Daily Links — Monday, August 3, 2026

Friday's desk opens with the one the room's been waiting on: a Shafaq exclusive says Washington is demanding Iraq dismantle the armed factions in exchange for releasing $30 billion in frozen 'Saddam-era' funds. The Finance Minister's been called before parliament to explain the financial picture, salaries are said to be secured with Ceyhan exports set to lift revenues, and Chevron is making big moves in Iraqi oil. Further out: Thailand's dodging the U.S. currency-manipulator list, China just settled its first cross-border digital-yuan payment outside SWIFT, and the IMF is warning on global imbalances. Pour a strong one — here's everything on the desk.

Iraq & the Dinar

• Exclusive: U.S. demands the dismantling of the factions in return for releasing $30 billion in 'Saddam funds' — Shafaq News
• The Finance Minister asks to appear before the House of Representatives to explain the financial and economic reality — Baghdad Today
• Parliamentary Finance: employees' salaries are secured, and boosting exports through Ceyhan will raise revenues — Al-Ma'alama
• Al-Zaidi: we will keep protecting Iraq, confiscating weapons, and drying up the sources of corruption — Alsumaria
• Prediction: Chevron's bold moves in Iraq will reshape the oil stock over the next decade — The Motley Fool

Currencies & Central Banks

• China settles its first cross-border digital-yuan payment to Malaysia — bypassing SWIFT — NewsBytes
• Thailand moves to stay off the U.S. currency-manipulator list — Bangkok Post

Money & Markets

• IMF warns of global economic trouble as China's surplus and the U.S. deficit grow — The Sun
• Vietnam steps up efforts to hit its $74 billion agriculture-export goal — Vietnam News

Around the World

• Iran denies negotiations with the U.S. after Trump announces talks for Monday afternoon — ZeroHedge
• Trump's Venezuela oil push hits a roadblock — ZeroHedge
• Kamikaze drone slams into a crowded Russian Black Sea beach, killing 3 — ZeroHedge

Home Front

• Gunman targets a Tesla Supercharger and In-N-Out in Twin Falls, killing two — ZeroHedge
• No, the invaders have not all just 'gone home' — Modernity
• Back-to-back August primaries test battleground Democrats' priorities — The Epoch Times

Links are shared for discussion. Not financial advice — always do your own research.