MilitiaMan and Crew: IQD News Update-Global Trade-WTO-USA-Political Noise-Digital

MilitiaMan and Crew: IQD News Update-Global Trade-WTO-USA-Political Noise-Digital

2-1-2026

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

Follow MM on X == https://x.com/Slashn

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wwjmwg3QakA

FRANK26….2-1-26…….MALIKI THE MENACE

KTFA

Sunday Night Video

FRANK26….2-1-26…….MALIKI THE MENACE

This video is in Frank’s and his team’s opinion only

Frank’s team is Walkingstick, Eddie in Iraq and guests

Playback Number: 605-313-5163   PIN: 156996#

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOBcbwt7P5Y

Dollar Collapse, this is Why Global Money is Fleeing the US

Dollar Collapse, this is Why Global Money is Fleeing the US

Lena Petrova:  2-1-2026

In a recent episode of the World Affairs and Context podcast, Lena Petrova sat down with Larry McDonald, a New York Times best-selling author and founder of the Bear Traps Report, to discuss the recent decline in the US dollar and its implications on the global economy.

The conversation was enlightening, offering insights into the complex dynamics driving the dollar’s downtrend and the shifting landscape of financial markets.

According to Larry, the dollar’s decline is not a short-term phenomenon but rather a consequence of long-term fiscal irresponsibility, political sanctions, trade conflicts, and the global transition from a uni-polar to a multi-polar world.

The US government’s actions, including bipartisan sanctions and property confiscations, have alienated global trading partners, prompting them to reduce their reliance on the dollar. This trend is evident in the increasing diversification of global reserves away from the dollar.

Larry highlights that there are internal divisions within the US government regarding the dollar’s future. A faction within the government advocates for a weaker dollar to rebalance global trade, support the rust belt, and help repay the enormous national debt via debt monetization.

Essentially, debt monetization involves keeping interest rates below inflation, thereby inflating away debt over time. This concept is often misunderstood, but Larry clarifies that inflation reduces the real value of debt, making it a viable strategy for managing the US’s substantial debt burden.

The podcast discussion touches on the migration of capital from financial assets, particularly US treasuries and growth stocks like the MAG7, into hard assets such as gold, copper, and other commodities.

This shift is driven by skepticism toward US fiscal policy and a weakening dollar. Central banks globally are increasing gold reserves as a hedge against dollar risk, further underscoring the declining confidence in the dollar.

Despite the weak dollar, the US stock market has shown remarkable resilience. Larry attributes this to capital flowing away from mega-cap tech growth stocks toward international and value equities, signaling a broadening market trend.

However, he expresses concern about an emerging AI bubble, fueled by speculative valuations, massive capital expenditures, and rising memory chip costs. This bubble could potentially hamper sustainable returns and lead to a market correction.

The discussion also highlights recent moves by European pension funds exiting US treasuries due to concerns about US fiscal stability and political uncertainty.

This reinforces the theme of global capital reallocating away from traditional dollar-denominated safe havens. As investors become increasingly wary of the dollar’s stability, they are diversifying their portfolios into alternative assets.

Larry offers a nuanced perspective on the future of the dollar and gold. While the dollar is under pressure, a complete collapse is unlikely due to the US’s geopolitical power and military strength.

He foresees a scenario where inflation resurges later in the year, prompting the Federal Reserve to tighten monetary policy, which would strengthen the dollar once again. Thus, the dollar’s decline is a complex, ongoing process with potential reversals, rather than an inevitable collapse.

In conclusion, the dollar’s decline is a multifaceted issue driven by a combination of factors, including fiscal irresponsibility, political sanctions, and global economic shifts.

As the global economy continues to evolve, investors must stay informed and adapt to the changing landscape. For further insights and information, watch the full video from Lena Petrova, where she delves deeper into the complexities of the dollar’s decline and its implications for the global economy.

https://youtu.be/FnndL5IxTxM

Comparing the IQD to Neighboring Countries, will the DRP Change Things?

Comparing the IQD to Neighboring Countries, will the DRP Change Things?

Edu Matrix:  2-1-2026

As we navigate the complexities of global currency markets, it’s essential to take a closer look at the Iraqi Dinar (IQD) and its standing within the Middle East and North Africa region.

In a recent video on the Edu Matrix channel, Sandy Ingram provides a comprehensive analysis of the IQD in comparison with neighboring countries’ currencies, shedding light on its current value and potential future appreciation.

As of January 30th, 2026, Sandy, currently in Egypt, examines the currency values of Iraq’s regional neighbors against the US dollar.

The comparison reveals that the IQD is significantly undervalued compared to currencies such as the Kuwaiti Dinar (KWD), Bahraini Dinar (BHD), and Jordanian Dinar (JOD).

 This disparity is striking, especially considering Iraq’s strategic geographic position and ongoing development projects.

Sandy remains optimistic about the IQD’s eventual appreciation, driven by Iraq’s investments in transportation and trade routes from the Gulf to the Mediterranean through Turkey. These infrastructure projects are expected to boost Iraq’s economy and, subsequently, its currency. While the IQD currently holds a relatively low value, its potential for growth is substantial.

One interesting aspect discussed in the video is the potential impact of Iraq charging for transportation hub services in US dollars rather than IQD.

This shift could benefit Iraq’s economy in various ways, although it may not directly lead to an increase in the IQD’s value. Instead, it could create a different economic dynamic, with potential benefits for the country’s revenue streams.

From a technical standpoint, Sandy highlights the importance of decimal shifts in the IQD exchange rate.

A significant change in the exchange rate could result in substantial profits or appreciation in the currency’s value.

To navigate these complexities, Sandy encourages viewers to join a membership program, which offers detailed reports, investment strategies, and access to a free book explaining currency decimal movements.

The overall tone of the video is cautiously optimistic about the IQD’s future prospects. Regional economic dynamics and Iraq’s infrastructural projects are identified as key factors driving the currency’s potential appreciation.

As the global economy continues to evolve, it’s essential to stay informed about the IQD’s progress and the broader regional currency landscape.

For those interested in gaining a deeper understanding of the IQD and its potential, we recommend watching the full video on the Edu Matrix channel. With expert analysis and insights into regional economic trends, this video provides a valuable resource for investors and currency enthusiasts alike.

https://youtu.be/X4jPDTJmaco

Seeds of Wisdom RV and Economics Updates Sunday Afternoon 2-1-26

Good Afternoon Dinar Recaps,

Historic Silver Price Collapse: What Caused It and What Comes Next

Silver’s unprecedented drop exposes deeper structural strain in global markets and raises questions about futures, liquidity, and accountability.

 Overview

Silver recently experienced one of the largest single-day percentage drops in history, briefly falling more than 30% in 24 hours after a year of parabolic price gains that drove it above record nominal highs.
This violent move wasn’t merely a technical correction — it reflected fundamental supply-demand imbalances, forced liquidations triggered by futures market mechanics, and a deep disconnect between paper contracts and physical metal availability.

Key Developments

1. Parabolic Rally Meets Margin Hikes and Forced Liquidations
After a dramatic rally throughout late 2025 and early 2026, silver prices climbed above $110 per ounce amid surging industrial demand for green energy and electronics inputs.
To contain extreme volatility, the CME Group raised margin requirements on COMEX silver futures several times, culminating in a cumulative increase of nearly 50% in a short period.
These margin hikes forced heavily leveraged traders to liquidate positions, triggering cascading stop-loss orders and sharp price decline — a classic deleveraging event.

2. Structural Physical Shortage Underlies Market Stress
Independent data shows a growing physical shortage of silver:

• Lease rates (the cost to borrow physical metal) spiked dramatically, signaling scarcity.

• Above-ground inventories in London and COMEX vaults have been falling sharply for years, with LBMA stockpiles down nearly 40% since 2021.

• Physical premiums in some global markets (e.g., Japan and the UAE) have traded far above COMEX prices, reflecting real shortages of available metal.

Physical production faces structural limits: mining output has lagged demand for five consecutive years, creating a cumulative supply deficit approaching 800 million ounces as of late 2025.

3. Paper vs. Physical Disconnect Strains Price Discovery
Silver’s market structure now shows signs of “backwardation” — where spot prices exceed future prices — a rare condition indicating buyers want immediate physical metal rather than future delivery.
Meanwhile, COMEX registered inventories (metal available for delivery) have dwindled even as open interest (paper claims) remains high, pointing to a disconnect between what the market promises and what it can deliver.

4. Manipulation Allegations Resurface but No Confirmed Criminal Probes
Sharp moves like the recent crash reignite long-standing claims that major bullion banks and institutional players use concentrated net short positions, algorithmic selling, and other tactics in futures markets to suppress prices. Historical enforcement actions against spoofing and manipulation in precious metals markets lend context to these concerns.
However, as of now:

• There is no confirmed U.S. criminal investigation specifically targeting recent silver pricing actions or COMEX handling of contract delivery failures;

• No major bullion banks have been publicly charged over the 2025–26 price moves;

• Regulatory bodies like the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and CME have not opened a public criminal probe into silver futures behavior.

Current regulatory focus has been on risk management (e.g., raising margin requirements) rather than punitive enforcement.

Why It Matters

Silver’s drop exposes a fragile market framework:

• A parabolic price arc built on leveraged futures rather than physical supply,

• Eroding inventories at major exchanges,

• Sharp divergence between paper contracts and true metal availability,

• Rising industrial demand that physical mine output cannot satisfy.

This dynamic threatens the integrity of the price-discovery mechanism that underpins global commodity markets.

Why It Matters to Foreign Currency Holders

Precious metals like silver are often viewed as safe-haven assets and hedges against currency debasement. Severe volatility and structural imbalances in silver markets can:

• Trigger rapid reallocations in portfolios,

• Influence inflation expectations and hedge demand,

• Alter correlations between metals, currencies, and risk assets.

If confidence in futures pricing mechanisms erodes further, capital flows may shift toward tangible assets and away from paper instruments — a trend that can ripple across FX and commodity markets.

Implications for the Global Reset

Pillar 1 – Paper-to-Physical Disconnect Signals Structural Fragility
The silver market highlights the risks inherent in derivatives-heavy financial systems where paper claims far exceed underlying real assets. Systemic stress in one corner of global finance can presage broader imbalances.

Pillar 2 – Markets Are Repricing Risk and Storage
Backwardation and physical scarcity reflect a broader shift toward real asset value over leveraged price speculation — a dynamic that often precedes monetary and reserve system adjustments during transitional economic eras.

This is not just a correction — it is a systemic stress test revealing deep fractures between promises and deliverables in global commodity markets.

Seeds of Wisdom Team
Newshounds News™ Exclusive

Sources

• Historic Silver Drop Sparks Fresh Concerns Over Market Manipulation — deepest one-day decline on record and paper-vs-physical disconnect.

• FXStreet — Silver supply squeeze analysis showing structural deficits and lease-rate spikes.

• CFTC/CME margining and forced liquidation events reported in year-end liquidation narratives.

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China’s Global South Strategy: The Quiet Campaign to Undermine U.S.-Led Alliances

Beijing expands influence through infrastructure, technology, and soft power—reshaping global power without firing a shot.

Overview

China is executing a long-term strategy aimed at counterbalancing U.S.-led alliances such as NATO, AUKUS, and the Quad by cultivating influence across the Global South. Rather than direct confrontation, Beijing relies on economic integration, technological expansion, military modernization, and alternative institutions to weaken Western dominance and accelerate the shift toward a multipolar world order.

Key Developments

1. Economic Power as Strategic Leverage
At the core of China’s outreach is the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which links developing nations to Chinese capital through infrastructure, ports, digital networks, and energy projects. These investments provide alternatives to Western financial institutions while deepening economic dependence on Beijing. China has refined this approach with “small but beautiful projects” to reduce backlash over debt concerns while maintaining influence.

2. Building Counter-Alliances Outside the West
China is strengthening non-Western security and political groupings, particularly the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). By coordinating security positions and expanding membership, Beijing positions the SCO as a counterweight to NATO while reinforcing partnerships with Russia, Iran, and Central Asian states to circumvent sanctions and dilute Western leverage.

3. Military Modernization Without Direct Conflict
Beijing has shifted from “near-water defense” to open-sea protection, rapidly expanding its blue-water navy, hypersonic missile programs, cyber warfare capabilities, and artificial intelligence integration. These developments are designed to raise the cost of Western containment—especially in Taiwan and the South China Sea—without provoking outright war.

4. Gray-Zone Tactics and Cyber Influence
China increasingly employs gray-zone operations, including cyber activities, economic coercion, and information influence campaigns. These actions weaken adversaries incrementally, disrupting infrastructure and political cohesion while remaining below the threshold of open military confrontation.

5. Reframing Global Power as North vs. South
Diplomatically, China presents itself as the champion of the Global South, redefining global tensions not as East versus West, but as North versus South. Beijing emphasizes “non-interference,” partnership, and development, positioning its governance model as an alternative to Western conditional aid and political pressure.

Why It Matters

China’s strategy challenges the foundations of the post-World War II international system. By offering economic lifelines, security partnerships, and monetary alternatives, Beijing is steadily eroding Western influence in regions once dominated by U.S. and European institutions.

Why It Matters to Foreign Currency Holders

As China promotes local-currency trade, monetary diplomacy, and reduced dollar dependence, the long-term implications for the global reserve system are significant. A successful multipolar shift would weaken dollar dominance, elevate regional currencies, and potentially accelerate currency realignments tied to a broader global financial reset.

Implications for the Global Reset

Pillar 1 – Financial System Rebalancing
China’s push for alternative payment systems, local-currency settlements, and non-Western financial institutions directly challenges dollar hegemony and accelerates fragmentation of the global monetary order.

Pillar 2 – Power and Alliance Realignment
As supply chains, security arrangements, and development financing increasingly align with Beijing rather than Washington, global influence shifts away from traditional Western blocs toward a more decentralized, multipolar framework.

This is not just diplomacy—it’s a slow-motion restructuring of global power, finance, and sovereignty.

Seeds of Wisdom Team
Newshounds News™ Exclusive

Sources

• Modern Diplomacy — How China Courts the Global South to Counter U.S. Alliances

• Council on Foreign Relations — China’s Growing Influence in the Global South

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Dollar Has Further to Fall as BRICS Builds a Parallel Financial System

Gold accumulation, CBDCs, and non-dollar trade signal accelerating erosion of dollar dominance.

Overview

The U.S. dollar is facing mounting structural pressure as the BRICS alliance accelerates development of a parallel financial system designed to operate outside Western control. Recent dollar weakness, historic central bank gold accumulation, and the rollout of BRICS-linked digital settlement tools are reinforcing concerns that global reserve dynamics are shifting faster than markets previously anticipated.

Currency strategists increasingly agree the dollar’s decline is not cyclical, but structural — driven by policy uncertainty, sanctions risk, and the emergence of viable alternatives to dollar-based trade and settlement.

Key Developments

1. Dollar Weakness Signals Structural Stress
The U.S. dollar fell to a four-year low this week, sliding roughly 3% in a single week against major currencies. Analysts at ING project an additional 4–5% decline through 2026, citing policy uncertainty and changing global investment behavior. Market consensus now centers on direction, not whether the dollar weakens further.

2. Gold Replaces Dollars in Central Bank Portfolios
BRICS nations have accumulated more than 6,000 metric tons of gold, representing approximately 21% of global central bank reserves. Russia and China alone hold over 4,600 tons combined. In 2025, foreign central banks’ gold holdings surpassed U.S. Treasury holdings in value for the first time in nearly three decades — a milestone signaling a structural reallocation away from dollar assets.

Gold prices surged above $5,500 per ounce in January 2026, reinforcing gold’s renewed role as a neutral reserve asset amid sanctions risk and fiscal concerns in the United States.

3. BRICS Settlement Tools Move From Theory to Reality
Late in 2025, BRICS launched a pilot digital settlement unit known as the “Unit”, backed 40% by physical gold and 60% by BRICS national currencies. The system was designed specifically to bypass Western clearing mechanisms for cross-border trade.

In parallel, BRICS Pay, a CBDC-based settlement network, is scheduled for expanded rollout throughout 2026. India, chairing BRICS this year, is proposing the interlinking of member CBDCs to streamline trade and tourism payments across BRICS+ economies.

4. Dollar Share of Global Reserves Continues to Decline
The dollar’s share of global foreign exchange reserves has fallen from 58.2% in 2024 to approximately 56.9% in early 2026. Russia and China now settle most bilateral trade in rubles and yuan, while Brazil and India increasingly price commodities in local currencies to avoid dollar exposure.

Meanwhile, the mBridge platform — involving China, Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, and the UAE — has already processed RMB 387.2 billion ($55 billion) in transactions, with 95% settled in digital yuan, proving that large-scale alternatives to dollar settlement are already operational.

5. Policy Uncertainty Accelerates Capital Flight
Currency strategists point to heightened policy volatility in Washington as a key driver of the dollar’s weakness. Abrupt shifts in trade and geopolitical posture have increased hedging behavior, reduced Treasury exposure among European pension funds, and accelerated capital flows into non-dollar assets.

Eleven of nineteen emerging-market currencies tracked by Oxford Economics gained more than 1% against the dollar this month, underscoring the breadth of the shift.

Why It Matters

What was once dismissed as “de-dollarization rhetoric” is now manifesting through measurable reserve reallocations, operational payment systems, and coordinated BRICS policy action. The dollar’s decline reflects eroding confidence in U.S. fiscal sustainability and the growing cost of weaponized finance.

Why It Matters to Foreign Currency Holders

As gold-backed settlement units, CBDCs, and local-currency trade expand, holders of foreign currencies may benefit from revaluation dynamics tied to a multipolar monetary system. These developments align with long-term expectations of currency realignment as the dollar’s reserve premium weakens.

Implications for the Global Reset

Pillar 1 – Monetary System Transition
The rise of gold-backed digital settlement tools and CBDC interoperability directly challenges the dollar-centric reserve framework that has governed global finance since Bretton Woods.

Pillar 2 – Trade and Power Realignment
As BRICS bypass Western intermediaries, trade flows increasingly reflect geopolitical alignment rather than dollar necessity, reshaping global influence and reducing the effectiveness of sanctions-based enforcement.

This is not a dollar crash — it’s a controlled unwind of monetary dominance decades in the making.

Seeds of Wisdom Team
Newshounds News™ Exclusive

Sources

• Watcher.Guru — Dollar Has Further to Fall While BRICS Builds Parallel System

• Bank for International Settlements (BIS) — mBridge and the Future of Cross-Border CBDC Payments

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Iraq Economic News and Points To Ponder Sunday Afternoon 2-1-26

Dollar Drops In Baghdad And Erbil Markets

2026-02-01 Shafaq News– Baghdad/ Erbil  The US dollar closed Sunday’s trading lower in Iraq, hovering around 148,000 dinars per 100 dollars.  According to a Shafaq News market survey, the dollar traded in Baghdad's Al-Kifah and Al-Harithiya exchanges at 148,350 dinars per 100 dollars, down from the opening session’s 149,400 dinars.

In the Iraqi capital, exchange shops sold the dollar at 148,750 dinars and bought it at 147,750 dinars, while in Erbil, selling prices stood at 148,050 dinars and buying prices at 147,850 dinars.

https://www.shafaq.com/en/Economy/Dollar-drops-in-Baghdad-and-Erbil-markets

Iraq Boosts Fuel Self-Sufficiency With Launch Of FCC Unit

2026-02-01   Shafaq News– Baghdad  Iraq is set to secure 4,200 cubic meters of high-octane gasoline for the domestic market after commissioning the Fluid Catalytic Cracking (FCC) unit at the South Refineries Company, the Ministry of Oil announced on Sunday.

According to a statement from the ministry, Hussam Hussein Wali, the director general of the company, noted that the unit entered final operation on January 31 as part of Iraq’s drive toward self-sufficiency in refined petroleum products.

Iraqi caretaker Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani previously affirmed that Iraq targets exports of oil derivatives to global markets by 2030.

In November, Iraq formally halted fuel imports after achieving self-sufficiency in gasoline, diesel, and kerosene, under a directive by Al-Sudani. The order instructed the Oil Ministry to regulate domestic consumption and channel surplus production toward exports.

Iraq, OPEC’s second-largest producer, continues to rely heavily on imports due to challenges such as security threats, political instability, aging infrastructure, and resource depletion. Gas flaring and opaque contracts further complicate its energy sector, driving higher demand for refined oil products.

Read more: Why doesn't Iraq export petroleum derivatives?

https://www.shafaq.com/en/Economy/Iraq-boosts-fuel-self-sufficiency-with-launch-of-FCC-unit

Gold Prices Fall In Baghdad And Erbil Markets

2026-02-01 Shafaq News– Baghdad/ Erbil   On Sunday, gold prices hovered around one million IQD per mithqal in Baghdad and Erbil markets, marking a sharp 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 996,000 IQD per mithqal (equivalent to five grams) for 21-carat gold, including Gulf, Turkish, and European varieties, with a buying price of 992,000 IQD. The same gold had sold for 1.040 million IQD on Saturday.

The selling price for 21-carat Iraqi gold stood at 966,000 IQD, while the buying price reached 962,000 IQD.

In jewelry stores, the selling price per mithqal of 21-carat Gulf gold ranged between 995,000 and 1.005 million IQD, while Iraqi gold sold for between 965,000 and 975,000 IQD.

In Erbil, 22-carat gold was sold at 1.125 million IQD per mithqal, 21-carat gold at 1.075 million IQD, and 18-carat gold at 922,000 IQD.  https://www.shafaq.com/en/Economy/Gold-prices-fall-in-Baghdad-and-Erbil-markets-6-7

Iraqi Oil Exports To US Slide To 83,000 Bpd

2026-02-01   Shafaq News– Baghdad/ Washington   Crude oil exports from Iraq, OPEC’s second-largest producer, to the United States fell to 83,000 barrels per day (bpd) over the past week from 251,000 bpd a week earlier, according to data released Sunday by the US Energy Information Administration.

The EIA figures showed the decline amounted to 168,000 bpd week on week.

Overall, average US crude oil imports from ten major suppliers stood at 4.908 million bpd, down 677,000 bpd from 5.585 million bpd recorded the previous week.

Canada ranked as the largest crude supplier to the United States during the week, with average imports of 3.813 million bpd, followed by Saudi Arabia at 370,000 bpd, Mexico at 216,000 bpd, and Colombia at 128,000 bpd. US crude imports averaged 119,000 bpd from Ecuador, 94,000 bpd from Venezuela, 43,000 bpd from Brazil, 41,000 bpd from Nigeria, and 1,000 bpd from Libya.   Daily US oil consumption stands at around 20 million barrels, making it the world’s largest oil consumer.   https://www.shafaq.com/en/Economy/Iraqi-oil-exports-to-US-slide-to-83-000-bpd

Iraq Lowers Customs Import Value Estimates By 25%

2026-02-01 Shafaq News– Baghdad   Iraq’s General Authority of Customs at the Ministry of Finance approved on Sunday a 25% reduction on the average import values recorded in the ASYCUDA customs system.

According to the authority, the directive aims to strike a balance between maximizing state revenues and easing customs procedures at border points.

In January, the Iraqi government raised customs tariffs, setting rates between 5% and 30% across multiple brackets. The increases were applied to the full customs tariff schedule, which includes 99 chapters and around 16,400 internationally adopted tariff items.

Several Iraqi provinces, including the capital Baghdad, have witnessed angry protests against the government’s decision to impose new taxes and fees, as well as the enforcement of customs tariffs on imported goods.

Read more: Delayed reform or fiscal shock? Iraq’s tax measures test state capacity

https://www.shafaq.com/en/Economy/Iraq-lowers-customs-import-value-estimates-by-25

Iraq Continues To Suspend Its Oil Production Increases

Time: 2026/02/01 14:01:43 Readings: 165 times  {Economic: Al-Furat News} Reuters reported on Sunday that Iraq, as an active member of the OPEC+ alliance, will maintain its decision to suspend oil production increases for March 2026, in a move aimed at preserving the stability of global crude prices, amid Brent crude reaching about $71 a barrel, its highest level in six months.

The eight producing countries – Saudi Arabia, Russia, the United Arab Emirates, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Iraq, Algeria and Oman – had raised production quotas by about 2.9 million barrels per day during the period from April to December 2025, before freezing any increases from January to March 2026 due to weak seasonal consumption.

Iraq produces a portion of roughly half of the global oil output covered by the OPEC+ alliance, giving it a significant role in market stability. The OPEC+ meeting is scheduled for Sunday at 1:30 PM GMT, while the Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee will convene to review performance without the authority to make new production decisions.

Oil prices received additional support due to production disruptions in Kazakhstan, while the United States continues to monitor the Iranian situation, including oil sanctions on Tehran and potential military pressure options, amid readiness on both sides to enter into possible dialogue.   LINK

Why Gold & Silver Are Above Governments and Central Banks

Why Gold & Silver Are Above Governments and Central Banks

Lynette Zang:  1-31-2026

Gold and silver are finite, decentralized, and exist outside political systems and centralized control.

 As global debt rises and money printing accelerates, nations and institutions are quietly moving back to sound money.

Fiat currencies depend on confidence and always lose value over time and history proves it.

Chapters:

 00:00 Sound Money Is Above Governments and Central Banks

00:40 What “Sound Money” Really Means (Gold & Silver Explained)

 01:14 The Four Functions of Real Money

02:12 Why Every Portfolio Needs Sound Money

02:47 Gold and Silver Are Used Everywhere in the Global Economy

 03:40 Broad Demand vs Fiat’s One-Place Use Problem

04:19 Why Fiat Currencies Always Collapse

05:39 The Finite Supply of Gold and Silver

06:46 Inflation, Debt, and the Dollar Losing Value

 08:05 Rising Interest Rates and the Global Debt Trap

09:39 Why Central Banks Are Buying Gold

10:47 Taking Power Back With Sound Money

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8L14IEVbrU

“Tidbits From TNT” Sunday 2-1-2026

TNT:

Tishwash:  Source: Al-Sudani, Al-Amiri, and Al-Mandalawi are visiting Erbil today, Sunday.

A high-level source in the Kurdistan Democratic Party revealed on Sunday (February 1, 2026) that there is intensive political activity to resolve the issue of the presidency, stressing adherence to the existing agreement with the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan and not going to break the understanding between the two parties.

The source told Baghdad Today in a special statement that “what has been agreed upon so far is not to cancel the existing agreement, and it is likely that tomorrow will witness a visit by Hadi al-Amiri, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, and Acting Speaker of Parliament Mohsen al-Mandalawi to Erbil, to resolve the issue of the presidency with the Kurdistan Democratic Party, within the existing agreement with the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan.”

The source explained that "this visit is moving within the framework of coordination, which does not prefer that the Kurdish component bring two candidates, but rather one compromise candidate, in order to ensure ease in the appointment of the presidency and ease in completing the process of forming the next government," considering that "unifying the Kurdish position within the parliament will be a decisive factor in the session to elect the president and stabilize the political process in the next stage."

It is worth noting that the parliamentary session scheduled for today, Sunday (February 1, 2026), to elect the president of the republic is taking place amidst a clear political deadlock regarding the Kurdish issue.

This comes after weeks of dispute between the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) over the presidential candidate, with multiple names still being put forward within the Kurdish political sphere.

 Meanwhile, the Coordination Framework prefers to resolve the issue with a single consensus candidate to ensure the stability of the new government formation process. This complexity, coupled with the nomination of Nouri al-Maliki for prime minister and escalating regional and international pressure, has transformed the presidency from a largely ceremonial position into an additional political hurdle requiring a comprehensive settlement among Shia, Kurdish, and Sunni forces alike.  link

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Tishwash:  An economist reveals urgent solutions to address the financial crisis and secure employee salaries.

Economic expert Ahmed Al-Tamimi revealed today, Saturday (January 31, 2026), a number of urgent solutions required to confront the financial crisis that Iraq is going through, and to ensure the regular disbursement of employee salaries.

Al-Tamimi said in a press statement that “the current financial crisis, which has directly impacted the delay in releasing employee salaries, requires immediate government measures and real structural reforms to prevent it from worsening in the coming period.”

He explained that “the delay in salaries is not only due to the decline in cash liquidity, but is the result of accumulations that have continued for years, due to the almost complete dependence on oil revenues, in contrast to the weak diversification of income sources and the decline in non-oil revenues.”

He added that “continuing this approach will increase pressure on the general budget, unless action is taken quickly to rearrange spending priorities, control operating expenses, and secure employee salaries as a top priority to maintain social stability.”

Al-Tamimi pointed out that “among the urgent solutions is activating the tools of fiscal policy in coordination with the Central Bank, improving liquidity management in government banks, as well as accelerating the reform of the tax system and expanding the collection base, in a way that does not burden those with limited income.”

He stressed that “confronting the current crisis requires a clear political will to combat waste and financial corruption, enhance transparency in the management of public funds, and support productive sectors, especially industry and agriculture, to alleviate pressure on the public treasury and create sustainable financial resources.”

Al-Tamimi concluded his remarks by stressing that “any further delay in addressing the issues will exacerbate the repercussions of the crisis,” calling on the government to take swift and well-considered decisions that ensure the regular disbursement of salaries and restore confidence in the state’s financial situation.

The country is currently experiencing increasing financial pressures that have affected the salaries of employees in a number of government institutions, amid challenges related to declining liquidity and the general budget's heavy reliance on oil revenues.

These developments come at a time when calls are mounting for urgent financial and structural reforms to ensure economic stability and secure the state’s basic obligations, foremost among them employee salaries.  link

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Tishwash:  Explosions rocked several Iranian cities: What are the reasons? Authorities explain 

Iranian authorities announced that the sounds and explosions heard on Saturday in the cities of Qasr-e Shirin, Ahvaz, Bandar Abbas, and southern Tehran were due to different and unrelated causes.

The authorities confirmed that these explosions are not related to any exceptional security developments, and that the general situation is stable.

Local sources in Qasr-e Shirin, in the west of the country, reported that the loud sounds heard this morning were the result of pre-planned military maneuvers and exercises carried out by the Islamic Republic of Iran Army, as part of periodic programs aimed at raising the level of combat readiness.

She confirmed that these exercises ended according to the schedule, and that the situation in the city is completely normal and does not warrant concern.

In the southwestern city of Ahvaz, the head of the city's fire and safety services organization announced that an explosion occurred inside a residential complex in the Kianshahr area, as a result of a gas leak, killing four people.

He explained that emergency teams rushed immediately to the scene of the incident to control it and secure the area, and the competent authorities began investigating its circumstances.

In Bandar Abbas, the capital of Hormozgan province in southern Iran, the province's Director General of Crisis Management, Mehrdad Hassanzadeh, explained that the loud noise reported in some parts of the city was caused by an incident inside a residential building on Moallem Street, stressing that the incident had no security implications.

He added that ambulance and fire crews began relief work immediately upon receiving the report.

The authorities urged citizens not to be swayed by rumors and to obtain information from official sources, stressing that the safety of citizens is a priority and that the relevant authorities are monitoring all incidents in accordance with the approved legal and procedural frameworks.

Iranian authorities have denied any security or military incidents in the cities of Parand and Rabat Karim, southwest of Tehran, after reports circulated of explosions being heard and heavy smoke seen in some areas.

The administrative official of Rabat Karim, Reza Aghaali Khani, explained in an official statement that the rising smoke was not caused by any security or military incident, indicating that its source was due to fires that broke out in dry reed plants on the banks of the Shur River.

The official added that such fires sometimes occur as a result of negligence or the actions of some unknown people, and that the authorities are closely monitoring the situation and taking precautionary measures to prevent the recurrence of such fires and to protect the environment.

Meanwhile, the public relations department of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps denied on Saturday claims of the assassination of naval commander Admiral Ali Reza Tangsiri.

In the same context, the Revolutionary Guard's naval force denied what was being circulated regarding its headquarters in Hormozgan province being attacked by a drone, stressing that none of the force's buildings were destroyed, and that the news published in this context is baseless.

The Public Relations Department of the Revolutionary Guard explained that the methodology of spreading rumors followed by the “Terror Alarm” account in security and military issues has known precedents, considering that the aforementioned Israeli account works as an operational arm of the Mossad, within the framework of psychological warfare.

She pointed out that the same account had previously claimed the assassination of Quds Force commander Brigadier General Ismail Qaani, which proved to be false.

The Guard noted that “given the psychological operation being carried out by Trump, the dissemination of assassination rumors by Terror Alarm takes on greater significance.”

This comes amid the US threat to launch an attack on Iran, which Tehran insists will be met with an unprecedented response.  link

Mot: Being the Designated Driver is Great !!! 

Mot: As We Move Forward!!!! 

News, Rumors and Opinions Sunday 2-1-2026

KTFA:

Clare: "THE COST IS... THE MONETARY REFORM COLLAPSE"......F26

What is the cost of rebellion?

Learn about the reasons for America's "guardianship" over Iraq... and the consequences that await us if this protection is lifted.

1/30/2026   Baghdad Today – Baghdad

Despite more than 23 years having passed since the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime, Iraqi oil revenues remain channeled through the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. This arrangement is viewed within Iraq as a complex mix of legal "protection" and financial "guardianship" that grants Washington significant influence over economic decision-making in Baghdad.

Although most of the legal foundations that originally established this mechanism have expired, the United States effectively still controls the flow of dollars that fund the Iraqi budget through a combination of executive orders, protectionist measures, and strict oversight of dollar flows into and out of Iraq. With Trump's threats to cut "aid" to Iraq—which is practically understood as a threat to cut off its dollar supply—let's examine the implications.

 What if Trump carries out his threat and cuts off or reduces dollar aid to Iraq?

-Financial strangulation within weeks: because almost every artery in the economy passes through the dollar coming out of New York, and any major cut or reduction in supply will cripple the central bank’s ability to finance the market.

What we are currently experiencing has escalated into a full-blown crisis: today, with only limited supply constraints and exchange rate fluctuations, markets are in turmoil and prices are soaring. What will happen if the cuts become more drastic or if the currency freeze becomes a declared political decision?

- Direct pressure on the central bank and the government: The central bank will find itself facing practically frozen reserves, unable to inject sufficient quantities to maintain the official exchange rate or cover imports, and the government will be forced to choose between:

1- Employee salaries.

2-Financing food, medicine, and energy.

3- The gap between the official and parallel exchange rates has exploded.

This means a rapid erosion of the purchasing power of salaries, a significant rise in the prices of basic commodities, an expansion of hoarding in dollars and gold, and perhaps a return to barter patterns in some sectors.

- Widespread paralysis in the private sector and foreign trade: letters of credit and transfers have stopped, shipments are delayed, and weak companies are leaving the market in favor of a few who own private channels to obtain hard currency.

-The impossibility of a rapid transition to alternative currencies: Even if Iraq were to consider the yuan, the ruble, or regional settlements in other currencies, this is a project that would require years to amend contracts and supply chains, and it cannot be accomplished as an emergency solution under pressure within months.

-A potential social and political explosion: The collapse of purchasing power, rising unemployment, and shortages of goods could turn into a wave of protests and unrest, which could be exploited by internal and external forces to rearrange influence within the country.

-Turning Iraq into an arena for settling scores: Cutting off or strangling the dollar will be used as a tool in the American-Iranian conflict, and perhaps in wider conflicts, turning Iraq from a player trying to balance its relations into an open arena for the rivalries of others.

-The current crisis is just a small "rehearsal": What is happening today in terms of pressures, partial reductions, and tightening of controls reveals the fragility of the financial and monetary structure, and shows what the image of a "complete financial blockade" could look like if the threat turns into a strategic decision.

The question is: Why is Iraq still mortgaging its oil revenues to America?

From the "Development Fund for Iraq" to the Central Bank account in New York

Economic expert Nabil Al-Marsoumi presents an analysis that moves from legal backgrounds to the financial reality today, and then proposes a practical path to get out of the state of dependency, by addressing the file of lawsuits and compensations accumulated against Iraq since the nineties, instead of just complaining about the “dominance” of the US Federal Reserve.

Following the 2003 invasion of Iraq, the Coalition Provisional Authority established the "Development Fund for Iraq" to be the repository for oil and gas export revenues, obligating countries around the world to deposit the sales proceeds into it, based on Security Council Resolution 1483, which stipulated that oil revenues be transferred to this fund and used for reconstruction, and protected from seizure and litigation proceedings abroad.

In 2010, UN Security Council Resolution 1956 paved the way for the dissolution of the Development Fund for Iraq (DFI) and the transfer of management of the funds to the Iraqi government and the Central Bank of Iraq, while maintaining some legal protections for a specified period. Concurrently, former US President George W. Bush issued Executive Order 13303 in 2003, which granted special protection to the DFI and "all property in which Iraq has an interest," treating them as US funds with respect to immunity from seizure and court orders. This order remains in effect today, with some amendments, and is the most important legal basis for protecting Iraqi funds within the US financial system.

In practice, the “Development Fund for Iraq” evolved into an account in the name of the Central Bank of Iraq at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, into which almost all crude oil revenues were transferred. The Central Bank then recycled these proceeds back into the country by selling dollars to banks, financing imports, and supporting the exchange rate.

Why does the depositing continue at the Federal Reserve while other oil-producing countries do the same thing without restrictions?

Technically, having oil revenues in the US Federal Reserve is not unusual; many oil-producing countries prefer to deposit their reserves there because oil is priced and sold in dollars, and because holding dollar reserves in New York gives these countries quick and secure access to the global financial system. However, Iraq's situation is different for two main reasons:

-Absolute dependence on oil and the dollar: More than 90% of public revenues come from oil sales, making the Federal Reserve account the "bottleneck" for all hard currency entering the Iraqi budget.

- Exceptional oversight of dollar transactions: For years, and especially after 2022, the US Federal Reserve and the Treasury Department have tightened controls on transfers leaving Iraq's account, linking dollar allocations to Iraqi banks' adherence to a strict compliance system to prevent currency smuggling to Iran and other sanctioned countries. This included banning 14 Iraqi banks from dealing in dollars and subsequently preventing additional banks from conducting dollar transfers, citing weak anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing controls.

The result, as summarized by Al-Marsoumi, is that the problem is not in the "place" of depositing the funds, but in the type of restrictions imposed on Iraq's freedom to use them compared to other countries; many oil-producing countries deposit their funds in the Federal Reserve, but they do not face the same level of scrutiny and restriction on every bank transfer.

Old lawsuits: The Kuwait invasion bill that has not been fully settled

A significant part of the complexity of the situation is linked to a long history of lawsuits filed against Iraq stemming from its 1990 invasion of Kuwait. The United Nations Compensation Commission was established to receive claims from affected countries, companies, and individuals, and to disburse compensation from Iraqi oil revenues for many years. Although the compensation file for Kuwait was declared closed in 2022 after full payment, other cases and compensation claims filed by companies and private parties in various international and national courts remain, some resulting in substantial default judgments due to the lack of effective Iraqi legal representation.

These provisions make Iraqi assets a constant target for seizure attempts by creditors. This is why the American protection (Resolution 13303) was originally used to prevent the seizure of Iraq’s assets in New York, but linking the protection to an American presidential decision put Iraq at the mercy of the political will in Washington: if the protection is lifted without addressing the claims and debts, the assets are at risk of almost immediate seizure in more than one jurisdiction.

From here, Al-Marsoumi points out that protecting funds through the United States gives Washington great influence over Baghdad; because whoever has the "button" of protection, consequently has the ability to threaten Baghdad with losing part of its assets if it deviates from the path required by America.

Direct political influence: When assets become a weapon in negotiations

American control is not limited to the technical procedures of banks; it also manifests as a tool of political pressure. Numerous reports indicate that, amidst discussions about the future of the American military presence in Iraq, US officials have threatened to restrict Baghdad's access to its funds held at the Federal Reserve. This would effectively cripple the government's ability to pay salaries and finance imports within weeks if implemented.

This influence was further strengthened by tightening the noose on the smuggling routes of dollars to Iran and the factions close to it, whether through the currency auction, which was subjected to severe restrictions and later was gradually dismantled, or through pursuing new channels such as international payment cards that were used for transfers and smuggling, before the noose was also tightened on them.

For Iraq, this means that the financial file is no longer governed solely by the necessities of economic stability, but also by the balances of the American-Iranian conflict; whenever the confrontation between the two sides intensifies, the pressure on the dollar increases within Iraq, and the presence of the US Federal Reserve increases as the "oxygen cutter" for the Iraqi economy if necessary.

The cost of the current arrangement on the Iraqi economy

The existing arrangement produces a range of profound effects on daily economic life in Iraq, most notably:

-Parallel market and two dollar exchange rates: Reducing the amount of dollars allowed to be injected into banks and tightening the conditions for transfers pushes a large part of trade into the informal market, where the dollar is sold at a higher price than the official rate, which raises the cost of imports, goods and food.

- Strangling the private sector: Importing companies that cannot meet the requirements of the US-Iraqi regulatory platforms are forced to resort to the parallel market, incurring additional costs, or exit the market in favor of "protected" players who have their own channels to access the dollar.

-Politicizing the economy: Any political disagreement with Washington, or a hardening of the relationship with Iran, is directly reflected in the flow of dollars into Iraq, turning fiscal policy into an arena of geopolitical conflict, not just an economic management tool.

Deepening dependence on oil: As long as all funding lines pass through the Federal Reserve and oil revenues, any drop in global prices or disruption in the oil market reopens the debate on the deficit, while non-oil revenues remain weak and squandered by corruption, tax evasion, and customs fraud.

What does Nabil Al-Marsoumi propose to escape this "guardianship trap"?

Al-Marsoumi proposed a different approach that went beyond simply complaining about Iraq's subservience to the US federal system; it addressed the legal root of the crisis. His idea can be summarized in three interconnected steps:

A comprehensive review of the lawsuits and debts file: This involves commissioning a reputable international law firm with full authority to conduct a thorough inventory of all cases filed against Iraq in foreign courts, including the amounts awarded, the nature of the judgments, and their binding nature.

Shifting from a passive defense to active negotiation: Given that many judgments have become final and cannot be easily overturned, the realistic option is to enter into negotiations with creditors (companies, individuals, and institutions) to reach settlements through a "debt buyout" approach: paying a percentage of the amount in exchange for dropping the lawsuits or halting the pursuit of Iraqi assets.

A political, not just economic, decision: Al-Marsoumi points out that countries like Greece and Argentina only overcame their crises with creditors through a major political decision, not just financial maneuvering. They negotiated significant debt reductions and long-term rescheduling in exchange for a commitment to a specific reform plan.

By this measure, Iraq needs a sovereign decision that adopts a courageous legal and negotiating strategy to address the lawsuits file, rather than leaving it unresolved, which perpetuates American protection and its associated influence.

In this sense, addressing the issue of debts and claims becomes a necessary condition for freeing funds from the American "protection trusteeship"; because any sudden withdrawal from the current protection system, without cleaning up this file, means opening the door to a wave of judicial seizure of Iraqi assets abroad.

What are Iraq's realistic options in the coming years?

The question is not, "Should we leave the Federal Reserve or stay?" but rather, "How can we reduce the Federal Reserve's influence over Iraqi financial decisions and transform its role from a tool of guardianship into a temporary safety net?" A range of overlapping options can be outlined:

Internal reforms to reduce Washington's appetite for intervention: As compliance systems in Iraqi banks improve and dollar smuggling and money laundering are curbed, the objective need for intervention by the Federal Reserve and the US Treasury Department under the pretext of protecting the financial system from exploitation diminishes.
Gradually diversify reserves and deposit destinations: Without taking any sudden risks, the Central Bank can gradually expand its currency basket and the destinations for its reserve investments (euro, yuan, gold, sovereign assets), thereby reducing some of the political pressures associated with dollar exclusivity, while the dollar remains a pivotal currency for trade.

Increase the weight of non-oil revenues: Addressing tax and customs evasion and corruption at border crossings, and fairly expanding the income and consumption tax base, means that a larger portion of state funding will no longer be held hostage to a single account in New York. This would reduce Washington's ability to financially strangle Iraq.

Address the issue of lawsuits as proposed by the two decrees: inventory, negotiation, settlements, and then a legal-political understanding with the United States to gradually reduce protection in exchange for guarantees against the prosecution of Iraqi assets.

A balance between sovereignty and realism

Realistically, it does not appear that Iraq is able, in the short term, to sever its oil revenues from the US Federal Reserve with a single blow. The global financial structure, the almost complete dependence on oil and the dollar, and the issue of debts and lawsuits make this option a high-cost gamble, especially if the potential effects of any strict US move are taken into account, such as reducing dollar flows or threatening to cut them off completely, with the direct risks this entails for salaries, prices, the ability to finance imports, and the stability of the market and the street together.

But in the medium term, this “forced linkage” could turn into an intentional transitional phase, if work is carried out on three simultaneous tracks: restructuring debts and claims as the decree suggests, reforming the banking system and reducing dollar smuggling and enhancing compliance, and building internal sources of economic strength outside of oil, which would gradually mitigate the impact of any American shock on hard currency flows.

Only then can the question "Why does the US Federal Reserve control Iraqi funds?" be transformed from an expression of structural weakness into a political and economic negotiation file in which Iraq possesses real cards of strength, and at the same time reduces the cost and depth of the effects that may result from any US decision to tighten the noose on the dollar, instead of the country remaining hostage to a single account in New York that reduces the entire state to a dollar balance.

Report by: Baghdad Today's Economic Affairs Editor    LINK

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

Militia Man   Alaq has the ability, if the gatekeepers...like the IMF, SAD, World Bank...agree, he can make a real effective exchange rate adjustment just about anytime they want...

Mnt Goat   So far in this election saga we received lots of input from Washington on the Coordination Framework choice for prime minister of Iraq. Finally, we have input from President Trump himself on this matter and so I firmly believe Nori al-Maliki chances of prime minister are non-existent...  

Frank26   [Iraq boots-on-the-ground report]  FIREFLY:The television is showing us the Wikileaks...evidence of Maliki.  It was showing he is definitely loyal to Iran...It says during his tenure he had more than 400 Iranians appointed to key state positions inside of Iraq...It showed he stole $350 billion.  Many more things they're showing on television also proving how loyal he is to Iran.  It's all over our news here starting today... FRANK:  Your media as of yesterday has begun to tell you the truth...primarily about the CBI's monetary reform...

************

FIRST U.S. BANK COLLAPSES IN 2026 - And It Won’t Be the Last

2-1-2026

The first U.S. bank failure of 2026 is here. Illinois regulators shut down Chicago-based Metropolitan Capital Bank & Trust, with the FDIC stepping in to protect depositors and transfer operations to First Independence Bank.

No losses, no panic — but a clear warning about the fragility of smaller U.S. banks in a high-interest-rate environment. What does this “orderly” failure really signal about the health of the banking system in 2026?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IgeMJGXj6w

Seeds of Wisdom RV and Economics Updates Sunday Morning 2-1-26

Good Morning Dinar Recaps,

A ‘Republican New Deal’ Signals Regime Change at the Federal Reserve

Trump’s Fed pick and Hamiltonian revival point to a production-first economic reset.

 Overview

• President Trump’s nomination of Kevin Worsh to the Federal Reserve is being framed as a fundamental shift away from Wall Street–driven monetary policy.

• Administration officials argue the Fed has suppressed growth to protect financial markets at the expense of workers.

• A renewed emphasis on tariffs, industrial policy, and Treasury authority echoes Alexander Hamilton’s “American System.”

• Manufacturing investment and domestic production are cited as early evidence of a structural economic shift.

Key Developments

1. Kevin Worsh Nomination Signals ‘Regime Change’ at the Fed
Kevin Worsh, President Trump’s nominee to lead the Federal Reserve, has openly criticized the central bank’s role in asset inflation, emergency bailouts, and money creation. He rejects the long-held assumption that higher wages cause inflation, instead placing blame on excessive liquidity and Wall Street rescues. Worsh has called for restoring the Fed to a narrower mandate and shifting crisis intervention back to the Treasury.

2. Treasury–Fed Power Balance Moves Toward Fiscal Authority
Worsh and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent are aligned in arguing that the Federal Reserve has exceeded its historical role by acting as a capital allocator and de facto fiscal authority. Both support returning responsibility for emergency lending and capital deployment to the Treasury, reviving the constitutional balance envisioned in early U.S. economic policy.

3. Hamiltonian Economics Revived on the Global Stage
At the World Economic Forum in Davos, U.S. Trade Ambassador Jamieson Greer explicitly invoked Alexander Hamilton’s Report on Manufactures, advocating tariffs, subsidies, and industrial protection to secure economic sovereignty. The speech challenged globalization and signaled a return to national development strategies over transnational financial integration.

4. Manufacturing Investment Accelerates Across the U.S.
Administration officials cite approximately $18 trillion in announced domestic and foreign investment tied to tariffs, deregulation, and reshoring incentives. Reported developments include expanded steel production, new heavy equipment plants, revived critical-materials processing, and factory restarts not seen in decades. These projects are presented as evidence that production, not financial speculation, is driving growth.

Why It Matters

This shift reframes economic success away from asset prices and toward wages, output, and industrial capacity. If sustained, it represents a break from four decades of finance-led growth and central-bank dominance, replacing it with a production-centered national economic strategy.

Why It Matters to Foreign Currency Holders

Structural changes in U.S. monetary and fiscal policy affect global liquidity, reserve currency dynamics, and capital flows. A reduced role for Federal Reserve emergency intervention and a greater reliance on Treasury-led growth may:

• Alter global demand for dollars

• Pressure existing debt and currency relationships

• Precede broader realignments in exchange rates and valuation mechanisms

Such transitions historically accompany periods of monetary reset.

Implications for the Global Reset

Pillar 1: Central Banking Power Is Being Reined In
The proposed shift limits the Fed’s ability to support global markets during crises, forcing nations and institutions to adjust to a less interventionist dollar system.

Pillar 2: Production Replaces Financialization
By prioritizing manufacturing, infrastructure, and wages, the U.S. model moves closer to a multipolar economic framework where value is tied to output rather than leverage.

Closing Insight

This is not an argument over interest rates — it is a struggle over who controls economic destiny.

This is not just policy reform — it is an attempt to restore the American System in a post-globalization world.

Seeds of Wisdom Team
Newshounds News™ Exclusive

Sources

• Youtube -- "Trump vs. Wall Street: The "Republican New Deal" Begins"

• Promethean Action

• Transcript and remarks from U.S. administration officials, cabinet meeting statements, and public speeches referenced in the provided material

• World Economic Forum (Davos) remarks by U.S. Trade Ambassador Jamieson Greer on Hamiltonian economic principles

~~~~~~~~~~

The New Colonialism: Energy, Minerals, and the Return of Resource Empire

Rare earths, green energy, and financial leverage revive old imperial dynamics under modern disguise.

Overview

• Colonialism has not disappeared but evolved into subtler forms centered on resource extraction, finance, and technology.

• The global shift toward green energy and advanced weapons has intensified competition for rare minerals.

• Resource-rich nations remain economically constrained despite vast natural wealth.

• Financial systems, debt structures, and processing chokepoints reinforce modern dependency.

Key Developments

1. From Fossil Fuels to Rare Minerals
While 20th-century geopolitics revolved around oil and hydrocarbons, the 21st century is defined by competition over lithium, cobalt, nickel, copper, and rare earth elements. These minerals are essential for renewable energy systems, electric vehicles, digital technology, and modern weapons. Control over these inputs increasingly determines industrial competitiveness and geopolitical power.

2. The Persistence of the ‘Resource Curse’
Countries holding the largest mineral reserves — including Congo, Chile, and Indonesia — remain among the poorest globally. This paradox is often attributed to currency distortion, overreliance on commodity exports, and weak diversification. However, historical and structural factors reveal deeper causes rooted in foreign ownership, external political interference, and enforced dependency.

3. Financial and Monetary Levers Replace Direct Rule
Modern resource dominance is maintained through conditional lending, debt dependency, and monetary subordination. IMF and World Bank programs often require austerity, privatization, and trade liberalization, limiting domestic industrial development. Dollar- and euro-based pricing systems further expose resource economies to external interest rate shocks and currency instability.

4. Processing Bottlenecks Create New Imperial Chokepoints
Even where extraction occurs locally, processing remains concentrated elsewhere. China dominates rare mineral refining, battery manufacturing, and component supply chains, allowing it to control prices and availability. These industrial chokepoints function much like colonial ports once did — determining who can participate competitively in global markets.

5. Geopolitical Realignment Through ‘Friend-Shoring’
Supply chains increasingly double as security alliances. Western nations pursue strategic resource partnerships to counter Chinese dominance, while sanctions and selective relief are used as bargaining tools. Resource-rich nations are pressured to align with competing power blocs, trading sovereignty for market access and financial survival.

Why It Matters

The green transition and digital economy depend on uninterrupted access to strategic minerals. Without structural reform, the pursuit of sustainability risks entrenching a new form of imperial extraction — one that replaces armies with contracts, and colonies with balance sheets.

Why It Matters to Foreign Currency Holders

Resource control and processing dominance shape currency strength, trade balances, and long-term valuation. Nations unable to control extraction or processing face:

• Persistent trade deficits

• Chronic currency weakness

• External debt dependence

These dynamics often precede currency realignments, debt restructuring, or broader monetary resets as systems strain under structural imbalance.

Implications for the Global Reset

Pillar 1: Resource Sovereignty as Monetary Power
Control over energy and minerals increasingly underpins currency credibility and national economic independence.

Pillar 2: Multipolar Competition Replaces Globalization
As supply chains fragment into rival blocs, the post-Cold War globalization model gives way to strategic nationalism and managed trade — hallmarks of a systemic reset.

Closing Insight

Empire did not vanish — it adapted.

This is not just a struggle for minerals — it is a battle over sovereignty, currency power, and who controls the future of the global economy.

Seeds of Wisdom Team
Newshounds News™ Exclusive

Sources

• Modern Diplomacy — The New Colonialism: Energy, Minerals, and the Return of Resource Empire

• World Bank — Minerals for Climate Action: The Mineral Intensity of the Clean Energy Transition

~~~~~~~~~~

🌱 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

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RV Facts with Proof Links Link

RV Updates Proof links - Facts Link

Follow the Gold/Silver Rate COMEX

Follow Fast Facts

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Thank you Dinar Recaps

Iraq Economic News and Points To Ponder Sunday Morning 2-1-26

Parliamentary Confirmation Of The Need To Postpone Economic Decisions Until The Formation Of The Next Government.

Money and Business   Economy News – Baghdad   Amid escalating controversy over recent decisions regarding financial deductions or tax additions, several members of the House of Representatives affirmed that the current government, as a caretaker government, is constitutionally restricted and does not have the authority to make decisions with a direct economic impact on citizens' livelihoods. While they stressed that the economic reform file and the approval of the 2026 budget are among the priorities of the next government, they indicated that there is no real financial crisis.

 In this context, MP Ghaith Al-Kalabi, from the Al-Asas bloc, said that “the decisions issued by the Economic Ministerial Council are not within the powers of a caretaker government, which is a government that must be bound by the laws and legislation in force, with the need to take into account the living conditions of citizens,” considering that some of these decisions are a constitutional violation, according to the MP.

 Al-Kalabi explained that the current government is constitutionally restricted and unable to take financial measures or make significant economic changes, and does not have the legal authority to infringe upon citizens' living or educational rights. He indicated that the House of Representatives represents the constitution and will not allow the powers or acquired rights of citizens to be taken away, stressing full solidarity with the people's demands.

 The MP rejected the notion of using citizens as a means to address economic shortcomings, stating that Parliament categorically rejects these decisions and calls for waiting until the new government is formed to assess the economic situation, particularly regarding the approval of the 2026 budget.

He emphasized that there is no genuine financial crisis. Al-Kalabi further explained that a large segment of the population faces real financial obligations, including loans, the need for treatment for chronic illnesses, and reliance on private hospitals. This makes these decisions unacceptable under the current circumstances, and he called for postponing any economic measures until the new government officially assumes its duties.

 For his part, MP Haider Ali, representing the Faili Kurds, affirmed that “the selection of the President of the Republic in today’s session will contribute to accelerating the formation of the new government,” indicating that “the next government will begin its work and implement its government program, which will focus primarily on economic reforms and addressing financial issues, foremost among them the 2026 budget.”

 For his part, MP Hussein Al-Batat said that this session will see a clear focus on a number of important aspects, most notably adherence to the timelines for forming parliamentary committees and selecting their chairpersons, as the formation of committees represents the actual launch of the work of the House of Representatives.

Al-Batat added that a proposal has been submitted stipulating that an MP should be a member of only one committee, in accordance with their area of ​​expertise, noting that this measure would serve the public interest and focus efforts on a specific area.

 He explained that one of the important issues that should be placed on the agenda of the sixth session of the House of Representatives is the issue of recording the attendance and absence of representatives, especially during the sessions in which laws are voted on, and the necessity of their remaining until the end of the session, as their absence leads to the lack of a quorum and the postponement of the approval of laws, stressing the need to address this problem during the current session.    https://economy-news.net/content.php?id=65201

The Central Bank Of Iran Is Distributing The 500,000 Toman Note Through The Banking Network, Featuring 11 Security Features.

Banks   Economy News — Follow-up   The Central Bank of Iran announced that the distribution of the 500,000 toman note (equivalent to 5 million rials), which was printed in advance, will begin in the banking network starting from February 1, 2026.

This step comes within the framework of managing and regulating cash transactions and facilitating financial transactions, with the aim of speeding up the completion of cash transactions, as the Central Bank has begun distributing this new category in banks within the banking network in the country.   https://economy-news.net/content.php?id=65213

German Central Bank Warns Of Risks To The Dollar’s Global Status

The German central bank has warned that the US dollar’s position as the world’s reserve currency could come under question as early as this year.

According to the annual report of Germany’s Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin), the dollar may face funding pressures, geopolitical shocks, and the growing politicization of institutions. The report expressed concern about the risk of liquidity shortages stemming from geopolitical tensions, describing this as a particularly serious threat.

BaFin Chairman Mark Branson stated, “There remains a risk that markets may begin to question the US dollar’s role as the world’s reserve currency.”

He warned that radical attempts to politicize institutions could undermine the effectiveness of international cooperation, especially during economic or financial crises.

This warning follows the dollar’s worst single-day decline in nearly a year. The dollar index, which measures the currency’s performance against a basket of major peers, recorded its sharpest drop since last April on Tuesday.

The decline came after US President Donald Trump announced a sweeping global tariff agenda https://ina.iq/en/economy/45158-german-central-bank-warns-of-risks-to-the-dollars-global-status.html

Dollar Faces Weekly Loss As Geopolitical Tensions Weigh On Markets

The dollar is headed for its second consecutive weekly loss on Friday as global tensions escalate and pressure on U.S. assets increases.

Tariff threats on countries that trade oil with Cuba have heightened international uncertainty, weakening demand for U.S. assets and contributing to downward pressure on the dollar. The White House announced that President Donald Trump signed an executive order to impose tariffs on nations supplying oil to Cuba, adding to recent geopolitical strains involving Iran, Venezuela, Greenland, and Europe.

Reports that Trump is considering potential strikes against Iran have driven up oil prices, adding further pressure on the dollar index (DXY).

Meanwhile, a bipartisan Senate agreement has offered some hope of averting a partial U.S. government shutdown, and Japanese data showed that inflation in Tokyo slowed but remained within the central bank’s target range.

The dollar index, which measures the U.S. currency against a basket of other major currencies, rose 0.2% to 96.35, trimming its weekly decline to about 1.1%.

In currency markets, the euro fell 0.2% to $1.194, the yen weakened 0.17% to 153.39 against the dollar, and the pound sterling slipped 0.1% to $1.3791. https://ina.iq/en/economy/45153-dollar-faces-weekly-loss-as-geopolitical-tensions-weigh-on-markets.html   

Gold And Silver Plunge Sharply In Global Markets

Precious metal prices declined sharply in global markets during spot trading on Friday, with gold falling by more than 8% to drop below $5,000 an ounce.

Silver also recorded a steep decline, plunging by more than 20% in spot trading to below $90 an ounce, marking one of its largest single-day drops in recent years.

The sell-off comes amid heightened volatility in global markets, driven by shifts in investor demand and broader financial market movements.   https://ina.iq/en/economy/45159-gold-and-silver-plunge-sharply-in-global-markets.html

Oil Prices Fall More Than 1%

Oil prices fell by more than 1% on Friday, retreating from multi-month highs, although they remained on track for their strongest gains in years as risk premiums rose on concerns that a potential U.S. attack on Iran could disrupt supplies.

Brent crude futures fell 91 cents to $69.80 a barrel, after settling up 3.4% in the previous session at their highest level since July 31. The March contract expires later on Friday, while the more actively traded April contract slipped $1.07 to $68.52 a barrel.  Source: Al Arabiya  https://ina.iq/en/economy/45150-oil-prices-fall-more-than-1.html

Weekly Crude Prices Edge 5% Higher Amid Geopolitical Risks, US Supply Disruptions

Oil prices are on track for a weekly gain on Friday, supported by escalating geopolitical tensions, severe weather-related supply disruptions in the US and heightened uncertainty surrounding sanctions and trade policy, although the rally lost momentum toward the end of the week as fresh supply prospects capped further upside.

International benchmark Brent crude traded at $68.53 per barrel at 2.46 p.m. local time (1146 GMT), up 4.8% from last Friday's close of $65.40.

US benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) rose 5.1% to $64.33 per barrel, compared with $61.20 a week earlier.

The main driver of the rise was the sharp escalation in geopolitical risks centered on the Middle East. Tensions between the US and Iran significantly lifted risk premiums, as Washington's increasingly aggressive rhetoric and the deployment of US naval assets raised fears of potential supply disruptions.

Iran's pledge to respond forcefully to any attack, combined with its role as the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries' (OPEC) fourth-largest producer, kept markets focused on the risk of disruptions to regional oil flows throughout the week.

Ongoing coordination between US and Israeli military officials further reinforced perceptions of rising regional instability.

Prices also found strong support from supply disruptions in the US, where extreme cold weather severely curtailed crude production, refinery operations and exports, particularly along the Gulf Coast.

The National Weather Service reported snow depths exceeding 50 centimeters in parts of the country, while wind chill temperatures plunged to as low as minus 31 degrees Celsius, highlighting the severity of the cold wave. Adverse weather conditions brought crude oil exports from the US Gulf Coast close to a standstill, tightening near-term supply.

Market estimates indicated that around 2 million barrels per day of oil supply were temporarily taken offline over the weekend.

Officials warned that the cold wave, affecting roughly two-thirds of the US, could persist in the coming days, raising concerns that supply disruptions may last longer than initially anticipated.

These outages were reflected in falling inventories, with data from the US Energy Information Administration showing that commercial crude oil stocks declined by about 2.3 million barrels last week, reinforcing expectations of a tighter market in the world's largest oil-consuming country.

Monetary policy developments further supported the market. Comments suggesting that progress in the US fight against inflation has been uneven kept expectations for policy easing alive.

The Federal Reserve held its benchmark interest rate steady at 3.5%-3.75% at its first Federal Open Market Committee meeting of the year, in a decision approved by a 10-2 vote.

Expectations that lower interest rates later in the year could stimulate economic activity continued to underpin oil demand.

Geopolitical risks were also influenced by Washington's latest sanctions move targeting Cuba. US President Donald Trump signed an executive order declaring a national emergency and authorizing tariffs on countries supplying oil to the island, a step intended to protect US national security and foreign policy interests by restricting energy flows to Havana, which has already faced critical shortages due to halted Venezuelan shipments and a suspension of Mexican deliveries.

This escalation lifted geopolitical risk premiums and added upward support to prices.

However, markets also weighed the potential impact of these tariffs on global economic activity, with analysts warning that heightened trade barriers could dampen growth and weaken oil demand, exerting downward pressure on prices.

China's public rejection of the tariffs and its support for Cuba further underscored broader geopolitical and trade frictions, creating mixed signals for oil markets.

Gains were also capped by mounting expectations of rising supply, particularly from Venezuela.

Venezuelan lawmakers enacted sweeping reforms to the country's hydrocarbon laws, significantly reducing the state's oil monopoly and opening the sector to greater private and foreign participation. The reform lowers taxes and royalties, grants private producers operational autonomy and allows disputes to be settled in international or US courts.

On the same day the law was signed, the US Treasury Department issued a general license easing several sanctions on Venezuelan crude, allowing US companies to lift, transport and refine Venezuelan-origin oil. These developments reinforced expectations of increased Venezuelan output over time, easing near-term supply concerns.

Additional pressure came from progress toward restarting production at Kazakhstan's Tengiz field and the normalization of export capacity through the Caspian Pipeline Consortium. Strong non-OPEC supply growth continued to weigh on the medium-term outlook, fueling concerns that global oil markets could slip into surplus later in the year.

Lingering uncertainty over US trade policy and the absence of any expected changes to production levels at the upcoming OPEC+ meeting also limited upside momentum, prompting some profit-taking toward the end of the week despite sustained geopolitical risks.

SOURCE: Anadolu Agency  https://ina.iq/en/economy/45168-weekly-crude-prices-edge-5-higher-amid-geopolitical-risks-us-supply-disruptions.html