Trump and Xi Jingping summit: How are the United States and China redefining their relationship?

Image
As tensions over trade, Taiwan, technology, and global influence intensify, the meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping may determine the future balance of power between Washington and Beijing. By Dr. Pshtiwan Faraj | Sulaimani, Iraq | 13 May 2026 — Kurdish Policy Analysis "We don't have permanent allies and we don't have permanent enemies, only our interests are permanent, and we have to follow them." – Henry John Temple. The root of the current Strait of Hormuz tensions is not only about shipping routes or oil prices, but also about the final collapse of the historical US concept towards Beijing. However, the 2025 National Security Strategy, released by the White House in November, says this was a historic mistake because China used the assets it accumulated to strengthen itself and compete with the West, not to become their partner. For many years, the United States alone maintained maritime security; The fifth US ship in Manama, Bahrain, worked only to keep o...

Iraq Bets on Najaf “White Gold” to Build Billion-Dollar Mining Future

 


Kurdish Policy Analysis / SULAYMANIYAH, Iraq-- --Baghdad moves to develop high-purity silica reserves in Najaf and Al-Anbar, positioning the country inside global clean energy and semiconductor supply chains.

Iraq is accelerating mining investment in Najaf, promoting high-purity silica sand—known as “white gold”—as a strategic resource for solar panels, semiconductors, and advanced technologies, with reserves potentially reaching 1 billion tons.

Iraq is positioning Najaf as a strategic mining hub, banking on vast reserves of high-purity silica sand—often referred to as “white gold”—to attract investment and expand its industrial base, the Iraqi Geological Survey said on Tuesday.

Officials estimate silica reserves at around 350 million tons, with projections suggesting total deposits across Najaf and Al-Anbar could reach up to 1 billion tons. The material is essential for solar panels, semiconductors, and fiber optics, placing Iraq in a potential upstream position within global clean energy and advanced technology supply chains.

The Geological Survey said it is expanding mining investment under existing legal frameworks to support industrial development and diversify national revenues, highlighting Najaf’s geological and industrial potential. The province also contains limestone, quartz, and industrial sands used in cement, glass, and ceramics production.

Authorities estimate the sector could generate billions of dollars and more than 10,000 jobs, as global demand for silica continues to grow, with the market projected to reach $85.86 billion by 2033.

Iraq also holds additional mineral reserves including sulfur, phosphate, and limestone, reinforcing its long-term ambition to develop a broader extractive and industrial economy.

#Iraq #Mining #Silica #CleanEnergy #SolarEnergy #Semiconductors #Najaf #AlAnbar #Economy #Investment #EnergyTransition

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Iranian Media Unveils ‘Lord of the Straits’ Animation Amid Hormuz Tensions

Did Japan just send Godzilla to the Strait of Hormuz? As global tensions rise, a viral meme captures the chaos of 2026’s geopolitical crisis.

U.S.–Iran 45 Day Ceasefire Bid Emerges as War Nears Breaking Point