Thursday, February 19, 2026

Shafaq News

Iraq’s criteria for appointing ambassadors continue to generate wide political and media debate, amid recurring objections to the selection process and the qualifications of candidates chosen to represent the country abroad.

The latest controversy centers on Iraq’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Safia Al-Suhail, after a video circulated online showing her receiving a Saudi delegation at the Iraqi embassy in Riyadh. The footage, which appeared to show members of the Iraqi delegation standing while a Saudi official remained seated during introductions, sparked criticism and prompted Iraq’s Parliament to request her summons for questioning.

Power-Sharing and Diplomatic Posts

Lawmakers and political experts told Shafaq News that the incident reflects deeper structural problems tied to Iraq’s post-2003 political system, which is based on sectarian and ethnic power-sharing.

They argue that al-Suhail’s conduct amounted to a protocol misstep toward an official delegation, but they stress that the episode goes beyond an individual error. They say the dominance of political quotas over professional standards means that personal mistakes can escalate into diplomatic incidents affecting Iraq’s international image.

For 23 years, ambassadorial appointment lists have repeatedly faced debate. Lawmakers often receive finalized lists from the government and vote on them quickly, sometimes without a full quorum or detailed review of candidates’ résumés.

Diplomatic positions, including ambassadorships, are often distributed among political blocs as part of informal agreements. Parties nominate individuals close to them, whether party members, relatives, or loyalists, as part of what critics describe as a “division of influence” across state institutions.

The number of Iraqi ambassadors has risen from 26 several years ago to more than 100 today. Positions carry substantial financial benefits, with overseas salaries reaching up to $12,000 per month, in addition to official vehicles, security protection, housing, and health coverage.

Repeated Diplomatic Controversies

Speaking to Shafaq News, MP Mukhtar al-Moussawi said the ambassadorial appointments are “based on quotas, not diplomacy,” claiming that some appointees are relatives of officials and lack formal diplomatic training. He added that the quota system extends beyond embassies to ministers and other government institutions.

“If previous appointees had five percent diplomatic experience, the new ones have none at all,” al-Moussawi noted.

On August 26, 2025, Iraq’s Parliament approved a list of new ambassadors submitted by caretaker Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani after parliamentary debate. The list included several individuals identified as sons or close relatives of influential political figures, some in their early thirties, without notable diplomatic backgrounds.

The controversy surrounding al-Suhail is not isolated. On October 10, 2025, an official document from Iraq’s embassy in Jordan revealed a complaint filed by the Fairmont Amman hotel against Iraqi diplomat Zainab Akla Abd following an incident during her departure from the hotel. According to the document, an alarm was triggered by two bags belonging to the diplomat, leading to a dispute and disruption inside the hotel. Iraq’s Foreign Ministry later formed a specialized investigative committee to examine allegations that a staff member at its mission in Jordan had taken hotel property.

On August 20, 2022, the Foreign Ministry said it had taken “appropriate measures” regarding Iraq’s ambassador to Jordan after photos of his wife circulated online. The images were published by Lebanese singer Ragheb Alama, showing him with the Iraqi ambassador to Jordan and his spouse in an “inappropriate situation.”

Structural Crisis

Political researcher Mujashaa al-Tamimi told our agency that recurring disputes involving Iraqi diplomatic missions cannot be separated from the structure of appointments. “The issue is not an isolated incident but a structural flaw,” he explained, adding, “The quota system prioritizes political loyalty over professionalism, and appointments from outside the diplomatic corps sometimes lack protocol and legal training.”

Al-Tamimi emphasized that managing embassies with a party-based mindset rather than a state-centered approach turns personal errors into national reputation crises. However, he cautioned against portraying the entire diplomatic corps as unqualified, noting that “many professional diplomats perform their duties effectively.”

The core problem, he said, lies in the absence of transparent selection criteria, weak accountability mechanisms, and politicization of sensitive positions, arguing that “reform would require strengthening the Foreign Ministry institutionally, implementing periodic performance evaluations, and linking appointments to experience rather than political balance.”

In an interview with Shafaq News, legal expert Mohammed Jomaa said that the ambassador's file consistently places Iraq in an “embarrassing position internationally.”

He criticized the “use of diplomatic posts as rewards for political figures or their relatives,” arguing that the position of ambassador should remain outside partisan and political consensus arrangements, since it represents Iraq’s reputation abroad.”

Written and edited by Shafaq News staff.

BRUCE: 🚨 BREAKING: Redemption Center Staff Called In – Is the RV Starting This Thursday?

Major RV Signals Emerging: What We’re Hearing Now

According to Bruce via WiserNow, new information suggests that Redemption Center staff have reportedly been instructed to be in place at 9:15 AM Thursday morning, potentially signaling a long-awaited start to the currency exchange process.

This update has sparked renewed optimism across the dinar community — particularly because the timing aligns with previously discussed activation windows.

Let’s break down what we’re hearing and what it could mean.

📅 Thursday Morning: A Possible Launch Window?

Reports indicate:

Redemption Center staff have been told to report at 9:15 AM Thursday morning
Possible Thursday email notifications
Potential Thursday appointment scheduling
Exchanges could begin as early as Thursday

If accurate, this suggests logistical preparation is already underway — something that historically precedes operational rollout.

While nothing is officially confirmed, this type of coordination is significant.

📆 Weekend Notifications: The 21st–22nd Window

Bruce also mentioned that notifications could occur around the 21st–22nd (Saturday/Sunday).

If that timeline holds:

Thursday → Internal activation / soft start
Weekend → Broader notification phase
Read also: CONFIRMATIONS JUST IN: Tier 4B Final Triggers Activated – Gold-Backed Financial System Irreversible
Following week → Full exchange rollout

This type of staggered release would align with prior global liquidity coordination patterns.

🏧 Lower Denomination Iraqi Dinar Reported in ATMs

Another critical development:
There are reports that lower denomination notes of the Iraqi dinar are now in ATMs in Iraq.

The Iraqi dinar has long required lower denominations (1s, 5s, 10s, 20s, etc.) to support a higher exchange rate structure domestically.

Why This Matters

If lower denoms are:

✅ Physically in ATMs
✅ Being distributed nationwide
❓ Activated and circulating

Then Iraq would be functionally prepared for a value shift.

At this time, activation and public usage have not been confirmed.

What This Could Mean for Currency Holders

If these signals align, we may be seeing:

Infrastructure readiness (Redemption Centers staffed)
Domestic liquidity preparation (lower denoms positioned)
Notification timing window (21st–22nd)
Possible email releases and appointment scheduling

However — until official notifications are received, this remains speculative and based on insider reporting.

🧠 Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A)

❓ What is a Redemption Center?

A Redemption Center is a designated financial facility expected to handle currency exchanges during a revaluation event.

❓ Does staff reporting to work guarantee the RV?

No. It indicates preparation, but not confirmation of rate release or public activation.

❓ Why are lower denominations important?

Lower denominations allow everyday transactions at a higher currency value. Without them, a revalued currency would be impractical domestically.

❓ When could emails be sent?

Based on current reports, possibly Thursday or during the weekend (21st–22nd).

❓ Are exchanges starting immediately?

Reports suggest Thursday is possible, but confirmation is pending.

🔥 Featured Snippet Highlights

Redemption Center staff reportedly called in for Thursday at 9:15 AM
Potential RV notification window: 21st–22nd (Saturday/Sunday)
Lower denomination Iraqi dinar reportedly placed in ATMs
Exchanges could begin as early as Thursday if confirmed
Activation of lower denoms not yet verified

🚀 What To Watch Next

✔ Official email notifications
✔ Appointment scheduling links
✔ Confirmation of lower denom activation
✔ Rate publication movement
✔ Bank communication updates

Stay alert. Timing windows can shift rapidly.

⚠️ Important Disclaimer

This article reflects community-based reporting and analysis. It does not constitute financial advice. Always conduct independent research before making financial decisions.

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Bruce

[via WiserNow] RedemptionCenter staff... we know that some people have already been told to be in the redemption Center at 9:15, in the morning on Thursday. That gives me hope for a Thursday start, Thursday emails, Thursday set appointments and possibly Thursday, exchanges to start...according to what I'm hearing.

The RV should happen somewhere in that 21st 22nd for notifications, which is Saturday/Sunday ...this weekend.

we did get word...that we had lower denominations of the Iraqi dinar in the ATMs in Iraq.

Now, are they activated and using lower denoms yet? I don't know that yet...

DINAR REVALUATION