Regarding Its Bond Holdings, The US Treasury: Iraq Is Not Among The 20 Most Vulnerable Countries.
Economy | 03:53 – 09/20/2025 Mawazine News – Follow-up
The US Treasury Department announced that Iraq is not among the 20 countries with the largest holdings of US bonds, while two Arab countries are among the largest.
The Treasury said in its latest table from September: “Iraq did not enter the top 20 largest holders of US bonds, as its holdings declined from $40.8 billion in 2023 to less than $30 billion in 2024.”
It added that “Saudi Arabia and the UAE were among the 20 countries with the largest holdings of US bonds, with $131.7 billion and $107.8 billion, respectively.”
It indicated that “the countries with the largest holdings of bonds were Japan, with $1.151 trillion, followed by the United Kingdom, which owns $899 billion, followed by China with $730 billion, the Cayman Islands came in fourth with $438 billion, and Belgium with $428 billion.”
In August 2023, the US Treasury announced that Iraq had dropped one spot among the largest foreign holders of US bonds.
The Treasury stated at the time: “Iraq dropped one spot despite increasing its bond holdings for June by $300 million, reaching 37th place among the 38 countries listed in the table,” noting that “Peru increased its bond holdings to 36th place, replacing Iraq.”
It added that “Iraq’s holdings of these bonds reached $33 billion for June, a 0.92% increase compared to last May, when Iraq’s bond holdings reached $32.7 billion. However, they increased by 3.12% compared to June 2022.”
The Treasury noted that “Iraq is the fourth largest Arab country after Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Kuwait, while Japan tops the list of countries holding the most of these bonds, at $1.105 trillion, followed by China in second place with $835 billion, the United Kingdom in third place with $672 billion, Belgium in fourth place with $332 billion, and Luxembourg in fifth place with $331 billion.” https://www.mawazin.net/Details.aspx?jimare=267107
NATO Announces Its Long-Term Commitment To Iraq
A wish | 12:59 – 09/19/2025 Mawazine News – Baghdad The NATO mission confirmed on Friday that it has a long-term agreement with Iraq to build stronger and more reliable armed forces.
While stating that cybersecurity and crisis management are top priorities for the mission, it noted that the goal is to help Iraq achieve its full security potential, which will positively impact the economy and society.
The mission said in an interview with the official agency, “The advice provided to the Iraqi armed forces aims to raise the effectiveness of the Iraqi army and enhance its capabilities,” noting that “the Iraqi Ministry of Defense agreed with the NATO mission in Iraq on a set of long-term goals to build stronger and more reliable forces, which contributes to enhancing the security and stability of the country.”
She added, “The Ministries of Defense and Interior agree with the NATO mission that the latter’s efforts focus on supporting the capabilities of the armed forces and the federal police, in accordance with the agreed areas of cooperation.
There is also the Defense and Security Capacity Building (DCB) package that was agreed upon in July 2015 at the request of the Iraqi government, and in accordance with the decisions of the 2016 Warsaw Summit, training and capacity building activities were transferred inside Iraq with the adoption of a train-the-trainers approach.
” She indicated that “the NATO Mission in Iraq (NMI) is the main tool for implementing this initiative, and it includes priority areas such as security sector reform, countering improvised explosive devices, dealing with unexploded ordnance and mines, civil-military planning for operations, cyber defense, military medicine and medical assistance, military training, as well as Civilian Emergency Preparedness.”
She explained that “the mission provides daily advice and support to the Ministry of Defense directorates, and also provides advice to military educational institutions to enhance their efficiency, as the Defense and Security Capacity Building Initiative represents a comprehensive NATO program that provides strategic advice and practical assistance to partners in areas in which it has specialized expertise.” Regarding plans to expand the mission’s work,
The NATO mission affirmed that “cooperation between the Iraqi forces and NATO aims to develop institutions and operations,” noting that the North Atlantic Council agreed in August 2023 to expand the mission’s mandate to include advising the Federal Police leadership.
The mission also provides support in areas beyond the military aspect, such as the rule of law, governance and anti-corruption, civilian protection, women, peace and security, and institutional vocational education, as well as supporting women’s participation in Iraqi forces and promoting respect for human rights.
It pointed out that “the mission’s tasks include advising senior leaders, sharing best practices and experiences, supporting planning and budgeting processes, and contributing to the modernization of organizational structures at the level of the Ministries of Defense and Interior and senior military institutions.
Institutional reform takes longer than training individuals, but it achieves long-term results.” It explained that “continuing to provide security and military advice is essential, and that the mission operates at Iraq’s request and adapts to its changing needs.
We are currently reviewing our internal organization to provide better support and keep pace with the priorities identified by the Iraqis, including cybersecurity, crisis and disaster management, and the education and training of non-commissioned officers.”
The mission stated that “the mission’s central role is to provide advice at the ministerial level to enable the Iraqi authorities to make informed decisions and implement reforms that contribute to improving security and governance. The ultimate goal is for Iraq to reach its full potential for security and stability, which will positively impact the economy and society.
” It stressed “continued support for Iraq’s ambition to be a full and long-term partner of NATO, particularly through the High-Level Political Dialogue launched in August 2024. The future of the mission requires a sustained commitment and high flexibility to adapt to developments on the ground and Iraq’s changing needs, while continuing to coordinate with the Iraqi authorities.” https://www.mawazin.net/Details.aspx?jimare=267046
US Report: Iraq Needs An Oil Price Of $92 To Balance Its Budget.
Energy S&P Global Commodity Insights revealed on Saturday that Iraq needs an oil price of $92 per barrel to balance its budget this year.
According to the agency’s report on the oil prices needed by the Middle East and North Africa region to balance its national budgets for 2025, which was reviewed by Shafaq News Agency, “Iraq needs an average price of $95 per barrel to balance its national budget.”
He added, “The highest average oil price required by oil-producing countries to balance their national budgets was Iran’s, at $122 per barrel, followed by Bahrain at $107 per barrel, and then Algeria at $93 per barrel.”
She continued, “Kuwait needs an average price of $89 per barrel, followed by Oman at $80, Saudi Arabia at $77, Qatar at $64, and the UAE is the lowest-priced country with an average price of $47.” According to the agency, “Iraq is selling heavy crude oil at $66 and medium crude oil at $68.” https://economy-news.net/content.php?id=60202
Basra Crude Closes With Weekly Gains
Economy | 08:55 – 09/20/2025 Mawazine News – Follow-up Basra Medium and Heavy crude oil prices achieved weekly gains of 4.06% over the past week.
Basra Heavy closed in its last session on Friday, down 48 cents to $66.33, but recorded weekly gains of $2.59, or 4.06%. Basra Medium also closed in its last session, down 83 cents, to $67.88, recording weekly gains of $1.04, or 1.56%.
Although Brent crude futures fell one cent to $67.43 a barrel, US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures fell four cents to $63.53. Despite this, both benchmarks are on track to record gains for the second consecutive week. https://www.mawazin.net/Details.aspx?jimare=267081
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