Iraq Economic News And Points To Ponder Saturday Morning 4-18-26
Strait Of Hormuz Is Open, But Lower Gas Prices Could Take Time
Traffic And Trepidation In The Persian Gulf Could Keep Gasoline Prices From Dropping Quickly
NEW YORK (AP) — After U.S. President Donald Trump and Iran’s foreign minister said the Strait of Hormuz was fully open to commercial vessels after almost seven weeks of war, oil prices plunged 10% and the stock market rallied Friday.
Motorists, hoping for relief at the pump, wondered how quickly gasoline prices might fall once oil tankers stuck in the Persian Gulf were moving again. A gallon of regular gasoline cost $4.08 on average in the U.S. Friday, which was 37% more than before U.S. and Israel attacked Iran but down a few cents from a week ago.
Strait Of Hormuz Is Open, But Lower Gas Prices Could Take Time
Traffic And Trepidation In The Persian Gulf Could Keep Gasoline Prices From Dropping Quickly
NEW YORK (AP) — After U.S. President Donald Trump and Iran’s foreign minister said the Strait of Hormuz was fully open to commercial vessels after almost seven weeks of war, oil prices plunged 10% and the stock market rallied Friday.
Motorists, hoping for relief at the pump, wondered how quickly gasoline prices might fall once oil tankers stuck in the Persian Gulf were moving again. A gallon of regular gasoline cost $4.08 on average in the U.S. Friday, which was 37% more than before U.S. and Israel attacked Iran but down a few cents from a week ago.
But when gas prices spike, they don’t typically drop as quickly as the cost of crude. Even if Iran keeps the waterway open in the face of a U.S. blockade of its vessels, it still could take months for fuel prices to return to levels resembling those enjoyed before the war began Feb. 28, energy experts said.
The slow speed at which oil tankers travel from ports to refineries, lingering security concerns, traffic in the strait and damage to energy infrastructure in the Middle East are all playing a role in the elevated price of gasoline.
“The historical observation is that gasoline prices rise quickly but fall slowly, regardless of the particular causes of the increase,” said Mark Barteau, a professor in the department of chemical engineering at Texas A&M University.
“In this case, one has to take into account the time it takes for the steps that have to happen once tankers sail through the straits – for example, sailing time to refineries on other continents, time to ramp up refinery operations, and time to transport some refined products by tanker to the continent where they will be used,” Barteau said. “There is also tendency to hedge bets because of doubts about whether and how quickly that restoration might occur, and whether further disruptions are possible along the way.”
Nevertheless, some energy analysts were optimistic that gas prices would gradually decline.
Caption Backdropped by ships in the Strait of Hormuz, damage, according to local witnesses caused by several recent airstrikes during the U.S.-Israel military campaign, is seen on a fishing pier in the port of Qeshm island, Iran, Monday, April 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Asghar Besharati)
Hope for Lower Gasoline Prices
Gasoline prices were already falling slightly after last week’s announcement of a two-week ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran, according to motor club federation AAA.
Following the Strait of Hormuz announcement, oil prices fell by $10 to $12 per barrel, which generally translates into a decrease of 25 or 30 cents per gallon of gas, said Michael Lynch, distinguished fellow at Energy Policy Research Foundation, a non-partisan research institution focused on energy and economics.
“That doesn’t happen overnight, but within a week or two, we could be down 50 cents a gallon easily, if this holds,” Lynch said. “And part of it is, there’s a lot of tankers ready to go. And if they all come out, then that balances the market very quickly.”
In the wake of Friday's news, “every state will start seeing gas price decreases accelerate at a pace of probably 1 to 3 cents a gallon for every day or two,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, in a webcast. “And that could continue for at least a couple of weeks.”
DeHaan estimated that the national average for a gallon of regular gas could reach $3.45 to $3.65 by Memorial Day. But he acknowledged that returning to lower prices could take a while.
“It might take until later this year or early next year to really fully normalize and for some of these surcharges and impacts to reverse and disappear," De Haan said.
Traffic and Trepidation
If an agreement to end the war is reached, it could take at least four months for shipping through the Strait of Hormuz to go back to normal, said Patrick Penfield, professor of supply chain practice at Syracuse University.
“Right now, you still have potential mines that have to be removed or detonated, you have over 150 tankers that have been anchored in and around the strait, which is causing a traffic jam, and we still have shipping rates that are still high because of lack of shipping capacity and war rate insurance,” he said.
The leaders of France and the U.K. welcomed word of the strait's reopening but said they would keep pushing for a way to permanently restore freedom of navigation for vessels that rely on the narrow passage off Iran's coast, through which about one-fifth of the world's oil typically travels.
Ship owners would have to be convinced to trust the Americans and Iranians, "and that seems like it’s a hard hill to climb,” Lynch, of the Energy Policy Research Foundation, said. “I certainly wouldn’t want to do it. I wouldn’t wanna be the first ship through or even the first five ships through, but somebody will do it. There’s a lot of money on the table and somebody’s going to grab it.”
If the Iranians are cooperating, the mines should not be a problem, because Iran has a sense of where the mines are, Lynch said.
"Now, that raises the issue, are the Iranians going to cooperate, or what do they want to cooperate?” he asked. “Are they going to demand a couple-million dollars a ship, as is talked about? Or is Trump going to say ‘that’s not acceptable,’ and then what’s the next step after that?”
If the strait remains open, and ships loaded with oil leave the Persian Gulf, it could take weeks for those heavy, slow-moving ships to reach their destinations.
“People think that once the strait opens, it’s fine. We’re done. It’ll be better really fast,” said Richard Joswick, global head of near-term oil analysis at S&P Global Energy. “If you open the strait today to get a ship and bring it around and take it to Europe and run a refinery, turn it into products, you’re talking 10 weeks of a lag time here. It will be two to three months before things can start to get back to normal after the straight re-opens.”
Damage to Energy Infrastructure in the Middle East
Many oil production facilities were damaged in the Middle East, including refineries in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait and oil tanker terminals in the United Arab Emirates and Iran. Some repairs has been made, but damage remains.
In addition, some countries slowed down or halted production during the war, because without the ability to ship crude through the Strait of Hormuz, their ships and storage tanks filled up with stranded oil.
“It’s not a light switch. Everyone’s impatient and saying, ‘Go, go go,’” De Haan said. “But it will take time to get these flows of oil through the Middle East fired back up again.”
Once an oil well is turned off, the pressure within the well could change, and it can take time to restart the flow. But that might not be a problem in some Middle East oil fields, where production can be resumed quickly, Lynch said.
“The Saudis have done that a bunch of times. They ramp up by 2 or 3 million barrels a day, almost overnight, and there’s no problem with the wells that have been shut in for months and sometimes years,” Lynch said. LINK
MilitiaMan and Crew: IRAQ DINAR UPDATE-FOCUS-REER UPDATE: Momentum is Building-Political Clean up & Economic Resilience
MilitiaMan and Crew: IRAQ DINAR UPDATE-FOCUS-REER UPDATE: Momentum is Building-Political Clean up & Economic Resilience
4-17-2026
The Crew: Samson, PompeyPeter, Petra, Daytrader, Sunkissed, GIGI and Militia Man
No drama. No intrigue. No songs and dances. Just straight, factual news that I read and interpret to the best of my ability after being an avid Dinar investor and insanely obsessed Dinarian for over 15 years.
Follow MM on X == https://x.com/Slashn
MilitiaMan and Crew: IRAQ DINAR UPDATE-FOCUS-REER UPDATE: Momentum is Building-Political Clean up & Economic Resilience
4-17-2026
The Crew: Samson, PompeyPeter, Petra, Daytrader, Sunkissed, GIGI and Militia Man
No drama. No intrigue. No songs and dances. Just straight, factual news that I read and interpret to the best of my ability after being an avid Dinar investor and insanely obsessed Dinarian for over 15 years.
Follow MM on X == https://x.com/Slashn
Be sure to listen to full video for all the news……..
FRANK26…4-17-26….ADIOS … A
KTFA
Friday Night Video
FRANK26…4-17-26….ADIOS … A
This video is in Frank’s and his team’s opinion only
Frank’s team is Walkingstick, Eddie and Omar in Iraq and guests
Playback Number: 605-313-5163 PIN: 156996#
KTFA
Friday Night Video
FRANK26…4-17-26….ADIOS … A
This video is in Frank’s and his team’s opinion only
Frank’s team is Walkingstick, Eddie and Omar in Iraq and guests
Playback Number: 605-313-5163 PIN: 156996#
The Money Printer is Firing up but it’s Different this Time
The Money Printer is Firing up but it’s Different this Time
Heresy Financial: 4-15-2026
If you’ve been keeping an eye on the headlines, the numbers are becoming impossible to ignore. The United States is currently staring down a debt-to-GDP ratio of 122%—a level of financial strain we haven’t seen since the height of World War II. For many, this raises a haunting question: How does the government get out of this hole?
The reality is that there are no “easy” buttons. When you dig into the mechanics of federal finance, you realize the government is walking a tightrope between economic collapse and the risk of runaway inflation.
The Money Printer is Firing up but it’s Different this Time
Heresy Financial: 4-15-2026
If you’ve been keeping an eye on the headlines, the numbers are becoming impossible to ignore. The United States is currently staring down a debt-to-GDP ratio of 122%—a level of financial strain we haven’t seen since the height of World War II. For many, this raises a haunting question: How does the government get out of this hole?
The reality is that there are no “easy” buttons. When you dig into the mechanics of federal finance, you realize the government is walking a tightrope between economic collapse and the risk of runaway inflation.
Printing money isn’t a neutral act. When new money enters the system, it doesn’t spread evenly. Those who receive the money first—often politically connected groups or large financial institutions—can spend it before prices rise. By the time that money filters down to the average citizen, prices have already climbed, resulting in a silent wealth transfer from the bottom to the top. This is the mechanism that has driven much of the wealth inequality we’ve seen over the last few years.
So, if the government can’t cut spending and can’t afford to let the economy stagnate, what’s the move? The brewing theory is that the Federal Reserve may push for bank deregulation, specifically targeting the supplementary leverage ratio.
The goal? To allow banks to buy unlimited U.S. Treasuries and free up their balance sheets to lend more to the private sector.
Regardless of which scenario plays out, both are inherently bullish for asset prices. While the debt crisis poses a systemic risk to the dollar, it often creates a windfall for those who own the “hard” assets that the newly created money flows into.
In a world defined by uncertainty and endless printing, the message is clear: Don’t just watch from the sidelines. Positioning yourself as an asset owner is no longer just a wealth-building strategy; it’s a form of economic self-defense.
Want to learn how to navigate these volatile waters? The current economic climate is ripe for “Black Swan” events—unpredictable market shifts that can either ruin the unprepared or reward the proactive. Find out how to position yourself advantageously in these uncertain times by checking out the full analysis from Heresy Financial.
TIMECODES
00:00 The Worst Debt Crisis in Almost a Century
00:31 Four Options. Three Are Off the Table.
01:05 Every New Dollar Creates Future Demand for More Dollars
01:56 Not All Money Printing Causes Inflation
02:25 The Thought Experiment That Explains Everything
03:56 Who Gets the New Money First Gets Rich. Everyone Else Pays.
06:05 2020 Proved Exactly How This Wealth Transfer Works
07:33 The Post-War Playbook Worked Once. Here's Why It Can't Again.
09:29 Entitlements Are the Spending Nobody Will Cut
10:01 Bank Deregulation: The Needle They're Trying to Thread
11:58 They Tested This in 2020. Banks Did Exactly What They Expected.
12:44 Scenario 1: Production Boom. Scenario 2: Wall Street Bailout.
14:09 Both Scenarios Are Bullish for Asset Prices
14:35 Your Portfolio Is the Only Lifeboat
Ask THESE Questions Before You Go To The Bank
Ask THESE Questions Before You Go To The Bank
Dinar For Dummies: 4-16-2026
For many in the investment world, the Iraqi Dinar (IQD) represents a unique, albeit polarizing, opportunity. Since 2011, Steven—entrepreneur and seasoned investor—has navigated the turbulent waters of the Dinar market. In a recent video on the Dinar For Dummies channel, Steven pulls back the curtain on what it actually takes to be ready for a potential Revaluation (RV).
His message is clear: Stop chasing “hopeium” and start focusing on logistics.
If you are a Dinar holder, it’s time to move past the rumors of “confirmed dates” and “leaked rates” and start building a professional exchange strategy. Here is the blueprint for practical preparation.
Ask THESE Questions Before You Go To The Bank
Dinar For Dummies: 4-16-2026
For many in the investment world, the Iraqi Dinar (IQD) represents a unique, albeit polarizing, opportunity. Since 2011, Steven—entrepreneur and seasoned investor—has navigated the turbulent waters of the Dinar market. In a recent video on the Dinar For Dummies channel, Steven pulls back the curtain on what it actually takes to be ready for a potential Revaluation (RV).
His message is clear: Stop chasing “hopeium” and start focusing on logistics.
If you are a Dinar holder, it’s time to move past the rumors of “confirmed dates” and “leaked rates” and start building a professional exchange strategy. Here is the blueprint for practical preparation.
The Dinar community is often flooded with unverified rumors. Steven emphasizes that the exact timing and rate of an RV remain uncertain, and very few people—if any—have credible, inside information.
Instead of refreshing forums for a “secret date,” your time is better spent preparing for the moment the window opens. Success isn’t just about holding the currency; it’s about having a plan to exit the position efficiently.
When the RV occurs, you shouldn’t be walking into your local bank blindly. Steven suggests a proactive approach by interviewing banks beforehand to understand their specific policies.
For those with significant holdings, Steven suggests looking beyond the retail teller window.
Private Banking and Wealth Management: If the RV results in a significant windfall, standard retail banking may not be the best fit. Private banking services offer more personalized care, better security for large transactions, and potential breaks on exchange fees.
The “Spread” Strategy: Rather than exchanging your entire holding in one go, Steven advises spreading out transactions. This helps mitigate the risk of sudden rate fluctuations and allows you to manage the tax implications more effectively.
Getting the money is only half the battle; keeping it is the other half. One of the most critical aspects of post-RV life is tax strategy.
Steven teased an upcoming interview with a former NATO contractor and experienced Dinar investor to dive deep into these topics. Understanding how to structure your wealth legally through trusts or specific business entities can mean the difference between long-term financial freedom and a massive tax headache.
The potential of the Iraqi Dinar is a marathon, not a sprint. Steven’s approach is a breath of fresh air in a space often dominated by emotional highs and lows. By focusing on bank relationships, fee negotiations, and legal preparedness, you transition from a “speculator” to a “professional investor.”
As Steven suggests, the goal is to maximize the benefits while minimizing the risks.
Want to dive deeper into the specifics? Watch the full video on Dinar For Dummies for a comprehensive walkthrough of the exchange process and stay tuned for Steven’s upcoming in-depth guide on tax strategies and legal structures.
Seeds of Wisdom RV and Economics Updates Friday Afternoon 4-17-26
Good Afternoon Dinar Recaps,
Strait of Hormuz Reopens: Oil Prices Plunge as Geopolitical Tensions Reshape Global Markets
Temporary de-escalation in the Middle East is driving energy price shifts and exposing deeper vulnerabilities in the global financial system
Good Afternoon Dinar Recaps,
Strait of Hormuz Reopens: Oil Prices Plunge as Geopolitical Tensions Reshape Global Markets
Temporary de-escalation in the Middle East is driving energy price shifts and exposing deeper vulnerabilities in the global financial system
Overview
A major geopolitical shift has emerged as Iran announced the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to commercial vessels, marking a significant reversal from earlier restrictions. The move comes amid a 10-day ceasefire tied to regional conflict dynamics, easing immediate fears of global energy supply disruption.
Donald Trump responded by welcoming the reopening, noting the strait is “open and ready for business,” while simultaneously confirming that a U.S. naval blockade on Iranian ports will remain in place until broader conditions are met. This dual approach reflects partial de-escalation without full normalization.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the most critical energy chokepoints in the world, responsible for a significant share of global oil transit. Its reopening has already triggered a sharp drop in oil prices, signaling how sensitive global markets remain to geopolitical developments.
At a broader level, this event underscores a growing reality: energy flows, geopolitical strategy, and financial stability are now deeply interconnected, with immediate implications for the global monetary system.
Key Developments
1. Strait of Hormuz Reopens to Global Shipping
Iran’s decision marks a significant shift in regional posture.
• All commercial vessels are now allowed passage through the strait
• The move reverses earlier restrictions on U.S. and Israeli-linked shipping
• Global energy supply routes are temporarily stabilized
2. Oil Prices Enter Sharp Decline
Markets reacted quickly to reduced supply risk.
• Oil prices fell rapidly following the reopening announcement
• Lower prices signal easing short-term inflation pressures
• Energy market volatility remains elevated despite the drop
3. U.S. Maintains Strategic Pressure
Despite the reopening, tensions remain unresolved.
• The U.S. will continue its naval blockade on Iranian ports
• Policy reflects a controlled de-escalation strategy
• Full normalization is contingent on further agreements
4. Ceasefire Creates Temporary Stability Window
The reopening is tied to a broader regional pause in conflict.
• A 10-day ceasefire involving Israel and Hezbollah is now in effect
• The agreement has reduced immediate military escalation risks
• Long-term peace remains uncertain, limiting sustained market confidence
Why It Matters
This development highlights how geopolitical control over energy routes directly impacts global financial conditions. The immediate drop in oil prices demonstrates the powerful link between supply stability and inflation expectations.
Markets are increasingly reacting in real time to geopolitical signals, reinforcing the idea that financial systems are highly sensitive to external shocks rather than purely economic fundamentals.
From a policy perspective, the situation reflects a balancing act between de-escalation and continued strategic pressure, complicating efforts to stabilize global markets.
Why It Matters to Foreign Currency Holders
• Falling oil prices can weaken energy-linked currencies while supporting import-heavy economies
• Currency volatility increases during geopolitical transitions
• The U.S. dollar remains influenced by geopolitical positioning and energy control
• Shifts in global energy flows may accelerate changes in reserve currency dynamics
Implications for the Global Reset
Pillar 1: Energy Corridors as Financial Control Points
The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical lever of global economic influence, with its status directly affecting inflation, trade flows, and currency stability. Control over such routes is increasingly central to global financial power.
Pillar 2: Managed Instability as a System Feature
The coexistence of a ceasefire and continued sanctions highlights a system where stability is partial and controlled rather than absolute, reflecting deeper structural tensions within the global financial framework.
Conclusion
The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz offers short-term relief to global markets, but it does not resolve the underlying geopolitical tensions driving volatility. Instead, it reveals a system operating under managed uncertainty, where temporary stability masks deeper structural risks.
While falling oil prices may ease immediate pressures, the persistence of strategic conflict suggests that market calm could be short-lived. This reinforces the broader theme of a global system in transition.
Ultimately, this moment is not just about energy or geopolitics — it is a reflection of how fragile and interconnected the global financial system has become under pressure.
Seeds of Wisdom Team
Newshounds News™ Exclusive
Sources
RT — "Trump thanks Iran for opening Strait of Hormuz as oil prices in freefall"
Reuters — "Oil prices fall as Strait of Hormuz tensions ease"
~~~~~~~~~~
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Thank you Dinar Recaps
Bruce’s Big Call Dinar Intel Thursday Night 4-16-26
Bruce’s Big Call Dinar Intel Thursday Night 4-16-26
Transcribed By WiserNow Emailed To Recaps (INTEL ONLY)
Welcome, everybody to the big call tonight - it is Thursday, April 16th and you're listening to the big call. Thanks for tuning in, everybody again, and we're loved to have you here. Looking forward, having a really good call.
Just minutes into Bruce’s intel segment the recording became defective – Bruce’s voice /words were not understandable and transcribing with any accuracy was not possible – The recorded call link is below for you to listen
Bruce’s Big Call Dinar Intel Thursday Night 4-16-26
Transcribed By WiserNow Emailed To Recaps (INTEL ONLY)
Welcome, everybody to the big call tonight - it is Thursday, April 16th and you're listening to the big call. Thanks for tuning in, everybody again, and we're loved to have you here. Looking forward, having a really good call.
Just minutes into Bruce’s intel segment the recording became defective – Bruce’s voice /words were not understandable and transcribing with any accuracy was not possible – The recorded call link is below for you to listen
Bruce’s Big Call Dinar Intel Thursday Night 4-16-26 REPLAY LINK Intel Begins 1:20:00
Bruce’s Big Call Dinar Intel Tuesday Night 4-14-26 REPLAY LINK Intel Begins 1: 01:15
Bruce’s Big Call Dinar Intel Thursday Night 4-9-26 REPLAY LINK Intel Begins 1:19:19
Bruce’s Big Call Dinar Intel Tuesday Night 4-7-26 REPLAY LINK Intel Begins 1: 17:37
Bruce’s Big Call Dinar Intel Thursday Night 4-2-26 REPLAY LINK Intel Begins 1:17:17
https://www.freeconferencecallhd.com/wall/recorded_audio?audioRecordingUrl=https%3A%2F%2Frs0002.freeconferencecall.com%2Fstorage%2FsgetHD%2FHsCgW%2FOoxT
Bruce’s Big Call Dinar Intel Tuesday Night 3-31-26 REPLAY LINK Intel Begins 1: 7:50
Bruce’s Big Call Dinar Intel Thursday Night 3-26-26 REPLAY LINK Intel Begins 54:44
Bruce’s Big Call Dinar Intel Tuesday Night 3-24-26 REPLAY LINK Intel Begins 1: 22:00
https://www.freeconferencecallhd.com/wall/recorded_audio?audioRecordingUrl=https%3A%2F%2Frs0002.freeconferencecall.com%2Fstorage%2FsgetHD%2FHsCgW%2FOoQt
Bruce’s Big Call Dinar Intel Thursday Night 3-19-26 REPLAY LINK Intel Begins 1:15:35
Bruce’s Big Call Dinar Intel Tuesday Night 3-17-26 REPLAY LINK Length 1:17: 27
Bruce’s Big Call Dinar Intel Thursday Night 3-12-26 REPLAY LINK Call Intro 19:28 Intel Begins 1:18:18
Bruce’s Big Call Dinar Intel Tuesday Night 3-10-26 REPLAY LINK Length 57: 36
Why the Government Runs Like a Bloated Chrome Tab
Why the Government Runs Like a Bloated Chrome Tab
Notes From the Field By James Hickman (Simon Black / Sovereign Man) April 17, 2026
I had a Commodore 64 “computer” when I was a kid. I know I’m dating myself with that reference... but I’m telling you— back in the 80s, a Commodore was pretty hot stuff. It was basically an antique typewriter that you plugged into a television (sort of like a Nintendo or other gaming console). And they called it a Commodore “64” because it had a whopping 64 kilobytes of RAM.
"Kilobytes" is not a typo. For context, most mobile phones today have 8 gigabytes of RAM, and a gigabyte is roughly 1 million times a kilobyte.
Why the Government Runs Like a Bloated Chrome Tab
Notes From the Field By James Hickman (Simon Black / Sovereign Man) April 17, 2026
I had a Commodore 64 “computer” when I was a kid. I know I’m dating myself with that reference... but I’m telling you— back in the 80s, a Commodore was pretty hot stuff. It was basically an antique typewriter that you plugged into a television (sort of like a Nintendo or other gaming console). And they called it a Commodore “64” because it had a whopping 64 kilobytes of RAM.
"Kilobytes" is not a typo. For context, most mobile phones today have 8 gigabytes of RAM, and a gigabyte is roughly 1 million times a kilobyte.
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pic
The average email today (without attachments) is nearly 100 kilobytes, i.e. 50% more than the entire memory of my Commodore. Yet, back in the 80s, software developers were able to do miraculous things with that tiny amount of memory.
64 kilobytes was somehow enough to play games like Pitfall and Impossible Mission, bang out a school report on a dot-matrix printer, and all sorts of other things.
And it wasn’t just Commodore— Nintendo and Sega put out hundreds of titles on consoles that had comparably tiny amounts of memory.
In order to make all of this magic happen, programmers had to be absolutely ruthless about every single line of code. Every byte mattered. There was zero bloat. Zero inefficiency.
And software teams routinely fought with each other about what features would be in a game, versus what features would be thrown out— because there simply wasn’t enough memory to include what everyone wanted.
***********************************
In short, the software industry had to live within its means. Yet despite those severe memory limitations, they put out timeless classics. It was a Golden Age for software development.
But then something happened. Technological and manufacturing breakthroughs made memory abundant... and cheap. Whereas 64 kilobytes of memory was considered a luxury in the 80s, soon megabytes of RAM... and then gigabytes of RAM, became readily available.
Memory eventually became so abundant that it felt practically infinite. No one had to make any tough decisions to optimize their code for RAM limitations... because there was always more memory available.
As a result, bloat eventually crept in. Here are a few examples.
Literally right now as I write this, I have a number of tabs open in my browser (I use Brave, by the way). ProtonMail takes up 409 megabytes of RAM... for a single tab. And a web-based PowerPoint presentation in my browser takes up 957 megabytes of RAM!
And don’t get me started on Windows.
Microsoft has been rolling out a ‘feature’ to “pre-load” data in its File Explorer application that consumes 67.4 megabytes of RAM. That’s more than 1,000x the memory requirement as my Commodore 64 had... for the sole purpose of being able to look at files and folders on your computer.
The level of bloat and memory waste is absurd (and also why I use Linux).
There’s hardly anyone in the industry today who remembers the bygone days of having to make ruthless decisions over every line of code; rather, the software industry today is accustomed to being able to publish bloated code... because memory has been so abundant for so long.
Unfortunately conditions have now dramatically changed.
Thanks in large part to surging AI demand, there is now a global memory shortage. RAM supply is scarce and has skyrocketed in price.
The industry, quite predictably, is fretting over the supply side, complaining that memory manufacturers need to build new factories and produce more RAM.
Very few prominent voices in software are saying, “Gee guys, maybe we should be more efficient in our code and use less RAM. Maybe it shouldn’t take 67 megabytes to look at our system files... Or 400+ megabytes for a single browser tab.”
In other words, there’s very little push to be more efficient and live within their means.
If you’re starting to see where I’m going, this story should sound familiar... because it’s very similar to how the government spends our money.
*********************************
Once upon a time in America, Congress fought passionately over every dollar. They knew they had to live within their means, and every budget item mattered. Politicians debated passionately about which programs stayed and which had to go.
But that was the past. America has been the world’s superpower, and the US dollar the world’s reserve currency, for eight decades.
Consequently, the US government has been able to run massive deficits and rack up a gargantuan national debt with impunity, leading politicians to believe that America’s financial resources are infinite.
Today there’s no one in government who remembers the days of responsible spending. That’s why there’s so much bloat and why deficits are so high.
But, just like the memory market, a sudden scarcity is emerging. Foreign creditors— who used to provide ample funds to the Treasury market— are starting to invest their capital elsewhere.
We can see this impact with interest rates, which are now hovering near multi-decade highs... as well as gold prices, which remain near all-time highs.
Faced with a sudden scarcity of financial resources— and the shocking realization that government spending cannot be infinite— Congress is choosing the predictable route.
Rather than look to themselves to become more efficient, to make objective and ruthless decisions about what programs stay and what programs go, to live within their means... they are instead demanding more resources.
Of course they always start with calls to “tax the rich”. But these taxes invariably trickle down to the middle class; just ask anyone who had to submit an AMT return this week.
But the point here isn’t to argue whether Jeff Bezos should or shouldn’t pay more tax. The point is that Congress’s approach is entirely wrong.
As we discussed yesterday, they fail to understand a very simple point: higher tax rates don’t generate higher overall tax revenue. Higher tax revenue comes from a booming economy.
So they should instead invest their energy into ensuring maximum productivity... which ultimately means fewer regulations, and in general staying out of the way.
It’s also insane that they are specifically refusing to cut spending. Despite hundreds of billions worth of documented fraud, they do nothing about it. They’ve also pledged to NOT reform Social Security and Medicare, i.e. the single biggest budget items in government.
It’s the exact opposite of what they should be doing. They still don’t have the right mentality to solve America’s #1 problem... and it’s why having a Plan B makes so much sense.
To your freedom, James Hickman Co-Founder, Schiff Sovereign LLC
Some “Iraq News” Posted by Tishwash at TNT 4-17-2026
TNT:
Tishwash: The Speaker of Parliament affirms the commitment to supporting the independence of monetary policy and monitoring the performance of the Central Bank.
Official statement…
The Speaker of Parliament, Hebat Al-Halbousi, received the Governor of the Central Bank, Ali Mohsen Al-Alaq, on Thursday.
The meeting discussed the reality of monetary policy in Iraq and prospects for enhancing its stability, in line with the requirements of macroeconomic stability, and stressed the importance of continued coordination between the House of Representatives and the Central Bank, in order to enhance the effectiveness of economic policies and achieve the desired development goals.
TNT:
Tishwash: The Speaker of Parliament affirms the commitment to supporting the independence of monetary policy and monitoring the performance of the Central Bank.
Official statement…
The Speaker of Parliament, Hebat Al-Halbousi, received the Governor of the Central Bank, Ali Mohsen Al-Alaq, on Thursday.
The meeting discussed the reality of monetary policy in Iraq and prospects for enhancing its stability, in line with the requirements of macroeconomic stability, and stressed the importance of continued coordination between the House of Representatives and the Central Bank, in order to enhance the effectiveness of economic policies and achieve the desired development goals.
During the meeting, the Speaker of the Council emphasized the House of Representatives’ interest in monitoring the performance of the Central Bank of Iraq and its commitment to supporting the independence of monetary policy, stressing the importance of strengthening effective coordination between monetary and fiscal policies in order to contribute to achieving economic balance and reducing inflationary pressures.
He pointed out that the House of Representatives, based on its oversight and legislative role, affirms its monitoring of the procedures and policies adopted by the Central Bank, in order to enhance transparency and strengthen confidence in the banking sector, stressing the House’s readiness to provide the necessary legislative cover to support financial and banking reforms.
For his part, the Governor of the Central Bank reviewed the most prominent measures taken to enhance monetary stability, regulate the exchange market, and develop the banking sector, stressing that the bank will continue to work in accordance with best international practices and in a way that supports financial stability.
Media Office of the Speaker of Parliament,
April 16, 2026 link
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Tishwash: An Iraqi expert says approving the 2026 budget is almost impossible, and postponement until the end of the year is possible.
Economic and financial expert Haider Al-Sheikh confirmed on Thursday that the discussions circulating within the House of Representatives regarding moving to legislate the federal budget law for 2026 are “almost impossible” given the limited time and its insufficiency for the government and parliament to accomplish this obligation.
The sheikh explained to “Roj News” that “the next Iraqi government is expected to be formed in about a month, but it will need at least three months to prepare and approve the draft budget law before sending it to the House of Representatives, which means that the draft law, if prepared, may reach Parliament during October or the end of this year.”
He pointed out that “Iraq relies primarily on oil exports to maximize its revenues,” noting that “the cessation of maritime navigation in the Strait of Hormuz has directly affected oil exports, as revenues have decreased from about $7 billion to only about $2 billion.”
He explained that “the Iraqi government needs at least $120 billion to prepare and finance the federal budget in order to secure employee salaries and cover the state’s public expenses.” link
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Tishwash: Is there an American and an Iranian “veto” on the second Sudanese term, or is it a fabricated political narrative?
Some claim there is an Iranian veto on the nomination of Mohammed Shia al-Sudani for the premiership of the new government, and that there is also an American veto on the same issue, but this is untrue. According to observers, the Iranians are too bold to conceal their position, and if they have an opinion or reservation, they do not reject it outright, but rather express their stance indirectly. This has not happened at all with al-Sudani; on the contrary, there are numerous positive signals coming from the Iranian side that are in Mohammed Shia al-Sudani's favor.
Similarly, the Americans are the most outspoken and direct in declaring their position, and no one is clearer in expressing their political stance on such an issue. Certainly, no negative statement or insinuation regarding al-Sudani's premiership came from the Washington government or its representatives. In contrast, we find a clear American statement against al-Maliki's nomination, issued personally by US President Donald Trump, in which he unequivocally expressed his rejection of Abu Israa assuming the premiership for a third time.
The Americans, especially President Trump, feel no hesitation in declaring their position against any official in the world.
For example, their stance on the government in Venezuela was clear, and Trump himself stated it publicly on numerous occasions.
The Americans undoubtedly have many ways of expressing their position, including through the American ambassador to Iraq, who speaks frankly, or the chargé d'affaires, or through Trump's envoys and representatives.
But this never happened in the matter of Al-Sudani’s nomination. Those who promote this lie are “promoting it for purely political and self-serving purposes that have no relation to reality and truth.” The head of the Reconstruction and Development Bloc, Bahaa Al-Araji, said it frankly: The American veto on Al-Sudani is a clear lie.
Yes, America has no veto, ban, or objection to al-Sudani. The rumors and propaganda spread by some forces within the Coordination Framework are a blatant lie and nothing more than a deliberate attempt to confuse the situation. When they claim there is a veto on al-Maliki and a veto on al-Sudani, they are pursuing a self-serving objective: to present a "third candidate"
—a candidate carefully tailored to their own interests and utilitarian needs.
Indeed, these rumors are being circulated by certain parties seeking to bring in a weak prime minister who can be controlled and manipulated as they please.
As for Iran, it has no reservations about al-Sudani.
Tehran certainly knows al-Sudani's nature better than anyone else, and is aware of his skill in keeping Iraq out of the conflict zone, and his ability to maintain a neutral stance, specifically on the safe path. This is a point the Iranians value and are very concerned with. Therefore, officials in Tehran have sent several positive and favorable signals to the Iraqi government and its president, al-Sudani.
Iran is also well aware of the al-Sudani government's supportive stance towards the Lebanese people, the resistance, and Hezbollah, and its prevention of any leniency or inclination by any party within the government towards any axis hostile to Iran or its allies.
Therefore, the American and Iranian veto card is a false card, and whoever promotes it as a rumor should look for another card.
Then how can this strange paradox be believed, which says that the Sudanese are facing a veto from both opposing sides together?
Logic means standing with America or standing with Iran, and this means that the veto will come from one of them and not from both of them together.. as they cannot possibly agree on one position.
Therefore, some parties within the coordination framework must look for excuses or justifications other than this narrative, which, according to many observers, has lost credibility in the eyes of a public that is now more open than ever! link
Tishwash: Minerals and “white gold” put Najaf on the investment map in Iraq
The Iraqi Geological Survey Authority confirmed that Najaf Governorate represents one of the most prominent areas for mining investment in Iraq, due to its strategic mineral wealth and high-quality silica sand (white gold).
Senior Geologist Haider Hadi Abdul Zahra, director of the Najaf office of the commission, said, “The commission is working to promote mineral investment within an integrated industrial, geological and economic environment, given the importance of this sector in supporting the national economy and diversifying sources of income.”
He added that “the Authority seeks to develop and promote mineral investment in various regions of Iraq by developing the mining industry and making use of natural resources, while opening the door to investments in accordance with the amended Mineral Investment Law No. (91) of 1988, in a manner consistent with market requirements and contributing to the development of the industrial sector.”
He explained that “the Najaf office provides facilities for the work of the Authority in the covered governorates, through monitoring the field activities of mineral investment operations, providing scientific and technical expertise related to mineral wealth and ways to invest in it, as well as supporting the field teams with experts and technicians to complete mining projects.”
He pointed out that “Najaf Governorate possesses important mineral resources, most notably high-quality limestone deposits used in the manufacture of cement, marble substitutes, and building materials, making it a key factor in supporting housing and urban development projects.”
He added that “the governorate also contains strategic reserves of pure quartz sand and sand suitable for casting used in the ceramics and industrial molds industries, as well as high-quality silica sand used in the manufacture of colored glass.”
He explained that “there are other types of sand used in filtration systems (water filters), in addition to the sand used in the manufacture of concrete bricks, clay bricks, and standard sand used in the manufacture of cement, as well as valley deposits that provide building sand, gravel, and aggregates used in construction work.”
He pointed out that “one of the most prominent indicators of the presence of strategic minerals in Najaf is the mineral strontium sulfate, which is used in advanced industries such as radar and television screens, which enhances the opportunities for advanced industrial investment in the governorate.”
He stressed that “the diversity of mineral reserves in Najaf provides promising investment opportunities in the mining sector, especially in the cement and silica sand industries, which contributes to supporting the national economy and promoting sustainable industrial development.”
Official reports and geological experts confirm that Iraq possesses huge reserves of high-purity silica sand, which is called “white gold” in economic circles, ranging between 350 million confirmed tons and expectations of up to one billion tons in the Anbar and Najaf deserts.
This resource is of paramount strategic importance as it is the primary raw material for the clean energy revolution and the manufacture of solar panels, electronic chips, and optical fibers.
With the purity of these sands reaching 99%, Iraq seeks to transform them from a raw material into advanced manufacturing industries, which could boost the general budget by billions of dollars and provide more than 10,000 job opportunities, coinciding with expectations that the global silica market will grow to reach $85.86 billion by 2033. link
Coffee with MarkZ, joined by Mr. Cottrell 04/17/2026
Coffee with MarkZ, joined by Mr. Cottrell 04/17/2026
Some highlights by PDK-Not verbatim
MarkZ Disclaimer: Please consider everything on this call as my opinion. People who take notes do not catch everything and its best to watch the video so that you get everything in context. Be sure to consult a professional for any financial decisions
Member: Good Morning Mark……..we are waiting for great news
MZ: I just hope some of the bond rumors we are hearing are accurate. A number of bond contacts have been keeping me somewhat abreast of the meetings they had this week. They are ecstatic.
Coffee with MarkZ, joined by Mr. Cottrell 04/17/2026
Some highlights by PDK-Not verbatim
MarkZ Disclaimer: Please consider everything on this call as my opinion. People who take notes do not catch everything and its best to watch the video so that you get everything in context. Be sure to consult a professional for any financial decisions
Member: Good Morning Mark……..we are waiting for great news
MZ: I just hope some of the bond rumors we are hearing are accurate. A number of bond contacts have been keeping me somewhat abreast of the meetings they had this week. They are ecstatic.
MZ: They are reporting that the paymasters and attorneys handling bond redemptions for some of the groups have been funded and not allowed to distribute until next week.
MZ: I will treat this as a rumor until someone I personally know has their bond money from their paymasters and its in their accounts and spendable. But supposedly these paymasters have specif instructions for distribution next week.
MZ: I know a couple people in Zim groups who are also very upbeat.
Member: Doesn't the rate need to be revealed for Bonds to be paid?
MZ: For currencies to be paid- we need the rates..….not bonds. Do I think they are going to reveal the rate after the bonds are paid? Yes.
Member: Will Venezuela be in the first basket?
MZ: I am hearing it will be…..but not fully convinced yet that it will be.
Member: Bruce was saying he could see the Rate change early next week with us going to the Redemption Center on Wed.
Member: Iraq rumor…..Sudani has secured the majority support to remain in office another term.
MZ: Yes -that is what is being reported in Iraqi news. “ PM Sudani’s bloc says he has secured majority backing for second term bid” so the rumor on the streets is he has secured the majority. They say they have every intension of voting on this Saturday.
Member: Mark—if you could guess, what do you think our trigger may be? PM seated? War over? Something else?
Member: Doesn’t the HCL need the rate so wouldn’t we already know the rate before they vote on it?
Member: I heard that the Clarity Act needs to pass before things will start happening. No idea if its true.
Member: Holly Celiano states Clarity acts will be completed by end on month or early May and she says nothing goes until then
Member: This was never going to happen until the market crashes. IMO it’s so close mid next week.
Member: My 2 cents; RV and NESARA to be done on or before the Great 4th of July Celebration of the return /of the REPUBLIC.
Member: once we receive the notification to schedule an appointment at the redemption center, how will we be able to verify that it’s from a legitimate source, given how much fraud & spam out there?
Member: Why would we have 250 celebration on July 4th if we have nothing to celebrate.. let’s hope we can celebrate wayyyyy before this day
Member: With the new Treasury bills coming out and with the news the P.Trump signature on the new money by July 4th, I wonder how long has this money been printed ?
Member: Will there still be a QFS? Many think it will be called something else?
MZ: Blockchain and leger technology will give us a place to hold our funds safely, securely and transparently. This will be a cool new world where we can have asset backed currency with metals. I cannot wait to start talking about that.
Member: I wonder- will Sec. Bessent will come out with New Currency Announcement or will Trump do it himself? Roosevelt made public radio address in 1933. Nixon by TV in 1972.
Member: its peculiar timing for Scott Bessent to be meeting with his counterparts from other countries over the last couple of days. Its almost as if its final sign offs for this weekend?
MZ: I’m glad someone else noticed that….Scott Bessent sounds like the director of the central bank. But he is with the Treasury. It is very interesting what Scott Bessent is doing around the world right now. What he is doing is very unusual.
Member: there is a YT called Dalio Mindset talk of Scott Bessent saying publicly of a “Bretton Woods realignment”…very good video that explains all the history of BW and the US (c a b a l)
Member: I keep playing a scenario in my head what my reaction to the RV news will be. I see a lot of hyperventilating and light headedness.
Member: I think many of us will not believe it when it really does happen…..so many “boy who cried wolves” scenarios over the years …lol
Member: I am afraid to get excited. No Expectations means No Disappointments.
Member: Nothing, Nothing, Nothing…then SUDDENLY
Member: I hope everyone has a great weekend……..Stay safe.
Mr. Cottrell and CBD Guru’s join the stream today. Please listen to the replay for their information and opinions
THE CONTENT IN THIS PODCAST IS FOR GENERAL & EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY&NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE ANY PROFESSIONAL, FINANCIAL OR LEGAL ADVICE. PLEASE CONSIDER EVERYTHING DISCUSSED IN MARKZ’S OPINION ONLY
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Note from PDK: Please listen to the replay for all the details and entire stream….I do not transcribe political opinions, medical opinions or many guests on this stream……just RV/currency related topics.
THANK YOU FOR JOINING. HAVE A BLESSED DAY. SEE YOU IN THE MORNING FOR COFFEE @ 10:00 AM EST ~ UNLESS BREAKING NEWS HAPPENS! FOR UPDATES ON MARK’S PODCAST GO TO: https://t.me/+b3hYhYlhKM1hYzcx
New’s Rumors and Opinions Friday 4-17-2026
Ariel: The Reset In Motion: Clearing The Path Forward (250th In Play )
4-16-2026
The Reset In Motion: Clearing The Path Forward
I Think You All Will Love This Report
Currency Revaluation Layer – The Payoff Window Cracking Open
Ariel: The Reset In Motion: Clearing The Path Forward (250th In Play )
4-16-2026
The Reset In Motion: Clearing The Path Forward
I Think You All Will Love This Report
Currency Revaluation Layer – The Payoff Window Cracking Open
Banks aren’t prepping desks for fairy tales. They’re hardening capital, compliance, and forex positions because the upstream work proxy nodes crushed (Venezuela, Iran, Hormuz racket torched), identity/financial hygiene tightening domestically, cyber exposures forcing migration to auditable rails removed the primary blockers that kept suppressed corridors locked down.
Iraq’s Central Bank is pushing a cashless transition by July 2026, hydrocarbon law progress, and broader reforms under the current leadership. The “delete three zeros” redenomination talk isn’t the retail revaluation fantasy peddled for years that’s the surface misdirection.
The real movement sits in parallel settlement mechanisms, bridge assets, and sovereign realignment trades that bypass the old central bank choke points. USD recalibration pressures and post-Hormuz energy dominance provide the macro tailwind.
Payoff for holders won’t route through standard CBI budget theater. It ties to the larger sovereign inversion: tokenized rails, ISO 20022 migration, and hardened cross-border settlement that starves the old laundering pipelines that intelligence cutouts historically tolerated.
Banks in multiple jurisdictions are positioning exactly because the managed conflict fuel sources are drying up and the reset sequencing demands verifiable dominance.
Read Full Article:
https://www.patreon.com/posts/reset-in-motion-155804353
https://dinarchronicles.com/2026/04/16/prolotario-the-reset-in-motion/
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Courtesy of Dinar Guru: https://www.dinarguru.com/
Militia Man Back in 2007 the Central Bank of Kuwait repeatedly and publicly stated there was no plans to change the exchange rate or abandon the peg to the US dollar. Officials including the governor dismissed speculation about a revaluation or a shift to a basket...Then on May 20, 2007 Kuwait abruptly dropped the dollar peg and switched to an undisclosed currency basket which was heavily weighted toward the euro and other currencies. The Kuwaiti dinar appreciated significantly against the US dollar in the following months...Why is this particularly relevant to Iraq today? Kuwait had built up very large reserves and had been running a managed peg for years...The decision was made quietly and internally when the central bank of Kuwait judged the fundamentals...justified a change.
Reset Intelligence Three days after the oath and with the fifteen-day clock still ticking, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani signed off on the Ernst and Young contract that puts Iraq's two state banks under international audit...The contract covers Rafidain Bank and Rasheed Bank.Not advisory. Not exploratory.Final-stage audit and monitoring of the full restructuring programme... The two banks every future budget, every HCL transfer, and every new exchange rate will have to move through.
Frank26 Article: "The Iraqi banking sector is at a crossroads… either reform or forced merger" Quote: "This year could represent a turning point in the history of the Iraqi banking system where the question is no longer whether a change will occur, but how it will occur, when it will occur and at what cost for it." They are telling you very plainly we need a new exchange rate...
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HB 2123: Arizona’s Gold Bill Signals a Major Shift
Lynette Zang: 4-17-2026
Arizona just passed HB 2123, a bill focused on gold and silver.
But this isn’t just about storage… it could signal something much bigger. Why are states building gold infrastructure now? What do they see coming?
In this video, Lynette breaks down what HB 2123 actually does, what it doesn’t do, and why this move could be an early warning sign of a larger shift in the monetary system.
She also answers viewer questions on precious metals taxes, tokenized silver, and global gold rumors.