Currency Holders

Many readers hold foreign currencies anticipating appreciation during a potential Global Reset. Japan’s fiscal expansion combined with monetary hesitation could weaken the yen further before any structural realignment occurs. Meanwhile, dollar stability amid geopolitical risk underscores its continued reserve strength. Ukraine’s IMF-backed restructuring demonstrates how sovereign currencies can become heavily influenced by external financing frameworks. Currency holders should recognize that policy misalignment and sovereign dependency directly influence exchange rate stability and long-term valuation prospects.

Sovereigns are stretching their balance sheets while monetary policy stands at the edge of restraint.  

Implications for the Global Reset

Pillar 1: Fiscal Dominance Rising
Governments are leaning more heavily on deficit spending to stabilize growth. When fiscal authorities expand aggressively while central banks hesitate, monetary independence erodes. This dynamic reshapes global capital flows and reserve currency perceptions.

Pillar 2: Sovereign Financing Dependency
Ukraine’s reliance on multilateral institutions highlights a broader trend — sovereign nations increasingly depend on coordinated lending frameworks. This shifts power toward global financial institutions and away from purely domestic monetary control.

Fiscal expansion rises as central banks hesitate — the imbalance markets can’t ignore.  

Seeds of Wisdom Team
Newshounds News™ Exclusive

Sources

• Reuters – “Japan Q4 Growth Misses Forecast as Fiscal Debate Intensifies”

• Modern Diplomacy – “Financial Brief: A Weekly Roundup on the Geopolitics of Money | Feb 17”

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BRICS Debuts Brazil-Backed Cross-Border Payment System

A new payment network built on Brazil’s Pix tech is operational in 2026, aiming to settle trade directly in local currencies and challenge dollar dominance.

Overview

• BRICS members are launching a Brazil-based cross-border payment system intended to bypass reliance on the U.S. dollar and SWIFT in trade settlements.

• The network leverages a Decentralized Cross-Border Messaging System (DCMS) architecture to connect central bank rails.

• Brazil’s Pix instant payment technology provides the technical backbone for high-speed messaging and settlement.

• The system is designed to integrate local currency settlement and digital currencies such as China’s digital yuan and Brazil’s Drex.

Key Developments

1.  Operational Phase Activated in 2026
The BRICS payment platform is transitioning from pilot to operational scale, connecting central banks of China, India, Egypt, and the UAE through a Brazil-hosted network. Unlike SWIFT, the DCMS model has no single authority and ensures countries retain control of their own nodes.

2.  .Brazil Leads Architecture with Pix Integration
Brazil’s Central Bank prepared the foundational framework and adapted its nationally successful Pix real-time payment technology to an international settlement context. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva framed the system as part of a multipolar financial architecture.

3.  Dollar Dominance Under External Pressure
Surveys show net Bitcoin and FX exposure to the U.S. dollar at historic negative levels, with record short positioning and a softer outlook for U.S. growth and inflation. Market dynamics underscore the broader context in which BRICS payment alternatives are emerging.

4.  Integration of Local Currency & CBDC Rails
Members have shifted more than 60% of trade into local currency settlements, with plans to integrate national digital currencies like Drex and the digital yuan. Saudi Arabia and Iran are among likely future participants, potentially extending the system into energy trade corridors.

Why It Matters

The launch of an operational BRICS payment network marks a strategic shift in cross-border finance infrastructure, directly reducing transaction friction and slowly displacing dollar-centric settlement norms. By moving trade settlement into local currencies and interoperable digital rails, member states are laying foundation stones for a multipolar monetary landscape.

 A transactional architecture born in Brazil may be a cornerstone in the long arc of de-dollarization.

Why It Matters to Foreign Currency Holders

Holders of foreign currencies anticipating shifts in global reserve dynamics should take note:

• Reduced dollar settlement demand across BRICS trade corridors could dampen structural dollar demand over time.

• Broader adoption of local currencies, supported by interoperable payment rails, can redistribute liquidity flows in FX markets.

• Integration of digital currencies into trade settlement may accelerate new reserve asset frameworks beyond legacy fiat hierarchies.

Implications for the Global Reset

Pillar 1: Payments Infrastructure Evolution
By actualizing a decentralized cross-border payment system, BRICS is building alternative plumbing for global transactions. This foundational layer is a prerequisite for any sustained shift away from dollar-centric settlement systems and toward diversified international liquidity networks.

Pillar 2: Multipolar Currency Adoption
Integrating local currency settlement and digital currency rails increases demand for non-dollar currencies in real economic activity. This dynamic supports broader multipolar reserve diversification and weakens the historical automatic preference for dollar-denominated clearing.

This is not just politics — it’s global finance restructuring before our eyes.

Seeds of Wisdom Team
Newshounds News™ Exclusive

Sources

• Watcher Guru – “BRICS Launches Brazil-Based Payment System, Challenging Dollar Power”

• BRICS Info – “BRICS Shifts Focus to Unified Payment System as Strategic Financial Alternative”

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🌱 A Message to Our Currency Holders🌱

If you’ve been holding foreign currency for many years, you were not foolish.
You were not wrong to believe the global financial system would change.

What failed was not your patience — it was the information you were given.

For years, dates, rumors, and personalities replaced facts, structure, and proof. “This week” predictions created cycles of hope and disappointment that were never based on how currencies actually change.

That is not your failure.

Our mission here is different:   • No dates • No rates • No hype • No gurus

Instead, we focus on:
• Verifiable developments • Institutional evidence
• Global financial structure • Where countries actually sit in the process

Currency value changes only come after sovereignty, trade, banking, settlement systems, and fiscal coordination are in place. History and institutions confirm this sequence.

You will see silence. You will see denials. That is not delay — that is discipline.

Protect your identity. Organize your documents.    Verify everything.
Never hand your discernment to anyone who cannot show proof.

You deserve truth — not timelines.

Seeds of Wisdom Team
Newshounds News

~~~~~~~~~~

Seeds of Wisdom Team RV Currency Facts Youtube and Rumble

Newshound's News Telegram Room Link

RV Facts with Proof Links Link

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Follow the Gold/Silver Rate COMEX

Follow Fast Facts

Seeds of Wisdom Team™ Website

Thank you Dinar Recaps

Iraq Economic News and Points To Ponder Tuesday Morning 2-17-26

Oil Market Sentiment Hinges On Geneva Negotiation Progress

2026-02-17 Shafaq News   Brent oil prices drifted lower in Asian trade on Tuesday as investors assessed risks of supply disruption after Iran conducted naval drills near the Strait of Hormuz right ahead of nuclear talks with the U.S. later in the day.  Brent crude futures were down 0.47%, or 32 cents, at $68.33 a barrel by 0430 GMT, following a 1.33% gain on Monday.

U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude was at $63.51 a barrel, up 62 cents, or 0.99%, but the move included all of Monday's price action as the contract did not have settlement that day due to the U.S. Presidents Day holiday.

Many markets are closed on Tuesday for Lunar New Year holidays, including mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea and Singapore.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday that he would be involved "indirectly" in the talks in Geneva, adding he believes Tehran wants to make a deal. At the weekend, Trump said that regime change in Iran "would be the best thing that could happen."

"Market sentiment is closely tied to the tone and progress of these negotiations ... sustaining a geopolitical risk premium in prices," said Sugandha Sachdeva, founder of SS WealthStreet, a New Delhi-based research firm.

Oil prices are therefore likely to stay volatile, with sharp two-way swings driven by diplomatic signals rather than pure demand-supply fundamentals, Sachdeva added.

Iran began a military drill on Monday in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital international waterway and oil export route from Gulf Arab states, who have been appealing for diplomacy to end the dispute.

Iran along with fellow OPEC members Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Iraq export most of their crude via the strait, mainly to Asia.

Meanwhile, Citi said if disruptions to Russian supply keep Brent in a $65 to $70 per barrel range in coming months, OPEC+ is likely to respond by increasing output from spare capacity.

OPEC+ is leaning towards a resumption in oil output increases from April, three OPEC+ sources said, as the group prepares for peak summer demand and with prices bolstered by U.S.-Iran tensions.

"It is our base case that both Iran and Russia-Ukraine deals happen by or during the summer of this year, contributing to a decline in prices to $60-62/bbl Brent," Citi said.

(Reuters)   https://www.shafaq.com/en/Economy/Oil-market-sentiment-hinges-on-Geneva-negotiation-progress

Basrah Crude Prices Rise As Global Oil Steadies

2026-02-17 Shafaq News- Basrah   Basrah crude prices recorded gains of around 0.3% on Tuesday, while global oil markets held firm.  Basrah Heavy crude rose by 31 cents, or 0.34%, to $62.74 per barrel, while Basra Medium crude increased by 21 cents, or 0.32%, to settle at $64.99 per barrel.

In international markets, Brent crude futures rose 32 cents, or 0.47%, to $68.33 a barrel. US West Texas Intermediate crude (WTI) climbed 62 cents, or 0.99%, to $63.51 a barrel.   https://www.shafaq.com/en/Economy/Basrah-crude-prices-rise-as-global-oil-steadies-4

Iraq Oil Exports To US Drop To 7M Barrels In January

2026-02-17 Shafaq News- Baghdad/ Washington   Iraq exported 7.037 million barrels of crude oil to the United States in January, down from 7.533 million barrels in December, according to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA).

EIA data showed that weekly shipments fluctuated, averaging 261,000 barrels per day in the first week, 83,000 bpd in the second, 325,000 bpd in the third, and 249,000 bpd in the fourth.

Iraq ranked fourth among crude suppliers to the US, behind Canada, Saudi Arabia, and Mexico. Among Arab exporters, Saudi Arabia led with 12.4 million barrels, followed by Iraq, while Libya shipped 1.54 million barrels.

The US remains a significant outlet for Iraqi crude, although Asia continues to receive the bulk of Iraq’s exports.

https://www.shafaq.com/en/Economy/Iraq-oil-exports-to-US-drop-to-7M-barrels-in-January

USD/IQD Exchange Rates Climb In Baghdad, Erbil

2026-02-17    Shafaq News- Baghdad/ Erbil  The US dollar rose against the Iraqi dinar in Tuesday trading in Baghdad and Erbil, climbing by 300 dinars compared with Monday’s rates.

A Shafaq News survey showed the dollar trading at 151,500 dinars per 100 dollars in Baghdad’s Al-Kifah and Al-Harithiya central exchanges, up from 151,200 dinars recorded a day earlier.

In local currency shops across the capital, the dollar sold for 152,000 dinars per 100 dollars and bought at 151,000 dinars.  In Erbil, the dollar also strengthened, selling at 151,400 dinars per 100 dollars and buying at 151,300 dinars.

https://www.shafaq.com/en/Economy/USD-IQD-exchange-rates-climb-in-Baghdad-Erbil-8

Gold Falls In Baghdad And Erbil Markets

2026-02-17 Shafaq News- Baghdad/ Erbil   On Tuesday, gold prices hovered around 1.05 million IQD per mithqal in Baghdad and Erbil markets, marking a decline from the previous session, according to a survey by Shafaq News Agency.

Gold prices on Baghdad's Al-Nahr Street recorded a selling price of 1.048 million IQD per mithqal (equivalent to five grams) for 21-carat gold, including Gulf, Turkish, and European varieties, with a buying price of 1.044 million IQD. Prices had closed at 1.064 million IQD on Monday.

The selling price for 21-carat Iraqi gold stood at 1.018 million IQD, while the buying price reached 1.014 million IQD.

In jewelry stores, the selling price per mithqal of 21-carat Gulf gold ranged between 1.050 million and 1.060 million IQD, while Iraqi gold sold for between 1.020 million and 1.030 million IQD.

In Erbil, 22-carat gold was sold at 1.107 million IQD per mithqal, 21-carat gold at 1.057 million IQD, and 18-carat gold at 906,000 IQD.   https://www.shafaq.com/en/Economy/Gold-falls-in-Baghdad-and-Erbil-markets

Iraq Boosts US Treasury Holdings To $40.8B In Dec. 2025

2026-02-16 Shafaq News- Baghdad  Iraq increased its holdings of US Treasury securities by more than $1 billion in December 2025, pushing total investments to $40.8 billion, according to official US Treasury data.

The figures show Iraq’s holdings rose by $1.1 billion from November’s $39.7 billion, marking a 74% increase compared with January 2025, when Iraq held $23.4 billion in US Treasuries.

Regionally, Saudi Arabia remained the largest Arab holder with $148.8 billion, followed by the United Arab Emirates at $101 billion and Kuwait at $50.3 billion.

Globally, Japan ranked first with $1.202 trillion in holdings, followed by the United Kingdom at $888 billion, China at $682 billion, and Belgium at $481 billion.

Total foreign holdings of US Treasury securities reached $9.355 trillion in December 2025, up $736.1 billion from $8.619 trillion recorded in the same month of 2024. https://www.shafaq.com/en/Economy/Iraq-boosts-US-Treasury-holdings-to-40-8B-in-Dec-2025

MilitiaMan and Crew: IQD News Update-REER-Global Financial Integration-Stage is Set

MilitiaMan and Crew: IQD News Update-REER-Global Financial Integration-Stage is Set

2-16-2026

The Crew:  Samson, PompeyPeter, Petra, Daytrader, Sunkissed, GIGI and Militia Man

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Be sure to listen to full video for all the news……..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2pO7xMrTqU

Seeds of Wisdom RV and Economics Updates Monday Evening 2-16-26

Good Evening Dinar Recaps,

Euro Liquidity Lifeline Goes Global: ECB Makes Biggest Structural Move Yet

The European Central Bank is expanding its euro liquidity backstop for central banks worldwide — a milestone in rebalancing global reserve currency architecture.

Overview

• The European Central Bank (ECB) will make its euro liquidity backstop facility permanent and globally accessible.

• The move extends emergency euro liquidity lines to central banks outside the euro area starting Q3 2026.

• ECB leadership highlights preparation for greater volatility and geopolitical strain.

• The initiative strengthens the euro’s role as a global liquidity provider alongside the U.S. dollar.

Key Developments

• Permanent Global Access to Euro Backstop
The ECB will transition its emergency liquidity facility into a standing repo line that foreign central banks can tap in times of stress. This step symbolizes a strategic bet on the euro as a trusted international funding currency.

• Expanding the EUREP Framework
Under the revamped scheme, central banks across regions — subject to compliance checks — can access euros in exchange for high-quality collateral, reducing the risk of euro funding shortages.

• Policy Commentary Highlights Strategic Intent
ECB President Christine Lagarde emphasized the need to prepare for “a more volatile environment,” linking financial resilience with broader geopolitical and industrial tensions.

• Complement to Swap Lines, Not Replacement
The updated backstop complements existing swap arrangements and signals long-term confidence in the euro’s global utility, beyond short-term crisis intervention.

Why It Matters

This policy shift is a major structural enhancement to global liquidity infrastructure. By offering standing access to euro funding, the ECB is moving toward a multipolar liquidity network, breaking the historic near-exclusive dominance of the U.S. dollar in cross-border crisis financing.

Why It Matters to Foreign Currency Holders

For holders of foreign currency anticipating the Global Reset:

• EUR could strengthen as a meaningful reserve alternative, not merely a regional currency.

• Wider usage of euro liquidity lines may increase demand for euro-denominated assets.

• Diversified infrastructure reduces systemic reliance on a single monetary anchor.

Currency flows and reserves are increasingly defined by network access as much as reserve shares, and this move marks a big step in that evolution.

Implications for the Global Reset

Pillar 1: Liquidity Architecture Rebalancing
Extending standing repo lines places the euro on infrastructure footing similar to the Federal Reserve’s global dollar facilities — a structural pivot in how emergency liquidity is supplied across borders.

Pillar 2: Multipolar Reserve Catalysts
Broad access to euro liquidity supports diversification of reserve holdings and trade settlement tools, anchoring the euro more firmly in global monetary arrangements.

The euro steps onto the global liquidity stage with structural confidence.

Seeds of Wisdom Team
Newshounds News™ Exclusive

Sources

• Reuters – “ECB to extend euro backstop to boost currency’s global role”

• The Brussels Times – “Enhanced ECB facility to curb foreign market risks, bolster policy transmission”

~~~~~~~~~~

European Shares Mixed Amid Earnings and Volatility — Market Micro-Reset Incoming?

European equities wobble as earnings, sector rotations, and macro themes test market confidence.

Overview

• European share markets showed modest gains but remain volatile in thin trading conditions.

• Financials rallied, easing some recent sell-off pressure.

• Technology and luxury sectors lagged, showing uneven investor sentiment.

• Markets continue to parse corporate earnings and macroeconomic headwinds.

Key Developments

1.  STOXX 600 Edges Higher
The pan-European STOXX 600 index rose modestly, led by financial and insurance companies rebounding from last week’s underperformance, signaling improving sentiment ahead of key earnings reports.

2. Sector Divergence Persists
While banks and insurers climbed, technology and luxury stocks lagged, reflecting ongoing concerns about earnings sustainability and competitive pressures within key industries.

3.  Economic Data and Earnings in Focus
Markets are watching eurozone industrial production and corporate earnings reports that are arriving this week, which could influence broader confidence and risk pricing.

4.  Volatility Underlying Broader Trends
Despite today’s gains, markets have exhibited sensitivity to macro themes including AI disruption, inflation expectations, and geopolitical pressures — suggesting structural realignment under market stress.

Why It Matters

Equity markets are reflecting more than near-term sentiment swings; they are pricing in uncertainty over growth, technology disruption, and the evolving monetary environment. This patchy performance could presage broader capital rotations in global portfolios as investors reassess risk in the face of shifting central bank alignments and fiscal policies.

Equity turbulence may be the market pricing in monetary transition.  

Why It Matters to Foreign Currency Holders

For holders positioning ahead of a Global Reset:

• Rotations between sectors can influence currency flows tied to equity and bond markets.

• Renewed strength in financial stocks may support confidence in euro-area financial systems.

• Uneven performance highlights the rebalancing dynamic between growth and traditional sectors — relevant for currency valuation trends.

Markets often signal deeper economic adjustments before monetary policy changes become evident.

Implications for the Global Reset

Pillar 1: Capital Market Sentiment as Monetary Indicator
Price action in equities is increasingly serving as a forward indicator for monetary and fiscal policy shifts — especially in regions adapting to multipolar monetary dynamics.

Pillar 2: Structural Sector Rotation
Sector divergences illustrate underlying recalibration of investment preferences, suggesting that capital is shifting toward assets perceived as stable amid global monetary uncertainty.

When markets hesitate at record highs, capital is repositioning.

Seeds of Wisdom Team
Newshounds News™ Exclusive

Sources

• Reuters – “European shares edge higher, buoyed by financials ahead of key earnings”

• Reuters – “Europe’s earnings gain pace while lofty valuations cap rewards” 

~~~~~~~~~~

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Thank you Dinar Recaps

Iraq Economic News and Points To Ponder Monday Evening 2-16-26

Standard & Poor's International Agency: The Iraqi Economy Is Moving Steadily Towards Strengthening Financial Sustainability

Baghdad/ Nina / Standard & Poor's (S&P) credit rating agency confirmed that "the Iraqi economy is moving steadily towards strengthening financial sustainability despite regional challenges."

According to a statement from the Ministry of Finance, the agency, in its February 2026 report, which affirmed Iraq's rating at (B-/B) with a positive outlook, anticipated that increased oil production during 2026 would provide crucial support for Iraq in the face of global price volatility and surrounding geopolitical tensions.

Regarding fiscal management, the report commended the government's successful implementation of its spending control policy, which directly led to a reduction in the fiscal deficit to 2.5% of GDP in 2025, a significant improvement compared to the 2.7% recorded in 2024.

The agency also highlighted the country's financial strength, noting that Iraq is expected to maintain average international reserves of approximately $100 billion until 2029, representing nearly 35% of GDP. This figure far exceeds the size of the public sector's external debt, thus bolstering international confidence in the country's financial solvency.

A Standard & Poor's report explained that "inflation rates in Iraq remain low and stable compared to regional standards, with expectations that the average annual inflation rate will decline to 1.9% in 2025 after reaching 2.6% in 2024."

The agency believes that "this stability is supported by improved tax collection mechanisms through the introduction of new digital systems in the customs sector, along with effective measures taken by the Central Bank of Iraq in the area of compliance to enhance transparency and governance and develop channels for foreign currency flows, in addition to the judicious use of monetary policy tools and the restructuring of the banking sector, which will in turn lead to raising the overall efficiency of the national economy." /   https://www.ninanews.com/Website/News/Details?key=1278204

Sudanese: We Have Eradicated Corruption!!!!

Baghdad/Iraq News Network – The Iraqi government issued a statement today, Sunday (February 15, 2026), regarding the results of the Corruption Perceptions Index. The Prime Minister's Media Office stated that “the results of the Corruption Perceptions Index, issued on February 10, 2026, by Transparency International, show that Iraq has made significant and remarkable progress in its ranking among countries for 2025.

This reflects the government's unwavering commitment and the contribution of all public institutions towards enshrining the principles of transparency, integrity, and good governance in the public sector.

This improvement is also a positive indicator of the will to consolidate the principles of transparency and accountability, strengthen trust in public institutions, and implement the requirements related to combating and reducing corruption.”

The government added that “this progress in the international ranking, year after year, is a result of the comprehensive efforts led by the government and its adoption of several priorities in its government program, most notably combating corruption.

 It also reflects the government's commitment to providing support to oversight bodies and continuing reforms in various areas to raise the levels of integrity in all government institutions, and its adoption of appropriate measures to improve and develop the overall performance level.”

This has resulted in tangible progress in the international ranking,” she noted, adding that “efforts are continuing to intensify at various levels to achieve the best results through the combined efforts of all.”

The government, according to its statement, affirms that “these results represent an incentive to increase efforts in the coming years in order to maintain and develop them, and we appreciate the roles of public institutions, each according to its specialization, that contributed to achieving these results.” https://aliraqnews.com/السودانيقضينا-على-الفساد/

The Central Bank Of Iraq Clarifies The Mechanisms For Dealing With The Dollar In All Its Issuances

Baghdad Today – Baghdad   The Central Bank of Iraq issued a clarification today, Monday (February 16, 2026), regarding the mechanisms for dealing with the US dollar in all its versions, stressing the need to not differentiate between the old and new versions of the currency.

The bank stated in a statement received by “Baghdad Today” that “the directive aims to reduce the phenomenon of discrimination in the dollar exchange rate between different issues, while emphasizing the commitment of all banks and financial institutions to the instructions for trading and exchanging banknotes according to the approved standards for foreign banknotes, in order to ensure the safety of transactions and the stability of the market.”

The bank explained that "the applicable laws and instructions do not recognize any discrimination between editions of the US dollar," noting that it "continues to receive and deal with these editions through all authorized banks, provided that they are within the standards and controls approved locally and internationally."

This clarification comes within the framework of the Central Bank of Iraq’s commitment to enhancing transparency and discipline in the banking sector, protecting the rights of customers, and supporting monetary and financial stability in Iraq.   https://baghdadtoday.news/293343-.html

Iraq’s Maliki Standoff: Three Exits, No Easy Way Out

Iraq’s political deadlock now turns on a single question: does Nouri al-Maliki come back? 
His bid to return to power has pushed the government formation crisis into a more volatile phase, deepening divisions inside the Shiite Coordination Framework and drawing an unusually blunt warning from Washington.  

For the second time, parliament failed to convene a session to elect a president and designate a prime minister. This time, the collapse was driven not by Kurdish infighting, but by disagreement over Maliki’s candidacy, according to sources inside the Coordination Framework, the Shiite coalition entitled to nominate the next government.  

 Nearly two weeks after President Donald Trump warned that Maliki’s return would have consequences for U.S.-Iraq relations, Shiite leaders remain deadlocked. A Framework official told Alhurra that three scenarios are now under discussion.  

 The first is persuading Maliki to withdraw in favor of a consensus figure acceptable domestically and internationally. The name most frequently mentioned is Hamid al-Shatri, Iraq’s intelligence chief, seen by several factions as a low-profile security figure with broad backing. This option hinges on Maliki stepping aside, which he has so far refused.  

 The second scenario is pressing ahead with Maliki’s nomination and forcing a parliamentary vote. That path faces stiff resistance. Sunni blocs and key Shiite factions, including Ammar al-Hakim’s Hikma Movement, have declared their opposition, making it difficult to secure the quorum and votes required.  

A third option, now being discussed more openly, would keep Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani’s caretaker government in place for up to a year with expanded authorities, effectively postponing resolution while negotiations continue.  

 In Washington, the standoff is seen as more than an internal Iraqi dispute. A former U.S. ambassador to Iraq told Alhurra that Trump’s opposition reflects a broader judgment about Iraq’s direction. “This isn’t about personalities,” he said. “There is a view in Washington that returning to that model of governance would deepen instability and complicate Iraq’s external relationships.”  

Inside the Coordination Framework, intermediaries have tested whether the U.S. position is negotiable. According to a senior member, the response was clear: Trump’s opposition remains firm, and proceeding with Maliki would carry diplomatic and economic consequences.  

Maliki has rejected what he calls “blatant American interference” in Iraq’s sovereignty. But his stance has sharpened internal rifts, where resistance to his candidacy existed even before Trump’s intervention.  

 For now, the Framework is stuck between escalation and retreat – pushing forward at the risk of confrontation with Washington or backing down at the cost of internal unity. With no consensus in sight, Iraq’s paralysis is deepening, and the question is no longer just who governs next, but how long the system can absorb the strain.    https://alhurra.com/en/12521

Government Formation: Why Do Parties Treat The Constitution As A Non-Binding "Memorandum Of Understanding"?

Baghdad Today – Baghdad   The stalled formation of a new Iraqi government is no longer merely a dispute over the prime minister's name or the distribution of ministerial portfolios. As political analyst Mohammed Ali al-Hakim told Baghdad Today, it has become "a clear indicator of a deep-seated dysfunction in the structure of public decision-making and the mechanisms of power production."

The prolonged waiting period following each election, and the protracted conflict over the government's form and composition, have made delays in its formation seem like the norm, while adherence to constitutional deadlines has become the exception.

The Constitution: From A Governing Authority To A Bargaining Chip

Al-Hakim believes that what is happening is not merely a matter of political disagreements, but rather a question of the constitution's place in public life. The constitutional articles that stipulate the deadlines for electing the president, appointing the prime minister, and approving the cabinet are treated in every crisis as clauses open to interpretation and obstruction, rather than as binding red lines for all.

In this way, the constitution is transformed from a governing framework that regulates the balance of power into a bargaining chip within the political arena, used when it serves a particular party's interests and disregarded or frozen when it becomes an obstacle to gains or compromises. This selective use of the text, as Al-Hakim warns, opens the door to the growing influence of external powers that find in internal division and the absence of a unified national will an opportunity to intervene and influence the course of sovereign decision-making.

Multiple Decision-Making Bodies: One State Or A Network Of Power Centers?

The failure to form a government also reveals the extent of fragmentation within decision-making centers. Political will does not emanate from a single, clear source, but rather from a wide network of actors.

Parliamentary blocs and alliances are vying for "entitlement" and influence.

-Political houses and authorities within the same component have the power to approve or reject.

-Armed forces with a field presence and direct or indirect political influence.

-Regional and international extensions that have the ability to exert pressure, provide support, or impose red lines.

In this context, the next government is not the natural outcome of a clear electoral process, but rather the result of a long series of compromises between these various power centers. Each party possesses, in one way or another, the ability to use a "veto" to obstruct the process if it does not receive what it deems appropriate in terms of shares and positions, thus transforming the formation process into a redistribution of influence rather than a response to the voters' choices.

Is It A Crisis Of Forming A Government Or A Crisis Of Sovereignty?

When Al-Hakim speaks of the "growing role of external powers," he is directly linking internal setbacks to Iraq's position on the map of regional and international conflicts. Every governmental crisis brings sensitive issues back to the forefront, including:

-The future of the foreign military presence in the country.

-The level of engagement between the United States and Iran on the Iraqi scene.

-Shaping Iraq's economic and energy relations with its surroundings and the world.

The longer a government vacuum persists or a fully empowered government is absent, the weaker the state's ability to make independent decisions on these issues becomes, and the wider the influence of foreign powers grows. At that point, the form and program of the government are no longer the product of purely internal will, but rather the result of a balance with external interests and pressures, thus transforming the crisis of government formation from a domestic political issue into one that touches the very core of sovereignty.

Public Trust: Between Erosion, Protest, And Withdrawal

The most dangerous aspect, according to Al-Hakim, is the impact this trajectory has on the relationship between citizens and the state. The difficulty in forming governments, the recurring crises of political deadlock, and the prioritization of elite deals over the needs of the people all weaken public trust in the political process.

The average citizen observing the situation sees that elections always end in closed-door meetings that redistribute power among the established elites, while issues like public services, unemployment, and corruption remain unresolved or postponed. Over time, a widespread conviction takes root that the political system is closed to genuine change, and that only the faces change, not the underlying principles.

This feeling leads to divergent behaviors: some citizens withdraw from participation and succumb to apathy and despair, while others lean towards more radical options, whether through new waves of protest or by seeking radical alternatives outside the existing system. In both cases, the gap between the public and the ruling class deepens, and the legitimacy of the state and its institutions is undermined in the public consciousness.

A Crossroads... Between The Logic Of The State And The Logic Of Guardianship

In concluding his remarks to “Baghdad Today”, Mohammed Ali Al-Hakim points out that “historical responsibility requires political forces to demonstrate political courage and move from the logic of obstruction and immediate gains to the logic of the state and national partnership, before the government formation crisis turns into an existential crisis that affects the very existence of the state.”

This warning places Iraq at a clear crossroads: either to restore the logic of the state, based on respect for the constitution as a governing reference, not a bargaining chip, and to prioritize the general national interest over sectarian interests, and to build an independent decision stemming from the internal will, or to remain in the circle of multiple tutelages and the struggle for internal and external influence, with all the cumulative risks this entails for sovereignty, stability, and the future of the entire political process.

Between these two options, there seems to be an urgent need for practical steps, not general slogans: transforming constitutional deadlines into an actual, non-negotiable commitment, stopping the use of obstruction as a negotiating tool, separating weapons from political decision-making, and gradually moving from broad power-sharing governments to governments with specific, measurable, and accountable programs.

Without this serious review, the failure to form governments will continue to occur in every cycle, not as an emergency crisis, but as part of the nature of the system itself, which turns the question from "When will the government be formed?" to "What country can be stable on this shaky foundation?" Source: Baghdad Today    https://baghdadtoday.news/293349-.html

Seeds of Wisdom RV and Economics Updates Monday Afternoon 2-16-26

Good Afternoon Dinar Recaps,

Euro Ascendant? Europe Moves to Challenge Dollar Dominance

EU leaders push sweeping reforms to elevate the euro’s global status and reduce reliance on the U.S. dollar.

Overview

• Euro zone finance ministers are meeting to strengthen the euro’s international role.

• The European Commission has proposed structural reforms to boost competitiveness and financial resilience.

• Plans aim to reduce dependence on the U.S. dollar and external economic pressure.

• Digital currency initiatives and capital market reforms are central to the strategy.

Key Developments

• Removing Internal Trade Barriers
EU officials are examining the elimination of internal trade frictions across the 27-member bloc. According to the International Monetary Fund, these barriers are equivalent to a 44% tariff on goods and 110% on services. Removing them would deepen the single market and enhance economic efficiency across the euro area.

• Introducing a Unified Corporate Framework
The proposed “28th Regime” would create a single corporate legal structure across the EU. Currently, businesses must navigate 27 separate legal systems. A unified structure would reduce compliance costs, improve cross-border expansion, and strengthen Europe’s competitive footing globally.

• Strengthening Financial Stability and Joint Debt Tools
Discussions include establishing an EU-wide bank deposit guarantee scheme to ensure equal protection for savers. Reforming the European Stability Mechanism into a stronger EU-level institution capable of managing joint debt issuance would further solidify financial crisis defenses.

• Digital Euro and Capital Markets Expansion
Plans for a Capital Markets Union could mobilize nearly 10 trillion euros currently sitting in deposits, redirecting funds into sectors such as green energy, defense, semiconductors, biotech, and digital infrastructure. A digital euro is also under consideration to reduce reliance on U.S.-controlled payment networks. Expanding euro-denominated bonds and liquidity lines to foreign central banks would enhance the euro’s global reserve appeal.

Why It Matters

This is a strategic attempt to reshape the global financial balance of power. By strengthening internal integration, expanding joint debt markets, and launching a digital euro, Europe is positioning itself as a stronger monetary counterweight to the U.S. dollar and growing Chinese influence.

As dollar dominance faces pressure, the euro is being engineered for greater global weight.  

Why It Matters to Foreign Currency Holders

Readers holding foreign currencies in anticipation of a Global Reset should pay close attention:

• A stronger euro could increase competition among reserve currencies.

• Expanded euro bond markets may boost global demand for euro-denominated assets.

• A digital euro infrastructure could shift international payment flows away from dollar-centric systems.

Currency realignments often unfold gradually, but structural reforms of this scale can significantly influence long-term valuation trends.

Implications for the Global Reset

Pillar 1: Reserve Currency Diversification
If successfully implemented, these reforms could elevate the euro’s share in global reserves and trade invoicing. This would accelerate movement toward a multipolar reserve currency system, reducing singular dollar dominance.

Pillar 2: Digital Monetary Sovereignty
The launch of a digital euro and euro-based stablecoins reflects Europe’s desire to control its own payment infrastructure. This shifts power from private global networks toward sovereign-backed digital systems, redefining monetary influence.

The euro isn’t just strengthening — it’s positioning for a larger role in the coming currency reset.  

Seeds of Wisdom Team
Newshounds News™ Exclusive

Sources

• Modern Diplomacy – “Euro Zone Aims to Boost Global Role of the Euro”

• Reuters – “Euro Zone Finance Ministers Discuss Strengthening Euro’s Global Role”

~~~~~~~~~~

Germany Recalibrates: Berlin Admits BRICS Strategy Misstep

Germany signals a diplomatic pivot, acknowledging that distancing from BRICS members weakened strategic ties.

Overview

• Germany admits alienating BRICS nations was a strategic error.

• Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul publicly acknowledged the misjudgment.

• Berlin is reassessing its approach toward India and other BRICS members.

• The shift reflects broader European recalibration in a multipolar world.

Key Developments

• Public Admission at Munich Security Conference
Speaking alongside India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar at the Munich Security Conference, Wadephul stated that Europe previously viewed countries primarily through the “BRICS lens,” which created unnecessary distance. He acknowledged that this approach “was wrong.”

• Recognition of Shared Interests
Wadephul emphasized that Germany shares democratic values and economic interests with nations such as India and Brazil. He suggested that prior policy framing overshadowed these shared priorities and limited cooperation opportunities.

• Strategic Course Correction
Germany now signals a broader diplomatic realignment—moving from ideological grouping distinctions toward pragmatic engagement. The pivot suggests Berlin recognizes BRICS’ growing global economic weight.

• Europe’s Broader Reassessment
This development reflects Europe’s attempt to adapt to a more fragmented global order where emerging economies hold increasing influence in trade, energy, and geopolitical negotiations.

Why It Matters

Germany’s acknowledgment underscores a shift from rigid bloc-based diplomacy toward strategic flexibility in a multipolar system. As BRICS nations expand economic influence, European powers are recalibrating engagement strategies to avoid isolation from high-growth markets and resource hubs.

Diplomatic recalibration may precede financial restructuring in the evolving reset landscape.  

Why It Matters to Foreign Currency Holders

Readers holding foreign currencies in anticipation of a Global Reset should consider:

• Strengthened EU-BRICS engagement may influence cross-border trade flows and currency demand.

• Increased cooperation with India and Brazil could boost regional economic integration.

• Diplomatic realignment often precedes financial agreements, investment flows, and currency settlement adjustments.

As alliances shift, currency positioning can shift with them. Diplomatic recalibration is often an early indicator of financial realignment.

Implications for the Global Reset

Pillar 1: Multipolar Diplomatic Realignment
Germany’s shift signals that Western economies are adapting to the rise of BRICS rather than isolating it. This supports the emergence of a more balanced global power structure, reshaping influence across trade and finance.

Pillar 2: Economic Pragmatism Over Ideology
The acknowledgment suggests future global finance will be driven by shared economic interests rather than rigid bloc divisions. That transition can accelerate cooperative trade mechanisms and diversified currency usage.

Germany’s admission underscores that BRICS influence now demands engagement, not exclusion.  

Seeds of Wisdom Team
Newshounds News™ Exclusive

Sources

• Watcher Guru – “Alienating BRICS Was Wrong, Says Germany, Promises Course Correction”

• Reuters – “Germany Signals Policy Shift Toward India and Emerging Powers”

~~~~~~~~~~

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Thank you Dinar Recaps

Another “Temporary” Spending Bill That Still Costs Americans 93 Years Later

Another “Temporary” Spending Bill That Still Costs Americans 93 Years Later

Notes From the Field By James Hickman (Simon Black)  February 16, 2026

In January 1933, a farmer named Wallace Kramp was about to lose everything. A lender in Wood County, Ohio was foreclosing on his farm over an $800 mortgage he couldn't pay.

Kramp wasn't a bad farmer. It was actually the government’s fault: during World War I, the US government had urged farmers to plant as much as they could to feed the troops and war-torn Europe.

Families like the Kramps borrowed money and used the loan proceeds to expand production. But then the war ended; European agriculture recovered, and demand for US agriculture vanished. But the American farmers’ debts didn't.

By the early 1930s, wheat that had sold for $2 a bushel during the war was going for 25 cents. Nearly 750,000 farms went bankrupt between 1930 and 1935.

These weren't giant agribusinesses. They were small, family farms.

Kramp, at least, got lucky. On January 26th 1933, his assets were up for bankruptcy auction... and Kramp's neighbors showed up to bid a combined total of $14. Then they handed everything back to him so that he could keep his property.

But most farmers weren't so lucky, and they lost everything.

That's why, a few months later, Congress passed the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1933. The idea was to pay farmers to reduce production, prop up crop prices, and keep family farmers on their lands.

The original budget was $100 million— about $2.5 billion in today's dollars— and it was supposed to be a temporary measure.

That was 93 years ago.

But, big surprise, the "temporary" program never went away. And the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1933 evolved into the modern farm bill— a sprawling piece of legislation that Congress renews every five years, now costing roughly $1.5 trillion per decade.

More importantly, the struggling family farmers it was meant to protect have been replaced by massive agricultural conglomerates.

For example, they receive billions to grow corn. And that subsidized corn flows into the processed food supply— much of it as high-fructose corn syrup which ends up in practically everything Americans eat and drink.

The modern farm bill then funds SNAP benefits (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, aka food stamps) for more than 40 million people.

Ironically, soft drinks— full of that high fructose corn syrup— are the single largest category of SNAP purchases.

Processed foods have fueled epidemic levels of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. The United States spends nearly $5 trillion per year on healthcare, with the government picking up roughly two-thirds of the tab through Medicare, Medicaid, and other programs.

So taxpayers subsidize Big Ag’s corn production. Then further subsidize the purchase of junk food made from that corn. Then further subsidize the medical care for Americans who become unhealthy from all of that processed food.

This is what I'd call the government spending spiral— a self-reinforcing doom loop where each dollar spent justifies even more spending.

And this isn’t even the most corrosive layer of the spending spiral... because at every step, the industries involved— agricultural conglomerates, food manufacturers, healthcare providers, insurance companies— lobby Congress to keep the money flowing.

PepsiCo alone spent $2.8 million last year lobbying to keep their highly processed junk food eligible for food stamps.

You can see the pattern— these companies benefit from ample taxpayer funded subsidies, then recycle a portion of those proceeds back into the political machine to prop up the candidates who vote in favor of those subsidies.

This is why Congress— with an approval rating under 15%— somehow maintains a 90%+ reelection rate for incumbents: their campaigns are funded by the very graft that they vote for!

The federal government now spends roughly $7 trillion per year— roughly double from ten years ago.

What exactly did Americans get for the extra trillions in government spending? Are roads smoother? Schools better? Healthcare more affordable?

None of the above. In fact, despite a 100% increase in spending, schools, healthcare, and infrastructure have all become worse.

It’s truly staggering how much all of this spending is creating a drag on the US economy.

But it works both ways: cutting spending and eliminating subsidies reverses the spiral and moves things in the right direction.

Last week we told you that RFK Jr. helped to eliminate junk food subsidies in several states. And Pepsi— suddenly devoid of a government teet to suckle— responded by slashing prices to make up that lost revenue.

In other words, they cut subsidies and prices fell. Immediately.

It’s amazing to think how a "temporary" farm program from 1933 is still costing American taxpayers 93 years later.

Just imagine what would happen if the spiral ran the other way.

To your freedom,   James Hickman   Co-Founder, Schiff Sovereign LLC

https://www.schiffsovereign.com/trends/another-temporary-spending-bill-that-still-costs-americans-93-years-later-154388/?inf_contact_key=23d6949389a7f07ad4ceb061ecb7ba1f6b52fb27a108dfee299ccbafe321d99b

“Tidbits From TNT” Monday 2-16-2026

TNT:

Tishwash:  The coordinating framework is looking for an alternative to Maliki.

Iraqi parliamentarian: Election of a president is unlikely without prior political agreement

As pressure mounts to convene a parliamentary session to elect a new president, an Iraqi parliamentarian warned that the process could falter without a prior political agreement. Meanwhile, with the US vetoing Nouri al-Maliki's candidacy remaining in place, a leader in the Hikma Movement revealed that the coordinating body is working to identify a new candidate acceptable to all parties.

Sunday, February 15, 2026 – Iraqi MP Faisal Al-Issawi told Kurdistan 24: “There is intense pressure within Parliament to hold a session dedicated to electing the President of the Republic during this week, but there is no tangible political agreement so far, and it is difficult to proceed with the session without consensus.”

Al-Issawi pointed out that the Speaker of the House of Representatives addressed the Federal Supreme Court to request clarification regarding Article (72)/ Paragraph Two/ Clause (B) of the Constitution, which relates to the continuation of the President of the Republic in his duties and setting a date for the election of his successor, stressing that everyone is waiting for the court’s response.

The data indicates that the main obstacle to electing a president lies in the failure to resolve the issue of the prime ministerial candidate within the "coordination framework." According to the Iraqi constitution, the candidate of the largest parliamentary bloc must be tasked with forming the government immediately after the presidential election, thus linking the two positions to each other as a single package.

In this context, Sami Al-Jizani, a member of the Wisdom Movement, stated that "the coordination framework is continuing its political efforts to break the current deadlock, especially in light of the sensitive circumstances and challenges facing the region."

Al-Jizani revealed an "anticipated political breakthrough in the next few days through the introduction of an alternative candidate," explaining that "this candidate will be chosen by consensus of the framework's forces, and must be acceptable and non-controversial at the local, regional, and international levels."

Al-Jizani added that just as the Shiite forces contributed to supporting the Sunni component to decide the election of the Speaker of Parliament, efforts are now focused within the "Shiite House" to overcome internal differences.

Although Nouri al-Maliki remains the only official candidate of the Coordination Framework for the premiership at the moment, American reservations and the refusal to assign him have pushed the Framework's forces towards searching for alternative options to ensure the government's passage.link

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Tishwash: The Iraqi parliament resorts to the Federal Court to resolve the issue of the presidency... document

 The Speaker of the Iraqi Parliament, Hebat al-Halbousi, has submitted a request to the Supreme Federal Court to interpret a constitutional provision related to the election of the President of the Republic, given the inability to hold a session with a quorum for this purpose.

According to an official document issued by the Presidency of the House of Representatives, published by Shafaq News Agency, the request is based on the texts of the Constitution and the Federal Court Law, and aims to interpret Article (72/Second/B), which stipulates that the President of the Republic shall continue to exercise his duties after the end of his term until a new president is elected within thirty days from the date of the first session of the House of Representatives.

The document explained that the election of the President of the Republic was not achieved within the constitutional period, despite the House of Representatives continuing to hold its sessions, due to the lack of a legal quorum in more than one session dedicated to this purpose.

The request indicated that the council continues to hold its sessions according to the usual agenda, without including the item of electing the president of the republic, due to the lack of the required quorum, and asked the Federal Court to state the legal opinion on this matter.

The Iraqi constitution stipulates that the president must be elected within a period not exceeding 30 days from the date of the first session of the House of Representatives.

Taking into account this period from the first session held on December 29, 2025, the constitutional time limit ended on the night of January 28, 2026.  link

Tishwash: No turning back on the ASYCUDA... The government calls on traders to accept the new reality

 The Iraqi government called on Sunday (February 15, 2026) for those objecting to the implementation of the ASYCUDA system and customs tariffs to accept the new reality and comply with the law. Speaking on behalf of the government, spokesperson Bassem Al-Awadi explained that this system, which is implemented in more than 100 countries, will be applied in Iraq under international and UN supervision. He added that part of the ASYCUDA implementation is linked to Iraq's international obligations in the areas of combating money laundering, currency and goods smuggling, and international trade. He further stated that after 2003, Iraq relied on a process he termed "arbitrary" in managing customs and taxes, and that the time has come to change this process.

Al-Awadi stated in an interview with the official channel, which was followed by 964 Network , that “during the past few days with the beginnings of the implementation of the ASYCUDA system, there was some delay in the ports and many goods were delayed. According to the government’s estimates, some of them were delayed normally and others were delayed abnormally. When the government implemented the ASYCUDA system, this does not mean that there is a problem between it and the traders, but this step is an organizational process.”

Al-Awadi added, “In order to facilitate the movement of goods and make things easier for the private sector and Iraqi traders, the Iraqi government decided to zero out the government’s percentage of goods in warehouses - these warehouses are a joint facility between the ports and maritime transport, and also in cooperation with the private sector - so the government’s fees were zeroed out, and also 50% of the fees of the investing partner were zeroed out.”

Al-Awadi pointed out that “in light of the recent atmosphere that we all experienced, and the many rumors that try to make the government and the Iraqi state in general seem like something poised to harm the private sector or harm the people, and this is something that does not exist,” indicating that “the private sector and the merchant class are witnesses to the level of interaction that the government has undertaken, and in the end, only the truth will prevail.”

Al-Awadi pointed out that “trade from 2003 until today, especially with regard to taxes and customs, was more like arbitrariness. In simple terms, things were done in the form of a small container with 3 million and a large container with 4 million, regardless of what was inside the container. This was an old method that was imposed by the reality of the change after 2003, and it continued due to the repercussions and recent events.”

Al-Awadi stressed that “the ASYCUDA system is a United Nations system and was not brought by the Iraqi government. It is implemented in 102 countries around the world and is linked to the United Nations Convention against Torture (UNCTAD). Part of the implementation of ASYCUDA is linked to Iraq’s international obligations in the areas of combating money laundering, smuggling of currency and goods, and international trade.”

The government spokesman stressed that “this system is not targeting a specific class, and the rumors that speak of a lack of liquidity in the Iraqi state and that is why it went towards this system are untrue. All of this is incorrect, because the process of trade, accounting and customs since 2003 was an arbitrary emergency process, and in the end, now this year or next year or after 3 years, everyone knows that these temporary matters must end and we must move towards the right things.”

Al-Awadi explained that “this new system (ASYCUDA) has been implemented, and we do not have (Quranic texts nor angels). It is an electronic automation system, operated by Iraqi teams under international and UN supervision.” He pointed out that “over time and after implementation, if there is any kind of injustice that may befall an economic class, group, or a specific type of goods, there are unions and federations of the Iraqi private sector and spokespeople for them, and the door of the Prime Minister and the Iraqi government is open to them, and it is possible to address any injustice that may affect merchants or other classes.”  link

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