WOLVERINE: CONFIRMED , WE ARE CLOSE: Everything is ready and in place!!#iraqidinar #iqd #iraq

 

FRANK26: "THE MIDDLE EAST HELPS AMERICA AGAINST IRAN"

 KTFA

FRANK26: "THE MIDDLE EAST HELPS AMERICA AGAINST IRAN"......F26

Iraq, Bahrain, UAE, Kuwait close airspace over Iranian strikes (update)

6/23/2025

 

Iraq, Bahrain, the UAE, and Kuwait closed their airspace on Monday evening following Iranian strikes on Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.

A Shafaq News Agency correspondent said that Iraqi authorities have decided to halt air traffic at Basra International Airport and other airports.

Reuters reported, citing Flightradar, a company specializing in aircraft tracking, that "UAE airspace is closed based on flight paths."

In a related development, Bahrain's Civil Aviation Affairs announced the temporary suspension of air traffic in the Kingdom's airspace as a precautionary measure in light of evolving regional conditions.

In turn, the Kuwait Directorate General of Civil Aviation decided that "in the interest of the country's security and safety, and in light of the precautionary measures taken in a number of neighboring countries, which included the closure of their airports and airspace, the State of Kuwait announces the temporary closure of its airspace as a precautionary measure, effective today until further notice. "

She added, "The relevant authorities affirm that this decision comes within the framework of maintaining the highest levels of safety and security in light of regional developments. Continuous coordination is taking place with relevant local and international authorities to monitor developments and take the necessary measures."

This evening, Iranian media announced that Tehran had launched ballistic missiles at US bases in Qatar and Bahrain, in response to the US attack on Iranian nuclear facilities.

LINK

 

NADER FROM MID EAST : The practical realities of foreign policy lobbying within the U.S. government

 NADER FROM MID EAST : The practical realities of foreign policy lobbying within the U.S. government

Highlights

Summary

The video features a candid reflection from a U.S. Senator who has spent over a decade in Congress with the explicit goal of being a staunch defender of Israel in the United States Senate.

 Despite the senator’s long-standing commitment and daily efforts to support Israel, there is an expressed skepticism about the tangible effectiveness of the America Israel Political Action Committee (AIPAC), suggesting that the organization does not lobby as effectively as it claims or is perceived to do. 

The dialogue hints at the complexities of political advocacy within the U.S. Congress and the challenges faced when championing international allies like Israel. The senator’s remarks underscore the nuanced reality of political lobbying, the limits of influence, and the ongoing dedication required to advocate for foreign policy positions within the American legislative framework.

• 🇺🇸 The senator has been in Congress for 13 years with a clear mission to defend Israel.
• 🤝 Daily commitment to supporting Israel in the U.S. Senate is emphasized.
• ❓ Skepticism about the actual effectiveness of AIPAC’s lobbying efforts.
• 📉 The senator suggests AIPAC may not be as influential or impactful as commonly believed.
• 🌐 Political advocacy for international allies is complex and challenging.
• ⚖️ The remarks reveal the balance between personal dedication and organizational influence in politics.
• 🔍 The video sheds light on the practical realities of foreign policy lobbying within the U.S. government.

Key Insights

• 🇮🇱 Long-Term Commitment to Israel Advocacy: The senator’s 13-year tenure with a focused mission to defend Israel highlights the importance of consistent, personal dedication in political advocacy. This reveals that effective support for international allies often requires sustained individual effort beyond organizational backing.
• 🤔 Questioning Lobbying Effectiveness: The critique of AIPAC’s lobbying effectiveness suggests that political action committees, despite their reputation and resources, may face significant limitations in influencing legislative outcomes. This insight encourages a more critical view of how political influence is measured and the real impact of lobbying groups.
• 🏛️ Complexity of U.S. Foreign Policy Lobbying: Lobbying for foreign policy issues like support for Israel involves navigating complex political dynamics, bipartisan challenges, and competing interests within Congress. The senator’s experience underscores that advocacy is not straightforward and requires strategic effort .
• 🔄 Individual vs. Organizational Influence: The senator’s remarks highlight a tension between the role of individual lawmakers and political organizations. While organizations like AIPAC can provide support and resources, individual legislators must often drive advocacy efforts personally to achieve meaningful results.
• 🕰️ Persistence in Political Advocacy: The senator’s daily effort to defend Israel over a long period illustrates that successful advocacy is a marathon, not a sprint. This persistence is critical in maintaining and advancing foreign policy objectives in a constantly shifting political landscape.
• 🌍 Perception vs. Reality in Political Influence: The video challenges the common perception that political action committees wield straightforward, decisive power. Instead, it reveals a more nuanced reality where effectiveness is variable and often less visible than assumed.
• 🔧 Need for Strategic Lobbying Approaches: Given the limitations noted, there is an implied need for lobbying organizations to reassess and innovate their strategies to enhance their impact on legislative processes related to foreign policy. This could involve deeper engagement with lawmakers, better communication, or more targeted advocacy efforts.

FIREFLY: There was a reason why the rate was protected in the Gazette for so long!! #iqd

 

FRANK26: "SECURITY & STABILITY IN IRAQ WELCOMES K2 !!!"

 KTFA

FRANK26: "SECURITY & STABILITY IN IRAQ WELCOMES K2 !!!".......F26

Qi and K2 Integrity Join Forces to Boost Financial Compliancein Iraq

Iraq’s leading electronic payments firm Qi partners with global advisory firm K2 Integrity to enhance financial compliance across its operations in Iraq, Jordan, and the UAE—setting a precedent for the region.

Rosalia Mazza Saturday, June 21st 2025 

 

Qi Partners with K2 Integrity to Raise Financial Standards Across Iraq and Beyond

In a move aimed at reshaping Iraq’s financial oversight capabilities, electronic payments provider Qi, also known as International Smart Card, has entered into a long-term partnership with K2 Integrity, a globally recognized firm in the field of financial crime prevention and compliance.  The collaboration is expected to have national significance, as Qi plays a central role in Iraq’s digital payment infrastructure.

At a time when the Iraqi economy is gradually reconnecting with the global financial community, the partnership signals a bid to restore trust and credibility. Despite ongoing efforts to rebuild, Iraq continues to face criticism for outdated compliance mechanisms and low transparency. Through this agreement, Qi aims to change that narrative by aligning its operations with international financial crime compliance benchmarks.

 

A Three-Country Compliance Overhaul

The partnership extends across three countries—UAE, Jordan, and Iraq—and is structured to support different aspects of Qi’s regional operations. In Jordan, K2 Integrity will establish and operate a dedicated compliance and operations back office. This unit will serve as a cornerstone of the company’s financial crime prevention framework and will be integrated into Qi’s wider compliance operations.

Meanwhile, the UAE will serve as an experimental hub. The Qi team there will act as a testing ground for future fintech products, functioning as an innovation sandbox. The goal is to ensure that future services launched across Qi’s platform are aligned with the latest in regulatory expectations and compliance best practices.

Back in Iraq, the focus will be on raising the internal standards of Qi’s systems while aiming to influence the broader ecosystem. Qi is not just a private player; it is deeply integrated into Iraq’s financial infrastructure. Its reach includes ties to the national government, several large banks, and global payment networks. Enhancing its compliance standards is expected to ripple across the country’s financial sector, raising expectations for risk governance and internal controls.

 

Raising the Bar for Financial Trust

The strategic plan developed by Qi and K2 Integrity is designed to unfold over three years. It begins with a full assessment and overhaul of Qi’s financial crime compliance structure. As part of this effort, the training of internal staff—from frontline workers to executives—will be prioritized to ensure long-term adoption of these systems. K2 Integrity will take an active role in the implementation phase before gradually handing over the program for ongoing management by Qi.

For Iraq, this move could be more than a private sector transformation. In many ways, it functions as a template for how institutions in fragile economies can rebuild trust with the global financial system. The timing is critical. As Iraq opens up to foreign investors and increases collaboration with multilateral financial institutions, showing real commitment to financial integrity is becoming a prerequisite.

The fintech angle is particularly relevant. As electronic payment systems become more prevalent in Iraq and the wider region, ensuring that these systems are secure, compliant, and transparent is vital. Poor controls could discourage further digital adoption, while robust systems could accelerate financial inclusion and provide a foundation for future growth.

 

External Confidence in Iraq’s Reform Trajectory

K2 Integrity, based in New York, brings a high level of expertise to the initiative. Its leadership includes former U.S. Treasury officials with experience in shaping global financial standards. Their decision to work closely with a major Iraqi firm indicates a level of confidence in the country's current economic direction and reform efforts.

Chip Poncy, who leads K2 Integrity’s global financial integrity efforts, highlighted that the partnership aims to position Iraq not just as a reforming market but as a regional leader in financial compliance. While this perspective reflects ambition, the roadmap laid out in the collaboration has the potential to turn that vision into tangible progress.

The presence of a global advisory firm of this stature also helps elevate Iraq’s international profile. By participating in a high-visibility initiative backed by a recognized compliance authority, Iraq signals to international markets that it is taking measurable steps toward financial modernization.

 

Implications for Investment and Economic Recovery

This development may have downstream benefits for Iraq’s broader economic agenda. Strengthened compliance systems are not just about meeting technical requirements; they help build the foundation needed for trust in cross-border transactions. This is particularly important for sectors like trade and remittances, where international scrutiny often affects transaction speeds and costs.

Moreover, reliable compliance frameworks can help unlock more favorable terms for international partnerships and potentially lead to increased capital inflows. With the global fintech sector evolving rapidly, particularly in regions undergoing digital transformation, Iraq has an opportunity to position itself as a stable player in digital finance—provided it follows through with reform.

At a time when fintech is enabling new forms of economic participation, from mobile wallets to international digital payments, countries like Iraq are trying to catch up. The partnership between Qi and K2 Integrity shows how such efforts can move from aspiration to implementation, if supported by experienced partners and a long-term strategy.

 

A National Moment for Iraq’s Financial Sector

This initiative represents more than an internal compliance upgrade. Given Qi’s role in Iraq’s financial structure, the reforms introduced through this partnership will likely serve as a benchmark. Banks, regulators, and other fintech companies operating in Iraq could look to Qi as a model for aligning with global expectations.

If successful, this initiative may not only restore confidence in Iraq’s digital financial systems but also build the infrastructure necessary for future innovation and inclusion. As more countries in the region look to digitize their economies and meet international compliance requirements, Iraq’s example may offer lessons on what it takes to rebuild financial trust after years of isolation.

LINK

 

DINAR REVALUATION REPORT: How the War Between Iran, Israel, and the United States Affects Iraq's Currency, the Iraqi Dinar, and Its Revaluation

 How the War Between Iran, Israel, and the United States Affects Iraq's Currency, the Iraqi Dinar, and Its Revaluation

The ongoing conflict involving Iran, Israel, and potentially the United States has a significant impact on Iraq's economic and political stability, which directly affects the Iraqi dinar and its chances of revaluation.

Due to Iraq's geographic and political proximity to Iran, any escalation in the region increases the risk of instability within Iraq. If the conflict intensifies, foreign investment in Iraq may decline, oil exports may be disrupted, and security risks may rise. These factors can cause the dinar to weaken or remain unstable, delaying any potential revaluation (RV).

Furthermore, U.S. involvement in the war can create pressure on the Central Bank of Iraq regarding monetary policies, especially if there are sanctions or political tension related to Iraq’s relations with Iran. On the other hand, if Iraq maintains stability and plays a neutral or diplomatic role, it may help preserve investor confidence and move forward with economic reforms that could support a future revaluation of the dinar.

In summary, increased regional conflict typically delays or damages the conditions necessary for a dinar revaluation, while peace and internal reform would support its possibility.