A “grim” American image of al-Zaidi: He disappointed like Abdul Mahdi

A “grim” American image of al-Zaidi: He disappointed like Abdul Mahdi

2026-10-24

Shafaq News – Special Translation
The Middle East Forum Institute, an American think tank, presented a “grim” picture of Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi, since his appointment as prime minister in place of his predecessor Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, and how he owes his rise to his predecessor Nouri al-Maliki, but is repeating the mistakes made by Adel Abdul Mahdi, and is currently “lying” to US President Donald Trump.

The American Institute recalled al-Zaidi’s political rise, after he said that “elections in Iraq are real, as Iraq is perhaps the only Arab country where no one, from politicians to ordinary citizens, has any idea who the new prime minister will be when they go to the polls.”

The institute also noted in a report translated by Shafaq News Agency that al-Zaidi was only 16 years old when US forces launched the “shock and awe” operation against Baghdad and ended Saddam Hussein’s rule, pointing out that 52% of Iraqis were born after the fall of Saddam and many, like al-Zaidi, reached adulthood under the new regime.

The report described al-Zaidi as intelligent, having built political relationships, maneuvering well, and engaging in the patronage game, given that Iraq remains among the most corrupt countries in the world. After reviewing al-Zaidi’s economic, banking, and commercial background, the report concluded that the theory behind assigning al-Zaidi was that he could bring a fresh face and a more pragmatic approach to Iraqi politics.

According to the report, the White House supported al-Zaidi for two reasons: First, he was not Nouri al-Maliki, whom the report described as “corrupt, sectarian, and who repeatedly sold Iraq’s sovereignty to Iran”; and second, al-Zaidi pledged to be serious about disarming Iranian-backed factions, a commitment he made to President Trump when they met at the White House.

However, the report saw this thinking as merely a reflection of wishes, indicating that al-Zaydi may have been chosen by al-Sudani through the coordination framework, but it added that al-Zaydi owed his political rise and wealth to al-Maliki.

The report noted that al-Zaidi, like his predecessors, told the US president what he wanted to hear, then did the opposite. It also pointed out that the memorandum of understanding Trump signed with Iran eased the pressure on al-Zaidi and convinced Maliki and other pro-Iranian “proxies” like Hadi al-Amiri, Qais al-Khazali, and Qubad Talabani that they could withstand American pressure.

The report concluded that al-Zaydi had failed to keep his promises to rein in the Badr Corps, Kataib Hezbollah, and Asaib Ahl al-Haq, and that he had increasingly sought to facilitate new Iranian infiltrations.

After noting the cancellation of contracts granted to telecommunications companies to build a single communications network away from the risk of Chinese components or Iranian commercial agents, the report accused al-Zaydi of ineffectiveness and deception, contributing to the strengthening of Iranian influence, and that through his subservient loyalty to al-Maliki, he is now putting all of Iraq at risk.

In the summer of 2018, protests erupted in Basra after contaminated water sent 100,000 people to the hospital and sickened thousands more. While many Americans view Shia Muslims as Iranian proxies, many Iraqi Shia Muslims despise Iran. The protests culminated in the burning of the Iranian consulate.

After mentioning the Basra demonstrations in the summer of 2018 due to polluted water, the report noted that Adel Abdul Mahdi emerged in October 2018 as Prime Minister, five months after the elections, pointing out that Abdul Mahdi was a familiar face as he had previously served as Minister of Oil, Minister of Finance and Vice President, adding that the Iraqis did not give him a long honeymoon period because he was one of the domestic political figures.

While the report noted that Iraq’s universities produce more university graduates than the state and the private sector can provide them with meaningful jobs, it pointed out that unemployed graduates organized sit-ins in September 2019, which were met with water cannons by security forces. Meanwhile, Abdul Mahdi dismissed General Abdul Wahab al-Saadi, a popular leader opposed to ISIS. Anger reached a boiling point, with demonstrations by young Shiites erupting on October 1 in Baghdad and across southern Iraq under the slogan “We want a homeland.” They criticized religious parties as corrupt and the political system as causing deprivation, with political bargaining between parties prevailing over the results of the popular will.

According to the report, the response to the October movement was “brutal,” with live ammunition fired at crowds while Abdul Mahdi shut down the internet service, and factions kidnapped activists. Meanwhile, protesters attacked Iranian consulates in Karbala and Najaf, and Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani’s Friday sermon urged the parliament to reconsider its support for the government. Abdul Mahdi then announced his resignation, although he remained in office until May 2020, when Mustafa al-Kadhimi took over.

The report went on to say that al-Kadhimi disappointed activists, lacked charisma, had a corrupt office, gave Iran room to maneuver in exchange for appeasement, and achieved little reform.

He added that al-Zaydi, by prioritizing al-Maliki over the masses, is also disappointing Iraqis, adding: “The danger is that the protesters, after accepting the promises of reform, will not be fooled again.” If a new October movement breaks out, the protesters will target the entire ruling establishment, which could risk the collapse of Iraq and the intervention of neighboring countries.

The report concluded that what will happen is a “firestorm,” but the question now is whether Trump will remain sitting while al-Zaidi “lies” to him and profits from selling gasoline to those who might start the fire.

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