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Exclusive: The US State Department outlines Trump’s strategy toward Iraq.

The US State Department outlined the Trump administration’s strategy toward Iraq on Friday, emphasizing that the United States prioritizes “trade over conflict.”

The ministry’s clarification came in an exclusive comment to Shafaq News Agency regarding how the US administration interpreted the letter of thanks recently sent by President Donald Trump to the President of the Kurdistan Region, Nechirvan Barzani, in which he praised his efforts in supporting “peacebuilding” and “ending regional conflicts.”

Last Wednesday, US President Donald Trump expressed his thanks and appreciation to Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani for his efforts to promote peace and peaceful coexistence, and his endeavors to end conflicts in the Middle East.

In this regard, a State Department spokesperson told Shafaq News Agency, “President Trump has prioritized trade over conflict,” noting that Washington “actively supports the growing interest of American companies in the Iraqi market.”

According to the spokesperson, these companies “will bring advanced technology, increased revenue, and improved customer service to Iraq,” as Iraq focuses on improving internal security and transparency. He reiterated the United States’ commitment to “partners across Iraq working to build a truly sovereign, stable, and prosperous state.”

He emphasized that the bilateral partnership aims to “protect Iraq’s sovereignty, enhance regional stability, and strengthen economic relations,” adding that this is “in line with the Strategic Framework Agreement between the United States and Iraq.”

The spokesman concluded by saying that this agreement includes cooperation on key issues such as “Iraq’s energy independence from Iran, the commercial investment climate, private sector and banking reforms, in addition to cultural preservation, educational opportunities, security, and defense.”

In his letter to Nechirvan Barzani, President Trump emphasized the importance of “overcoming old rivalries” for “a shared future of peace, success, and progress.”

Shafaq.com

Expert: Iraq needs a US envoy to address current circumstances and regional crises

Security expert Fadel Abu Raghif confirmed on Friday that Iraq needs an American envoy, similar to other countries that send their own envoys.
Abu Raghif added in a statement to Al Furat News Agency that “the United States has great influence in the region and holds the primary role in changing the balance of power in the Middle East.”

He explained that Iraq is currently going through dire circumstances, including the holding of elections and their results, political transformation, and democratic transition.
He also pointed out that “the expected war on Iran and the worsening situation in Syria, Gaza, and Iran are all factors that make the presence of an American representative necessary and important for the purpose of managing dealing with matters.”
The security expert pointed out that among these issues that need to be discussed are the economic aspect that has affected Iraqi banks and the placement of Iraqi figures on the terrorist list. He expressed his belief that this envoy may understand some of the problems and reconsider them again.

US President Donald Trump’s appointment of the 40-year-old Iraqi businessman, Mark Savaya, as a special envoy to Iraq represents an exciting turning point in the bilateral relationship.

This decision has sparked widespread discussion in Iraqi political and security circles, as it is viewed as an indication of a new American trend towards directly dealing with the Iraqi issue, away from the usual diplomatic channels. Observers believe that Savaya’s business background, political allegiance, and Iraqi roots provide him with a flexible approach to the complex Iraqi landscape.

Envoy Savaya, a Chaldean Christian businessman and CEO of medical cannabis companies, has been praised by Trump for his role in his campaign and his understanding of bilateral relations.

Alforatnews.iq

“Iraq First” is in trouble.. A Western view: Al-Sudani faces victory without authority

A report by British think tank Chatham House suggests that Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani may achieve a significant electoral victory in the November elections. However, this victory will not be enough to retain power, as the position in Iraq is decided through post-election agreements and deals, not through the ballot box.

According to a report by the British Institute, translated by Shafaq News Agency, expectations indicate that there will be no significant turnout among Iraqis in the November 11th elections, and that the real competition will be among the elites over power-sharing. The report noted that despite the streets being decorated with election campaign posters, there is little enthusiasm in the air, as many Iraqis are expected to stay home, frustrated that the elections have not brought about change in two decades of democracy.

According to the British report, there is already a broad consensus on the likely outcome of the elections, with Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani’s electoral list seen as the favorite, while the ruling Shia-led “Coordination Coalition” is expected to retain power through a consensus government comprising the main Kurdish and Sunni blocs.

However, the report considered that al-Sudani himself would not be able to remain prime minister even if his list won the largest number of votes, as the decision would be made through complex negotiations between the parties to form a government after the elections, as has happened in every previous election where the winner did not become prime minister.

The report continued, noting that despite the expected results, the elections remain contested, with the major blocs spending enormous sums on their campaigns. In this context, it cited statements by former Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, who stated that the elections “will not depend primarily on popularity. Rather, they will depend on spending money and buying votes.”

The report considered that the reality is that the elections are not a referendum on the government’s performance, but rather an opportunity for the deeply entrenched party elites to recalibrate the distribution of power among themselves, including senior government positions.

According to the report, these inter-party bargaining could prove to be a test of Iraq’s stability, explaining that the country is entering the elections from a rare period of calm, based on a fragile elite pact that has replaced reform with order. If the process proceeds smoothly, it will be a further confirmation that Iraq’s stability will be managed through another round of competition within the system. It points out that if the rival factions perceive an imbalance or attempt to disrupt long-standing arrangements, instability, even momentarily, could disrupt Iraq’s fragile balance.

The report continued, noting that politicians are spending large sums of money, which one expert described during a roundtable discussion at Chatham House as “billionaire elections,” noting that elections have become high-risk investments for elites, where influence and access to state resources are negotiated.

He explained that the restrictions imposed by the United States on the banking sector in Iraq mean that many wealthy individuals are directing their capital toward local projects, including politics, making these elections another lucrative investment opportunity.

The report examined the low turnout rates in the Iraqi elections, which began in December 2005 with a high of 80%, but have been steadily declining, reflecting widespread skepticism that voting can change who governs or how they govern.

He noted that for many Iraqis, the political system does not appear to represent them or respond to their demands. He explained that, two decades after elections and promises of reform, daily life for the majority of Iraqis remains difficult and neglected, that the state is failing, and that despite its vast oil wealth, the country remains among the worst performing countries in providing services and among the most corrupt in the world.

The report noted that the Sadrist boycott of the elections would also contribute to a decline in turnout.

The report considered the fragmentation in the Iraqi elections to be more strategic than ideological, noting that each faction competes separately in an effort to calculate its electoral weight and accumulate bargaining chips for post-election negotiations. It added that once seats are exchanged for positions, these groups converge within their traditional ruling blocs, reassembling the same system of power in a slightly different form.

The report added that this cycle continues, as “the same elite, reorganized and rebranded, returns to power under the familiar pretext of democratic renewal.”

The report stated that Iraq’s post-2003 electoral system was designed to prevent the return of dictatorship, adding that elections were supposed to serve as a rebalancing mechanism, held periodically every four years, and as a means of recalibrating political representation and enabling parties to compete for power peacefully within a constitutional framework.

He added that the goal was also to create pluralism, and that inclusiveness across ethnic and sectarian lines was to protect stability, while the public’s hope was that through elections, Iraqis would be able to hold their leaders accountable.

The report added that two decades later, this system has produced something different. Rather than preventing tyranny, it has fostered a competitive political system in which elections continue. However, democracy and accountability are eroding, and the very institutions established to uphold democratic standards, transparency, and the rule of law have been hijacked or politicized by the same elite.

The report ruled out a comprehensive reform of the Iraqi political system in the near term, adding that the Coordination Framework is expected to continue to guide government formation and maintain its central role in determining the prime minister and executive positions within the government.

As for the Sadrist movement, the report predicted it would likely maintain “one foot inside and one foot outside” the regime, and would have sufficient influence to shape the outcome, but would be far from claiming opposition status.

As for the major Kurdish and Sunni parties, they will attempt to recoup what they lost during the last government formation process and secure a greater share of power.

Therefore, the report stated that “rebuilding trust requires addressing Iraq’s democratic deficit at its core and then restoring the link between elections and accountability.” Furthermore, Iraq will need electoral laws that give votes real value, through clearer mechanisms for allocating seats, transparent vetting of candidates, enforcement of laws related to campaign and political party financing, and protection of the Electoral Commission from political control. This will also require strengthening the oversight capacity of the House of Representatives, enabling committees to effectively audit budgets, monitor ministries, and question senior officials without partisan impediments.

While noting that such steps require political will, the report cautioned that without structural reform, Iraq’s elections will remain arenas for elite competition rather than tools for citizens to hold to account.

He added that the elections will continue to reflect the appearance of a democratic choice, but without its substance. He emphasized that true reform can ensure that Iraqi democracy begins to deliver on its previous promises, not just by reorganizing power, but by restoring trust.

Shafaq.com

Minister of Trade: Economic reforms are a revolution for joining the WTO

Minister of Trade, Atheer Dawood Al-Ghariri, affirmed that economic reforms in Iraq represent a true revolution paving the way for Iraq’s accession to the World Trade Organization.

During his participation in a dialogue session in Geneva, the minister said, “Iraq has witnessed a fundamental transformation from a totalitarian socialist economic system to a market economy,” noting that “the past years have witnessed the issuance of numerous laws and legislation that paved the way for this transformation. However, the current phase requires further technical support and capacity building through training, courses, and international cooperation to fulfill the requirements for accession to the World Trade Organization.”

He added, “Iraq has significant opportunities and investments in various sectors, and the success of these projects can only be achieved through full engagement in the multilateral trading system, which enhances the competitiveness and stability of the national economy.” He pointed out that “UNCTAD (the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development) has contributed, through its expertise and capabilities, to supporting Iraq through training programs aimed at developing local government competencies and enabling them to manage negotiation processes and keep pace with economic reform paths consistent with World Trade Organization decisions.”

The minister explained that “the committee overseeing Iraq’s accession bid at the WTO described the economic reforms that Iraq has witnessed over the past few years as a revolution for reform, not a simple one,” explaining that “Iraq has launched major strategic investments, including the Grand Faw Port project and the development road, which strengthens its position as a regional and global economic hub.”

Al-Ghariri affirmed that “the Iraqi government aspires to further technical and institutional support to accelerate the process of accession,” emphasizing that “free trade agreements represent Iraq’s gateway to full integration into the global economy, and that it seeks to become an active part of the multilateral trading system as soon as possible.”

Alsabaah.iq

$150 billion expected investments in the “Development Road”

The Iraq Development Fund revealed its expectations that the volume of investments in the Development Road Project will reach about (150) billion dollars, subject to increase in the coming years, stressing that the project represents a qualitative economic shift that will redraw the investment map in Iraq and the region, and open new horizons for cooperation with international partners.

The head of the fund, Muhammad Al-Najjar, said in a statement to Al-Sabah: “Major changes are looming on the horizon for the Iraqi economy, with investments in the project expected to reach about (150) billion dollars, most of which are partnerships between Iraq and international companies within a safe and attractive investment environment.”

He added that the fund plans to launch an international investment conference to market the project. This conference could be held at the Faw Port or as a global tour to showcase investment opportunities to governments, sovereign wealth funds, and major corporations.

Al-Najjar pointed out that the development road project includes an integrated economic system that includes transportation, industry, energy, agriculture, housing and logistics services, on an area of ​​approximately (24) thousand square kilometers, which is equivalent to the area of ​​the State of Belgium, which allows for the establishment of industrial and residential cities and modern production projects.

The Fund Chairman confirmed the exclusion of any financial or funding obstacles, noting that the government has established an independent legal framework to manage the project, ensure transparency, and protect investor rights, while closely monitoring all specialized opportunities across various sectors, including oil and gas, industry, and agriculture.

Alsabaah.iq

British report: Modernizing Iraq’s underdeveloped banking system is a priority.

The British magazine “Global Finance” revealed on Thursday that economic diversification in Iraq is limited, considering that modernizing the “backward” banking system is a priority for the country.

In a report on the performance of central banks in the Middle East, seen by Shafaq News Agency, the magazine said, “Iraq’s GDP growth is expected to recover in 2025 after two consecutive years of recession, driven primarily by a recovery in oil production.” It noted that “the economy remains heavily dependent on hydrocarbons, which constitute 95% of government revenues, making it vulnerable to fluctuations in global oil prices.”

She added, “Although economic diversification has long been on the agenda, real progress has been limited. In response, the Central Bank of Iraq is promoting what it describes as ‘developmental central banking,’ focusing on directing credit toward strategic sectors, such as agriculture and industry, to expand the country’s economic base.”

The report explained that “modernizing Iraq’s underdeveloped banking system is another priority. Reforms are underway in state-owned banks, along with initiatives aimed at reducing the use of cash.”

In May 2024, new regulations were issued for digital banks and electronic payment companies, prompting several new players to enter the market.

According to the report, “Despite efforts to combat money laundering and terrorist financing, the Central Bank still faces severe compliance challenges, and many Iraqi banks remain restricted from dollar transactions due to concerns about illicit financial flows to sanctioned entities.”

The magazine noted in its report that “in early 2025, authorities uncovered a new scheme involving prepaid Visa and Mastercard products used to transfer funds to Iranian-backed militias. In response, the Central Bank of Iraq set a monthly cross-border transfer cap of $300 million and capped individual cardholder transactions at $5,000.”

Shafaq.com

Why did Trump choose an envoy to Iraq?

Security expert Fadel Abu Raghif confirmed on Wednesday that US President Donald Trump’s appointment of Mark Savaya as US envoy to Iraq was based on several considerations.
Abu Raghif explained to Al Furat News Agency that “Safaya is of Iraqi origin and led Trump’s two election campaigns. He is also a wealthy businessman with political experience in US foreign relations, including negotiating sensitive issues such as the Gaza issue.”

He added, “Trump also chose Savaya because he was born in Baghdad and is fluent in Arabic, which allows him to understand the nature of Iraqi society and maintain constant communication with political blocs, making him more capable of handling Iraqi affairs than others.”

US President Donald Trump’s appointment of 40-year-old Iraqi-born businessman Mark Savaya as special envoy to Iraq marks an exciting turning point in the bilateral relationship.

This decision sparked widespread debate in Iraqi political and security circles, where it is viewed as an indication of a new American trend toward direct engagement with the Iraqi issue, away from the usual diplomatic channels. Observers, however, believe that Savaya’s business background, political loyalty, and Iraqi origins give him a flexible approach to the complex Iraqi landscape.

Envoy Savaya, a Chaldean Christian businessman and CEO of medical cannabis companies, has been praised by Trump for his role in his campaign and his understanding of bilateral relations.

Alforatnews.iq

Deposit growth declines and cash credit rises in Iraq

The Central Bank of Iraq reported on Wednesday a decline in bank deposit growth, while credit growth increased during July.

A bank statistic reviewed by Shafaq News Agency showed that total deposits at banks operating in Iraq decreased by 1% in July, reaching 116.265 trillion dinars, compared to their value in June, which amounted to 117.439 trillion dinars.

The bank added that central government deposits amounted to 36.22 trillion dinars, while public institution deposits amounted to 25.442 trillion dinars, and private sector deposits amounted to 54.595 trillion dinars.

The statistics indicated that credit growth increased by 2% in July, reaching 73.027 trillion dinars, compared to June, when credit growth reached 71.483 trillion dinars.

The bank explained that credit provided to the central government amounted to 25.77 trillion dinars, while credit provided to public institutions amounted to 2.43 trillion dinars, and credit provided to the private sector amounted to 44.827 trillion dinars.

Shafaq.com

The Coordination Framework meets to respond to the US State Department.

The Coordination Framework forces decided to hold a meeting this evening, Wednesday, to respond to the US State Department’s statement regarding “disarming armed factions loyal to Iran .”

A statement from the US State Department noted that Secretary of State Marco Rubio informed Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani of the need to expedite the disarmament of Iran-backed armed factions in the country .

An informed source told Shafaq News Agency, “The Coordination Framework forces will hold their meeting this evening to respond to what the US Secretary of State called for in his call with Al-Sudani, in addition to discussing the framework agreement and the stages of implementing the withdrawal of US forces according to the agreed-upon withdrawal schedule .”

According to the same source, the meeting will discuss “the issue of water releases by the Turkish side and finding effective solutions, the international partnership to resolve outstanding issues in the region, the security partnership, and binding commitments to implement and enforce concluded agreements without pressure or disruption to the overall situation in the country .”

The US Secretary of State added, according to a statement from his department, that “Iran-backed militias in Iraq threaten the lives and businesses of Americans and Iraqis alike and plunder Iraqi resources for the benefit of Tehran .”

At the end of his phone call with Al-Sudani, Secretary Rubio affirmed Washington’s commitment to “working closely with the Iraqis to advance our shared interests .”

Shafaq.com