AL-MALIKI MANEUVERS: “AN HONORABLE RETIREMENT” AND RESTORING THE GOLDEN AGE OF “DA’WA”. THROWING THE BALL INTO THE “FRAMEWORK’S” COURT… AND WASHINGTON BRANDISHES THE OIL FILE.
Nouri al-Maliki, the candidate for the next prime minister, has thrown the ball into the court of the “Coordination Framework” regarding the decision to replace him, just hours before a meeting described as crucial to resolving the crisis surrounding the selection of the new prime minister.It appears that Maliki has shifted his candidacy back to the Shiite alliance, at a time when data from the “Framework” indicates that two-thirds of its constituent groups, according to the majority definition within the alliance, still support the leader of the State of Law Coalition. This makes “withdrawal” the easiest way to end his candidacy.
Until recently, Maliki was clinging to the position, which he acquired as a result of what was described as a “sudden development”—one that he said personally surprised him—related to the stance of his political rival, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, the outgoing prime minister.At the time of writing, the forces within the “Coordination Framework” were preparing to hold a meeting Wednesday evening, which sources told Al-Mada was expected to be “decisive,” either to proceed with Maliki as a candidate or to move towards removing and replacing him.However, informed political sources believe that Maliki will attempt during this meeting to obtain renewed confirmation that he is the “sole candidate,” given the difficulty of his supporters within the coalition backing down.
Simultaneously, Maliki’s nomination is facing increasing external and internal pressure. Washington is strongly pushing for his replacement, threatening to cut aid to Iraq, while the factions of Ammar al-Hakim, leader of the Hikma Movement, and Qais al-Khazali, leader of Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq, reject Maliki’s appointment as prime minister.In his first media appearance after being nominated, Maliki affirmed that he is “committed to this nomination until the end,” stating that “only the Coordination Framework will decide whether I continue or not, and it will decide on the alternative.”
It is worth noting that the Coordination Framework voted for Maliki for the first time since its establishment nearly five years ago, with a majority, amidst divisions within the coalition, and there have been no indications so far of a change in this majority’s position.Within Shia circles, there is a prevailing opinion that Sudani’s withdrawal from the race in favor of Maliki was a “political entrapment,” given that the State of Law leader is rejected by several internal and external parties.According to former MP Mishaan al-Jubouri, “Sudani withdrew after hearing from Savia, Trump’s envoy to Baghdad, who is the subject of much controversy, that Maliki would not succeed.”Conversely, Maliki, according to political sources, is relying on the position of former US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad, who informed him that he was “acceptable in Washington.”
THE US TREASURY FREEZES THE ASSETS OF HALBOUSI AND TWO OF HIS PARTY LEADERS
In official source in Anbar province revealed on Wednesday that Jordan and the UAE have frozen the assets of the head of the Progress Party, Mohammed al-Halbousi, and two of his party leaders, due to their inclusion in the US sanctions.
The source told Al-Maalomah News Agency that “Jordan and the UAE have frozen the assets of the head of the Progress Alliance, Mohammed al-Halbousi, the current governor of Anbar, Omar Mishaan Dabbous, and Hebat al-Halbousi, the Speaker of Parliament, due to their inclusion in the US Federal Reserve’s decision.”
He added that “the targeted party leaders stole huge sums of money after assuming leadership positions in the central and local governments and transferred them to banks outside Iraq.”
He indicated that “Mohammed al-Halbousi and Speaker of Parliament Hebat al-Halbousi failed to convince the acting US ambassador in Baghdad to mediate to lift the freeze on his funds outside Iraq and the rest of the party leaders.”
He explained that “Al-Halbousi owns, undeclared, banks and exchange offices used in currency smuggling operations from Iraq to neighboring countries,” stressing that “Al-Halbousi’s talks with officials at the US Embassy in Baghdad and the Kuwaiti ambassador failed to release frozen assets outside Iraq due to their inclusion in the US sanctions.”
The conversation surrounding the Iraqi dinar has entered a new phase — one that goes far beyond the traditional “RV” (revaluation) narrative.
Recent commentary from Walkingstick and Sandy Ingram suggests that what’s unfolding is not simply a currency revaluation story — it’s a geopolitical, economic, and strategic restructuring that involves global investment, mineral wealth, oil dominance, and international financial positioning.
Let’s break it down.
🇺🇸 Trump’s Economic Strategy & Iraq: “We Want to Get Paid Back”
According to Walkingstick:
“The thing that Trump wants, we want to get paid back. It looks like we're going to get paid back as soon as this clicks. We are pouring into Iraq in every way, shape or form. We are going to invest heavily in Iraq. Trump wants Iraq's minerals and oils. He wants payback. But none of this will for us until legally it is in country.”
This statement highlights a critical shift in narrative.
The focus is no longer just about a currency revaluation — it’s about strategic economic positioning.
What Does “Getting Paid Back” Mean?
U.S. military and reconstruction spending in Iraq over the past two decades
Strategic energy partnerships
Access to oil and rare earth minerals
Long-term geopolitical leverage in the Middle East
Emerging mineral deposits critical for global technology supply chains
If major U.S. investment accelerates, currency reform becomes a necessary foundation — not a side effect.
But as Walkingstick emphasized:
“None of this will for us until legally it is in country.”
That suggests legal financial mechanisms must be fully implemented domestically inside Iraq before international financial benefits activate.
💱 Sandy Ingram: It’s Not Just a “Revaluation”
Sandy Ingram offers a crucial clarification:
“I've always told you this situation was much much deeper than just getting the Iraqi dinar to float, adjust or revalue. That word ‘revalue’ is out the window. I still use it because it is a catchall... but when I say revalue, I'm really meaning adjustment of the currency or floating the currency. This is really a deep deep rabbit hole.”
This distinction matters.
Revaluation vs. Adjustment vs. Float
Revaluation (RV) A government artificially increases the value of its currency overnight.
Currency Adjustment Gradual correction aligned with economic fundamentals.
Floating the Currency Allowing supply and demand in global markets to determine the exchange rate.
Sandy suggests we are looking at something deeper — possibly:
Monetary reform
Structural banking modernization
Integration into global financial systems
Anti-corruption compliance measures
Legal currency reinstatement frameworks
This is not just about a rate change.
It’s about Iraq repositioning itself financially on the global stage.
🛢️ Why Iraq’s Minerals & Oil Matter Now More Than Ever
The world is entering a new commodity cycle:
Energy security concerns
Rare earth mineral demand
AI and technology infrastructure expansion
Supply chain diversification away from China
Iraq sits at a strategic crossroads.
If foreign investment surges into:
Oil infrastructure
Mining sectors
Industrial development
Banking digitization
Then currency stability becomes essential for international trade and capital flow.
No serious global investor deploys billions into a country with a distorted or artificially suppressed currency system.
🏛️ The Legal Trigger: “When It Is In Country”
Walkingstick mentioned something critical:
“Until legally it is in country.”
This may refer to:
Domestic implementation of financial reforms
Official gazetting of monetary law changes
Central Bank activation mechanisms
International recognition of currency status
In many monetary transitions, the domestic legal structure activates first — international visibility follows.
That means investors watching only forex screens may miss the foundational shifts happening internally.
🔍 Featured Snippet Section (Optimized for Google Discover)
What Is Really Happening With the Iraqi Dinar?
The Iraqi dinar situation appears to involve deeper economic reforms rather than a simple overnight revaluation. Analysts suggest Iraq may be restructuring its financial system, aligning with global markets, modernizing banking, and positioning itself for heavy foreign investment tied to oil and mineral development.
Is the Iraqi Dinar Going to Revalue?
Some experts now prefer the terms “currency adjustment” or “float” rather than revaluation. The change, if it occurs, may be part of a broader monetary reform connected to Iraq’s economic transformation.
Why Is the U.S. Investing in Iraq?
The U.S. may be strategically investing in Iraq to secure energy resources, mineral access, and geopolitical stability. Economic restructuring could be tied to long-term repayment, trade leverage, and investment positioning.
❓ Q&A Section
Q1: Is this just about a quick currency spike?
No. Current commentary suggests structural economic reform rather than a simple rate change.
The thing that Trump wants, we want to get paid back. It looks like we're going to get paid back as soon as this clicks. We are pouring into Iraq in every way, shape or form. We are going to invest heavily in Iraq. Trump wants Iraq's minerals and oils. He wants payback. But none of this will for us until legally it is in country, Aki will tell us.
Sandy Ingram
I've always told you this situation was much much deeper than just getting the Iraqi dinar to float, adjust or revalue. That word "revalue" is out the window. I still use it because it is a catchall...but when I say revalue, I'm really meaning adjustment of the currency or floating the currency. This is really a deep deep rabbit hole...
