Wednesday, January 7, 2026

MarkZ Update: Extreme Turbulence, Iran Paralysis, Bank Signals, and the RV Endgame

Featured Snippet 

“We are in extreme turbulence. The timing of the RV cannot be predicted, but global events—from Iran’s paralysis to banking system signals—are converging toward the same final destination.”

MarkZ Disclaimer

Please consider everything on this call as MarkZ’s opinion.
Notes are highlights only and not verbatim. It is always best to watch the full video for complete context.
Consult a qualified professional before making any financial decisions.

Are We Waiting on the Iraqi Government? The Big Picture

One of the most common questions remains:

Are there delays? Are we waiting for Iraq’s government to be fully seated?

According to MarkZ, the key point to remember is this:

👉 

No one knows the exact timing.

We are currently in a period of extreme turbulence. While patterns can be studied and trends followed, the exact moment cannot be pinned down. What can be seen clearly is:

  • The big picture

  • The direction

  • The final destination

Market Signals: Liquidity, Silver, and Volatility

Members noted that the Federal Reserve appeared to inject more liquidity into the banking system recently.

At the same time:

  • Silver surged from $77 to as high as $83.10

  • Gold and silver prices continue reflecting stress in the system

These moves are not random—they are pressure signals.

Bond Update: Meetings and Quiet Progress

On the bond side:

  • A key meeting expected earlier was delayed and is now occurring

  • MarkZ expects possible updates later

As always, bond movement remains one of the most sensitive indicators tied to the RV process.

Group News: Indian Groups Funded?

One notable update shared by MarkZ:

He is being told that “Indian Groups” are currently being funded.

The rumor circulating is:

  • Once these groups are completed

  • Everything else may be released

This information came in during the early hours, adding to the sense that quiet steps are happening behind the scenes.

Iran: A Government in Paralysis

Iran emerged as a major focus of the discussion.

Key Developments

  • Resignation of the Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Iran for Monetary Affairs

  • No electricity flowing to Iraq from Iran

  • Iraqi calls going unanswered—only silence

MarkZ’s takeaway:
👉 The Iranian government appears paralyzed.

No media coverage. No explanations. No responses.

That silence speaks volumes.

US Delta Force in Iraq? A Historic Moment

One of the most serious updates came from Iraqi media platforms:

Reports indicate U.S. Delta Force units positioned near the Iraq–Iran border.

According to Baghdad Today:

  • Elite U.S. forces are stationed in sensitive areas

  • A major shift in the regional security scene may be imminent

MarkZ’s words:

“This is a sensitive moment in history—and we are watching it live.”

Is the Regional Chaos Cover for the Reset?

A question raised:

  • Could the chaos in Iran, Iraq, and Venezuela be cover for releasing the new rates?

While speculative, MarkZ acknowledged:
👉 Many events appear unrelated—but they are deeply connected.

Iraq’s Government Formation: Slow but Moving

On Iraq’s political timeline:

  • Parliament has completed transitional steps

  • The President will be seated

  • Then the Prime Minister will be named

This follows constitutional procedure, even if it feels slow from the outside.

CBI Governor Al-Alaq: Stalling or Scapegoat?

Rumors continue that Ali Al-Alaq, CBI Governor, is stalling the RV.

MarkZ’s response was clear:

  • He finds zero credible sources supporting that claim

  • The accusations appear to be rumor-driven

This echoes a broader pattern of blame-shifting during high-pressure transitions.

Militias, Disarmament, and U.S. Pressure

In Iraq, reports continue about militia behavior:

  • Saying one thing

  • Doing another

However, there is growing international and internal support to rein them in. This aligns with broader U.S. objectives tied to sovereignty and stability.

Gold, Reserves, and Currency Strength

Iraq continues highlighting:

  • 170 tons of gold reserves

As gold prices rise:

  • Iraq’s asset backing strengthens

  • Sustainability of a future rate improves

Members cited:

  • Gold around $4,459

  • Silver near $78+

These are not normal numbers—they reflect systemic stress.

Banking Signals: Long Hours and Optimism

One of the most encouraging updates:

A regional banker reportedly stated:

  • Banks are working 6am to 10pm until January 16

  • Purpose: to get the RV done

  • Tone: VERY optimistic

MarkZ’s reaction:

Confirmations are increasing. Not everywhere—but more and more.

GESARA, Arrests, and RV Fatigue

Members expressed:

  • Hope corruption exposures accelerate

  • Curiosity whether this is GESARA implementation

  • Exhaustion from waiting—“RV fatigue”

MarkZ acknowledged:
👉 Things are happening—just not as fast as anyone wants.

Q&A – Key Takeaways

Q: Is there a confirmed RV date?

A: No. Timing remains unknown due to extreme global turbulence.

Q: Is Iran affecting the RV?

A: Iran’s paralysis is significant and may be part of the larger reset process.

Q: Are banks seeing movement?

A: Some are reporting extended hours and increased optimism.

Q: Is Iraq progressing politically?

A: Yes, through constitutional steps—slow but steady.

Final Thoughts: One Movie, Many Scenes

This process can feel like:

  • A movie

  • A series

  • Or even the Twilight Zone

But according to MarkZ:
👉 Everything happening now is connected.

The challenge is patience.

Stay Connected – Official Links

🔗 Blog: https://dinarevaluation.blogspot.com/
📢 Telegram: https://t.me/DINAREVALUATION
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064023274131
🐦 Twitter (X): https://x.com/DinaresGurus
🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DINARREVALUATION

 Hashtags

#MarkZ #RVUpdate #IraqiDinar
#GlobalReset #IranCrisis #BankingSignals
#GoldStandard #SilverSurge
#CurrencyReform #GESARA
#BreakingNews #GoogleDiscover

MarkZ  Update- Some highlights by PDK-Not verbatim

MarkZ Disclaimer: Please consider everything on this call as my opinion. People who take notes do not catch everything and its best to watch the video so that you get everything in context.  Be sure to consult a professional for any financial decisions

Member: Good morning everyone and Mark and Andy and Mods!!

Member: Hoping Mark has some RV news today……are there any delays….are we waiting on the Iraq government to be seated?

MZ: Remember no one knows the timing and right now we are in extreme turbulence. Noone can figure out the exact timing…we can guess at it….study it…..follow the patterns….see the big picture and the final destination.  

Member: Seems like the Federal Reserve injected more money into the banking system here last night. The silver price was at $77 last night and has gone as high as $82.58

MZ: I think it actually got as high as $83.10. 

MZ: Your bond update is ….the contact who I thought had a meeting yesterday – that meeting is occurring today. So maybe I will have an update later. 

MZ: I have one bit of group news. I am being told right now that the “Indian Groups” are being funded. The rumor is we are next and that’s when they release everything. I got this piece of news in the wee hours last night. 

Member: You think Iran is slowing down the RV? There was an interesting news article about the “white paper” recap. Militia man think the regional chaos could be cover to release the rate

MZ: “ Resignation of the Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Iran for Monetary Affairs”  Another sacrificial lamb. They keep trying to find somebody to take the blame. Buckle up. Things have stopped flowing in Iran. Iraq calls them because electricity stopped flowing to them but nobody answers. They just hear crickets. And nothing about it in the press. This is how paralyzed the Iranian government is right now. 

Member: I have heard Tehran may be running out of drinking water?

MZ: “The most dangerous thing you may hear :News of the US Delta Forces in Iraq” Over the past few hours media reports on Iraqi platforms say the US elite forces called “Delta Force” is in Iraq and stationing near its border with Iran. According to Baghdad Today- Reports say Delta Force is positioned in the vicinity of the Iraq/Iran border with talk of a major shift in the security scene that may be witnessed in the next stage. This is a sensitive moment in history. And we are watching it live. 

MZ: Is this a mad dash push to get Iran and Venezuela in the reset?

Member: I wonder -why Iraq is taking so long to “seat” president after election?

MZ: “Iraqi Parliament completes transitional steps until government formation” they will be seating the President then the Prime Minister. 

Member: Alak (CBI Governor) is at or past their legal retirement age, if he doesn't act soon they may push him out

MZ: I do see a lot of rumors that Al Alaq is stalling the RV. But I can find zero sources who think that is accurate. 

Member: It looks like corruption in the US is starting to be exposed…..praying we see bad guys in silver bracelets soon…….hoping the RV isn’t waiting on all those arrests starting

Member: Maybe we are watching the implementation of GESARA!!!

MZ: There is so much happening right now. Things look un-related….but they really all are related. 

MZ: In Iraq: “Disarmament or buying time? US report reveals shadow game in Iraq” Militias in Iraq are saying one thing and doing another. There is a lot of support to reign in those militias. 

MZ: “After the market rally and the information of intentions to change the exchange rate- The Central Bank reveals the truth” Some rumors again that they would reduce the exchange rate and not increase it. 

MZ: They keep pushing this one in Iraq about Gold: Iraq has 170 tons of Gold. As the value of gold goes up 

Member: Per Miles Franklin ~ Gold: $4,459.20 & Silver: $78.27

Member: Last night my friend spoke to his Region's Banker and it was said they are working from 6am to 10 pm until Jan 16th to get this RV done. Banker was VERY optimistic !

MZ: Wooo. Thank you for sharing that. Lots of people out there are getting more confirmations from their banks. Its not everyone…but it’s happening more and more. We just need to hang on.  

Member: I look at July 4th 2026 as a back wall where Judy Shelton stated the US would have gold backed Treasuries….and hopefully gold backed currency as well. This is also the US 250 year anniversary and Trump would want a great economy before mid term elections. 

Member: IMO we are living in a crazy exciting time. 

 Member: I may have to take an RV break for a week or so ... RV Fatique

Member: I have anticipation fatigue after nothing happened by Christmas or Jan 1…..its exhausting

Member: I believe this movie turned into a twilight zone series…lol

MZ: Things are happening….just not as fast as any of us want. 

Member: Just a special thank you Mark for your time, money and energy to do these podcasts. You don’t have to do these but do. I do not take you for granted 

Member: Hope everyone has a wonderful day today.

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Why Multi-Level Exchange Rates Matter for Iraq

 


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IRAN: THE COUNTRY GRAPPLES WITH UNREST THAT HAS GONE ON FOR NEARLY A WEEK AND HAS LEFT SEVERAL DEAD

IRAN: THE COUNTRY GRAPPLES WITH UNREST THAT HAS GONE ON FOR NEARLY A WEEK AND HAS LEFT SEVERAL DEAD

(Will the radical Muslim, terrorist, clerical government capitulate. We need this regime change.)

Responding to Trump’s comments, top Iranian official Ali Larijani warned that US interference in domestic Iranian issues would amount to a destabilization of the entire Middle East. Iran backs proxy forces in Lebanon, Iraq and Yemen.

And Iran earlier warns that ‘all US bases and forces in the entire region’ would become ‘legitimate targets’ if Washington intervenes in internal protests.

Tehran issued the stark threat after the US President said America was ‘locked and loaded and ready to go’ if Iranian authorities killed peaceful demonstrators during nationwide protests over soaring living costs. 

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, accused foreign intelligence agencies of attempting to hijack legitimate protests and turn them into violent unrest.

‘The devil’s cry was raised because the efforts of armed field agents of the intelligence services to turn the legitimate protests of the bazaars and guilds into violent and armed urban battles failed,’ he said in an X post. He added that Iran had repeatedly defeated enemies ‘far more experienced’ throughout history and insisted the country did not equate protesters with foreign mercenaries, saying: ‘We embrace our beloved children.’

But Mr Ghalibaf issued a direct warning to Washington, saying the ‘disrespectful President of the United States’ should understand that any American ‘adventure’ would make all US centres and forces across the region ‘legitimate targets’.

He also stressed that Iranians are ‘always united and determined to act against any aggressor.

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MNT GOAT: What Else Is in the News? ASYCUDA, Dollar Fluctuations, WTO Accession, and the Real RV Narrative

Featured Snippet 

“The recent rise of the dollar against the Iraqi dinar is a predicted, temporary reaction to ASYCUDA implementation—not a devaluation. Long-term indicators point to revenue growth, fiscal discipline, and future currency stability.”

What Else Is in the News? Let’s Separate Facts From Panic

Here we go again.

Just as the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) clearly predicted, once the ASYCUDA system becomes fully implemented, a temporary spike in dollar demand would occur. And what happened?

Exactly that.

Over the past few days, the dollar has gradually risen in local markets, reaching approximately 145,000 dinars per $100, with some panicking voices claiming it could reach 150,000

.

Let me be clear:

👉 This is speculation—not reality.

The real question is:
Why do some refuse to listen to FACTS?

ASYCUDA Was Designed to Do Exactly This

The news today reflects panic, not policy failure.

ASYCUDA’s rollout was never meant to be painless in the short term. The CBI warned well in advance that:

  • Dollar demand would temporarily increase

  • Traders would adjust behavior

  • Markets would react emotionally

And yet, when it happens, economists immediately cry:

“The dinar must be devalued!”

Oh boy… here we go again.

Déjà Vu: What Happened During the First ASYCUDA Wave?

Let’s rewind.

When the first wave of ASYCUDA  was implemented:

  • Economists rang alarm bells

  • Markets panicked

  • Speculators screamed devaluation

What Actually Happened?

  • The dinar bounced back

  • It stabilized around 1305, below the “official” 1320 rate

  • It effectively revalued itself within the program rate

No, it was not on FOREX yet—but it was a very positive sign.

And history has a habit of repeating itself.

Why Is the Dollar Rising Right Now? FACTS Only

The article titled “IDENTIFYING THE MAIN REASON FOR THE RISE OF THE DOLLAR IN IRAQ” explains it perfectly.

Former CBI director and financial expert Mahmoud Dagher confirmed:

“Customs duties are behind the rise of the dollar in local markets.”

Key Point Explained Simply

  • Traders must now submit customs declarations via ASYCUDA

  • Bank transfers require these declarations

  • Traders temporarily turn to the market to obtain dollars

This is mechanical, not monetary collapse.

Prime Minister’s Advisor Confirms: This Is Temporary

In the article “SALEH’S APPEARANCE: THE FLUCTUATIONS IN THE PARALLEL MARKET ARE TEMPORARY”, Prime Minister’s economic advisor Mazhar Muhammad Saleh makes it crystal clear:

  • Oil prices are not the cause

  • Iraq’s fixed exchange rate policy remains intact

  • Foreign reserves exceed $100 billion

These reserves provide what Saleh calls a:

“Strong stability umbrella for foreign currency.”

In short:
👉 No threat to living standards
👉 No justification for devaluation

ASYCUDA = Revenue, Revenue, Revenue

Does customs and tariff revenue sound familiar?

It should.

Just look at how customs enforcement under the Trump administration dramatically increased U.S. revenues. ASYCUDA is Iraq’s version of that discipline.

More enforcement means:

  • Higher revenues

  • Less smuggling

  • Stronger fiscal position

  • Greater currency sustainability

This is how a country earns a stronger currency.

Pressure Mounts to Pass the Oil and Gas Law

Next in the news is renewed pressure to pass the Oil and Gas Law.

In the article “ATRUSHI: THE OIL AND GAS LAW MUST BE PASSED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE”, Deputy Speaker Farhad Atrushi states clearly:

  • The law is essential to solving financial problems

  • Federalism cannot function without it

We already know:
👉 This law is one of the five U.S. mandates

And once again, here it is—right on schedule.

WTO Accession: Progress or Reminder?

Articles discussing WTO accession continue to surface, including:

“IRAQ’S ACCESSION TO THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION: THE UNITED NATIONS CONFIRMS TANGIBLE PROGRESS.”

Here’s what puzzles many:

  • Iraq already met the requirements

  • Necessary laws were passed

  • Technical and regulatory stages were completed months ago

So why the delay?

The Logical Answer

The WTO wants:

  • A sustainable currency

  • A realistic exchange rate

  • A dinar backed by Iraq’s full asset portfolio

Why would the WTO accept Iraq before reinstatement?

Exactly.

These articles are signals, not updates.

Political Resistance: Iranian Proxy Influence Still at Work

Finally, we see more evidence that Iranian proxy politicians do not want the RV.

In the article “PARLIAMENT WILL HOST OFFICIALS FROM THE CENTRAL BANK AND THE INTEGRITY COMMISSION NEXT WEEK”, oversight is once again being used as a political weapon.

What’s Really Happening

  • Another attempt to remove Ali al-Alaq

  • Attacks on CBI leadership

  • Focus on minor issues instead of major progress

Sound familiar?

It mirrors how political obstruction works everywhere.

Do They Even Understand the RV Plan?

The entire roadmap is already laid out.

👉 It’s in the White Paper.

Yet these actors:

  • Want stagnation, not reform

  • Prefer chaos over progress

  • Bash success for political gain

They fear momentum—because momentum leads to change.

Q&A – Clearing the Confusion

Q: Is the dinar being devalued?

A: No. The current fluctuation is temporary and expected.

Q: Is ASYCUDA bad for Iraq?

A: No. It increases revenue and long-term stability.

Q: Why the WTO delay?

A: Likely waiting for a sustainable post-reinstatement rate.

Q: Who is trying to stop the RV?

A: Political actors aligned with stagnation and foreign influence.

Final Thoughts: Panic Is Not Policy

Speculation makes noise.
Facts make history.

ASYCUDA, fiscal discipline, WTO signaling, and revenue enforcement are all steps forward, not backward.

The RV does not fail because of temporary fluctuations.
It succeeds because of long-term structure.

Stay Connected – Official Links

🔗 Blog: https://dinarevaluation.blogspot.com/
📢 Telegram: https://t.me/DINAREVALUATION
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064023274131
🐦 Twitter (X): https://x.com/DinaresGurus
🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DINARREVALUATION

 Hashtags

#MNTGOAT #RVUpdate #IraqiDinar
#ASYCUDA #WTOAccession #IraqEconomy
#CurrencyReform #DinarNews
#BreakingNews #GoogleDiscover
#FinancialReset #CBI

MNT GOAT

What Else Is In The News?

So, here we go again. The CBI already predicted when the ASYCUDA system is fully implemented that it would cause a spike in the dollar sales again. So, again the dollar has risen against the dinar gradually over the past few days in local markets, reaching 145,000 dinars today, for every 100 dollars. Some panic and say it may reach 150,000 dinars. Again it is speculation not reality. What is it that they don’t understand? Maybe they just don’t listen to FACTS. 

So, in today’s news we read about this predicted spike again and the panic happening once again when it did happen. Don’t they read the news? Don’t they listen to the CBI? Of course, right out of the gates, these economists are claiming once again the CBI has to devalue the dinar. Oh boy…. Oh boy! It’s all hype and speculation once again and remember what happened last time when they implemented the first wave of ASYCUDA. The economists rang alarm bells and many panicked in the market. But what happened in the long-run? The dinar bounced back at 1305 below the “official” rate of 1320 and actually revalued on its own. Of course, this is still all under the program rate and not yet on FOREX. But this was a good sign and will most likely happen again and it is hopeful ASYCUDA will produce massive revenues for Iraq. Oh does customs and tariff revenue ring a bell for you under the Trump administration with the U.S. revenues? Will the dinar bounce back even better than the first wave? Please see the article titled “IDENTIFYING THE MAIN REASON FOR THE RISE OF THE DOLLAR IN IRAQ”.I quote from the article – “Financial expert Mahmoud Dagher confirmed on Sunday that customs duties are behind the rise of the dollar in local markets in Baghdad and in Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region. Dagher, who also served as a former director at the Central Bank of Iraq, told ShafaqNews Agency that “the application of the pre-transfer customs duty is behind the rise of the dollar against the dinar in local markets.”

“He added that “traders are required to bring the customs declaration (customs statement) from the ASYCUDA system before a bank transfer can be made to them, and therefore they resort to the market to obtain dollars.”

Now let’s look at what the prime ministers financial advisor has to say about all this in the article titled “SALEH’S APPEARANCE: THE FLUCTUATIONS IN THE PARALLEL MARKET ARE TEMPORARY AND DO NOT AFFECT THE STABILITY OF LIVING STANDARDS.” The economic advisor to the Prime Minister, Mazhar Muhammad Saleh, confirmed on Monday that the fluctuation in global oil prices is not directly related to the volatility of the parallel exchange market in Iraq, explaining that the monetary policy based on a fixed exchange rate supported by reserves exceeding $100 billion provides a strong stability umbrella for foreign currency.

Saleh told Al-Furat News Agency that “the limited fluctuations in the parallel market represent temporary and ineffective reactions that came in response to the launch of the latest fiscal discipline package, which included decisions to re-examine the paths of public spending and enhance the efficiency of revenues, especially through expanding and controlling tax and customs bases.”

😊 Next we witness pressure to get the oil and gas law passed in the article titled “  ATRUSHI: THE OIL AND GAS LAW MUST BE PASSED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.”

The second deputy speaker of the Iraqi parliament, Farhad Atrushi, “he stressed that in order to solve the financial problems and implement federalism, the oil and gas law must be passed as soon as possible.”  We all know that this law is one of the five mandates by the U.S. and so here it is again.

😊 Next we see announcements about the progress of accession to the WTO. Of course, this article and article like it in the recent past baffle me. Didn’t they tell us in the news that Iraq had met all the requirements. Even the necessary laws that were required were passed in the last session of parliament prior to ending it for the election. Please see article titled “IRAQ’S ACCESSION TO THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION: THE UNITED NATIONS CONFIRMS TANGIBLE PROGRESS.” “Joining the World Trade Organization is witnessing clear progress, according to the United Nations International Trade Centre, with the completion of key technical and regulatory stages at both the local and international levels.” Okay so these were completed months ago and so where is Iraq’s accession then? What is the hold up? We can clearly see that when they post articles like this in the news they are simply reminding speculators that the full accession is coming and on the horizon. Is the WTO waiting for the new rate of the Iraqi dinar upon the reinstatement? Remember why would the WTO not want a rate of the dinar that backs it full suitcase of assets? Iraq must be able to sustain its rate once it is on FOREX.

Lastly, we see more evidence that the Iranian proxy politicians do not want the RV to happen in this article titled “PARLIAMENT WILL HOST OFFICIALS FROM THE CENTRAL BANK AND THE INTEGRITY COMMISSION NEXT WEEK.” “Within the framework of activating the oversight role”. 

My CBI contact informed me they are going to try once again to oust Ali al-Alaq from his position heading up the Central Bank. If you recall last time, they claimed he was temporary and beyond his time in this role as a temporary. They will also try to tear apart the work he has accomplished and, like the democrats in U.S. politics, concentrate on nick-picking small issues rather than seeing the big picture of what is really going on and supporting all the good work. 

Do they really even know the entire plan to RV. It’s in the White Paper. They will work to undermine all the good that the CBI has already accomplished. They will bash for the sake of bashing. They want stagnation not progress.

https://mntgoatnewsusa.com/latest-mnt-goat-newsletter/

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Clare & Jeff Discuss Iraq’s Stable Dinar and the 1:1 Exchange

 


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AFTER OPENING IN 2026 WITH A DECLARATION OF ALL-OUT WAR: HOW WILL SAVAYA TURN THE TABLES ON EVERYONE AND CARRY OUT ITS THREAT?

“Your time is up.”

AFTER OPENING IN 2026 WITH A DECLARATION OF ALL-OUT WAR: HOW WILL SAVAYA TURN THE TABLES ON EVERYONE AND CARRY OUT ITS THREAT?

On the first day of 2026, US President Donald Trump’s envoy to Iraq, Mark Savaya, chose to begin the year with a “historic promise”: a year to end militias, uncontrolled weapons, corruption, and foreign interference, along with a long list of ills that have burdened the state and society. In his message to the Iraqi people, Savaya presented himself as the bearer of a “decisive year,” pledging to work to make 2026 the year that would end instability, the plundering of resources, poor services, smuggling, unemployment, militias, money laundering, fraudulent contracts, poverty, foreign interference, embezzlement, inequality, corruption, circumvention of the law, and injustice.

This “long list” has been transformed in political and media discourse into “18 crucial issues” that Savaya said would be among the priorities of his mission in Iraq during the new year, in a speech laden with messages of deterrence such as: “Your time is over, and the time of Iraq and the Iraqis has begun.” But as soon as the wave of flashy headlines subsided, a simpler and more pressing question emerged: 

Can 18 chronic Iraqi problems truly be resolved in 12 months, even by an envoy with exceptional influence in the White House?

(Mnt Goat: Savaya just needs to convince the Iraqi government of these things he wants to accomplish in 2026. Do we investors in the dinar have to wait for the RV to get all of these items fixed? Of course not, if you read the list I have highlighted some items that we know must be accomplished and are already known issues they have been working on for years already.)

The 18 files in Savaya’s speech: A map of a state’s crisis

Based on what Savaya’s letter contained and statements surrounding it, the 18 files he placed under the title “Year of Decision” can be summarized as follows:

  1. Political and security instability.
  2. Plundering the country’s wealth.
  3. Poor services (electricity, water, health, education).
  4. Uncontrolled weapons outside the control of the state.
  5. Smuggling (oil, goods, currency) across ports and borders.
  6. Unemployment, especially among young people.
  7. Militias linked to external powers or operating outside the logic of the state.
  8. Money laundering through banks, money exchange companies, and economic fronts.
  9. Political and civic ignorance as an environment for manipulating sectarian and populist discourse.
  10. Internal tensions between blocs, components, and governorates.
  11. Fake contracts and paper projects in various sectors.
  12. Poverty and the associated widening social gap.
  13. Foreign interference in decision-making and sovereign matters.
  14. Direct embezzlement of public funds.
  15. Inequality in the distribution of wealth and opportunities between regions and groups.
  16. Corruption as a general umbrella for all financial and political networks.
  17. Circumventing the law and using it as a shield to protect the powerful.
  18. The injustice inflicted on the ordinary citizen and the segments of victims and the marginalized.

On paper, this list looks more like a “state crisis map” than a one-year program. It touches on almost everything that has accumulated since 2003 in terms of political, economic, and security problems, and puts them all together under the heading “2026.”

An envoy outside the diplomatic school: From “the cannabis king” to the man of Iraqi missions

Part of the controversy surrounding Savaya is not just about what he said in his New Year’s message, but about the nature of the man himself. The new envoy is not a career diplomat who graduated from the school of the US State Department, but a businessman of Iraqi Chaldean origin who made his fortune in the legal cannabis industry in Michigan, and is described by American press reports as one of the most prominent figures in this sector, and the “cannabis king” of Detroit.

(Mnt Goat: Oh… here we go again bashing someone because they are not part of the Washington establishment. Maybe they should stop and think about what they say. Maybe this is a very good thing, Savaya being a business man (like trump) in that we need fresh thinkers who can think out of the box and do what is right for America and Iraq and not just for the elite globalists.)

His political career is more closely linked to the world of election campaigns and Republican funding, as he emerged as one of Trump’s supporters in Michigan, before suddenly transforming from a controversial business figure into a special envoy handling one of the most complex files in the Middle East.

Numerous analyses have linked his appointment to the Trump administration’s desire to deal with Iraq through a “trusted man” outside the traditional diplomatic corps, who has direct access to the president and is able to move nimbly between the worlds of politics, business, and security, with a particular focus on three issues: Iranian influence, militias, and redrawing the terms of investment and energy in a country that possesses one of the world’s largest oil reserves.

In this sense, the New Year’s message is not merely a protocolary greeting, but rather the announcement of an American political and security program with a new executive channel, setting 2026 as a test year for Washington’s ability to reshape the rules of the game within Iraq.

The promises are ambitious… but the problem lies in the structure of the system, not in the texts.

From within Iraq, researcher and academic Ali al-Jubouri offered a more cautious analysis, focusing on the gap between rhetoric and actual capability. Al-Jubouri told Baghdad Today, “The promises attributed to US President Donald Trump’s envoy to Iraq, Mark Savva, regarding 2026 being the year to end uncontrolled weapons, militias, corruption, and foreign interference, fall within the realm of ambitious political discourse. However, they clash with a highly complex Iraqi reality that makes their full realization extremely difficult without fundamental changes.”

He adds that “the problem of loose weapons is not just a security issue, but rather the result of political, economic and social accumulations that have extended for years, where some armed factions have become part of the equation of political and economic influence, and have extensions inside and outside state institutions, which makes dismantling or limiting them a complex internal sovereign decision, and not just the result of an external pledge or pressure.”

Al-Jubouri links the issue of militias to the broader map of conflict in the region, stressing that “the issue of militias is directly linked to regional and international balances, and any talk about ending them or restricting weapons to the state requires a unified and undivided Iraqi political will, and broad internal consensus that precedes any field action, in addition to reducing reliance on external axes in national decision-making.”

Then he moves on to the second point in Savaya’s speech: corruption. According to Al-Jubouri, “Corruption in Iraq is structural, not circumstantial, as it has infiltrated the joints of the state through networks of interests that transcend parties. Eliminating corruption cannot be achieved with temporary slogans, but rather requires deep administrative and legal reform, a genuine activation of accountability, and protection of oversight institutions from political pressures.”

As for foreign interventions, he says that “Iraq is still an arena for the intersection of regional and international interests, and that reducing these interventions depends on the state’s ability to strengthen its economic sovereignty, unify its foreign policy, and build balanced relations based on interests, not alignments.”

Al-Jabouri concludes his reading with a warning against turning 2026 into a “year of miracles”: “The year 2026 may witness partial steps or relative improvement if a genuine national will is available, but portraying it as a decisive year for the end of all these thorny issues seems closer to political promises and slogans than to a program that can be implemented on the ground unless the internal rules of the game change radically.”

With this description, Savaya’s discourse transforms from a “promise of decisive action” into a point of reference: where does what can actually be accomplished begin, and where does the ability of any foreign envoy end when his questions touch upon the structure of the regime itself?

Uncontrolled weapons and militias: The issue that tests the credibility of the slogan

If Savaya has indeed compiled 18 issues into one basket, the first thing Iraqi forces and the public will hold him accountable for is the file of militias and uncontrolled weapons. This file, in particular, is not only related to the security chaos, but also to the position of these factions within the state, their entanglement with the shadow economy, and their network of alliances stretching from Tehran to Damascus and Beirut.

Much of the American approach to Iraq in recent years has placed these Iranian-linked armed groups at the center of attention, linking any effort to reorganize the American presence to Baghdad’s ability to control these factions or reintegrate parts of them into state institutions according to new rules.

But this is precisely where the limits of the “year of decision” become apparent. Militias are no longer merely armed groups operating outside the law; some possess political representation, economic fronts, a presence in parliament and the government, and enjoy a social base in certain provinces. Any “direct” attempt to end this influence within a single year effectively means a redistribution of power within the Iraqi system, not simply the implementation of a series of security measures. This type of transformation cannot be managed with a congratulatory message, but rather through profound internal compromises that have yet to materialize.

Structural corruption and the parallel economy: When Savaya’s list intersects with the spoils network

Another part of Savaya’s list relates to corruption, money laundering, plundering of resources, fictitious contracts, embezzlement, and poor services. These are not mere labels, but rather the features of a system that has been formed over more than two decades, linking public funds with partisan quotas and turning contracts and projects into tools for personal gain, as revealed by Iraqi oversight and media reports on ports, border crossings, oil contracts, and reconstruction deals.

When al-Jubouri says that corruption is “structural,” he implicitly means that dismantling it requires reshaping the relationship between the state, political parties, and the economy, not merely pursuing a few individuals or opening dozens of files in the media. Here, too, the power of a foreign envoy, regardless of their relationship with the White House, appears limited without an internal decision that redefines the very structure of the political system, or at least establishes new “red lines” to protect what remains of the state from organized plunder.

Foreign interventions and the limits of Washington’s power

Savaya’s list also includes “external interference” and “internal tensions,” as if the envoy is trying to encompass everything regional actors have been accused of in Iraq over the past years. But the irony is that Washington itself is one of the most important external players on the Iraqi scene; the presence of American forces, the network of alliances, and the role of international financial institutions all make the United States part of the equation of intervention, not merely an external observer.

Here a twofold question arises: To what extent can the Trump administration reduce the influence of its regional rivals in Iraq, foremost among them Iran, without itself being seen as a party exercising parallel interference? And to what extent does Baghdad have a real margin to say “no” to any of the competing axes, if its economic sovereignty is not strengthened and the levels of dependence in the energy, finance and arms files are not reduced?

2026: A year of testing for the insider before it becomes a year of testing for Savaya.

Savaya’s message about “the end of the era of corruption and militias” gave a segment of the public a glimmer of hope and provided the media with ready-made material for sensational headlines. However, it simultaneously raised expectations to a level that would be difficult for any political actor, whether domestic or foreign, to fully meet within a single year.

If we start from Ali al-Jubouri’s reading, the fundamental question becomes not: Can Savaya finish 18 files in 2026? Rather: Does the Iraqi political system have the readiness to open these files from their roots?

Without a relatively unified political will, internal compromises that redefine the role of weapons, and genuine strengthening of oversight and judicial institutions, the US envoy’s message will remain more of a “statement of intent” than a binding roadmap. The year 2026 could become a transitional year, testing the limits of both Washington and Baghdad simultaneously: the former in terms of its willingness to use pressure and incentives, and the latter in terms of its readiness to relinquish part of the network of interests forged after 2003.

Between Savaya’s statement, “Your time is up,” directed at “those who have wreaked havoc in Iraq,” and al-Jubouri’s warning that changing the rules of the game requires more than mere rhetoric, Iraq stands on the threshold of a year that could mark the beginning of a different path, or simply another link in the chain of postponed promises. The difference will be decided, as always, internally before externally.

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