TNT:
Tishwash:Al-Zaydi begins removing officials after Barrak’s visit… Al-Alaq is out of the Central Bank, according to the framework.
The Iraqi News Agency and the media outlets affiliated with the Coordination Framework leadership continue to broadcast surprising and rapid news regarding the replacement of officials at the top of the pyramid, by orders issued by Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi.
Minutes after the official news agency reported an order to replace the head of national security, known as Abu Ali al-Basri, who was the head of the infamous Falcons Cell during Nouri al-Maliki’s time, media outlets representing the main parties in the Coordination Framework rushed to report the dismissal of the head of the Central Bank of Iraq, Ali al-Alaq, and his replacement by Nizar Nasser, who was the head of the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Office of the Central Bank.
This comes after nearly two days of long and complex discussions held by the Iraqi Prime Minister with Trump’s envoy in Baghdad, Tom Barrack.
The Iraqi government and the United States agreed on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, on a package of strategic, security and economic understandings, which focused on the complete disarmament of the factions and the restriction of weapons to the state, and providing security guarantees to protect American investment companies.
This came during a meeting held by Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi with the US President’s Special Envoy Tom Barrack in Baghdad, in preparation for the anticipated summit between al-Zaidi and President Donald Trump at the White House in mid-July, amid a joint emphasis on supporting a federal, democratic and unified Iraq. link
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Tishwash: Ali Al-Alaq was relieved of his position as Governor of the Central Bank and Nizar Nasser was appointed in his place.
An informed source reported today, Thursday (June 18, 2026), that the Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq, Ali Al-Alaq, has been relieved of his post, and Nizar Nasser has been assigned to manage the Central Bank in his place.
The source told Baghdad Today that “Nizar Nasser has been assigned to manage the Central Bank,” noting that “this came after the dismissal of the Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq, Ali Al-Alaq, from his position.”
He added that “the decision to dismiss and appoint the new governor has come into effect,” indicating that “Nizar Nasser will assume the duties of the governor of the Central Bank during the next phase.”
He added that “no official clarifications have yet been issued regarding the reasons for the dismissal or the nature of the changes related to the management of the Central Bank, while an official statement is expected to be issued clarifying the details of the decision and the mechanism for transferring duties.” link
Tishwash: The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Finance discusses with the World Bank the priorities of digital transformation and automation of financial operations.
On Thursday, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Finance, Ali Karim, discussed with a World Bank delegation the priorities of digital transformation and automation of financial work, and mechanisms for developing financial systems in Iraq.
The Ministry of Finance stated in a statement received by “Dijlah News” that “the Undersecretary of the Ministry held an extensive meeting with the World Bank delegation headed by the Regional Director for Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence, Michel Rogge, in the presence of a number of Directors General and senior staff in the Ministry.”
The statement added that “the meeting discussed paths of technical cooperation in the areas of digital transformation and automation of financial work, particularly the automation of the tax and customs systems, strengthening cybersecurity, and the organized expansion of the Government Financial Management Information System (IFMIS) project, which contributes to raising performance efficiency and improving the quality of data and services.”
The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Finance affirmed that “digital transformation represents an integrated reform path to support public finance management, simplify procedures, and enhance transparency and governance,” stressing the importance of “implementing projects according to clear priorities and applicable phased plans that are consistent with the requirements of financial reform and the reality of Iraqi institutions.”
For its part, the World Bank delegation affirmed its readiness to continue providing technical and advisory support to the Ministry of Finance in the areas of digital transformation, artificial intelligence and the development of financial systems, in order to contribute to achieving the goals of institutional and financial reform. link
Tishwash: Al-Aboudi: Iraq has completed the requirements for drawing up a development roadmap based on program budgeting.
Government spokesman Haider al-Aboudi affirmed on Wednesday that the government’s unwavering vision is based on making the economy and its drivers the primary drivers of the state. He emphasized that the decision to restrict weapons is a cornerstone of national sovereignty, in accordance with the constitution, which prohibits all forms of unregulated weapons. He also indicated the intention to establish strategic floating gas terminals by specialized American companies to secure energy fuel.
Al-Aboudi stated that “the government’s unwavering vision is based on making the economy and its drivers the primary drivers of the state to provide a stable environment, a productive economy, and balanced partnerships.”
He explained that “the foundations of this environment are becoming tangible through the ministerial program, which leads directly to internal security matters, foremost among them restricting weapons to the state and unifying the security decision-making system under the authority of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.”
He added that “the government is holding the reins of Iraq’s sovereignty in accordance with the constitution, which prohibits all forms of unregulated weapons and empowers the executive authority to manage this issue from a legal perspective, as it is responsible for the highest authority in the country.”
Regarding the meeting between the Prime Minister and the US Presidential Special Envoy, Al-Aboudi affirmed that “the government views the meeting from the perspective of the Iraqi-American partnership, which is based on a wealth of general frameworks and detailed pillars.”
Concerning the details of investment support and the entry of foreign companies, the government spokesperson explained that “the meetings included discussions on facilitating the entry of American companies, particularly in energy and electricity projects,” noting that “indicators were set for the implementation of floating liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals in Khor Al-Zubair by specialized American companies.”
He pointed out that “this terminal is of paramount strategic importance, as it will provide a suitable environment for receiving imported LNG and converting it to the form required by national power generation plants, especially to secure consumption during peak demand periods familiar to Iraqis.”
Regarding the Prime Minister’s upcoming official visit to the White House at the invitation of the President, Al-Aboudi confirmed that “the visit’s agenda includes partnership files and the prospects for strategic cooperation between Baghdad and Washington,” clarifying that “the economic and security files represent the two most prominent pillars of this tour.”
Al-Aboudi stated that “the decision to restrict weapons to the state is a national Iraqi decision, but the international perspective sees Iraq as proceeding with measures to strengthen the foundations of its sovereignty.”
He continued, “Iraq, after a long and arduous journey in which it waged an existential war against terrorism since 2014, requiring all Iraqis to rise up with the help of international friends, is now nearing the end of the international coalition’s presence by next September.” He emphasized that “with the end of this foreign presence, the requirements for a comprehensive development phase, which the Iraqi people aspire to, will begin.”
Al-Aboudi pointed out that “the region is witnessing an overlap of interests and oil and trade resources, and a trend towards resolving crises and building common understandings,” explaining that “the countries of the region affect each other due to the overlap of interests and oil and trade resources.”
Al-Aboudi concluded by pointing out that “Iraq’s success in completing its requirements through the relevant federal ministries such as oil and finance is to develop a development roadmap that relies on (program budgeting) to ensure the sustainability of financial funding for vital projects.” link
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Tishwash: Economist: The 2026 budget train has left the station… the government is patching up the deficit by borrowing.
Economic expert Basil Al-Obaidi confirmed today, Thursday, that insisting on preparing and approving the general budget at this time is “a form of absurdity” and has no benefit whatsoever, at a time when the country’s financial affairs are being managed by “patchwork” and borrowing from banks.
Al-Ubaidi told Al-Maalomah that “the train has already left the station. Iraq is now staggering at the end of the sixth month, and the bureaucratic processes involved in approving the budget will inevitably hinder and delay it until next September.” He added that “a budget approved for only three months of a fiscal year that is nearing its end is worthless.”
He added, “The preparation of the budget depends primarily on estimating revenues and expenditures, which is difficult to achieve at the present time, given the significant decline in the country’s revenues as a result of the repercussions of the regional crisis and the disruption of export traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.”
Al-Obeidi pointed out that “Iraq needs a period of no less than two months to restore some degree of financial stability, pending an improvement in oil revenues and the return of exports to their normal levels, in the event that the Strait of Hormuz is reopened and all the technical and logistical requirements related to pumping Iraqi crude oil to the ports and export outlets are completed.”
The economist warned that “the anticipated budget will turn into an arena for political bidding, where it will be bombarded with explosive demands that a short-term budget cannot accommodate, starting with a flood of appointments, bonuses and patchwork, and ending with a conflict over projects.”
Al-Ubaidi called on the Cabinet to “preemptively address the crisis and prepare a draft law for an exceptional operational budget for emergencies, to manage the remainder of the year, while postponing the comprehensive budget to 2027,” stressing that the upcoming budget must be “real and completely different from its predecessors, which existed only on paper.” link
