Iraq’s foreign policy is shaped by internal rivalries and militia influence, not strategy; pro-U.S. factions gain as Iran weakens.
Browsing: Militias
Two Iran-aligned Iraqi factions are openly recruiting for war, alarming the Iraqi government; the factions “listen to no one.”
Iraq’s 2025 elections saw reported 56% turnout, but real participation among adults was just 38.5%—matching previous lows.
Hamas has threatened to eliminate Israeli-backed militias in Gaza, which operate under Israeli protection and are widely rejected by the public.
Lebanon’s disarmament push reverberates in Iraq, deepening the divide between sovereignty advocates and those who see selective enforcement.
The Assad regime collapsed because it was brittle—a hollowed-out state propped up by dwindling foreign support and criminal networks.
Iraq’s Iran-backed militias stayed silent during the Israel-Iran war, prioritizing domestic gains and state integration.
Pro-Iran militias are the big winners in Iraq’s election, entrenching armed factions in parliament and weakening the state.
Iraq’s elite U.S.-funded CTS is being penetrated by Iran-backed militias, with training and equipment diverted—Washington must act swiftly.
Iran-backed Afghan and Pakistani fighters are entering Iraq as “pilgrims” and integrating into PMF bases, challenging Baghdad’s sovereignty.