As social media influencers in Iraq increasingly launch self-branded commercial products—particularly in the children’s food sector—questions are mounting over the sources of their wealth and the scale of funding behind their promotional ventures.

While the U.S. tightly restricts gambling and betting platforms and sharply limits their advertising, the UAE is moving in the opposite direction, racing to legalize gambling, sports betting, and related digital platforms.

Ayandeh Bank collapsed from corruption, mismanagement, and debt, worsened by U.S. sanctions, and was absorbed by Bank Melli.

Political and institutional divisions in Libya have severely damaged the economy, as the Central Bank uncovered billions of dinars of unknown origin circulating in the country.

Less than a month after sanctioning four Iran-backed militias in Iraq, Washington imposed a new wave of sanctions that targeted Iraqi officials and state institutions accused of laundering money for Tehran’s government.