TRUMP ENVOY AND JOE WILSON: WE WILL MAKE IRAQ GREAT AGAIN
Washington – Mark Savaya, President Donald Trump’s envoy, wrote on the “X” platform (formerly Twitter) on Thursday that he met with US Congressman Joe Wilson and it was a “great meeting.” “It was a great meeting with U.S. Congressman Joe Wilson and his team,” Savaya said in his post, adding, “We will make Iraq great again.”
For his part, Republican US Representative Joe Wilson wrote on the “X” platform that he was pleased to host Mark Savaya, the US Special Envoy to Iraq, in his office for a meeting he described as important regarding Iraq.
Wilson, who is known for raising controversial issues and making provocative statements, particularly regarding Iraq and the Middle East, added: “I look forward to working with the Special Envoy to bring prosperity to Iraq and liberate it from Iran,” noting that “there is no one more qualified than him to work on this issue for President Trump.”
US Representative Joe Wilson posted a picture of himself with Trump’s envoy, holding the Iraqi flag, with the American flag behind them and the new Syrian flag beside
it.
One of the most common questions in the dinar community is whether Iraq must have a fully formed and completed government before the dinar rate can change. In his latest commentary, Jeff directly addresses this issue, offering insight into caretaker governments, Central Bank autonomy, and recent international recognition events.
As always, this perspective represents analysis and opinion, not financial advice.
⚠️ Disclaimer
All information shared is opinion-based and for educational purposes only. Political and monetary decisions can change at any time. Always consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions.
The Big Question: Does Iraq Need a Fully Formed Government?
Caretaker Government Explained
Jeff explains that while Iraq’s government is still forming, it operates as a “caretaker government.”
However, this limitation applies to the government, not the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI).
CBI Autonomy: Why It Matters
The Central Bank Is Independent
According to Jeff:
The CBI is autonomous
It is separate from the physical government
It does not require parliamentary approval to adjust the currency value
“The Central Bank can change the value of the currency whenever they want.”
This distinction is critical and often misunderstood.
🌍 Featured Snippet: Can the Dinar Rate Change Without a Government?
According to Jeff, there is no verifiable requirement that Iraq must have a fully formed government before the dinar rate can change. The CBI operates independently, and rate changes fall under monetary authority—not legislative authority.
Sovereignty, Stability & the UN Announcement
What Happened Last Weekend?
Jeff describes recent events as:
A graduation ceremony
Public recognition of Iraq’s:
Sovereignty
Stability
A milestone that needed to be announced to the world by the United Nations
“That had to be publicly announced to the world by the UN before the rate could change, IMO.”
Why International Recognition Is Key
Jeff believes:
Iraq needed global acknowledgment
Stability and sovereignty had to be internationally recognized
This step removes external objections to monetary changes
In his opinion, this milestone has now been achieved.
Jeff’s Opinion on Timing
Jeff concludes:
The required sovereignty and stability recognition already occurred
The condition he believes was necessary has been met
In his opinion, it happened last weekend
This interpretation suggests Iraq may now be monetarily unencumbered, regardless of government formation status.
Q&A – Community Clarifications
Q: Can a caretaker government change the dinar rate?
A: The caretaker government does not control the rate—the CBI does.
Q: Is the Central Bank truly independent?
A: Yes. The CBI is legally autonomous from Iraq’s legislative and executive branches.
Q: Does the UN need to approve a rate change?
A: Not directly, but international recognition of sovereignty and stability may remove political barriers.
Q: Did the rate already change?
A: Jeff believes the final prerequisite occurred, but no official rate announcement has been confirmed.
Final Thoughts
Jeff’s analysis highlights a crucial distinction:
Government formation affects legislation
Central bank autonomy governs currency value
If sovereignty and stability are now internationally recognized, Iraq may no longer be constrained by political timelines when it comes to monetary action.
As always, patience and discernment remain essential.
Question: "Do they have to have a fully formed completed government to change the rate?" That's questionable. While the government is in a forming state, they're considered a 'caretaker'. They have very limited access to Iraq funds and monies...
The Central Bank can change the value of the currency whenever they want. Why? Because the central bank is autonomous separate from the physical government...Do they have to have a formed completed government before the rate can change? We have no way of verifying that.
What happened last weekend was like a graduation ceremony of achieving sovereignty and stability that had to be publicly announced to the world by the UN before the rate could change, IMO, and it did. It happened last weekend.
AMONG THE MOST PROMINENT SOLUTIONS ARE REDUCING EXPENSES AND SALARIES… AN ECONOMIC EXPERT PRESENTS SOLUTIONS TO THE FINANCIAL CRISIS IN IRAQ
On Friday, the head of the “Iraq Future” Foundation, economist Manar Al-Obaidi, ruled out the possibility of non-oil financial revenues replacing oil revenues in covering the expenses of the Iraqi state and the monthly salaries of employees and workers in the public sector in the country.
This came in a post by the economic expert on the social networking site “Facebook” in which he spoke about what is being circulated about the possibility of the country being exposed to a severe financial crisis, according to what media reports indicate recently.
Al-Ubaidi criticized what he called “the proliferation of rosy voices that sell people illusions closer to dreams than to reality,” which claim that money is available, revenues are sufficient for the salaries of all employees, and that the crisis will be resolved as soon as the salaries of special grades are reduced, saying that “this is an emotional speech that is not based on numbers, its goal is to tickle the feelings of the ordinary citizen and numb him, not to be honest with him.”
He added that “the state’s expenditures in the current situation cannot be covered unless the issue of salaries is addressed in a radical and genuine way, and not through patchwork solutions,” noting that “all non-oil revenues, no matter how much they increase, will not be a substitute for oil, and will not cover more than 10–15% of the state’s operational needs.”
Al-Ubaidi pointed out that “there is no resource today capable of compensating for oil,” adding that “everything that is being traded about sulfur, phosphate, silica and others, even if sold as raw materials, will not exceed $300 to $500 million in revenue annually.”
The economist also considered that “talking about strategic industries, from refineries to manufacturing industries, is correct in principle, but not timely,” noting that “these projects need at least five years to become productive, in addition to the availability of huge financing and liquidity that is not currently available.”
He pointed out that “the real problem is that Iraq is not only facing a crisis of revenues and expenditures, but also a deficit in creating a real economy outside of oil.
Al-Ubaidi concluded that “there is no solution without reducing expenditures, boldly addressing the issue of salaries, providing real, not merely slogan-based, support for the private sector, and restoring trade balance with countries away from oil rents.”
He continued, saying, “Anything else is just wishful thinking and a joke on the citizen who is meant to believe that the crisis can be solved with simple measures, while the truth is much harsher and more complicated.”
In March 2021, Mazhar Muhammad Salih, the Prime Minister’s advisor for financial affairs, confirmed in an interview with Shafaq News Agency that the reasons for the economy remaining rentier are due to the wars and the imposition of the economic embargo on Iraq during the past era, and what we are witnessing today in terms of political conflicts has led to the dispersal of economic resources.
The Iraqi state’s continued reliance on oil as the sole source of the general budget puts Iraq at risk from global crises that occur from time to time due to the impact on oil, which makes the country resort each time to covering the deficit by borrowing from abroad or internally, and thus indicates the inability to manage state funds effectively, and the inability to find alternative financing solutions.
New insights from Mnt Goat focus on a critical convergence of events in Iraq: militia disarmament mandates, the seating of a new parliament, budget timing, and the long-anticipated removal of the zeros. Together, these elements may define Iraq’s next major financial and political chapter.
As always, this update reflects analysis and opinion, not financial advice.
⚠️ Disclaimer
All information shared is based on opinion and interpretation. Statements from officials, articles, and timelines may change. Always consult a professional before making any financial decisions.
Militia Disarmament: A Key Investor Concern
Article Insight
“Savaya is pleased with the factions’ movements and stipulates a complete and irreversible disarmament.”
According to Mnt Goat:
Longstanding investor concerns about armed militias may finally be addressed
Any action must demonstrate good faith, not just verbal promises
“Statements alone are not enough.”
This is especially important because:
The United States has issued mandates to Iraq regarding stability
Compliance could remove a major obstacle to economic normalization
Why the Timing Matters
Mnt Goat notes that December 29 is only days away, and this date could be pivotal:
It coincides with major political milestones
It aligns with expectations around CBI monetary action
“Personally, I believe the CBI wants to begin the removal of the zeros around this timeframe.”
New Parliament Session Set for December 29
Official Presidential Decree
The President of the Republic has formally set:
December 29 as the first session of the new parliament
This is critical because:
Key legislation cannot advance without a seated parliament
Budgets, reforms, and international agreements depend on parliamentary approval
The 3-Year Budget & What Comes Next
Tripartite Budget 2026–2028
Mnt Goat confirms:
Iraq intends to attempt another three-year budget
Covering 2026–2028
It cannot be opened or implemented until:
The new parliament is seated
The budget is voted on and passed
This legislative step is directly tied to monetary reform timing.
🌍 Featured Snippet: Why January Is Still Important
Former CBI Governor Dr. Shabibi stated that January is the best opportune time to reinstate the dinar at a significant rate, because:
The annual budget is expected to:
Open
Be allocated
Begin spending in January
Mnt Goat cautions:
This exact timing may not fully materialize
But events may occur very close to this window
Removal of the Zeros: CBI Readiness
According to Mnt Goat’s analysis:
The Central Bank of Iraq prefers to act:
During political stability
Around fiscal transitions
Late December / early January fits this pattern historically
The alignment of:
Parliament seating
Budget preparation
Security normalization
…creates an environment the CBI has long waited for.
Q&A – Investor Focused Questions
Q: Is militia disarmament really that important?
A: Yes. Stability and sovereignty are essential for international trust and investment.
Q: Is December 29 a confirmed RV date?
A: No. It is a political milestone, not a rate announcement.
Q: Will Iraq definitely start the 3-year budget?
A: Iraq intends to try again, but it depends on parliamentary approval.
Q: Is January still the best window for dinar reinstatement?
A: According to Dr. Shabibi and Mnt Goat, January remains optimal, even if timing shifts slightly.
Final Thoughts
Iraq is approaching a moment where:
Political legitimacy
Security enforcement
Fiscal readiness
Monetary reform
…are converging.
While no guarantees exist, the pieces long discussed are finally moving into place, and the coming days and weeks may clarify Iraq’s next decisive step.
Article: “SAVAYA IS PLEASED WITH THE FACTIONS MOVEMENTS AND STIPULATES A COMPLETE AND
IRREVERSIBLE DISARMAMENT” As investors our worries about these militias could be over...I believe that if these militias must show some sort of ‘good faith’ disarmament in the coming days...the U.S. might be satisfied with this mandate they have made to Iraq.
Remember “Statements alone are not enough.” However, we don’t know what will happen and December 29th is just a [few days] away. Personally, I also believe that the CBI wants to begin to conduct the removal of the zeros right around this timeframe and so we will see what happens.
The President of the Republic issued a presidential decree on Tuesday setting the date for the first session of the new parliament on December 29...We have been told that Iraq is going to try the 3-year budget again and there will be another tripartite budget for 2026-2028 and it can’t be opened until it is voted on and passed in the new parliament ...Remember the reasoning behind Dr Shabibi telling us that January is the “best opportune time to reinstate the dinar with a significant rate” is that the annual budget its supposed to be ready to open and allocated out to spend in January... obviously, this may NOT going to be the case but it may be close.
AN IRAQI BANK SWITCHES TO THE GLOBAL STANDARD “SWIFT MX”
(Old news…. )
The National Bank of Iraq announced that it has successfully completed the transition to the new global standard ” SWIFT MX ” for financial messages, in a step that constituted a significant milestone in the bank’s technological infrastructure modernization and enhanced readiness for digital transformation.
The bank said in a statement, “The implementation of this transformation comes as part of the bank’s transition from the old MT standard to the MX ISO 20022 model , which is the most advanced, structured and data-rich framework in the global financial messaging sector. The transformation process was carried out across all operational channels with high efficiency and minimal downtime, reflecting the bank’s strong technical readiness, accurate planning, and commitment to providing its services without any significant interruption.”
He pointed out that “this transformation is an advanced step within the strategic roadmap of the National Bank of Iraq to modernize its systems, enhance its compatibility with global best practices, and provide an advanced digital banking experience for its individual and corporate clients.”
