AGP Executive Report

Iraq–Türkiye Cooperation: Iraqi PM Ali al-Zaidi signed three MOUs with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara on industrial cooperation, police training, and youth affairs, alongside talks to push trade toward $30B and expand energy, transport, and the Development Road. Regional Security Pressure: Saudi Arabia’s cabinet vowed decisive action against Iran-backed attacks on oil facilities in Yemen and Iraq and urged Baghdad to stop its territory being used to launch strikes. Iran War Fallout for Iraq: U.S. Central Command said it intercepted Iranian ballistic missiles aimed at American forces and reported joint U.S.-Saudi strikes on “Iran-aligned” targets in eastern Iraq after drone attacks, while analysis warns depleted Patriot/THAAD stocks could raise risk if fighting resumes. Energy Routes Under Strain: With Hormuz tensions ongoing, attention remains on alternatives like the Kirkuk–Baniyas corridor to reduce chokepoint pressure. Iraqi Anti-Corruption: Iraq’s Federal Integrity Commission seized about $1.9M from a former senior finance official’s home, citing fraudulent receipts tied to state bank payments.

Iraq–Türkiye Economic Corridor: Iraqi PM Al-Zaidi told Turkey that a $17B “Development Road” could link Grand Al-Faw Port to Türkiye via 1,200 km of rail and highways, boosting trade, jobs, and even water/food security through modern tech and joint management. Iraq Women’s Safety Gap: Despite more visibility in public life, Iraqi women still face domestic abuse with weak protection; a Baghdad conference highlighted the scale of reported cases and the need for stronger laws and enforcement. AI in Telecom (Iraq): Asiacell won five Stevie® Awards for AI innovation, including Gold for its LAILA AI customer assistant, marking a big win for Iraq’s homegrown tech ecosystem. Regional Security Tensions: Saudi Arabia sharply criticized Iraq after drone attacks linked to Iran-backed militias, urging Baghdad to stop its territory being used for launches. Energy Shock Watch: Oil markets reacted to the US-Iran strike pause, with Brent sliding toward a one-week low as shipping and Hormuz risk expectations shifted. Medical Tech in War Zones: The Pentagon plans to reimburse ambulance providers for administering whole blood during trauma care—an experiment that could change how lifesaving blood is delivered.

Digital Infrastructure in Nineveh: Uptime Institute signed an MoA with Iraq’s Nineveh governorate to boost digital infrastructure resilience, transfer data-center know-how, and build local talent, positioning the region as a tech investment hub. AI & Trade Ties: Iraq and Pakistan signaled consensus to expand trade links, with AI collaboration highlighted as a growth lever. Banking Tech Upgrade: Kuwait’s NBK rolled out an Interactive Teller Machine for London and launched digital safety deposit boxes in Kuwait, showing how regional banks are pushing self-service and digital channels. Press Freedom & Digital Shift: Iraq’s plan to restrict official ads and move tenders to a unified electronic platform could shut down 20+ newspapers, raising concerns that digital transformation may cut off revenue for print media and jobs. Mobile Health Tech: A “hospital on wheels” (GOHOSPITAL) program is set to bring hospital-grade diagnostics via connected vans to rural veterans, with deployments planned for late 2026 and early 2027. Markets Watch (Oil + Tech): US stocks swung as US-Iran strike pauses eased oil prices, but tech weakness and semiconductor competition fears kept pressure on major indexes.

Digital Infrastructure in Iraq: Uptime Institute signed a strategic partnership with Nineveh Governorate to speed up Iraq’s digital transformation, aiming to strengthen resilient, globally aligned digital infrastructure. Iraq–Türkiye Diplomacy: Iraqi PM Ali al-Zaidi’s upcoming Ankara visit with Erdoğan is set to cover security, energy, water, and economic cooperation as Baghdad seeks a bigger regional role. Gulf Defense Cooperation: Kuwait ratified a defense pact with Pakistan, expanding training, intelligence sharing, logistics, military tech, and research under a joint committee. Workforce Culture Clash: A Shafaq News report highlights how foreign professionals in Iraq’s hospitals, factories, and engineering firms struggle with language and social norms, while Iraqis find communication uneven. Tech & Skills in Focus: A Vicenza student selected for a Red Cross summit after researching journalism during armed conflict shows how STEM-adjacent civic training is reaching conflict reporting. AI Talent Pressure: Big Tech’s AI race is being funded by cutting skilled staff, raising concerns about whether the spending is actually paying off. Energy Shock Watch: With US-Iran strikes paused then threatened again, oil and shipping risks keep rattling markets and raise costs.

Iraq Tech & Policy: Iraq’s Central Bank (CBI) approved a major restructuring, upgrading oversight of non-bank financial institutions and reshuffling IT, payments, and risk functions, with changes set to take effect by July 30. Digital & Business: JD.com partnered with Iraq’s GINI to expand e-commerce offerings, aiming to boost online trade capacity. Energy Infrastructure: Iraq pushed Turkey to expand crude exports via the Iraq–Turkey pipeline, with talks focused on capacity and route security from Kirkuk to Ceyhan. Research & Agriculture: URI-backed work on region-specific plant growth highlights how local trials matter for better cultivation outcomes, while Iraq-related ag research also appears in fresh studies supporting flower and farming sectors. Regional Tech Impact (Oil/Shipping): Strait of Hormuz disruptions are driving longer routes and higher costs, with knock-on effects like shipping delays that can spoil perishable exports. Security & Tech (Defense): The Pentagon’s updated Iran-war casualty reporting and interceptor-stock concerns keep spotlighting how defense readiness and logistics shape real-world outcomes. AI & Society: A new discussion warns AI could be used as a political weapon, raising fresh concerns for governance and public trust.

Iraq’s Infrastructure Push: Iraq has completed 100% preliminary designs for its flagship Development Road Project and railway corridor, moving into detailed engineering for bridges, stations, and supporting facilities. Energy Routes Under Pressure: Baghdad is reviving an Iraq–Syria–Mediterranean pipeline plan to diversify exports and reduce reliance on Gulf and Turkey routes, while also sending a delegation to Türkiye to expand crude export capacity via the Iraq–Türkiye pipeline toward Ceyhan. Local Jobs vs. Big Oil: The Kirkuk Engineers Syndicate accuses BP of sidelining local engineers and subcontractors, demanding an 85% local hiring quota and warning of legal action. Banking Oversight Upgrade: Iraq’s Central Bank approved a restructuring that upgrades non-bank financial supervision into a full general directorate and reshuffles IT, risk, and reporting lines to tighten oversight of fintech and reduce cash dependency. Tech & Research Ecosystem: URI-backed research highlights how local trials matter for plant growth, while Iraq’s broader push for tech capacity shows up in policy and infrastructure planning. Regional Tech-Adjacent Security: New reporting links drone and missile warfare lessons across the region, underscoring why defense tech and logistics planning are accelerating.

Iraq–Turkey Energy Talks: Iraq’s oil officials met in Türkiye to expand crude exports via the Iraq–Türkiye pipeline, aiming to boost capacity and protect revenues as regional security disrupts shipments. Central Bank Overhaul: Iraq’s Central Bank (CBI) approved a major restructuring to strengthen oversight of non-bank finance, reshuffle departments, and tighten branch supervision in Basra, Mosul, and Erbil. Digital Commerce Growth: JD.com partnered with Iraq’s GINI to expand e-commerce access and build a more direct supply chain for Iraqi customers. Regional Tech & Security Pressure: The U.S. urged Americans in Iraq to stay vigilant as Iran–U.S. tensions keep rising, while the wider conflict continues to strain shipping and energy routes. Smart Glasses Trend: New AI-enabled smart glasses from major firms are being marketed more like wearable devices than futuristic gadgets, signaling a new consumer push for face-level AI. Environment & Shipping Risk: Scientists warn that prolonged Strait of Hormuz disruptions could spread invasive marine species via biofouling on stalled vessels. Agriculture Research: Iraq’s URI-linked research focus in the region highlights how local trials are needed to grow plants well, not just rely on data from elsewhere.

Iraq-Ecommerce Push: JD.com partnered with Iraq’s GINI to expand e-commerce access, integrating JD’s catalog into GINI’s marketplace and SuperQi app to boost cross-border buying and supply chains. Shengal Governance Talks: A Shengal conference in Sinune backed constitutional self-administration, calling for stronger institutions after the 2014 ISIS genocide and framing the plan within Iraq’s constitution. Middle East Tech & Security Shock: Iran’s Revolutionary Guards claimed they targeted and destroyed an Amazon data center in Bahrain, while US forces fired on a merchant vessel trying to breach Iran-port blockades—raising new risks for digital infrastructure and regional connectivity. Energy Credibility Theme: A Middle East energy-policy piece argues that beyond pipelines and chokepoints, “credibility” is now the key to durable cooperation as electricity, hydrogen, and digital energy links grow. AI/Smart Glasses Trend: Smart glasses are back with camera-and-AI features and no display, signaling a shift toward consumer wearables and audio-based interaction. EU Tech Antitrust Fallout: Trump said the US will investigate EU trade practices after the EU fined Google $1B over digital antitrust rules.

Middle East Tech & Security: The US carried out another wave of missile strikes across Iran, while Iran retaliated by targeting US bases in Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan, raising fresh concerns for Iraq and the wider region as drones and missiles keep hitting military-linked sites. Pentagon Transparency: The Pentagon’s public casualty tracker reportedly removed four deaths tied to the Iran war, citing “temporary data disruption,” fueling questions about how war costs are being presented. Shipping & Energy Tech Impact: Attacks around Bab el-Mandeb and the Strait of Hormuz are pushing oil above $100 again, doubling some southern Red Sea insurance costs and forcing tankers to reroute—an immediate tech-and-infrastructure headache for logistics. Iraq Business & Partnerships: PepsiCo is deepening its Iraq manufacturing and agriculture deals, and Iraq’s private banks signed an MoU with a US energy engineers body, signaling more cross-border infrastructure and finance work. Defense Tech Industry: Swarmer promoted Garrett Kasper as CCO, as the drone autonomy firm scales after real-world combat support in Ukraine. AI & Digital Policy: Trump says the US will investigate EU trade practices after EU fines Google over digital antitrust rules.

Iraq Security & Tech Infrastructure: Explosions and drone attacks hit Erbil near a U.S.-hosted base, while Iran’s IRGC also claimed strikes on U.S. facilities in Kuwait and a data centre in Bahrain tied to Amazon—showing how the Iran–U.S. conflict is spilling into regional tech and logistics hubs. Regional Energy Tech & Shipping Risk: With Houthis targeting Red Sea shipping and Iran–U.S. exchanges continuing, marine insurance for Hormuz transits jumped sharply, and Gulf states are accelerating pipeline plans to bypass chokepoints. Iraq–Iran Cooperation: Iraqi PM Ali al-Zaidi’s Tehran visit ended with a broad joint statement to deepen political, security, scientific, and technological cooperation. Local Heritage & Engineering: Baghdad’s Black Gold Hotel will be demolished and rebuilt after safety assessments, with scientific and engineering documentation to preserve its original design. Business & Manufacturing: PepsiCo signed deals with Iraqi partners to expand beverage production and boost agriculture via irrigation and farming upgrades. AI Safety: A report warns AI chatbots can help terrorists plan attacks and build homemade bombs, pushing for urgent safeguards. Trade Policy Shock: The U.S. announced new 10–12.5% tariffs on 60 countries, including Iraq, over forced-labour claims.

Iraq-Syria Energy Push: Iraq and Syria signed an MoU to build an 800-kilometer onshore oil pipeline from Haditha to Baniyas, targeting about 2.5 million barrels per day and aiming for 2–2.5 years to complete, with Chevron and other international firms set to handle execution. Regional Tech & Security Spillover: A drone attack hit Kuwait’s Al-Abdali border crossing with Iraq, damaging infrastructure and temporarily closing the main land route—another reminder that West Asia’s tech-enabled warfare is now disrupting civilian logistics. Geopolitics Hits Markets: Red Sea tanker strikes and wider Hormuz/Bab al-Mandeb tensions pushed Brent above $100, while US tech stocks slid after Alphabet and Tesla earnings, feeding risk-off sentiment. Iraq’s Diplomacy Angle: Iraq’s PM Ali al-Zaidi carried a de-escalation initiative to Tehran, while Iraq and Iran also signed four cooperation deals covering transport, rail, city partnerships, and public administration. Defense Tech Watch: US intelligence is investigating whether Russia helped Iran’s drone attacks on CIA-linked facilities, focusing on precision and possible targeting/tech support.

US–Saudi Nuclear Deal: The US and Saudi Arabia signed a 30-year civilian nuclear cooperation “123 agreement,” letting US firms transfer nuclear technology abroad, but details on safeguards and enforcement remain unclear since the IAEA isn’t involved and Saudi isn’t in the Nuclear Suppliers Group. Iraq–US Energy Push: Iraq’s Ministry of Oil signed about $200bn in deals with US companies during PM Ali Al-Zaidi’s visit, including pipeline revival plans to export via Syria’s Baniyas and reduce reliance on Hormuz. Iraq–Syria Pipeline Rehab: Preparations are underway to reconstruct the defunct Iraq–Syria crude pipeline, with consortium talks reported as Iraq seeks more export routes. CIA Drone Attacks Probe: US intelligence is investigating whether Russia helped Iran’s drone strikes on CIA-linked facilities in the Gulf, including possible targeting and navigation support. Red Sea Shipping Shock: Houthis claim attacks on Saudi tankers in the Red Sea, raising fears of a new chokepoint as Gulf states accelerate alternative pipeline routes. Iraq Jobs Reality Check: A report highlights how many Iraqi graduates can’t find work despite technical degrees, as the economy struggles to absorb new entrants. Iraq–Iran Ties: Iran’s president says Iraq–Iran relations are “unbreakable,” pointing to expanded cooperation in science, technology, and development.

Nuclear Energy Deal: The U.S. and Saudi Arabia signed a major civil nuclear cooperation pact that could set legal groundwork for Saudi uranium enrichment for peaceful use, pending Congress review. Iraq Energy Infrastructure: Iraq and Syria have started preparatory studies to rehabilitate the Kirkuk–Baniyas oil pipeline, with technical and financial work led by Chevron via an international consortium. Regional Shipping & Oil Risks: Houthi threats in the Red Sea are forcing Saudi oil tankers to reroute, adding pressure to global oil prices as the Middle East conflict disrupts key routes. Defense Tech & Countermeasures: The U.S. awarded Boeing $42.93M to upgrade UAE C-17 defenses against infrared-guided missiles, improving protection during takeoff and landing. Security Tech Scrutiny: U.S. intelligence is investigating whether Russia helped Iran’s drone attacks on CIA facilities in the Gulf, focusing on targeting support and advanced drone technology. Cognitive Readiness: The Pentagon is transitioning its cognitive monitoring program from ANAM to a next-generation capability to detect changes earlier and support readiness decisions.

Iraq Solar Industry: Iraq opened its first industrial-scale solar module factory in Karbala, with a turnkey production line from Ecoprogetti and plans to expand capacity from 200MW to 600MW—plus training for local engineers and technicians. Digital Transformation Partnerships: FPT teamed up with Nuummite and e-CENS to push enterprise transformation across the Middle East and Africa, focusing on Salesforce-led customer transformation and agentic AI, data, and cloud delivery. Regional Tech & Connectivity: Starlink licensing and satellite internet talks keep moving in Iraq as the country deepens its push for modern digital infrastructure. US-Iran Escalation & Energy Shock: The US carried out an 11th straight night of strikes on Iran while diplomacy looked shaky; oil prices jumped and Red Sea shipping disruptions spread after Houthi threats and a Saudi tanker reversal—raising direct pressure on regional energy routes Iraq depends on. Diplomatic Tensions: Iran denied allegations that it detained French embassy officials, saying they met “security suspects,” while the incident adds friction amid the wider crisis.

Red Sea Shipping Shock: Two Saudi oil tankers reversed course after Houthi threats and a new naval blockade risk, while Iran and the U.S. traded strikes across the Gulf, including a reported hit on Amazon infrastructure in Bahrain—raising pressure on energy chokepoints. Iraq-US Tech & Energy Deals: Iraq continues signing major partnerships with U.S. firms, including Starlink satellite internet licensing and broader energy infrastructure moves, as Baghdad tries to keep leverage amid regional escalation. Oilfield Watch: Halliburton shares slid after a tepid outlook, with Middle East recovery uncertainty and pockets of disruption cited in Iraq and Bahrain. Defense Funding & Iraq Casualties: U.S. officials put Iran-war costs at $37.5B in Senate testimony as more service deaths were confirmed, including a soldier killed in Iraq during a controlled detonation of a downed drone. Local Industry in Bahrain: Fluor won front-end engineering/design for a Bahrain petrochemical aromatics facility, signaling continued investment in regional chemical supply chains.

Strait of Hormuz Disruption: Shipping through Hormuz is down sharply again as Iran-US tensions worsen, with transits falling to a three-week low and many vessels stopping or reversing amid mine and strike risks. Iraq-US Business Push: PepsiCo signed deals with Baghdad Soft Drinks Company and Green Iraq Company to expand local manufacturing, modernize farming, and create jobs during PM Ali Al-Zaidi’s Washington visit. Oil Route Strategy: Iraq is leaning toward reviving the Iraq–Syria pipeline route (via Kirkuk–Baniyas) over the Jordan option, citing existing infrastructure and faster, cheaper rehabilitation. Industrial Tech in Basra: Halliburton won Basra Oil Company contracts for Bin Umar and Sindbad field services, using its Landmark digital platform for production optimization and subsurface-to-operations integration. Industrial Equipment Upgrade: Atlas Copco is expanding in Iraq through its distributor Ruade Al Atlas, pushing energy-efficient compressed air, vacuum, and industrial systems for reconstruction and manufacturing. AI in War Debate: A new report asks whether AI can make moral decisions in conflict as militaries increasingly rely on AI-enabled targeting and command tools. Security Tensions in Iraq: Iraqi factions reject “restriction of arms to the state” terms tied to Al-Zaidi’s US talks, warning of backlash from Iran-linked groups.