Cooperation conditions and potential sanctions: Baghdad returns to Washington's priorities
The United States has strongly entered the political crisis in Iraq, after explicitly linking the future of bilateral cooperation to the arms issue and the formation of the next government, in a move that indicates Washington's shift to a position of direct influence in shaping the power equation, according to the "Eram News " website.
The website stated in a report seen by Al-Sa’a Network, quoting its sources, that “what is happening in Iraq cannot be described as passing pressure or a traditional diplomatic stance, but rather it is part of an American decision to rearrange the political landscape after years of managing the crisis remotely .”
He added that "the United States, which established the political system after 2003 and sponsored its basic paths, sees today that the equation of internal balance has been disrupted in favor of a specific regional influence, so it is trying to reset the rules of the game, whether through financial tools or by linking the form of the next government to determinants related to sovereignty and weapons ."
He pointed out that "the Iraqi file has returned to the White House's priorities in light of regional tensions, US-Iranian negotiations, and the fear that Iraq will become a complete base for one axis, which Washington does not consider a strategically acceptable option ."
The report indicated that "the renewed American interest in Iraq is inseparable from a broader equation related to managing Iranian influence in the region, but Washington realizes that any direct confrontational approach could threaten internal stability ."
He pointed out that "the US administration is trying to achieve a delicate balance; it is not seeking to ignite the situation in Iraq, but it wants a government capable of controlling weapons outside the framework of the state and reducing the influence of factions on sovereign decision-making, because the continuation of this reality weakens the strategic partnership and complicates the energy, investment and security files ."
He explained that "the pressure will not be military, but will take the form of political messages and perhaps financial measures or specific sanctions, while keeping the door open for understanding with any government that provides practical assurances regarding the restriction of weapons and regulating the relationship with Iran ."
Despite the clear American influence in shaping the equations of governance in Iraq during the past years, the last few months have witnessed a broader and more diverse involvement, not limited to the issue of weapons or the formation of the government, but extending to sensitive economic and financial files, including mechanisms for dollar transfers, regulating the banking sector, and controlling the movement of funds related to foreign trade link