PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE: POLITICAL DISAGREEMENTS OBSTRUCT PASSAGE OF OIL AND GAS LAW
The House of Representatives’ Oil, Gas, and Natural Resources Committee acknowledged on Sunday that political differences are impeding the passage of the oil and gas law, stressing that consensus between Baghdad and Erbil is a prerequisite for its passage.
Committee member Bassem Al-Gharibawi told Al-Maalouma News Agency that “disagreements between the federal government and the Kurdistan Region are hindering the passage of the law in parliament.”
He pointed out that “political ambiguity remains an obstacle to resolving the issue during the current parliamentary session.” He pointed out that “the law is considered controversial legislation, and it can only be passed with political consensus among all parties.”
Will Iraq ultimately be forced by the U.S. to permanently dissolve the Iranian Popular Mobilization Forces stationed within Iraq?
Remember that I told you years ago that these forces will cause havoc within Iraq and and pawns to the Iranian politicians in the government just like the illegal immigrants were for the democrats in the U.S. and like BLT and Antifa riots.
This is how they have “unofficial” groups do their dirty work for them. So we witnessed it too in Iraq as these militia sent off rockets many times hitting U.S. bases. But you decide after reading the culmination of these very recent articles I am presenting below:
So here is a past article from my 03/18 Newsletter titled “IRAN MAY LOSE IRAQ.” TRUMP AND THE POSSIBILITY OF EXPLOITING “FEAR” IN NUCLEAR NEGOTIATIONS”.
The American magazine “Foreign Affairs” reported that the Trump administration has an opportunity to expel Iran from Iraq, not through military action, but rather through “firm diplomacy, the threat of sanctions, and intelligence operations,” giving the Americans greater leverage at the negotiating table with the Iranians.
After the American report, translated by Shafaq News Agency, pointed to the success of Iran’s strategy since 1979, establishing a network of “agents and friends” across the Middle East, which has given Tehran influence in Iraq, Lebanon, and Syria,
the report said that the events of the past year have upended this regional order, with Israel’s destruction of Hezbollah in Lebanon and the control of Sunni forces supported by Türkiye over Syria.
He added that Iran is “terrified of another domino falling,” with Iraq considered the most likely place for this to happen, as Tehran’s allies in Baghdad are already on edge. Yes, Libya is not part of the Tehran axis of influence.
In another article from today’s news titled “AL-SUDANI: THERE IS NO AMERICAN REQUEST TO PERMANENTLY DISSOLVE THE POPULAR MOBILIZATION FORCES, AND IRAQ’S ACCOUNT IN THE FEDERAL RESERVE IS NOT SUBJECT TO GUARDIANSHIP.” Oh… really? Let’s get the TRUTH on this one. Read on….
Al-Sudani said in a press statement that “Iraq’s account with the US Federal Reserve is now under the control of the government and is not subject to Washington’s tutelage.” He explained that he responded to questions about the United States’ silence over the past 20 years by saying, “America wants to verify the final destinations of its dollar, and this is its legitimate right.” He stressed that“there is no American request to dissolve the Popular Mobilization Forces permanently.”
The first article was titled “BAGHDAD IS OFFICIALLY OUTSIDE THE “AXIS OF RESISTANCE”…AND THE US WANTS “ZERO IRAN” IN IRAQ” from my 03/25 Newsletter.
Abdul Mahdi arranges the deportation of the Houthis, and the factions remain silent.
Baghdad is working on “three lines” to avoid potential Israeli strikes, according to the Iraqi Foreign Ministry. An Iraqi politician reveals the content of “non-negotiable” American messages sent to Baghdad, including cutting off funding to the Houthis.
Parliament is expected to begin preparations for the “dissolution of the factions” in a session on Monday, which will discuss the “restructuring of the Popular Mobilization Forces.” The “restructuring” includes a confirmation of a previous decision taken six years ago, stipulating the separation of “the Popular Mobilization Forces from any political entity,” making it a more clearly state-affiliated institution.
Take a peak at one of today’s article titled “IRAQ AND THE APPEASEMENT STRATEGY: A DIFFICULT BALANCE IN TIMES OF PRESSURE”. What does it say about this subject matter? Yes, it says the same. The US is using pressure on Iraq to get rid of these Iranian forces occupying Iraq.
Then there was the next article titled “AN ECONOMIST DETAILS POTENTIAL US PUNITIVE MEASURES AGAINST IRAQ.” and so what did it say.
Economics professor Saleh Rashid confirmed on Wednesday (March 26, 2025) that America is trying, through its current economic war, to use all the punitive means at its disposal through its large financial and economic infrastructure, indicating that Washington has many cards to play in the Iraqi scene.
Rashid told Baghdad Today, He added that “Washington is facing a different formulation of economic warfare, employing all the punitive means at its disposal through its extensive financial and economic infrastructure,” noting that “Washington has many cards at its disposal in the Iraqi arena, including sanctions on banks and the flow of funds. Consequently, we may witness an attempt to narrow economic paths, which will inflame the Iraqi street and put direct pressure on the Iraqi government.”
So do you think now the US does or doesn’t want the dissolution of these factions (Iranian Popular Mobilization Forces) from Iraq? You decide but I believe “absolutely”! In fact I believe so strongly that the RV WILL NOT happen as long as they are still present in Iraq. Remember the US must signoff on the RV.
IRAQ PREPARES FOR THE LARGEST LEAP IN ELECTRICITY PRODUCTION: HISTORIC CONTRACTS WITH GE AND SIEMENS AND PLANS TO COMPENSATE FOR GAS SHORTAGES
Minister of Electricity Ziyad Fadhil revealed on Friday that Iraq is about to sign two historic contracts with the American company General Electric and the German company Siemens to boost electricity production. The first contract will provide 24,000 megawatts, while the second will add 10,000 megawatts to the national grid.
The minister confirmed in a statement received by Al Furat News that “the issue of importing Iranian gas has not yet been resolved, explaining that the ministry has not received any official notification of the suspension of supplies, while discussions on the matter are still ongoing.”
In the face of any potential gas supply shortage, Fadel noted that “the government has alternative plans, including the use of kerosene, taking advantage of electricity interconnection projects with neighboring countries, solar power plants, combined-cycle units that do not require fuel, and the establishment of a floating gas platform at the port to enhance energy sources.”
The minister noted that “the ministry is currently implementing the largest campaign to resolve power grid bottlenecks in all governorates, by upgrading and creating new lines and installing transformer stations, with the goal of achieving greater stability in supply hours.”
Regarding warnings of an electricity crisis next summer, Fadel confirmed that “there is an exaggerated hype,” emphasizing that the government is well aware of the challenges and has clear plans to address them and ensure stable electricity supply in the coming months.
Today I also wanted to bring you news of what just happened in Libya with theor currency. We need to look at these other middle eastern countries and learn lessons from them too.
The Libyan Dinar Saga:
On 20 January 2025, the Central Bank of Libya (CBL) had announced the issuance of new banknotes in the 5-, 10- and 20-dinars denominations in the coming weeks and months. Yes, their newer lower denominations. The LD 10 denomination was issued on 26 January. All the new denominations bear the signature of the new CBL Governor, Naji Issa. The CBL said the new denomination will go into circulation along with the currently circulating issuances, starting today, Thursday, 27 March.
Just so you know today 1 Libyan Dinar = 0.21 US Dollar (21 cents)
What can we learn from this Libyan Dinar?
Remember that the politics of Libya has been shaped by the “shallow state” ceded by former authoritarian leader Muammar Gadhafi, who was overthrown in 2011. It took Libya 14 years to restructure their country and finally get back their currency. Iraq is now in this same process and it is taking a bit longer than Libya due to its association and corruption with Iran. Remember that Iran is still part of the axis of evil.
So what can we learn from this latest redenomination in Libya?
First, we can learn that Libya “gradually” rolled out the new lower banknote denominations.
Secondly, we can also see that the rate is 21 cents not thousands of dinars per dollar.
Third, we can ask the question of how can Iraq expect to trade in an environment of the middle east where many, if not all, of their trading partners have currencies that have been already “normalized” and lower denominations as legal tender?
My final point about this Libyan dinar saga is that we all know Iraq is chock-full of resources with many more assets than Libya and even many other middle eastern countries. Why is the Iraqi dinar then still suppressed? Oh….but what is important about Libya is what has been told to us in the recent articles from Iraqi news. Did you pick up on what these articles said. I hope you did but I will present a couple of the articles to you again below: (pay attention!)
IRAQ AND THE APPEASEMENT STRATEGY: A DIFFICULT BALANCE IN TIMES OF PRESSURE
Iraq has recently faced a significant escalation in US economic and financial pressure, primarily targeting dollar transactions and Iranian gas imports, along with repeated demands regarding the future of the Popular Mobilization Forces. These pressures come as part of Washington’s efforts to isolate Iraq economically from Iran, with the aim of strengthening the effectiveness of sanctions imposed on Tehran to force it to reassess its nuclear program.
However, this policy presents Iraq with complex challenges as it attempts to maintain a delicate balance in its foreign relations.
Recent reports indicate that the United States has refused to renew the waivers that allowed Iraq to import gas and electricity from Iran. This was confirmed by Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein on March 19, 2025, who noted that Washington described the decision as “irreversible.”
This decision threatens to exacerbate the energy crisis in Iraq, which relies heavily on Iranian gas to power its power plants. Imported gas accounts for approximately 40% of the country’s total energy needs, according to estimates from the Iraqi Parliament’s Oil and Gas Committee.
On the financial front, the United States is seeking to restrict dollar transactions in Iraq to prevent its smuggling to Iran, which is suffering from massive economic pressures due to sanctions. According to a report, Washington believes that cutting off these financial arteries will directly weaken Tehran, thus strengthening the impact of the sanctions.
But this approach places the Iraqi government in a difficult position, as Iraq holds financial reserves exceeding $100 billion in the United States, making it dependent on Washington’s goodwill to access its oil revenues.
(This is why the U.S. won’t transfer the remaining DFI funds to Iraq and keep renewing exec order 13303. See it now?)
Separately, statements by the Iranian ambassador to Baghdad, Mohammed Kazem Al-Sadiq, on March 27, 2025, sparked widespread controversy when he said that US President Donald Trump’s letter to Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei included a request to dissolve the Popular Mobilization Forces and other armed factions.
However, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani quickly denied any direct US request in this regard, stressing that any decision to dissolve the factions is linked to the end of the international coalition’s presence in Iraq.
For his part, MP Alaa Al-Haidari defended the Popular Mobilization Forces Law, considering it an internal matter aimed at honoring those who sacrificed for the nation.
The Iraqi government is adopting a strategy of appeasement in its foreign policy, attempting to maintain a balance between the United States and Iran, two of its historical allies. However, this approach faces increasing challenges, especially with mounting US pressure to end economic and military coordination with Tehran. Analysts believe that Washington also aims to “undermine the unity of the arenas,” the strategy Iran uses to connect its fronts in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and Yemen.
Economically, Iraq is paying the price for its heavy reliance on Iran for energy. Iraqi lawmakers have called for exploring alternatives, such as Qatar and Turkey, for gas imports. However, this step requires huge investments and a long-time frame, both of which may be unavailable given the current crisis. Conversely, experts believe that economic decoupling between Baghdad and Tehran could increase pressure on Iran, but it could also cause internal unrest in Iraq, especially if the electricity crisis worsens.