Tuesday, February 3, 2026
AN ECONOMIST WARNS: IRAQ IS IN THE EYE OF THE STORM, AND TEMPORARY FIXES ARE NO LONGER EFFECTIVE
AN ECONOMIST WARNS: IRAQ IS IN THE EYE OF THE STORM, AND TEMPORARY FIXES ARE NO LONGER EFFECTIVE.
Economic expert Manar Al-Obaidi warned on Tuesday that Iraq has entered a post-economic crisis phase, indicating that the country is now in the “eye of a real hurricane,” and that patchwork solutions or what he described as “painkillers” are no longer effective after the situation spiraled out of control .
Al-Ubaidi said in a Facebook post, which was followed by Al-Sa’a Network, that “Iraq is no longer in the stage of warning or forecasting, but is in the heart of the storm itself, where no patchwork solutions or temporary painkillers are of any use,” noting that “things have gotten out of control, and Iraq today is in the vortex of a real hurricane .”
He asked: “Is there a crisis? What comes after the hurricane? What comes after the flood?” He pointed out that “this harsh test will reveal Iraq’s ability to overcome its ordeal. If it manages to maintain its unity and social cohesion, then it means that it is stronger than the economic and political challenges it faces. Failure to overcome this stage, however, portends a serious social collapse and disintegration of the national fabric, and may extend to security dimensions .”
He explained that “the reality indicates that the crisis has exceeded the ability of official institutions alone to contain and address it, and has become a shared responsibility that falls on all influential parties in society,” attributing this to “the loss of trust between the state and the citizen, which is the biggest challenge facing any real reform path .”
He added that “the almost only link today between the citizen and official institutions is the ability to meet immediate financial obligations, while any talk of future plans or deep structural reforms that require painful surgical operations will be met with widespread public anger and rejection, as long as trust is not restored first .”
Al-Obaidi pointed out that “the continuation of the approach based on depleting current and future resources to secure a thin thread of stability is nearing its end,” stressing that “the ability to continue in this way has reached its final stages .”
He stressed that “there is no real way out of this spiral except through absolute candor and transparency, starting with opening the file of public budgets from the first budget after 2003 until today, passing through reopening all corruption files without exception, revealing where public funds were spent and where they went, and holding accountable everyone who was negligent or lax in this regard .”
He pointed out that “reducing the expenses of senior officials and the privileges granted to them, even if it does not constitute a radical financial solution, represents a very important moral step that contributes to reducing the gap between society and authority, and restores some of the lost trust .”
He warned that “trying to lull the public into complacency, suggesting that there is no need for real reforms, or promoting the possibility of paying dues in full and on time without cost, is nothing but inflating a bubble that is about to burst,” stressing that “every bubble, no matter how long it lasts, is destined to burst, and then the consequences will be dire and undesirable.”
BRUCE: 🚨 RV Timeline Update: Bruce Reveals New Notification Window Tied to Iraq Political Moves
💥 Major RV Timing Shift: What Bruce Is Hearing Now
According to Bruce [via WiserNow], multiple trusted sources indicate a shift in the anticipated notification and exchange timeline, directly tied to unresolved political actions in Iraq.
“Based on the information we've had from several sources… it looks like we're going to get notified maybe Wednesday or Thursday, or get notified Wednesday and start exchanges Thursday.”
This places the new projected window around Wednesday–Thursday, February 4–5.
⏳ Why the RV Was Pushed Back Another Week
Bruce made it clear: the delay is not random — it’s directly connected to Iraq needing to finish critical political steps.
What Iraq Must Complete:
✅ Seat Sudani officially as Prime Minister through Parliament
❌ Remove Maliki’s political influence
❌ Eliminate Iranian influence within Iraqi banks
“That’s what has to happen.” — Bruce
Until these conditions are met, the process cannot move forward.
🇮🇶 Iraq’s Role Is the Final Gate
Bruce emphasized that Iraq is the key domino. The international system is waiting for Iraq to complete its obligations before triggering the next phase.
Why This Matters:
Political legitimacy stabilizes the government
Banking reforms must be clean and compliant
Iranian interference is a red flag for global banking partners
Currency reform requires full sovereignty
This explains why timelines keep adjusting.
📩 Redemption Centers Are Also Seeing the Shift
Bruce shared new intel directly from Redemption Center leadership, adding credibility to the update.
“The emails that our redemption center leaders are getting… are telling them that we should have notifications next week — like the fourth and fifth.”
This aligns with:
Notification emails: Wednesday, Feb 4
Exchange start: Thursday, Feb 5
🔄 What Changed From the Previous Timeline?
Previously, information suggested:
Notifications over the weekend
Exchanges starting Monday or Tuesday
Now:
A slight movement has pushed expectations midweek
The reason: unfinished political cleanup in Iraq
Bruce didn’t hide his frustration:
“Believe me when I tell you I don't like it pushed any more than you guys do.”
🌍 Why Maliki and Iranian Banking Influence Matter So Much
The continued presence of Maliki and Iranian-linked banking influence represents:
Sanctions risk
Compliance failures
Threats to international trust
Barriers to currency reinstatement
Removing these obstacles is non-negotiable for global financial integration.
🔍 Featured Snippets (Google Discover Optimized)
🔹 When are RV notifications expected?
According to Bruce [via WiserNow], RV notifications are now expected around Wednesday or Thursday, February 4–5, with exchanges possibly starting the same week.
🔹 Why was the RV timeline delayed?
The delay is due to Iraq needing to officially seat Prime Minister Sudani and remove Maliki and Iranian influence from government and banking systems.
🔹 What must Iraq do before the RV?
Iraq must complete political seating, eliminate sanctioned influence, and finalize banking reforms to meet international standards.
❓ Q&A Section
Q: Are notifications still expected this week?
No. Current information points to next week, specifically February 4–5.
Q: Is this information confirmed?
It comes from multiple sources, including redemption center leadership, but timelines remain fluid.
Q: What is the biggest holdup?
Iraq’s political completion — especially removing Maliki and Iranian banking influence.
Q: Could it be delayed again?
Yes, if Iraq does not complete required steps.
🧠 Final Analysis
This update reinforces one key truth: everything hinges on Iraq.
Until political authority is finalized, banking influence is cleaned up, and sovereignty is restored, the RV cannot move forward. While delays are frustrating, they may also signal that final compliance is being enforced, not bypassed.
The next week is critical.
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Bruce
[via WiserNow] ...based on the information we've had from several sources...it looks like we're going to get notified maybe Wednesday or Thursday, or get notified Wednesday and start exchanges Thursday.
...the real thing we're looking for is to have Iraq finish what they're supposed to be doing, which is seating Prime Minister Sudani as prime minister by their parliament, and getting the influence of Maliki...out of the picture and any Iranian influence in the banks removed. That's what has to happen. And is that why we're pushed another week from this week? Yeah.
...remember...the information that came in...was talking about us getting notified over the weekend and maybe starting Monday or Tuesday. Well, we've had a slight movement in that that we heard ...the emails that our redemption center leaders are getting is telling them...that we should have notifications...next week, like the fourth and fifth...So we're pushed to Wednesday, Thursday of next week, the fourth and fifth of February...believe me when I tell you I don't like it pushed any more than you guys do.
AMONG THEM THE COLLAPSE OF THE DINAR… REPORT: THREE ECONOMIC CARDS IN TRUMP’S HAND TO “UNDERMINE” MALIKI’S RULE
AMONG THEM THE COLLAPSE OF THE DINAR… REPORT: THREE ECONOMIC CARDS IN TRUMP’S HAND TO “UNDERMINE” MALIKI’S RULE
A press report published by the Al-Sharq Economic website on Thursday, January 29, 2026, identified what it described as “economic pressure points” that US President Donald Trump could use to “undermine” Nouri al-Maliki’s rule, should he assume the premiership.
The report, which was followed by “Al-Jabal”, said that “Baghdad’s calculations regarding the possible return of Nouri al-Maliki to the Iraqi government have turned 180 degrees after the US president explicitly threatened Iraq that if al-Maliki, known for his leanings towards Tehran, were to enter the government through the door, US protection would immediately leave through the window.”
The website analyzed US President Donald Trump’s tweet in which he rejected al-Maliki’s nomination, saying that “Trump, who is known for his sharp tone, used three explicit threats in his tweet to express his opposition to al-Maliki’s election: no more aid to Iraq if he wins, no chance for Baghdad to succeed, and the country may sink into chaos and poverty.”
The report continued, “This threat should not be read in isolation, but rather within a much broader economic context where the United States already has cards above and below the table that it can use to pressure—and even paralyze—any government in Baghdad that is not to Trump’s liking, and oil, which finances about 90% of the state’s revenues, is at the heart of this equation.”
The report recalled al-Maliki’s rule, noting that it “witnessed a gradual negative shift in economic cooperation with Washington. In his early years, Iraq benefited from a high influx of oil revenues, but weak oversight of the banking system made the country an easy environment for dollar leakage, especially after the tightening of US sanctions on Iran. This put Baghdad on a collision course with Washington’s financial priorities, according to the British newspaper, the Financial Times. In the energy sector, despite launching major oil licensing rounds after 2009, the government tended to diversify partnerships towards Chinese and Russian companies, while Iraq continued its almost complete dependence on Iranian gas and electricity. This limited US influence and was reflected in the cooling of financial cooperation and the growth of Iranian influence at the time—a scenario that Washington fears will be repeated if al-Maliki returns to power.”
The website quoted economist Abdul Rahman Al-Sheikhly as saying that “if Maliki wins, there will be complications for the Americans in realizing the extent of Maliki’s ties to Iran, and this contradicts the American desire to cut off any communication between Baghdad and Tehran.”
However, Abdul Rahman Al-Mashhadani, a professor of international finance at the Iraqi University, disagrees with Al-Sheikhli’s analysis, as he believes – according to what was reported by Al-Sharq – that “the victory of Al-Maliki – or anyone else – will not affect those interests; because Al-Maliki will take into account that all centers of power are now concentrated in the hands of Washington, and he is unable to do without them.”
The report identified three economic cards that it said Trump could use to “play on Iraq’s nerves”: Iraqi oil money protected by a decision of the US president, as the United States has effectively controlled Iraqi oil revenues since the 2003 invasion by managing them through the Federal Reserve. The aim of this step at the time was to protect Baghdad from sanctions and accumulated issues from the era of former regime leader Saddam Hussein. Iraq’s oil export revenues in 2024 amounted to more than $95 billion, according to data from the Central Bank of Iraq.
As for the second paper, according to Al-Sharq, it is: “Restricting dollar transfers to Iraq, as happened in the last three years, when Washington sanctioned banks on the pretext of money laundering and financing terrorism, and to this day these banks are still subject to the sanctions imposed by the US Treasury Department and the US Federal Reserve.”
The third and final point, according to the website, is: “Indirectly causing the collapse of the Iraqi dinar and worsening social conditions by restricting access to the dollar, which will fuel inflation, especially since Iraq, during the two decades following the invasion, was unable to build an agricultural or industrial base that would meet the needs of the local market. 90% of the market’s needs are imported with hard currency, even those imported from neighboring Arab countries such as the UAE.”
The report stated, “Besides that, there are other indirect sources of pressure that Washington can use to besiege Iraq, most notably the threat of military aid. More than 70% of the Iraqi army’s armament is still of American origin, whether through new contracts or what the American army left behind after withdrawing from Iraq.”
The website quoted political researcher Nabil Al-Azzawi as saying in this context that “the coordinating framework that nominated Maliki must read Donald Trump’s message economically in light of the country’s current delicate situation, limited options, and lack of consensus.”
The report noted that “Iraqi investments in US Treasury bonds could also be restricted. According to data from the US Treasury Department, Iraq’s holdings of these bonds amounted to about $32 billion as of October 2025.”
The report continued, “According to Al-Sheikhly, another source of concern is the disruption of the work of intermediary American banks, such as Citibank and JPMorgan, which facilitate Iraqi trade and on which Baghdad relies for international transfers and the movement of funds to and from the country. Foreign investments may also be affected, as investors always seek political and security stability, which may be disrupted if Maliki assumes power against Washington’s wishes.”
Regarding the potential impact on the oil market if US threats against Iraq escalate, the Asharq report indicated that “so far, Trump’s threats against Iraq have not had any direct effects on the oil market, despite Brent crude prices rising to nearly $70 a barrel recently due to his intense pressure and military threats against Iran, something that could increase if Iraq becomes more involved in the conflict.”
The report noted that “any potential disruption to Iraqi oil flows could have a direct impact on the market, as Iraq is the second largest oil producer in OPEC after Saudi Arabia, and its production comes directly after Saudi Arabia and Russia within the OPEC+ alliance.”
According to Al-Sharq report, “If Maliki’s rise to power leads to disruptions in the sector, it may absorb part of the current oil surplus in the market.”
MARKZ: 🔥 Iraq Presidential Vote Delayed: Deadlines, Power Struggles, and Global Pressure Mount
🇮🇶 Iraq Presidential Vote Delayed: What Really Happened?
Iraq once again failed to hold a presidential vote, raising serious questions about political stability, constitutional integrity, and external pressure. According to MarkZ [via PDK], intense negotiations are happening behind closed doors — and the stakes are extremely high.
❓ Why Was There No Presidential Vote in Iraq Yesterday?
Question:
Why was there no vote in Iraq yesterday for President?
MarkZ explains:
“They sat down and had a big meeting yesterday, then first thing this morning they came up with some BS. They gave themselves a deadline… even though they already had deadlines written in their constitution.”
In short, Iraqi leadership reset the clock, ignoring constitutional deadlines and issuing a new self-imposed deadline: this Thursday.
⏰ A New Deadline — But Old Problems Remain
Despite Iraq’s constitution already outlining clear timelines, political blocs have chosen to extend negotiations, signaling deep internal divisions.
Key Takeaways:
A new presidential election deadline has been set for Thursday
Multiple high-level meetings are still ongoing
Political maneuvering continues behind closed doors
Constitutional deadlines are being bypassed
This delay reinforces concerns about governance paralysis and eroding public trust.
🤝 Sudani Travels to Kurdistan: A Critical Move
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has traveled to Kurdistan to meet with Masoud Barzani, a move many analysts see as crucial.
Why This Matters:
Kurdish support is essential to seat the President
Without a President, Iraq cannot finalize the Prime Minister
Sudani is still a candidate once the President is seated
“Once they finish seating the President, they will announce candidates for Prime Minister.” — MarkZ
⚖️ Maliki’s Possible Return Shakes the Political Landscape
Despite strong opposition, Nouri al-Maliki remains in contention.
Some blocs continue to push for Maliki
Others strongly resist due to past instability
His return is highly controversial
Many observers believe his potential comeback could destabilize Iraq politically and economically.
🌍 International Pressure Mounts — Trump Weighs In
A major development has caught global attention:
📰 “Trump threatens to end Iraq support over Al-Maliki comeback bid tied to Iranian influence”
This story even made Fox News, highlighting how serious the situation has become.
Why This Is Huge:
Iraq risks losing international support
Iranian influence is under scrutiny
Economic and security partnerships are at stake
Currency and reform efforts could be affected
“Iraq is under pressure. A lot is at stake.” — MarkZ
📜 HCL Discussions Quietly Resurface
Interestingly, while political tensions dominate headlines, HCL (Hydrocarbon Law) was reportedly discussed in some meetings today.
This is significant because:
HCL impacts oil revenue sharing
It affects Kurdistan–Baghdad relations
It is tied to long-term economic reform and stability
🔍 Featured Snippets
🔹 Why did Iraq delay the presidential vote?
Iraq delayed the presidential vote due to unresolved political negotiations, internal power struggles, and the decision by leadership to impose a new deadline despite constitutional timelines already being in place.
🔹 What happens after Iraq elects a President?
Once the President is seated, Iraq can officially announce candidates for Prime Minister, including current PM Sudani and potentially Nouri al-Maliki.
🔹 Why is Maliki controversial?
Maliki’s ties to Iranian influence and past governance issues have raised concerns domestically and internationally, prompting warnings from global leaders.
❓ Q&A Section
Q: Is Sudani still in the running for Prime Minister?
Yes. Sudani remains a strong candidate once the President is seated.
Q: Could Maliki really return?
Possibly, but his return is controversial and faces strong internal and external resistance.
Q: Why does this matter globally?
Iraq’s leadership directly impacts regional stability, oil markets, foreign investment, and international alliances.
Q: Does this affect currency reform?
Political stability is a key prerequisite for economic and monetary reform initiatives.
🧠 Final Thoughts
Iraq stands at a crossroads. Delays, shifting deadlines, and power struggles highlight deep systemic challenges. With global pressure increasing and economic reforms hanging in the balance, what happens this week could shape Iraq’s future for years to come.
Stay alert — the next move could be decisive.
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MarkZ [via PDK]
Question: ...No vote in Iraq yesterday for President why?
MarkZ: “Deadline for the Presidential election revealed” they sat down and had a big meeting yesterday then first thing this morning they came up with some BS. They gave themselves a deadline…even though they already had deadlines that were written in their constitution…but they gave themselves a new deadline of this Thursday. Lots of meetings still going on.
Sudani has gone to Kurdistan to talk to Barzani about getting this thing finished. Once they finish seating the President they will announce candidates for Prime Minister. Sudani is still in the running. Many still feel that Maliki could be the one…lots of back and forth going on. They actually were working on HCL in some of the meetings today.
“Trump threatens to end Iraq support over Al Maliki comeback bid tied to Iranian influence” This even made Fox news. Iraq is under pressure. A lot is at stake.