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 2-16-2026 Militia Man Iraq enters 2026 with political clarity, strong reserves, low inflation and digital readiness, coordinated reforms and trade banking, private sector, digital systems combined with gatekeeper support positions [Iraq] for sustained growth and full participation in the global financial system. So execution phase is underway. I think the trajectory is clear. They fired the shot. Not much out there today..!

Interesting ideas Jeff, but they're more screwed up than you suggest. They now have a lot of novice MPs in Parliament. President Trump threw a monkey wrench into their selection for PM. They (like anyone) don't like outsiders telling them what they can or can't do - Pride & keeping face are two very big issues with Arab nations. The war is a major issue because they do extensive trade with Iran, plus Iraq is also a majority Shia country - as is Iran, who has great influence in Iraq, as well as the region. Jeff's also making major assumptions that the monetary reform (RV/RI) is at the very doorstep as soon as the GOI is formed, and there's no proof of that - although I wish it were true. ...Just sayin'...

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 2-16-2026 Jeff Are they just trying to keep us in the dark about the formation of the government and its timing so we don't know when they're going to change the rate, or is it the military actions of what the US government is doing towards Iran? There's two different scenarios. I think they're either trying to mask the rate change date from us so we don't really know what's going on, or the military actions towards reaching a nuclear agreement with Iran. One of those two factors is what's so-called delaying this.

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 2-16-2026 Frank26 The IMF wants you to go international. They want you to float your currency. They want the dinar to gain value outside of your country because they know you are already set inside your country. You are already set to at least be 1 to 1 with the American dollar when they finally release the new rate the lower notes.

Hezbollah Chief denounces Lebanon’s disarmament push as “Major Mistake” Middle EastIsraelHezbollahLebanonNaim QassemDisarmament 2026-02-16 / 08:31 Shafaq News- Beirut On Monday, Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem called on the Lebanese government to halt efforts to confine weapons exclusively to state authority, warning that such moves "serve Israeli objectives." (and defy Iran's objectives, and bring a cessation to conflict). Speaking during a ceremony, Qassem described the government’s focus on disarming Hezbollah as a “major mistake,” arguing that its approach contributes to emboldening “the enemy.” (of Iran). He urged the state to assume full responsibility for safeguarding sovereignty and confronting Israeli aggression (as it should be). “We do not want war, but we will not surrender, and we are ready to defend,” he added, accusing Israel of pursuing a “maximum pressure” policy to secure political gains without bearing the costs of conflict. While Israel may prevail in a military round, he said, it cannot seize the country, (Israel has NO DESIRE to seize Lebanon, only to protect itself against aggression from Hezbollah) reaffirming support for national unity, full sovereignty, liberation, and strengthening the Lebanese Army to enable it to protect the country. Qassem also reiterated Hezbollah’s commitment to the ceasefire framework, stressing that the Lebanese state bears responsibility for implementing the agreement. “We remain patient because the state must fulfill its duties. We have exercised restraint so far out of concern for our society and our country during this sensitive phase,” he explained, warning that the current situation “cannot continue,” without specifying what developments could alter it. (Hezbollah is placing conditions on the government-LOL) Qassem’s remarks came as Lebanon’s government advances plans to confine all weapons to state authority, with particular focus on Hezbollah’s military presence south of the Litani River, a border area extending roughly 30 kilometers. The debate is linked to a ceasefire agreement reached between Hezbollah and Israel on November 27, 2024, which the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) says Israel has violated more than 10,000 times (becausde Hezbollah continues to build up it's forces and leave the area as required - the UN does nothing to force Hezbollah to comply) through near-daily strikes that have killed hundreds of people, including women and children, while Israeli forces continue to hold five positions south of the Litani River. Israel argues that the measures remain insufficient, alleging that Hezbollah is still armed in violation of the agreement. Hezbollah maintains that it has complied with its obligations under the ceasefire. Read more: The unbreakable wall: why Lebanon and Israel remain apart https://www.shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Hezbollah-Chief-denounces-Lebanon-s-disarmament-push-as-Major-Mistake

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 2-16-2026 MarkZ Article: “US Congressional Delegation assures Barzani of Iraq’s support and protection of the Kurdistan Region” There are congressman on the ground. Delegations are working closely and tightly with the Kurdish Region and Baghdad to try to come up with a solution as quickly as possible. They might not admit it, but the world needs this revaluation.

https://www.givehim15.com/post/february-16-2026 February 16, 2026 Honoring Presidents and Honoring God Several years ago, Holy Spirit gave me direction to agree with the prayers of an individual I knew to already be in heaven. My first thought was that this could not be the Lord, as we are instructed in Scripture not to try to conjure up the dead. As I questioned these instructions, Holy Spirit made it clear to me that He was referring to agreement with the prayers and decrees this person had prayed while on earth. “His prayers are not dead,” He reminded me, “and I need the synergy of the ages.” The Lord then led me to Hebrews 11, especially verses 39-40: “Not one of these people, even though their lives of faith were exemplary, got their hands on what was promised. God had a better plan for us: that their faith and our faith would come together to make one completed whole, their lives of faith not complete apart from ours.” (MSG) I write about this experience in greater detail in my books, An Appeal to Heaven, and Give Him 15, An Appeal to Heaven Devotional, Volume I. The generations are far more connected than most people understand. God even said the Levites paid tithes through their great-grandfather, Abraham (Hebrews 7:9)! God intends for us to honor, agree with, and build upon the righteous actions of our forefathers. Today, on this Presidents’ Day, I am sharing several quotes from past U.S. presidents - from hundreds of possibilities - which state their faith in God, respect for His Word, and honor for Christ. Though not all of these presidents were Founding Fathers, their words carry great authority. They also serve to combat the lies of revisionists who try to diminish our Christian roots and heritage. And they provide us declarations we can agree with, creating the synergy of the ages: “The propitious smiles of heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right, which heaven itself has ordained.” George Washington “We recognize no sovereign but God, and no king but Jesus!” John Adams “I consider a decent respect for Christianity among the best recommendations for public service.” John Adams “The reason that Christianity is the best friend of government is because Christianity is the only religion that changes the heart.” Thomas Jefferson “The Bible is the first and almost the only book deserving of universal attention.” John Quincy Adams “My custom is to read four or five chapters of the Bible every morning immediately after rising. It seems to me the most suitable manner of beginning the day. It is an invaluable and inexhaustible mine of knowledge and virtue.” John Quincy Adams “The highest glory of the American Revolution was this: it connected in one indissoluble bond the principles of civil government with the principles of Christianity.” John Quincy Adams “We have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand, which preserved us in peace and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us, and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us.” Abraham Lincoln “I am profitably engaged in reading the Bible. Take all of this Book upon reason that you can, and the balance by faith, and you will live and die a better man.” Abraham Lincoln “All must admit that the reception of the teachings of Christ results in the purest patriotism, in the most scrupulous fidelity to public trust, and in the best type of citizenship.” Grover Cleveland “And to the Divine Author of every good and perfect gift, we are indebted for all those privileges and advantages, religious as well as civil, which are so richly enjoyed in this favored land.” James Monroe “A thorough knowledge of the Bible is worth more than a college education.” Theodore Roosevelt “The foundations of our society and our government rest so much on the teachings of the Bible that it would be difficult to support them if faith in these teachings would cease to be practically universal in our country.” Calvin Coolidge “The study of the Bible is a postgraduate course in the richest library of human experience.” Herbert Hoover “The rights of man come not from the generosity of the state, but from the hand of God.” John F. Kennedy “Of the many influences that have shaped the United States into a distinctive nation and people, none may be said to be more fundamental and enduring than the Bible.” Ronald Reagan “If we ever forget that we are one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under.” Ronald Reagan As we offer up prayers and decrees, we can agree with these and other portions of America’s history, doing so with a conscious faith that God is hearing our appeals, and the sword we release is powerful. As many thousands of us do so, agreeing together in Christ’s name, we are releasing His Kingdom will into the earth. And His Kingdom wins - always. Our prayer and decree: Father, You have taught us the power of “the synergy of the ages.” We know that You will finish through future generations what You began in the past. It is our privilege to honor those in history and build on the foundations You established through them. We are reminded that the words “patriot” and “patriotism” come from the Greek word for father/s (pater).(1) We desire to be true patriots, honoring and embracing the vision, work, and efforts of our Founders. Therefore, we make the following decrees today from the words they wrote: We decree that we recognize no sovereign but God, and no King but Jesus. We decree that the highest glory of the American Revolution was that it connected in one insoluble bond the principles of civil government with the principles of Christianity. We decree that we will not forget God and His gracious hand, which has preserved us in peace, multiplied us, and enriched us bountifully.
 We decree that the reception of the teachings of Christ results in the purest patriotism, the most scrupulous fidelity to public trust, and the best type of citizenship.
 We decree that knowledge of the Bible is worth more than all other education and training.
 We decree that we will never forget we are one nation UNDER GOD.
 And we decree that life is in the power of these words and that we will eat the fruit thereof (Proverbs 18:21). America shall be saved!
 *************************** A note from Dutch: Three of the best books for quotes from America’s early leaders and Founders, as well as information regarding America’s beginning, are: America’s God and Country: Encyclopedia of Quotations by William J. Federer Faith of Our Founding Fathers by Leo Godzich The Light and the Glory by Peter Marshall and David Manuel (out of print, but copies can be found in libraries and some bookstores) Click on the link below to watch the full video. ----------------------------------------------- James Strong, The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible. Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1990. ref. no. 3962.

Let's hope and pray they vote on him in Parliament.

It appears they finally made a decision shortly after the above article was published. Following is an article where they announced a decision: HOT: Main Kurdish parties unite behind Nizar Amedi for Iraq presidency - 2/15/2026

Full Article follows: Iraq’s Maliki Standoff: Three Exits, No Easy Way Out  (2/09) - 2/16/2026

Iraq’s Maliki Standoff: Three Exits, No Easy Way Out  Ghassan Taqi // 02-09-2026 Iraq’s political deadlock now turns on a single question: does Nouri al-Maliki come back?  His bid to return to power has pushed the government formation crisis into a more volatile phase, deepening divisions inside the Shiite Coordination Framework and drawing an unusually blunt warning from Washington.  For the second time, parliament failed to convene a session to elect a president and designate a prime minister. This time, the collapse was driven not by Kurdish infighting, but by disagreement over Maliki’s candidacy, according to sources inside the Coordination Framework, the Shiite coalition entitled to nominate the next government.  Nearly two weeks after President Donald Trump warned that Maliki’s return would have consequences for U.S.-Iraq relations, Shiite leaders remain deadlocked. A Framework official told Alhurra that three scenarios are now under discussion.  The first is persuading Maliki to withdraw in favor of a consensus figure acceptable domestically and internationally. The name most frequently mentioned is Hamid al-Shatri, Iraq’s intelligence chief, seen by several factions as a low-profile security figure with broad backing. This option hinges on Maliki stepping aside, which he has so far refused.  The second scenario is pressing ahead with Maliki’s nomination and forcing a parliamentary vote. That path faces stiff resistance. Sunni blocs and key Shiite factions, including Ammar al-Hakim’s Hikma Movement, have declared their opposition, making it difficult to secure the quorum and votes required.  A third option, now being discussed more openly, would keep Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani’s caretaker government in place for up to a year with expanded authorities, effectively postponing resolution while negotiations continue.  In Washington, the standoff is seen as more than an internal Iraqi dispute. A former U.S. ambassador to Iraq told Alhurra that Trump’s opposition reflects a broader judgment about Iraq’s direction. “This isn’t about personalities,” he said. “There is a view in Washington that returning to that model of governance would deepen instability and complicate Iraq’s external relationships.”  Inside the Coordination Framework, intermediaries have tested whether the U.S. position is negotiable. According to a senior member, the response was clear: Trump’s opposition remains firm, and proceeding with Maliki would carry diplomatic and economic consequences.  Maliki has rejected what he calls “blatant American interference” in Iraq’s sovereignty. But his stance has sharpened internal rifts, where resistance to his candidacy existed even before Trump’s intervention.  For now, the Framework is stuck between escalation and retreat – pushing forward at the risk of confrontation with Washington or backing down at the cost of internal unity. With no consensus in sight, Iraq’s paralysis is deepening, and the question is no longer just who governs next, but how long the system can absorb the strain.  https://alhurra.com/en/12521

CBI Currency Exchange Rates Monday - 2/16/2025 Currency Converter US dollar USD 1310,000 Euro EUR 1553.922 Pound Sterling GBP 1781.862 Canadian Dollar CAD 962.245 Swiss Franc CHF 1701.741 Swedish krone SEK 146,246 Norwegian krone NOK 138,215 Danish krone DKK 207.996 Japanese yen JPY 8.569 Chinese Yuan CNY 189.583 UAE Dirham AED 356.676 Jordanian Dinar JOD 1850.282 Australian Dollar AUD 928.266 Saudi Arabian Riyal SAR 349.324 Omani Rial OMR 3403.039 Indian Rupee INR 14.437 Turkish Lira TRY 29.997 Special Drawing Rights SDR 1805.560 Gold for a 24-ounce GOLD 6,554,743.000

Iraq boosts US Treasury holdings to $40.8B in Dec. 2025 Economy & BusinessiraqbreakingUS TreasuryHoldings 2026-02-16 / 00:28 Shafaq News- Baghdad Iraq increased its holdings of US Treasury securities by more than $1 billion in December 2025, pushing total investments to $40.8 billion, according to official US Treasury data. The figures show Iraq’s holdings rose by $1.1 billion from November’s $39.7 billion, marking a 74% increase compared with January 2024, when Iraq held $23.4 billion in US Treasuries. Regionally, Saudi Arabia remained the largest Arab holder with $148.8 billion, followed by the United Arab Emirates at $101 billion and Kuwait at $50.3 billion. Globally, Japan ranked first with $1.202 trillion in holdings, followed by the United Kingdom at $888 billion, China at $682 billion, and Belgium at $481 billion. Total foreign holdings of US Treasury securities reached $9.355 trillion in December 2025, up $736.1 billion from $8.619 trillion recorded in the same month of 2024. https://www.shafaq.com/en/Economy/Iraq-boosts-US-Treasury-holdings-to-40-8B-in-Dec-2025

Large-scale security sweep targets terrorist hideouts in Iraq’s Nineveh SecuritybreakingNinevehPMFCounter Terrorismsecurity sweep 2026-02-16 / 00:26 Shafaq News- Nineveh The Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), with support from the Iraqi Army, launched a wide-ranging security operation in Iraq’s Nineveh province, the group’s media cell noted on Monday. In a statement, the PMF said the campaign targeted terrorist hideouts, sleeper cells, and hostile activity in the province’s sparsely populated areas. Formed in 2014, the PMF functions as part of Iraq’s official security forces and has expanded its counterintelligence role to monitor remnants of ISIS and groups considered threats to national stability. Nineveh province in northern Iraq shares around 320 kilometers of the 610-kilometer Iraqi-Syrian border. The region remains critical, as ISIS fighters frequently infiltrate Iraqi territory to carry out attacks against civilians and security forces. The border also serves as a key route for smuggling operations, including drugs, weapons, fighters, and other illicit activities. Read more: From Syrian prisons to Iraqi provinces: How eastern Syria’s shifts could reignite a cross-border threat https://www.shafaq.com/en/Security/Large-scale-security-sweep-targets-terrorist-hideouts-in-Iraq-s-Nineveh