Monday Afternoon Opinions @ 4:40 PM MST - 2/10/2025

[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 

 

 

2-10-2025   Militia Man  Article: "Iraq advances one place in the global reserve"  Iraq has massive amounts of reserves in comparison to what she truly needs in foreign currencies. You add the foreign reserves with her gold. For some reason they just found a few more tons of gold because they went from about 152 tons...to about 162 tons. They found enough chump-change to go buy 10 tons of gold!  I think that's pretty funny because everybody's like, where do you get all that money?!  All their new non-oil revenues and the profits they're making.  They're making a surplus. And you wonder why gold is at $2880.  That's a big jump. All-time extreme highs.

 

2-10-2025   Frank26  [Iraq boots-on-the-ground report] FIREFLY: Mr Sammy says we have made it to the finish line.  We just need to cross it now. FRANK: I tend to agree with you Mr. Sammy.  I use the example of Neil Armstrong waling down the ladder of the lunar module. He has one foot on the step of the ladder but the other foot is already touching the surface of the moon. We are simply waiting for the other foot to also touch the surface.  

 

2-10-2025  Sandy Ingram  For Iraq, non-oil revenues which include taxes, customs and earnings from sectors outside hydrocarbons, rose to nearly 12% of total revenues in the first 9 months of 2024 up from about 7% before the approval of Iraq's landmark 3-year budget in 2023. The rise in non-oil revenues is attributed to increased import customs, expanded taxes and contributions from the housing, transport and construction sectors.

 

2-10-2025   Clare  Article: "Non-oil GDP growth in 2024 will raise national investment in 2025 - Al-Sudani Advisor" Quote: "Mazhar Saleh, the Prime Minister's Advisor for Financial Affairs, confirmed...the growth in the non-oil GDP, which reached 6% in 2024, will positively reflect on the strength of national investment in 2025. The Iraqi economy will witness a high investment boom in 2025 thanks to the economic accelerator factor in the investment field, in addition to the high positive growth effects of national income in 2024."

 

2-10-2025   Mnt Goat  Article: "ECONOMIST: WASHINGTON’S POLICIES TOWARDS IRAQ PREVENTED THE REVIVAL OF ITS FINANCIAL RESOURCES" Will Trump change this Obama/Biden era foreign policies towards Iraq? This is the only way and I mean ONLY way we will see the RV in short order. The fact that Trump is a businessman before being a politician gives him the advantage to see the great potential for American investment in Iraq.
 

 

[ronscarpa]

Sorry everyone that I haven't been online. I left my laptop in my car when I flew ro PHX to visit my son. I'll do better next time...!RON  

 

 Sunday Opinions @ Midnight - 2/09/2025

 

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 

 

 

2-9-2025   Newshound Guru Clare  Article: "US threat to punish Rafidain may destroy dollar, salaries, and push Iraq into isolation" Quote: "Professor of International Economics, Nawar Al-Saadi, says, If sanctions are imposed on the Iraqi banking system, the effects will be broad and profound, as this will lead to major disruption in the Iraqi economy, especially since Iraq relies almost entirely on the American financial system in its international dealings, whether through transfers or reserves in the US Federal Reserve, and any restrictions on these dealings will lead to a severe shortage of dollar liquidity, which will increase the demand for the dollar on the black market, and thus raise its exchange rate against the Iraqi dinar."

 

2-9-2025   Intel Guru Frank26  This is a speculative investment.  A bank is not going to tell you you're going to be rich.  A bank is not going to tell you on this day you're going to be rich.  A bank is not going to tell you this is the rate that you're going to get. You understand? Good. 

 

2-9-2025   Samson  Article: "Iran confirms continued gas exports to Iraq despite US sanctions" Quote: "The National Iranian Gas Company confirmed the continuation of gas exports to Iraq, despite circulating news about the United States canceling."

 

2-9-2025   Militia Man  Article: "Minister of Finance receives a delegation from the German corporation for international cooperation."  Interesting...so are they going to be doing this 1310 business forever?  I don't think so.  Quote: "In the presence of sectoral bodies from the Central Bank of Iraq, Federal Integrity commission, Financial Supervision Bureau and the General Authority for Customs and Taxes at the ministry's headquarters."  These guys are focused 100% on Iraq getting into the International world.

 

2-9-2025   Fnu Lnu   This just in from my Singapore contacts: There is a hold on the RV for an unspecified amount of time...The Iraqi government, in collaboration with the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI), Consulting Firm Oliver Wyman, INB, INI, and K2, launched a strategic initiative to modernize the country's banking sector. It was realized, due to the cross-border payments training program, that Iraq was not at all ready to initiate a revaluation of the IQD due to insufficient capability Further implementation details will be announced in due course. Until this is completed, THERE WILL BE NO RV! This information has been verified through the office of the Prime Minister...wait for further details. We do not now know how long this will take. Don't shoot the messenger please.

 

2-9-2025   Sandy Ingram  President Donald Trump has ignited a firestorm in the Middle East with a dramatic executive order that abruptly ends Iraq's waver to buy gas from Iran.  This high stakes move intends to choke Iran's economy and its nuclear ambitions is sending shock-waves through Iraq's fragile energy sector and threatening to plunge the country deeper into political and economic chaos. Baghdad is scrambling for alternatives.  Financial transactions are also under siege.  Washington has cut off Iran's access to Iraq's financial system, leaving Iraq desperate for a workaround including a potential shift to Russia's Mir  payment system.   Iraq is deeply concerned the sitting president will place more sanctions on the country if they do not comply.

 

2-9-2025   Clare Article: "Trump Sanctions Send Iranian Currency to Biggest Collapse in 46 Years" Quote: "Iranian markets witnessed a record collapse of the local currency...as the US dollar jumped by 3,000 tomans to reach 89,000.  This decline comes in light of US President Donald Trump’s...'maximum pressure' policy against Tehran...and was followed by the US Treasury imposing sanctions on Iranian oil exporters ...The euro reached 91,200 tomans, while the British pound reached 111,800 tomans, representing the largest collapse of the Iranian currency since 1979 against the US dollar. At the beginning of the current Iranian year, on March 21, 2024, the dollar was at around 61,000 tomans.

 

2-9-2025  Frank26 [Iraq boots-on-the-ground report] FIREFLY: TIR is the new cross border payments system.  Sammy says we are launching this new system by using this transfer for International and then he says...this can't be at 1310 because it's going it's going international, saying it will be historic first international cross-border payments using this.  We are really close.  There's no way we can make the payment at 1310. FRANK: Yes it's a joke when you think about it all being done at 1310.  I agree.  We are as close as your breath is to your lungs.

 

2-9-2025   Mnt Goat  Article: “NATO INVITES IRAQ TO PARTICIPATE IN BRUSSELS GATHERING, PRAISES GOVERNMENT EFFORTS”.   NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte extended an official invitation to Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani to participate in the NATO gathering that will be held soon in Brussels, and to deliver a speech on behalf of Iraq during the meeting.  What will Al-Sudani say?
 

 

 

[Luigi1]

2-10-2025   Mnt Goat  Article: "ECONOMIST: WASHINGTON’S POLICIES TOWARDS IRAQ PREVENTED THE REVIVAL OF ITS FINANCIAL RESOURCES" Will Trump change this Obama/Biden era foreign policies towards Iraq? This is the only way and I mean ONLY way we will see the RV in short order. The fact that Trump is a businessman before being a politician gives him the advantage to see the great potential for American investment in Iraq.

 

 

I hope Trump has a back-up plan after Iraq sanctions on Iran natural gas & electricity.

Does Trump have a plan to replace Iran's gas & electricity? 

The US can supply Iraq with LNG but electricity, well that's another issue.

 

Anything short of a back-up plan will halt Iraq's economic ambitions & may even stop the RV process.   IMHO.

[Luigi1]

2-9-2025   Fnu Lnu   This just in from my Singapore contacts: There is a hold on the RV for an unspecified amount of time...The Iraqi government, in collaboration with the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI), Consulting Firm Oliver Wyman, INB, INI, and K2, launched a strategic initiative to modernize the country's banking sector. It was realized, due to the cross-border payments training program, that Iraq was not at all ready to initiate a revaluation of the IQD due to insufficient capability Further implementation details will be announced in due course. Until this is completed, THERE WILL BE NO RV! This information has been verified through the office of the Prime Minister...wait for further details. We do not now know how long this will take. Don't shoot the messenger please.

 

 

 

If this don't get done in the 1st quarter, then it's looking more like 2026.   IMHO.

[Luigi1]

2-9-2025   Mnt Goat  Article: “NATO INVITES IRAQ TO PARTICIPATE IN BRUSSELS GATHERING, PRAISES GOVERNMENT EFFORTS”.   NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte extended an official invitation to Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani to participate in the NATO gathering that will be held soon in Brussels, and to deliver a speech on behalf of Iraq during the meeting.  What will Al-Sudani say?

 

Will Iraq become the next newest NATO member?

That's the 20,000 Dollar question.

[NWGUY]

Sorry everyone that I haven't been online. I left my laptop in my car when I flew ro PHX to visit my son. I'll do better next time...!RON  
 

 

No apologies necessary Ron!  You have a right to having time away...even if it is because you left your computer behind.  No problem at all.  You are such a great guy, and we appreciate you...whenever you are sharing information or your opinion it is always very much appreciated!     

[Shelley]

1 hour ago, Luigi1 said:

2-10-2025   Mnt Goat  Article: "ECONOMIST: WASHINGTON’S POLICIES TOWARDS IRAQ PREVENTED THE REVIVAL OF ITS FINANCIAL RESOURCES" Will Trump change this Obama/Biden era foreign policies towards Iraq? This is the only way and I mean ONLY way we will see the RV in short order. The fact that Trump is a businessman before being a politician gives him the advantage to see the great potential for American investment in Iraq.

 

 

I hope Trump has a back-up plan after Iraq sanctions on Iran natural gas & electricity.

Does Trump have a plan to replace Iran's gas & electricity? 

The US can supply Iraq with LNG but electricity, well that's another issue.

 

Anything short of a back-up plan will halt Iraq's economic ambitions & may even stop the RV process.   IMHO.

I think I remember  awhile back Turkey agreeing to be Iraqs supplier of electricity 

[Dretown39]

Why are cross-border payments important?

They are important for businesses with international suppliers, customers, or partners. 

They are a vital source of income for families in developing nations. 

They are a key driver of economic growth.

They can involve the exchange of different currencies. 

 

 

So this statement from Fnu Lnu made hold some weight 

 

2-9-2025 Fnu Lnu This just in from my Singapore contacts: There is a hold on the RV for an unspecified amount of time...The Iraqi government, in collaboration with the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI), Consulting Firm Oliver Wyman, INB, INI, and K2, launched a strategic initiative to modernize the country's banking sector. It was realized, due to the cross-border payments training program, that Iraq was not at all ready to initiate a revaluation of the IQD due to insufficient capability Further implementation details will be announced in due course. Until this is completed, THERE WILL BE NO RV! This information has been verified through the office of the Prime Minister...wait for further details. We do not now know how long this will take. Don't shoot the messenger please.

Edited February 11 by Dretown39

[BETTYBOOP]

Not to be a negative nelly but I am beginning to think this is gonna be a dead year. Happy to be proven wrong. However, we know how slow iraq moved so I don't see much hope of any movement this side of Christmas. Well dinars can go back into their box.

[edbeach]

BB I also  feel this will be another dead year. I have mine back in my little safe for hoping 2026 to be the new dream for us. We all know how fast Iraq moves on anything they do except their holidays and vacations of which it seems they then have a fire under their A$$.

[screwball]

4 hours ago, ronscarpa said:

Until this is completed, THERE WILL BE NO RV! This information has been verified through the office of the Prime Minister

where is this verification????

[edbeach]

Screwball- This statement came from above Fnu Lnu. don't know anything about him ( I guess he another one of these supposed guru's ). so are we to assume he has contact with someone in office of the Prime Minister?? 

[screwball]

Just now, edbeach said:

Screwball- This statement came from above Fnu Lnu. don't know anything about him ( I guess he another one of these supposed guru's ). so are we to assume he has contact with someone in office of the Prime Minister?? 

he has no contacts...I dont believe anything he says...he clearly has some sort of financial contacts but the PM, No!

[edbeach]

Maybe he has a fly on the wall of the Prime minister's office.😄 

[umbertino]

Quote

Does Trump have a plan to replace Iran's gas & electricity? 

End Quote

 

You mean Iraq, right?

[umbertino]

10 hours ago, BETTYBOOP said:

Not to be a negative nelly but I am beginning to think this is gonna be a dead year. Happy to be proven wrong. However, we know how slow iraq moved so I don't see much hope of any movement this side of Christmas. Well dinars can go back into their box.

 

 

But everyone hopes for the Trump boost effect.....We'll see

[ScaryMary]

 

Why can’t Iraq just make their own electricity by putting up their own grids?
Is this wherein the problem lies with Iran supplying electricity and therefore influencing the Iraqi government to do their bidding?
Do other countries get their electricity from other countries?
I don’t understand this. If someone can explain it would be greatly appreciated.

Blessings Love Light and Prayers y’all.

[JonnyV]

40 minutes ago, ScaryMary said:

 

Why can’t Iraq just make their own electricity by putting up their own grids?
Is this wherein the problem lies with Iran supplying electricity and therefore influencing the Iraqi government to do their bidding?
Do other countries get their electricity from other countries?
I don’t understand this. If someone can explain it would be greatly appreciated.

Blessings Love Light and Prayers y’all.

 

I think the ravages of war ruined a lot of the power infrastructure there and it was supposed to be only temporary until Iraq rebuilds.  

[ScaryMary]

@JonnyV

Thank you very much‼️

[umbertino]

Quote

Do other countries get their electricity from other countries?

End Quote

 

As far as I know...Yes...Here in Europe  some countries sell energy to other countries in order to integrate their energy sufficiency and reserves.....France does that ( selling)...Even to us ( Italy) if I'm not mistaken.......France's got a lot of nuclear plants.....