Iraq’s prime minister carries the title, but not the power
Summary
Ali al-Zaidi recently became Iraq’s prime minister after the U.S. pressured Iraqi political groups to choose him. Though he holds the title, real power comes from U.S. financial control over Iraq’s oil revenue and influence through envoy Tom Barrack. The U.S. wants Iraq to disarm armed militias, but some groups tied to Iran refuse, leaving the situation unresolved as the U.S. prepares to withdraw troops.Key Facts
- Ali al-Zaidi was chosen prime minister quickly under pressure from Washington.
- The U.S. Treasury froze Iraq’s dollar shipments, which are vital for the country’s budget.
- Iraq’s oil money is held in a New York Federal Reserve account controlled by the U.S.
- Tom Barrack serves as U.S. envoy to Iraq, Syria, and Turkiye, using financial tools to influence Iraq.
- Some armed militias refuse to disarm or come under Iraqi state control, especially those connected to Iran.
- U.S. military strikes and sanctions have targeted Iranian-backed militia leaders in Iraq.
- Iraq set a September 30 deadline to disarm militias, coinciding with the planned U.S. troop withdrawal.
- U.S. companies like Chevron want to expand oil and energy projects in Iraq to boost production.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.
