Baghdad: Newspapers in Baghdad have centered their coverage on the development of air defense systems and the potential shift in national currency policy. According to National Iraqi News Agency, the newspapers, published on Monday, August 17th, emphasized a strategic plan to enhance air defenses, alongside discussions on altering the national currency.

Al-Sabah newspaper, part of the Iraqi Media Network, reported that the consolidation of weapons and conclusion of international military presence has transcended ministerial commitments. With the government’s first 100 days complete, a timeline concluding in late September has been established, necessitating a robust national defense strategy to secure Iraq’s airspace and unify security decisions. The newspaper detailed that Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief Ali Falih al-Zubaidi led a meeting with the Air Defense Command, attended by key military officials, to discuss the fortification of air defense capabilities. The Prime Minister’s Media Office revealed plans to advance air defense readiness, involving contracts with foreign companies for cutting-edge systems, aiming to bolster Iraq’s airspace sovereignty.

Additionally, the head of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan bloc, MP Harim Kamal Agha, expressed the bloc’s support for the government’s initiatives, underscoring the constitutional resolution to restrict weapons and prevent parallel power centers.

In parallel, Al-Zawraa newspaper, affiliated with the Iraqi Journalists Syndicate, addressed the possibility of a national currency change, noting the silence from pertinent authorities. The Economic Observatory (Eco Iraq) criticized the informal announcement of such significant economic decisions, urging for formal communication from the Central Bank of Iraq and the Ministry of Finance. The observatory cautioned that this uncertainty could undermine public confidence in the national currency and lead to increased demand for foreign currencies, heightening market instability. Eco Iraq called for a clear official statement detailing the currency change, implementation strategy, and assurances for safeguarding citizens’ savings and market stability.

In other developments, Al-Zaman newspaper covered protests by employees and graduate students outside the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. Demonstrators opposed a government decision hindering their ability to pursue further studies, citing unresolved discrepancies in data as a barrier. Eyewitnesses reported demands for the reversal of the decision, emphasizing education as a constitutional right. Protesters highlighted the specific challenge faced by employees with disabilities, who, despite passing competitive exams, were prevented from continuing their education due to procedural delays and bureaucratic hurdles, which they argue unjustly denied them the opportunity for academic advancement.