ronscarpa

REMEMBER, no one really knows what will happen, or when. They're simply stating their opinions based on what they perceive to be happening in Iraq... So, take everything with a grain of salt ... RON 8-18-2026 Reset Intelligence Iraq's PM advisor publicly stated the country sits on more than 16 trillion dinars in natural resources, 5th largest proven oil reserves, 2nd largest phosphate reserves on Earth. The GDP is $265 billion. That's a resource to GDP ratio of 60 to 1. Saudi Arabia's ratio is 15 to 1. Iraq carries 4x the resource gap of Saudi Arabia at a program rate set during reconstruction 22 years ago. 8-18-2026 Samson Article: "THE CENTRAL BANK REMAINS SILENT ON THE REMOVAL OF ZEROS AMID MARKET CONFUSION"

REMEMBER, no one really knows what will happen, or when. They're simply stating their opinions based on what they perceive to be happening in Iraq... So, take everything with a grain of salt ... RON 8-18-2026 Newshound Guru Pimpy We don't want them to delete the zeros. Trust me, you want them to leave the zeros on there. Them deleting the zeros off the currency is not them devaluing the currency. There's a misunderstanding. Deleting the zeros doesn't change the exchange value of the Iraqi dinar. 25,000 X $0.00076 = $19. If you take away the zeros. 25 x $0.76 = $19...It does not change the value of the Iraqi dinar. 8-18-2026 Jeff Deleting the zeros is the very next banking reform step and being implemented in the second half of the year '26. That's why they brought all those articles forward yesterday. It wasn't a coincidence. 8-18-2026 Stephen Besides deletion of the three zeros argument, one of the other largest arguments against a possible revaluation of the Iraqi dinar is the money supply is too big...Imagine Iraq announces you bring in your old dinars into the banking system. We will exchange them for the new currency. But very large amounts of currency must pass a source of funds check. Now imagine 40 trillion old dinars sitting in warehouses, homes, safes involving criminal networks, corruption proceeds, etc. whose holders cannot satisfactorily document where the money came from...Those holders would have a problem. If they take the cash to a bank they potentially expose themselves to investigation or confiscation. If they don't take it to the bank before the old currency is demonetized, those notes eventually cease to be legal tender...

REMEMBER, no one really knows what will happen, or when. They're simply stating their opinions based on what they perceive to be happening in Iraq... So, take everything with a grain of salt ... RON 8-18-2026 Ariel The Iraqi government is preparing to submit the 2027 federal budget to the Council of Representatives, with the bill expected by late September or early October. This is not routine. A budget submitted with the old exchange rate baked into its revenue projections would be fiscal malpractice if a revaluation is imminent because every line item, every public sector salary, every oil revenue projection, every dinar-denominated expenditure would be calculated on a pre-revaluation basis, meaning the moment the rate changes, the entire budget becomes instantly inaccurate and must be recalculated and resubmitted. They won’t submit a budget they know will be obsolete in weeks. [Post 1 of 2] 8-18-2026 Ariel The 2027 budget submission is the fiscal wall. The rate has to move before the budget bill arrives at parliament, because the budget itself has to be written in the new currency’s value. Late September is the deadline for the budget. That means the rate change has to happen before late September. September 1 is the earliest date the enforcement infrastructure is in place. The window is September 1 through roughly September 20-25. That’s the operational corridor. [Post 2 of 2] 8-18-2026 Clare Article: "Economic Observatory: Government silence regarding 'currency change' is confusing the Iraqi dinar market" Quote: "Eco Iraq held the Central Bank and the Ministry of Finance responsible for clarifying the truth about the decision and any confusion in the Iraqi market resulting from their silence, demanding that the competent authorities issue an official statement explaining the reasons for changing the currency, the implementation mechanisms, the timetable, and guarantees to protect citizens' savings and market stability."

Former US official: Nechirvan Barzani trusted in Washington and Tehran Kurdistan RegionbreakingiranUSANechirvan Barzani 2026-08-18 / 05:17 Shafaq News- Washington Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani is trusted in both Washington and Tehran, a distinction very few people can credibly claim, former US State Department official Thomas Warrick told Shafaq News on Tuesday. Previous mediation efforts have failed to break the impasse, Warrick said. “Washington values President Barzani’s honesty and his understanding of the actors on the Iranian side,” he said, adding that “Tehran may well feel the same about his understanding of Washington.” Asked whether the Kurdistan Regional Government’s mediation efforts could succeed where earlier efforts by Qatar and Pakistan had stalled, Warrick said, “A fresh perspective is always useful, and President Barzani certainly brings one.” However, the differences between Washington and Tehran are too deep to be bridged by any one person. “I am not optimistic that the conflict will end before the US election on November 3.” Earlier, Axios reported that Barzani helped establish a secret channel between the US administration and Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Citing three sources with direct knowledge of the contacts, Axios reported that the White House turned to Barzani because of his longstanding ties with both Washington and Tehran and his contacts with senior Iranian officials. For Shafaq News, Mostafa Hashem, Washington, D.C. https://www.shafaq.com/en/Kurdistan/Former-US-official-Nechirvan-Barzani-trusted-in-Washington-and-Tehran

Prime Minister's Advisor: Restricting Weapons to the State Aimed to Create a Regulatory Framework By Law Iraqi News Agency Tuesday, August 18, 2026*16:44 Baghdad - INA - 8/18/2026 The Prime Minister’s advisor, Qasim al-Araji, affirmed that the sons of Iraq who contributed to defeating terrorism and defending the homeland are a source of pride and honor, while stressing that restricting weapons to the hands of the state does not aim to exclude or disregard their sacrifices. Al-Araji said in a statement received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA): “The sons of Iraq who contributed to defeating terrorism and defending the homeland are a source of pride and honor,” explaining that “restricting weapons to the state does not aim to exclude or disregard sacrifices, but rather aims to create an organizational framework that protects the fighter and his family and guarantees their legal and social rights, under the umbrella of the law and the General Command of the Armed Forces.” He added that "the formulation of media messages requires great care to convey a spirit of reassurance and national partnership, not a language of threat," stressing that "the security of the citizen and the stability of the fighter and his family represent a top priority for government work." Al-Araji pointed out that "sincere observations are taken into consideration to develop the media message through official channels, in a way that ensures blocking any attempts to exploit fears or distort national goals." https://ina.iq/en/politics/51321-prime-ministers-advisor-restricting-weapons-to-the-state-is-not-aimed-at-exclusion-but-rather-at-creating-a-regulatory-framework.html

Al-Maliki Tells US Chargé d’Affaires: Coordination Framework Forms Committee to Ensure Weapons Are Held by the State Iraqi News Agency Tuesday, August 18, 2026*13:38 Baghdad - INA - 8/18/2026 Head of the State of Law Coalition Nouri Al-Maliki said on Tuesday that the Coordination Framework has formed a committee that will begin work soon, in coordination with the government, to develop appropriate mechanisms for implementing the process of placing all weapons under state control. He also stressed that the state and its constitutional institutions are the authoritative reference for managing security and military affairs. According to a statement issued by the media office of the State of Law Coalition leader and received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA), Al-Maliki received US Chargé d’Affaires to Iraq Joshua Harris at his office on Tuesday. The statement said the meeting addressed the future of bilateral relations between Iraq and the United States and ways to strengthen and develop them across various fields, in line with the Strategic Framework Agreement between the two countries while safeguarding shared interests as well as Iraq’s sovereignty and independence. The meeting also discussed the government’s efforts to place weapons under state control. Al-Maliki said the Coordination Framework had established a committee that would begin its work shortly in coordination with the government, with the aim of identifying appropriate mechanisms to implement the process. He stressed the importance of addressing the issue through dialogue and mutual understanding in a way that ensures a unified national position and preserves Iraq’s security and stability, emphasizing that the state and its constitutional institutions are the reference authority in managing security and military affairs. For his part, the US chargé d’affaires praised Al-Maliki’s political role and his contributions to supporting stability and strengthening political understandings. He also expressed appreciation for his positions in support of the government’s efforts to address national issues and strengthen state institutions. Harris stressed the importance of continued cooperation and coordination between the two countries in a manner that serves the interests of Iraq and its people. https://ina.iq/en/politics/51315-al-maliki-tells-us-charge-daffaires-coordination-framework-forms-committee-to-ensure-weapons-are-held-by-the-state.html

Al-Amiri: Arms Control Is an Exclusively Iraqi National Issue Iraqi News Agency Tuesday, August 18, 2026*13:25 A Baghdad - INA - 8/18/2026 Secretary-General of the Badr Organization Hadi Al-Amiri said on Tuesday that the issue of placing all weapons under state control is an exclusively Iraqi national matter. In a statement received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA), Al-Amiri called on all parties to adopt a moderate and conciliatory approach, avoid heightened tensions in their positions, uphold the elements of strength and resilience needed for the Iraq that all Iraqis aspire to—a sovereign, respected and dignified state—and reject anything that could create divisions or fuel disputes. He also urged all sides to prioritize the national interest based on a comprehensive vision, sound judgment and a sincere commitment to safeguarding the country’s overall security. He stressed the importance of ensuring integration among all components of the state, represented by its executive, legislative, judicial and security institutions. Al-Amiri said he had firm confidence in the good intentions, sound judgment and commitment to the national interest of Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi and the members of the resistance, as well as in the readiness of all parties to assume their moral, national and religious responsibilities. He warned against the consequences of “hasty, ill-considered or provocative approaches,” expressing hope that all sides would abandon unjustified inflammatory rhetoric in some statements, remarks and media activities, and avoid misjudging the situation or making inaccurate assessments. Regarding the “issue of placing weapons under state control,” Al-Amiri called on all those concerned to approach the matter with a sense of national responsibility and not allow external parties seeking pretexts to impose their dominance, maintain their influence, or insist on taking control of Iraq’s security, political and economic decision-making. He stressed that the issue is “a purely Iraqi national matter,” saying that any decision taken in this concern must be Iraqi, and that Iraqis are capable of managing it efficiently and responsibly. Al-Amiri further noted that “weapons—any weapons—derive their legitimacy from the extent to which they serve the national interest,” which, he said, must be determined collectively by Iraq’s national actors rather than individually, in a manner that strengthens Iraq’s security based on full sovereignty, independent decision-making and a unified national position. https://ina.iq/en/politics/51313-al-amiri-arms-control-is-an-exclusively-iraqi-national-issue.html

Al-Maliki: Iraq committee to begin work on state weapons control PoliticsNouri al-Malikiarmed factionsDisarmement 2026-08-18 / 03:54 Shafaq News- Baghdad (Updated at 15:17) Former Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, leader of the State of Law coalition, said on Tuesday that a committee, formed to develop mechanisms for bringing weapons under state control, will begin work ahead of the September 30 deadline, in coordination with the government. The committee was set up by the Coordination Framework, the alliance of Shia parties that leads the government. Speaking during a meeting with US Chargé d'Affaires Joshua Harris, al-Maliki said the committee would work with the government "to find suitable mechanisms" for carrying out the process. He said that the state and its constitutional institutions are the authority responsible for security and military affairs. A day earlier, a source within the Framework told Shafaq News that al-Maliki had proposed keeping the withdrawal of US forces from Iraq separate from efforts to bring weapons held by armed factions under state control. The government has also formed a new committee, with representatives from the interior, justice, and agriculture ministries and the Popular Mobilization Forces Commission, to review security arrangements in Jurf al-Sakhr, an area north of Babil province where Kataib Hezbollah retains partial control over security. Read more: Jurf al-Sakhr and Iraq's push to disarm factions September 30, now about six weeks away, is the date Iraq's main political forces have set to end all armed activity outside state control. On August 5, the State Administration Coalition, the ruling alliance of the principal Shia, Sunni, and Kurdish parties, affirmed that weapons must be held by state institutions, and described groups operating outside the state as "outlaws". It warned that armed activity after the deadline would be treated under the counterterrorism law. Hadi al-Amiri, secretary-general of the Badr Organization, one of the largest such groups, called on all sides to remain calm and avoid provocation and said he trusted the intentions of both Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi and the armed factions. Leader of the National Wisdom Movement (Al-Hikma) Ammar al-Hakim renewed his call to address the disarmament issue through dialogue and understanding. “Once again, we call for restricting weapons to the state through dialogue and mutual understanding,” al-Hakim said, describing the move as “a constitutional and legal requirement.” Read more: What happens to Iraq's armed factions after September 30? Kataib Hezbollah, one of the most hardline Iran-aligned groups, set three conditions for any understanding: a complete withdrawal of US forces from Iraqi territory and airspace, with a guarantee they will not return; the withdrawal of Turkish forces from northern Iraq; and the dissolution of the Peshmerga, the armed forces of the Kurdistan Region. Asaib Ahl al-Haq and Kataib Imam Ali have backed the government's effort to bring weapons under state control. Esmail Qaani, commander of Iran's Quds Force, met Coordination Framework leaders and armed factions in Baghdad earlier this month. Shafaq News sources said he urged the factions not to hand over their weapons at this stage, while warning them against armed confrontation with the government and calling for a political settlement. Read more: Days to disarm Iraq's factions: deadline or negotiable ceiling? https://www.shafaq.com/en/Iraq/Al-Maliki-Iraq-committee-to-begin-work-on-state-weapons-control

REMEMBER, no one really knows what will happen, or when. They're simply stating their opinions based on what they perceive to be happening in Iraq... So, take everything with a grain of salt ... RON 8-18-2026 MarkZ On the bond side I had 3 contacts reach out…3 different sources from different continents...and all 3 had the same story. In a nutshell all 3 claimed that things went exceptionally well this weekend and it is kicking off and they all will be paid within the next 2 weeks and toward the end of that we will be exchanging currencies. 8-18-2026 Mnt Goat The FACTS speak for themselves. Iraq will have to do something in the VERY near future to resolve this liquidity crisis before it turns into an inflation crisis, which could get out of hand real quick. They cannot continue to print more currency. I have never heard my CBI contact talk in such urgency before.

REMEMBER, no one really knows what will happen, or when. They're simply stating their opinions based on what they perceive to be happening in Iraq... So, take everything with a grain of salt ... RON 8-17-2026 Clare Article: "Removing zeros from the Iraqi dinar: monetary reform or cosmetic makeover?" Quote: "Salam Zaidan, a member of the Iraqi Banks Association, says that the main function of removing zeros is to reduce the number of digits and facilitate calculations; so instead of the budget being approved with figures amounting to trillions of dinars, it becomes billions, and a salary of one million dinars, for example, becomes 1,000 of the new unit if the removal is limited to one zero in the example, or one thousand when three zeros are removed." 8-17-2026 Reset Intelligence One meeting changed Iraq's currency. No vote, no warning. Back in February 2023, Iraq's prime minister sat with the central bank governor and moved the exchange rate from 1460 to 1310 in a single night. No press conference. No parliamentary vote. By April 2026 the same two men were being positioned to sit in that room again. 8-17-2026 Samson Article: "PARLIAMENTARY FINANCE COMMITTEE: REMOVING ZEROS FROM THE IRAQI DINAR IS UNDER DISCUSSION AT THE CENTRAL BANK"

REMEMBER, no one really knows what will happen, or when. They're simply stating their opinions based on what they perceive to be happening in Iraq... So, take everything with a grain of salt ... RON 8-17-2026 Jeff Deleting the three zeros means strengthen smaller notes, so that smaller notes after the rate has changed can do what large notes did before the rate changed. The only way to increase the purchasing power in country is to strengthen the Iraq dinar against foreign currencies outside of Iraq. 8-17-2026 Boot-On-The-Ground - Omar They've gone from denial constantly telling us we will never remove the three zeros from our currency now to telling us on the television from the finance committee that removing the zeros from the Iraqi dinar is under discussion at the central bank. We know it's not under discussion because they just told us that it is completed.

The blatant arrogance of these IRGC controlled IRI factions. They are basically challenging the GOI and Al-Zaidi personally. This doesn't bode well for Iraq - potential serious conflict and possible civil war. If so, the US might have to step in once again and help squelch the IRI factions.

The blatant arrogance of these IRGC controlled IRI factions. They are basically challenging the GOI and Al-Zaidi personally. This doesn't bode well for Iraq - potential serious conflict and possible civil war. If so, the US might have to step in once again and help squelch the IRI factions.

"A strongly worded message to al-Zaydi"... Abu Mujahid: No talk of weapons before ending the foreign military presence in Iraq Latest News Monday, August 17, 2026 “A strongly worded message to al-Zaidi”... Abu Mujahid: No talk of weapons before ending the foreign military presence in Iraq Baghdad - One News - 8/17/2026 Abu Mujahid, the spokesman for the brigades, set conditions for any government approach related to the issue of restricting weapons, stressing that talk of regulating what he described as the “weapons of dignity” must be preceded by a complete withdrawal of American forces from Iraq, in addition to ending the Turkish military presence in the north of the country. Abu Mujahid said in a statement that any understanding with the government regarding the arms issue should begin with the “complete and genuine withdrawal” of US forces from Iraqi territory and airspace, with a guarantee that they will not return, as well as what he described as liberating political and economic decision-making from American hegemony. He added that the continued presence of any foreign military contradicts, in his view, talk of sovereignty and the confinement of weapons within the country. In a sharp rebuke to Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, Abu Mujahid said that his group had “been patient for more than 100 days” with the government, accusing the prime minister of failing to grasp the complexities of the internal, regional and international situation, and of not listening to what he described as “the advice of Shiite politicians.” Al-Zaydi was also accused of listening to the advice of the leader of the Wisdom Movement, Ammar al-Hakim, and the head of the Hayat Tahrir al-Iraq and al-Sham organization, and Tom Barrack, according to the statement. The spokesman for the brigades escalated his rhetoric against the government, accusing the prime minister of being responsible for “provocative acts,” including storming homes and terrorizing the families of the dead, wounded, and fighters, claiming that this was done under direct American supervision. Abu Mujahid also directed personal criticism at al-Zaydi, linking his previous career in trade to his assumption of the premiership, and considering that his current position places upon him the responsibility of protecting the country’s sovereignty and state institutions. In closing, Abu Mujahid said his group expects its leaders and wise men to work on what he described as "correcting the security imbalance" for which he held the Prime Minister responsible, calling for ensuring stability and avoiding being drawn into paths that he said serve the interests of Iraq's enemies. https://1news-iq.net/رسالة-حادة-إلى-الزيدي-أبو-مجاهد-لا-ح/

"A strongly worded message to al-Zaydi"... Abu Mujahid: No talk of weapons before ending the foreign military presence in Iraq Latest News Monday, August 17, 2026 “A strongly worded message to al-Zaidi”... Abu Mujahid: No talk of weapons before ending the foreign military presence in Iraq Baghdad - One News - 8/17/2026 Abu Mujahid, the spokesman for the brigades, set conditions for any government approach related to the issue of restricting weapons, stressing that talk of regulating what he described as the “weapons of dignity” must be preceded by a complete withdrawal of American forces from Iraq, in addition to ending the Turkish military presence in the north of the country. Abu Mujahid said in a statement that any understanding with the government regarding the arms issue should begin with the “complete and genuine withdrawal” of US forces from Iraqi territory and airspace, with a guarantee that they will not return, as well as what he described as liberating political and economic decision-making from American hegemony. He added that the continued presence of any foreign military contradicts, in his view, talk of sovereignty and the confinement of weapons within the country. In a sharp rebuke to Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, Abu Mujahid said that his group had “been patient for more than 100 days” with the government, accusing the prime minister of failing to grasp the complexities of the internal, regional and international situation, and of not listening to what he described as “the advice of Shiite politicians.” Al-Zaydi was also accused of listening to the advice of the leader of the Wisdom Movement, Ammar al-Hakim, and the head of the Hayat Tahrir al-Iraq and al-Sham organization, and Tom Barrack, according to the statement. The spokesman for the brigades escalated his rhetoric against the government, accusing the prime minister of being responsible for “provocative acts,” including storming homes and terrorizing the families of the dead, wounded, and fighters, claiming that this was done under direct American supervision. Abu Mujahid also directed personal criticism at al-Zaydi, linking his previous career in trade to his assumption of the premiership, and considering that his current position places upon him the responsibility of protecting the country’s sovereignty and state institutions. In closing, Abu Mujahid said his group expects its leaders and wise men to work on what he described as "correcting the security imbalance" for which he held the Prime Minister responsible, calling for ensuring stability and avoiding being drawn into paths that he said serve the interests of Iraq's enemies. https://1news-iq.net/رسالة-حادة-إلى-الزيدي-أبو-مجاهد-لا-ح/