Tishwash: Trump appoints Tom Barrack as special presidential envoy to Iraq and Syria
US President Donald Trump announced the appointment of US Ambassador to Türkiye, Tom Barrack, as Special Presidential Envoy to Iraq and Syria, in a move aimed at strengthening strategic cooperation with the governments of the two countries.
Trump said that Barack would continue his duties as ambassador to Türkiye alongside his new responsibilities, noting that his performance would be fully supported by the U.S. State Department.
He added that the decision comes within the framework of developing bilateral relations and strengthening the partnership with Iraq and Syria, stressing the continued growth of relations with the two countries in various fields.
The US President expressed his appreciation for the efforts made by Tom Barrack, praising his constant readiness to serve the United States, and affirming his confidence in his ability to accomplish the tasks assigned to him in the next stage. link
Tishwash: Al-Marsoumi: The Trump administration is moving to contain the “oil panic” in global markets.
Economic expert Nabil Al-Marsoumi confirmed today, Sunday (May 31, 2026), that “the urgent task of the Trump administration is to limit the impact of the panic on oil prices,” by making the release of reserves, sanctions directives, shipping protection, financing of goods, refinery feedstock, and oversight of the futures market predictable.
Al-Marsoumi said in a post on his Facebook page, which was followed by Baghdad Today, that “Trump’s statements regarding the imminent agreement with Iran and the lifting of the naval blockade on it led to a decrease in the price of Brent crude to $91 per barrel and US crude to $87,” noting that “the decrease in oil prices was also linked to the rise in US crude oil exports to record levels of 6.4 million barrels per day with the release of the strategic oil stockpile.”
He added that “the United States committed to releasing 172 million barrels from its strategic reserves, with the peak release reaching 10 million barrels in one week, which were exported directly instead of being refined locally.”
He explained that “there is a clear limit to the selling campaign. Although this strategy has temporarily helped to suppress sharp price spikes, analysts warn that these spare capacities are limited, and that global oil markets could face increasing pressure on prices once these emergency stockpiles run out.”
Al-Marsoumi noted that “the continued rise in exports means that US commercial and emergency reserves are shrinking at an accelerating pace,” pointing out that “total stockpiles have fallen to about 445 million barrels.”
Al-Marsoumi explained that “the Trump administration cannot simply try to lower oil prices, as this is an oversimplification and could be counterproductive,” adding that “futures markets do not respond well to political intimidation, and if Washington appears to be manipulating prices rather than clarifying the supply, this could lead to a drain of liquidity from the markets that airlines, refineries, utilities, producers, and traders need to hedge against the risks of actual oil exposure.”
He stressed that “the best goal is to reduce the panic premium, and that means restoring credibility to the physical barrel of oil,” explaining that “a credible barrel is not just a barrel that is underground or appears in a futures contract, but a barrel that can be extracted, documented, insured, financed, hedged, shipped, delivered, refined, and paid for without every party in the supply chain demanding a wartime premium.”
He continued, “Markets take this mechanism for granted in normal times, but it becomes the market itself in times of war,” noting that “global oil stocks have not simply run out, but oil has become detained, delayed, diverted, more vulnerable to legal risks, more expensive to insure, and more difficult to finance.”
He concluded by saying that “oil that cannot be transported is not a complete supply, oil that cannot be insured is not a complete supply, oil that cannot be financed is not a complete supply, and oil that does not reach the appropriate refinery is not a complete supply.” link
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Tishwash: The European Bank announces support for Iraq’s energy and water projects.
Finance Minister Faleh Sari discussed with the President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development in Iraq, Katarina Bjorlin Hansen, support for energy, water, banking and private sector financing programs. Hansen confirmed on Sunday (May 31, 2026) the bank’s continued support for efforts to improve the economic situation, while Sari stressed the ministry’s commitment to enhancing the efficiency of public finance management and directing it towards productive, agricultural and infrastructure projects in the provinces, despite regional economic challenges and pressures on revenues.
The Ministry of Finance stated in a statement, a copy of which was received by 964 Network, that “Minister of Finance Mr. Faleh Sari received today, Sunday, the President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development in Iraq, Ms. Katarina Björlin Hansen, to discuss prospects for financial and technical cooperation, and support for development priorities in Iraq.”
The statement emphasized that “the Ministry of Finance is proceeding according to a governmental vision based on enhancing the efficiency of public finance management and directing it towards supporting productive and developmental sectors, in line with the priorities of the governmental program and enhancing the developmental impact in the governorates, despite the economic challenges imposed by regional changes and pressures on public revenues.”
He explained that “the ministry prioritizes supporting development projects in the governorates, especially agricultural and infrastructure projects, by providing the necessary facilities and enhancing the investment and production environment, which contributes to supporting economic development and improving the service situation.”
He added that “for her part, the President of the European Bank affirmed the bank’s continued support for Iraq’s efforts to improve the economic and financial situation,” noting “the bank’s specialized programs in the fields of energy and water, support for banks, and financing for the private sector.” link
Tishwash: Parliamentary Planning Committee: Activating the private sector is essential to confront the risks of the oil economy.
Member of the Planning and Regions Committee of the Parliament, MP Ali Al-Zirjawi, called on the new government on Saturday to make activating the private sector a top priority to address the economic crises facing the country, warning against continuing to rely on oil revenues to finance public expenditures.
Al-Zirjawi told Al-Maalouma that “activating the private sector should be at the forefront of the government’s priorities in order to find real solutions to the economic crises that have contributed to the decline in the country’s economic situation.”
He added that “Iraq’s almost complete reliance on oil exports to secure revenues and cover employee salaries has led to the accumulation of internal and external debt,” indicating that “the continuation of this approach may pose a real threat to the Iraqi economy in the coming years.”
He pointed out that “diversifying national income sources, supporting investment, and enabling the private sector to play its developmental role are urgent necessities to ensure economic stability,” calling on the government to “address this problem and take practical steps to mitigate its future effects.” link
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Mot: When – I Ask!!! — When!!!!
