MNT GOAT: 🚨🇮🇶 Iraq's Greatest Challenge: Security, Militias & Iranian Influence

🚨🇮🇶 Iraq's Greatest Challenge: Security, Militias & Iranian Influence

Today's analysis highlights one key point: Iraq's biggest obstacle is no longer its economy—it's security and stability.

💰 Despite having the potential to become one of the wealthiest nations in the world because of its vast oil resources, Iraq's economy still depends heavily on oil after more than two decades and has yet to fully diversify.

🇮🇷 The author believes one of Iraq's biggest mistakes was allowing Iran-backed militias to remain in the country after the fight against ISIS. Over time, these armed groups became part of the state-funded structure, creating ongoing security and economic challenges.

⚠️ As long as militias, corruption, and Iranian influence remain, Iraq will continue to face difficulties attracting major foreign investment and fully implementing its economic and monetary reforms.

👤 Prime Minister Al-Zaidi is now seen as a key figure in addressing these issues. His recent anti-corruption efforts are viewed as a positive sign, but the real challenge will be dismantling the power of armed factions and restoring full government authority.

🏦 A CBI contact also emphasized that the Iran-related issue is the most difficult challenge facing Iraq's reform process. Once this security issue is resolved, the monetary reform can continue moving forward.

🇺🇸 The analysis also points to the Trump administration's strategy of weakening Iran-backed militias through financial pressure, economic development, and stronger institutions. The appointment of Tom Barrack is presented as part of that broader effort to dismantle the financial networks supporting those groups.

📈 Bottom line: The path to Iraq's economic growth, stronger banking system, increased foreign investment, and long-term monetary reform begins with one essential ingredient—security and stability.

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MNT GOAT

Today I am going to take a VERY DEEP dive into what is going on in Iraq with disarming these militias, as well as a few other issues needing updates. This is a very detailed explanation from a couple articles that recently were published on this subject matter of disarming the militias. If you have been paying attention to my commentaries in the blog you can connect very nicely to what these articles are saying to what I have been telling you all along. I’d say I am pretty much ‘spot on’! 

So, you want to know what is holding up the RV? I also want to add that the glass is half-full as my CBI contact has already told me once the SECURITY situation is taken care of, her committee has plans to roll out the lower denominations and move ahead again. Will this take until 2027? 

Your guess is as good as mine. But the good news is they are still planning it and always moving ahead while the GOI is playing catch up. There is a said deadline to disarm ALL the militias and arrest or deport the factions. This deadline is September 2026. Will it take this long? What we do know for a FACT is al-Zaidi is expected to present his plan to President Trump during his visit to Washington in mid-July. 

I don’t want this Newsletter today to discourage you from this investment in the IQD. It is going to happen and it is in the plan for Iraq and part of the bigger RESET picture. These larger notes we hold are going to stay legal tender and used for inter-banking transactions of large amounts, when cash is needed. The CBI told us this many times. Many of you were not around then or did not tie into my blog. Glad you can now join us and learn the TRUTH. 

Yes, upon our exchange, the US Treasury will document each notes and the will burn much of it that is not needed by the CBI, when collected. But to say what we hold will be in the same category as in Iraq is not true. Iraq will be dealt with much differently when they collect their large three zero notes and exchange them for the lower denominations. So, please let’s not get confused over the process. I have explained it many times, over and over again. The only part added to the process since 2011 is the addition of the concept of a digital dinar. I am told the digital dinar will replace the dollar for foreign exchange transactions. That is its initial main purpose. By the time the digital dinar is rolled out all over Iraq we will be long-gone out of this RV saga. Iraq will need a much more robust and secure electronic payment system to do so. So, this cannot happen until the repeg is completed, thus the reinstatement. The basic plan to get to the reinstatement comes directly from a 2011 conference held during Dr Shabibi’s time as the director of the CBI with the US treasury, the World Bank and the IMF.

We already have witnessed many pieces to the plan executed, so hang in a bit longer you won’t regret it. Yes, the plan has changed a bit, but Iraq must adapt as this is taking so long and technology changes over time. Only that we may see what we want later rather than sooner as most of these so-called idiotic intel gurus on the internet are telling you false timelines. If you are discouraged from my news today this is your fault for listening to them and their everyday / any day stories/lie of an RV and their other bullshit.

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So there always seems to be an ongoing saga of some sort in Iraq. I swear that these Arabic people must be out of their f__ken minds in the middle east. Let me explain. They have let the satanic darkness into their politics, and they are now paying the price. With the dark side it may always seem so nice while you are being tricked, then all hell really breaks out later. Iraq is now experiencing it. 

That is the only conclusion I can come to after reading today’s news. Here they have the potential for Iraq to not only be one of the richest countries in the world, but the most compassionate too to provide for it’s citizens because of their wealth. God put that oil in the ground purposefully for this reason, not to use for terrorist destruction. But so far what have they done with all this wealth after 20+ years. They have barely made a dent in their economy as it is still a rentier economy at 90% revenues. Yes, after 20 years!!!!! After WWII, they rebuilt all of Europe in less than 10 years. Nobody is going to tell me that Satan in not at work in the middle east…… 

Iraq simply blew it because they are not strong enough to face up to Iranian influence in their country that is slowly destroying their country. As I mentioned before the largest mistake was letting Iran enter their country to fight ISIS and then worst letting them remain. Then if this was not bad enough, they put the militias on the payroll, while their own citizens suffer. Well folks, if the US decides to go the proverbial ‘nuclear’ option with Iraq perhaps this will wake them up…. finally. If they refuse to wake up to reality, we will be waiting a much longer time for the RV investment. Are they really that stupid to let this happen. We must continue to pray for Iraq as the darkness overshadows it and the light must come forth.

The Iraqi election saga of November 2025 seemed to quiet down and so another saga takes over. This time we watch the saga of disarming these Iranian-backed militias and factions. Will the new prime minister al-Zaidi be able to make a difference? So far this weekend’s crackdown on corruption may be a good sign. Or will the US be forced to take the ‘nuclear’ option to Iraqi. If this nuclear option is the path, of course it will delay the RV but I also have to say we would be waiting anyhow. At least this path we do move ahead, and it can result in the elimination of this security threat thus clearing the way for the RV. Once cleared, investors can flock into Iraq as part of Trump’s economic development plan for the region.

As you know way back last September, in a conversation with my contact in the Central Bank, she said that this Iranian issue would be the ‘stickiest’ issue of the five (5) issues to resolve since it has gone on way too long already and Iran is well seeded in Iraq. This issue has only been highlighted and has ONLY now become a major security threat and now is the time to end it. Here are the reasons why to fix this now and not later: 

1)The infiltration of the terrorist organization called Hezbollah now inside the militia organizations. As you know Hezbollah does the dirty work for Iran and is it’s strongarm.  It is funded by Iran. It has been working in Syria, Lebanon and now inside Iraq;

2)The threat of these terrorists in Iraq against the US military as missile launches in recent years against US bases inside Iraq;

3)There is a new US president who is finally stepping up and challenging the Iranian Islamic Jahad revolution movement in the middle east. It is now even moving into the US through the Biden’s open border policy. It is time to end this onslaught of civilians in the name of Mohamad and cut the head off the snake. In this regard visits like what recently happened in Iraq in the article titled “ARAGHCHI CONGRATULATES ALI AL-ZAIDI AND THE NEW IRAQI CABINET” really gets my goat. Here we have Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arriving in Baghdad on Sunday for high-level meetings with senior Iraqi leadership. I quote – “While visiting he added that one of the primary aims of the visit is coordination with Iraqi authorities regarding the upcoming funeral processions of the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei”.

You got to be kidding me….. As we all know Khamenei, the ‘supreme’ leader of Iran was killed intentionally by the US to overthrow the leadership in the regime to bring them to their knees. Finally, a leader in the US willing to challenge them to this level. So, this funeral memorial totally under minds what the US is trying to do in the middle east. Are the Iraqis really that stupid to allow it? Why does Iraq even still recognize any leadership from Iran in their country never mind honor the head of an Islamic Jahad state that took over Iran by a forceful revolution and has been supporting terrorists efforts throughout the middle east and world over ? Can’t they see what is doing to their own country too? They are barking up the wrong tree and will only lose. Does this tell us just how well seeded Iran is already in Iraq. Sad to say but true! ☹

4)The US has elected president Trump who is the only recent president that has the guts to deal with this Islamic threat. Through the Abraham Accords, it outlines a peace plan for the middle east making economics a priority rather than terrorism. It focuses on shifting resources towards peaceful economic benefits for the civilian population and wealth growth through productive trading partners rather than leveraging another country’s wealth through ‘forceful taking’ and proxy occupied countries.

If you recall first there was Mark Savaya, US President Donald Trump’s envoy to Iraq (January 29th 2026 Newsletter), then US General David Petraeus (May 21st 2026 Newsletter) and now Tom Barrack also chosen as US President Donald Trump’s latest envoy to Iraq. What do they all have in common?

Their commonality is a common task to develop a plan to end the current formula for armed formations, most notably the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) militias and Hezbollah terrorists factions in Iraq. We no longer hear much about tSavaya or Petraeus plans which were not really plans at all to be orchestrated but rather forceful words delivered as threats from the US government. These threats were given during the election cycle with only a standby prime minister in place, al-Sudani. Now the election is over and someone has to work with the new elected prime minister to solve this problem. After the attempts by Savaya and Petraeus it appears the problem is going to be much harder than expected to resolve. So, Trump brings in the heavy hitter Tom Barrack. What is Barrack’s plan?

If you can take the time to read the article titled “THE BANKER OF BAGHDAD: HOW TOM BARRACK PLANS TO STARVE IRAN’S MILITIA MACHINE” you can get a real good idea of what has been going on with these militia and factions inside Iraq. If you only read one article from the many in today’s Articles Section, please let it be this one. 

In the article we can see why the Trump administration considers the Iranian influence a threat to Iraq and US interests. I am not going to review the entire article as it is long article and you can go read it for yourself. I will address a couple points that you can go research for in the article upon reading the article.

1.What has Iraq been doing with the US Aid money is has been sending to Iraq? Is used to be 2 billion a month in cash of $100 bills. Then reduced to $500 million a month under Trump. I suspect this will probably stop shortly. 

2.As Iraq has a hardship paying the salaries and retirements of its own population yet it can money launder and funnel billions over to Iran and even manages to pay salaries to the Iranian militias. Really? Then we read article like this one titled “THE COFFERS ARE EMPTY AND THE 2026 BUDGET IS BURIED… WILL IRAQIS ENTER A PHASE OF “TIGHTENING THEIR BELTS”? Oh… please spare me the tears Iraq…. ☹ Does this all sound crazy to you? Can Iraq even be trusted with all this oil revenue stream? Could they revert to a terrorist state? Can Trump prevent this? No wonder they can’t move their economy and attract investors after 20+ years of trying. Then other articles like “SALEH: IRAQ NEEDS A COMPREHENSIVE REVOLUTION IN ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION”. Folks, again it has been 20+ years already since the liberation of Iraq.

https://mntgoatnewsusa.com/latest-mnt-goat-newsletter/

Iraq's Financial Transformation Update: 💡 IRAQ AND ITS DINAR: WHAT IS REALLY CHANGING? #iqd

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🚨🏦 CBI Contact: The Plan Is Still Moving Forward 🇮🇶

🚨🏦 CBI Contact: The Plan Is Still Moving Forward 🇮🇶

According to a CBI contact, once Iraq's security situation is fully under control, the committee is ready to:

✅ Roll out the lower denominations
✅ Move forward with the monetary reform plan
✅ Continue the next phase of Iraq's currency project

The key issue now is security. A reported deadline to fully disarm militias and deal with armed factions is September 2026, while Al-Zaidi is expected to present his plan to President Trump during his Washington visit in mid-July.

The update also states that:

💵 The large three-zero notes will remain legal tender and continue to be used for large interbank transactions.

📲 The future Digital Dinar is expected to replace the U.S. dollar for foreign exchange transactions, but only after the monetary reform and a stronger electronic payment system are in place.

Overall, the message is clear: the monetary reform plan remains active and continues moving forward as conditions are being met.

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MNT GOAT

So, you want to know what is holding up the RV? I also want to add that the glass is half-full as my CBI contact has already told me once the SECURITY situation is taken care of, her committee has plans to roll out the lower denominations and move ahead again. Will this take until 2027? Your guess is as good as mine. 

But the good news is they are still planning it and always moving ahead while the GOI is playing catch up. There is a said deadline to disarm ALL the militias and arrest or deport the factions. This deadline is September 2026. Will it take this long? What we do know for a FACT is al-Zaidi is expected to present his plan to President Trump during his visit to Washington in mid-July. 

I don’t want this Newsletter today to discourage you from this investment in the IQD. It is going to happen and it is in the plan for Iraq and part of the bigger RESET picture. These larger notes we hold are going to stay legal tender and used for inter-banking transactions of large amounts, when cash is needed. The CBI told us this many times. Many of you were not around then or did not tie into my blog. Glad you can now join us and learn the TRUTH. 

Yes, upon our exchange, the US Treasury will document each notes and the will burn much of it that is not needed by the CBI, when collected. But to say what we hold will be in the same category as in Iraq is not true. Iraq will be dealt with much differently when they collect their large three zero notes and exchange them for the lower denominations. So, please let’s not get confused over the process. I have explained it many times, over and over again. The only part added to the process since 2011 is the addition of the concept of a digital dinar. I am told the digital dinar will replace the dollar for foreign exchange transactions. That is its initial main purpose. By the time the digital dinar is rolled out all over Iraq we will be long-gone out of this RV saga. Iraq will need a much more robust and secure electronic payment system to do so. So, this cannot happen until the repeg is completed, thus the reinstatement. The basic plan to get to the reinstatement comes directly from a 2011 conference held during Dr Shabibi’s time as the director of the CBI with the US treasury, the World Bank and the IMF.

We already have witnessed many pieces to the plan executed, so hang in a bit longer you won’t regret it. Yes, the plan has changed a bit, but Iraq must adapt as this is taking so long and technology changes over time. Only that we may see what we want later rather than sooner as most of these so-called idiotic intel gurus on the internet are telling you false timelines. If you are discouraged from my news today this is your fault for listening to them and their everyday / any day stories/lie of an RV and their other bullshit.

https://mntgoatnewsusa.com/latest-mnt-goat-newsletter/

 "THE BANKER OF BAGHDAD: HOW TOM BARRACK PLANS TO STARVE IRAN'S MILITIA MACHINE." ANTALYA DIPLOMACY FORUM ANTALYA DIPLOMACY FORM

Washington's Economic Hitman has come to Baghdad

"— President Donald J. Trump, Truth Social, 31 May, 2026

 The money trail, painstakingly documented by the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, is darning: the state-owned Rafidain Bank, a downstream distributor of oil revenues held at the New York Fed, was disbursing dollar-converted wages directly to PMF militia fighters until mid-2025. When US Treasury pressure forced Rafidain from processing those payrolls, the PMF simply migrated its salary mechanism to a smaller state-owned lender, Al-Nahrain Islamic Bank - shifting the

problem rather than solving it. Worse, multiple Treasury sanctions between 2024 and 2026 traced diverted Iraqi dollar-auction proceeds through fronts linked to IRGC financiers and networks procuring components for Shahed drones and Iranian ballistic missiles. Washington, in the most literal sense, has been subsidizing its own adversaries.

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🏦🇮🇶 The Banker of Baghdad: How Tom Barrack Plans to Cut Off Iran's Militia Funding

Earlier today, we discussed why the United States has not yet given Iraq the green light. One of the biggest reasons has been the corruption that allowed U.S. dollars flowing into Iraq's financial system to ultimately find their way into Iran-backed networks. That is exactly what this strategy is trying to change.

The battle between the U.S. and Iran in Iraq is increasingly being fought through the banking system rather than on the battlefield.

💵 For years, Iraq's oil revenues—held at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York—flowed through state-owned banks. According to the report, some of those funds ultimately reached members of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), including factions linked to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

🏦 Rafidain Bank reportedly processed government payrolls until U.S. Treasury pressure forced those payments to stop. However, the report claims the payroll system simply shifted to Al-Nahrain Islamic Bank, moving the problem instead of eliminating it.

🚨 U.S. Treasury sanctions issued between 2024 and 2026 also allege that diverted dollars from Iraq's currency auction system were funneled through front companies connected to IRGC financiers, helping procure components for Shahed drones and Iranian ballistic missile programs.

👤 The article argues that Tom Barrack's strategy is not about military action—but about financial pressure:

✅ Tighten oversight of Iraqi banks
✅ Restrict access to U.S. dollars for suspicious institutions
✅ Block front companies and illicit financial networks
✅ Increase transparency in government payments

💡 The goal is straightforward: cut off the money that finances Iran-backed militias instead of confronting them solely through force.

📈 These developments suggest that the environment in Iraq is beginning to change. As financial oversight improves and longstanding corruption is addressed, the country appears to be moving toward a stronger and more transparent banking system. That creates a more favorable foundation for Iraq's economy and, over the long term, for the Iraqi dinar.

⚠️ Important: These reforms are encouraging, but they do not by themselves confirm or announce a revaluation (RV) of the Iraqi dinar.

There is a growing sense that Iraq is entering a new phase—one focused on financial integrity, international confidence, and economic reform. The direction appears increasingly positive for both Iraq and the future of the Iraqi dinar.

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Iraq clearly care about strengthening the national currency!!! #iqd #iqd update #podcast

 

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🚨 Major Change at the Central Bank of Iraq! 🇮🇶🏦

 MNT GOAT

Article:  “ALI AL-ALAQ WAS RELIEVED OF HIS POSITION AS GOVERNOR OF THE CENTRAL BANK AND NIZAR NASSER WAS APPOINTED IN HIS PLACE.” Nasser, was the head of the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Office under the central bank...These are two VERY important areas of concern for the RV... I believe we are closer than ever for the dinar to get reinstated...  

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🚨 Major Change at the Central Bank of Iraq! 🇮🇶🏦

Article: "Ali Al-Alaq was relieved of his position as Governor of the Central Bank, and Nizar Nasser was appointed in his place."

This leadership change could be one of the most significant financial developments Iraq has seen in recent years.

Nizar Nasser previously headed the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Office within the Central Bank of Iraq. Those responsibilities are not only essential for protecting Iraq's banking system—they are also fundamental to building international confidence in the country's financial sector.

Why is this important?

✅ Strengthening Anti-Money Laundering (AML) measures helps Iraq meet international banking standards.

✅ Combating terrorist financing is a key requirement for deeper integration into the global financial system.

✅ A stronger, more transparent banking system makes it easier for international banks and investors to do business with Iraq.

For years, many observers have believed that banking reform, AML compliance, and financial transparency are among the essential building blocks for Iraq's monetary reform. Appointing someone whose expertise is centered on these areas may signal that Iraq intends to continue accelerating those efforts.

💵 What could this mean for the IQD?

While this appointment does not, by itself, announce any change in the value of the Iraqi dinar, many who closely follow Iraq's monetary reforms view it as another potentially meaningful step.

A modern banking system, strong regulatory oversight, reduced financial crime, and full compliance with international standards are all elements that can support a stable and internationally connected monetary framework.

In my opinion, this leadership change reinforces the direction Iraq has been moving toward—greater financial transparency, stronger international integration, and continued progress in its monetary reform agenda.

With the pace of reforms we've seen in recent months, I believe Iraq is putting more of the necessary pieces in place than ever before. Every major banking reform, every anti-corruption measure, and every step toward international financial integration strengthens the foundation for the Iraqi dinar's future.

👀 The momentum continues... and many believe Iraq is closer than ever to seeing the dinar fully reinstated on the international stage.

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🇮🇶🚀 Iraq Is Entering a New Financial Era! ⭐

🇮🇶🚀 Iraq Is Entering a New Financial Era! ⭐

A recent report from Al-Mada suggests that Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi's upcoming visit to the White House could mark the beginning of a new chapter in U.S.–Iraq relations, with discussions expected to focus on:

🤝 Stronger economic cooperation
💰 Banking and financial reforms
⚖️ Fighting corruption and money laundering
🛡️ Security and state sovereignty
🏗️ Expanding U.S. and Gulf investments

💵 What Could This Mean for the IQD?

One phrase stood out to me: "liberalizing and strengthening Iraq's monetary system."

In my opinion, this could mean much more than banking reform. It could involve:

✅ Removing financial restrictions that have limited Iraq's international financial system.
🌐 Fully reconnecting Iraq to the global financial network.
💵 Reducing—and ultimately eliminating—the influence of the parallel dollar market through a stronger and more transparent monetary system.
🏦 Increasing international confidence in the Iraqi dinar.
📈 Allowing the IQD to operate within a modern, stable, and internationally integrated financial system.

The report specifically mentions goals such as reducing exchange-rate volatility, minimizing the impact of the parallel market, and liberalizing Iraq's monetary system. From my perspective, these are key building blocks that many believe are necessary for the Iraqi dinar to eventually operate at a value supported by a modern, stable, and internationally integrated financial system.

Overall, this report paints the picture of a possible new phase for Iraq—strengthening its institutions, attracting international investment, modernizing its financial system, and deepening its integration with the regional and global economy.

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FINAL SIGNING AT THE WHITE HOUSE… AL-ZAIDI TO LAUNCH A “SECOND IRAQ” IN MID-JULY.

BARAK’S PLAN: BAGHDAD AS THE HEART OF A “NEW MIDDLE EAST”

Ali al-Zaidi is close to setting a political precedent that could make him one of the fastest Iraqi prime ministers to reach the White House after assuming office. His anticipated visit to Washington in mid-July is not seen as a mere protocol visit, but rather as an attempt to inaugurate a new phase in the relationship between Baghdad and Washington, more than two decades after the 2003 regime change in Iraq.

Political assessments suggest that the visit represents an opportunity to restructure the relationship between the two countries on different foundations, transcending the legacy of past years and opening the door to broader cooperation on energy, economic, and security issues. However, according to observers, this path will not be without obstacles, given the continued influence of Iran and armed factions in the Iraqi landscape.

The Iraqi government announced last Monday that al-Zaidi would visit Washington in mid-July at the invitation of US President Donald Trump, shortly after US envoy Tom Barrack’s visit to Baghdad, which was accompanied by leaks that sparked widespread interest regarding issues of weapons, corruption, and the future relationship between the two sides. Academic and political analyst Mohammed Naanaa believes that Tom Barrack’s meeting with al-Zaidi was a crucial step in preparing for the anticipated visit.
Naanaa told Al-Mada that the details of the visit were discussed during the meeting, including the issues mentioned in the Prime Minister’s office statement. 

These issues pertain to the complete disarmament of Iraqis, the consolidation of all armed groups under the command of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, the expansion of the American presence in Iraq, particularly for companies operating in the southern oil fields, and the granting of significant licenses to Starlink. 

He added that these indicators, in his opinion, reflect an Iraqi alignment with the American vision for the future of the relationship between the two countries. He considers al-Zaidi’s visit to be pivotal and the culmination of a series of contacts, dialogues, and reciprocal visits led by Barrack and the US Chargé d’Affaires in Baghdad, leading to what he describes as “the final signing of the new relationship between the two sides. ” But Naanaa believes this path will not be without its challenges. He argues that any stability Tehran achieves will prompt it to revitalize its influence within Iraq, and that armed factions may return to exert greater pressure on the power structure, either directly or through their political representatives in parliament and the government. The researcher emphasizes that Iraq should consider what it stands to gain from this burgeoning relationship, which is expected to culminate in the White House meeting on July 15. He stresses the importance of securing clear American support in three key sectors: banking, energy, and defense. According to Naanaa, Baghdad needs American assistance in acquiring air defense systems to protect the country, and support that will help liberalize the Iraqi monetary system, reduce exchange rate volatility, and mitigate the impact of the parallel dollar on citizens’ livelihoods. Furthermore, assistance is needed to resolve the gas import crisis for electricity generation through alternative solutions, including floating power platforms. The issues of weapons and sovereignty were also discussed. During their recent meeting in Baghdad, al-Zaidi and Barak emphasized the importance of building a strong and mutually beneficial Iraqi-American partnership.

According to the official statement, the two sides discussed a shared vision for building a “brighter, terrorism-free” future, implementing plans for complete disarmament, dissolving all armed groups and formations operating outside the authority of the state, and ensuring that weapons are solely in the hands of the state and that full sovereignty is established.

They also stressed the need to keep Iraq out of regional conflicts and prevent its territory from being used by any party to threaten security and stability in the region, emphasizing the urgent need to fully achieve these goals.
Iraq at the heart of a new Middle East.

Former diplomat Ghazi Faisal, however, views the visit from a broader perspective that transcends the bilateral relationship between Baghdad and Washington.
He tells Al-Mada that the new American initiative, which emerged after Tom Barrack was assigned the Iraq portfolio, is based on major strategic projects, including strengthening coordination and economic integration between Iraq and Syria, ultimately aiming to build a nucleus of regional cooperation that may later include Cairo, Amman, and Beirut, in addition to Baghdad and Damascus.

Faisal believes the region is facing a new phase, especially after what he calls the “historic agreement” to resolve long-standing crises with Iran dating back to 1979. He considers this agreement a precursor to a new Middle East map based on development rather than wars and conflicts.

He adds that Iraq is at the heart of these transformations, and that al-Zaidi’s visit could be a starting point for the country’s transition from the security, political, and economic chaos that has accompanied the post-2003 era to building a truly democratic state.
He emphasizes that the visit could lay the foundation for deeper economic and investment relations, because, as he describes it, investment is what creates jobs and stimulates the economy, while currently, about 75% of the budget goes to salaries at the expense of development and investment.

Faisal also expects the United States to support Iraq’s efforts to combat corruption within ministries, banks, and companies, and to pursue networks involved in smuggling and money laundering.

He points out that the environment created by armed factions and financial corruption in recent years has driven companies and investors to leave Iraq or freeze their projects, which necessitates providing new security and political guarantees to restore confidence in the Iraqi economy.

The visit he concludes, represents an opportunity to review the mistakes made by Washington and Iraqi political parties over the past two decades, and to move Iraq from a failing and declining state to a more stable one, better able to integrate into its regional environment. According to political sources who spoke to Al-Mada, Tom Barrack only arrived in Baghdad after Washington received initial positive signals regarding several demands it had previously conveyed to the Iraqi government. 

The sources describe Barrack’s visit as pivotal in the course of Iraqi-American relations, considering it the foundation for a new phase, distinct from the period following 2003, based on clear commitments and mutual interests. 

The most prominent American demands, according to these sources, include the disarmament of all armed factions without exception, preventing their participation in the government, and completing the integration of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) into official security institutions after removing leaders affiliated with armed factions. The sources indicate that these issues are still under discussion and have not yet been definitively resolved.

The American demands also include closing more than ten banks accused of smuggling dollars and involvement in money laundering, restructuring other financial institutions, expanding anti-corruption measures, and opening the door to broad American and Gulf investments. According to sources, Washington links the success of these measures to the influx of major investments that Baghdad needs in the energy, infrastructure, and services sectors.

If these conditions are not met, Barak informed Iraqi officials, according to the same sources, that “all options are open,” and that the United States will act in accordance with its interests.

Compared to his predecessors, if the visit takes place as scheduled, al-Zaidi will be one of the fastest Iraqi prime ministers to reach the White House.
Only Nouri al-Maliki rivals him in this regard, having visited Washington four times during two terms, with his first visit coming just two months after assuming the premiership. In contrast, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani waited about 17 months before meeting former US President Joe Biden, amid American reservations and internal complications.

For his part, Ahmed al-Yassiri, an Iraqi political analyst residing in Australia, believes that focusing on the speed or timing of the visit does not reflect its true importance.
He tells Al-Mada that al-Zaidi did not request the visit, but rather received an invitation from the US administration. Therefore, linking its significance to the time elapsed since his assumption of office is inaccurate.

He adds that the visit’s true importance lies in providing the Iraqi political system with American backing during a sensitive regional period, and in restructuring the relationship between Baghdad and Washington amidst the ongoing transformations in the region, particularly concerning the Iranian issue and the redrawing of security and political alliances.

Al-Yassiri, who also heads the Arab-Australian Center for Strategic Studies, believes the visit will also exert internal pressure on the Iraqi government to present a realistic program regarding investment and the entry of American companies, in addition to ensuring the continued flow of Iraqi funds and preventing the country from being exposed to the risks of US sanctions.

He emphasizes that these issues will shape the features of the next phase, regardless of al-Zaidi’s ability to achieve quick results or immediate breakthroughs.

Political support or practical results?
Munqith Dagher, Middle East and North Africa director and a member of the board of directors of Gallup International, views the visit as more of a message of political support than an exceptional event.

He tells Al-Mada that the visit carries a ceremonial dimension for al-Zaidi and represents an American attempt to demonstrate its support for the Iraqi Prime Minister, especially since Washington—in his estimation—played a key role in his rise to power through Tom Barrack. Dagher believes the timing might have been better had it been delayed slightly, but he acknowledges that American motives dictated the visit’s timing. He adds that it wouldn’t be a negative development if al-Zaidi succeeds in using the opportunity to raise important Iraqi issues and secure greater American support on vital matters.
He concludes by saying that the true measure of the visit will depend on its actual outcomes: will it remain within the realm of protocol and political messaging, or will it become a starting point for genuine progress on the outstanding issues between Baghdad and Washington?