Original reporting, expert perspectives and detailed analysis of Iraq’s markets and policy.
How water scarcity, salinity, soil degradation and changing value chains shape agricultural adaptation in Iraq—and what recent investments reveal about productivity, biodiversity and rural livelihoods.
What published Iraqi solar costs, customer tariffs and project milestones establish—and how cost, contract duration, delivered output and payment change modelled returns.
The Finance Ministry has stopped implementation of the advance-payment decision. Top Mountain’s Michael Rothe argues that simpler import processes, suitable credit and business consultation should shape the next phase.
Drone proliferation is changing who can threaten states, interrupt essential services and draw neighbours into war. For Iraq, the greatest danger is the combination of increasingly capable weapons with divided security authority and an economy dependent on concentrated energy infrastructure. Effective adaptation will require more than additional air defences. It will depend on control over armed activity, faster military learning and the ability to keep essential systems functioning under pressure.
The latest disclosed position of eight IFC-linked engagements: financing milestones, project companies, construction history, equipment quantities and potential goods and services across energy, ports, materials, property, agriculture, healthcare and finance.
Basra’s grid procurement, Besmaya’s service contracts and telecom hybrid-power deployments reveal distinct markets for equipment, maintenance, metering and commercial solar.
Alhurra’s allegations raise questions about Iraq’s control over armed activity, ties with Saudi Arabia and economic exposure. Houthi numbers and operational capability in Iraq remain unconfirmed.
Saudi Arabia’s Yanbu route, Iraq’s Ceyhan outlet and proposed Syrian corridors offer different forms of protection. Their value to Iraq depends on reliable deliveries, costs and the revenue they preserve.
Higher oil prices could strengthen Iraqi revenues. A prolonged conflict could also interrupt exports, restrict finance and undermine the investment Iraq needs to diversify.
Top Mountain’s Miran Dizayee sees an opportunity for international donors, banks and the Iraqi government to build the access-to-finance infrastructure that can support Iraq’s trade reforms.
Baghdad wants to collect more of the revenue it is owed, verify import transactions and simplify customs procedures. The economic test is whether it can achieve those goals while keeping goods and business finance moving.