Trump’s signals to Baghdad: Messages of support or a game-changer?
Trump’s signals to Baghdad: Messages of support or a game-changer?
2025-12-06 02:03
Shafaq News – Baghdad
In recent weeks, there have been increasing indications of a growing American presence in the Iraqi political and security scene, coinciding with statements by US President Donald Trump that observers considered to have implications beyond the context of diplomatic courtesy.
These developments come at a time when caretaker government of Mohammed Shia al-Sudani is trying to strengthen its domestic position, amid growing talk of undeclared American support for extending his term, and the potential impact of this on regional interactions, especially with the decline of the Iranian role.
While some of Baghdad’s steps, including the inclusion of the Lebanese Hezbollah and the Ansar Allah group “Houthis” on terrorism lists, and then the practical reversal of the decision, are interpreted as part of a response to regional and international changes, critics believe that the government is trying to take advantage of the American momentum to enhance Sudani’s chances for a second term.
Sudanese and Trump
The outgoing Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, confirmed last Wednesday that since assuming his duties, he has been keen to build “friendships” that serve the country, in an apparent reference to the statement made by the US President about Iraq.
Trump had stated in a statement to reporters at the conclusion of a long session of the US administration at the White House last Tuesday that since the destruction of Iranian nuclear facilities, Iraq has become a completely different country, and its relations with the United States have improved, adding: “The Prime Minister of Iraq has nominated me for the Nobel Peace Prize.”
Trump pointed out that Tehran used to be a bully in the Middle East and exert pressure on Iraq, and for a long time controlled the region, but it is no longer so now after we destroyed its nuclear weapon.
Political messages
In this context, prominent politician Mithal Al-Alusi believes that Trump’s recent statements are not isolated from the context of American policy towards the region and Iraq, noting that “Trump’s statements are part of Washington’s strategy to combat corruption and dismantle Iranian expansion in the region, and it is naive to consider them far removed from these constants.”
Al-Alousi told Shafaq News Agency that an inaccurate reading of these statements led some to believe they were support for certain figures, adding that “Trump is using his rhetoric to encourage those who are hesitant to realize the importance of Iraq in the equation of war and peace.”
Al-Alousi links the government disputes with the American file, pointing out that Baghdad’s reversal on classifying Hezbollah and the Houthis is a message that can be read as a request for American assistance, and an attempt to drag Washington towards confronting these groups, and at the same time a prelude to enabling the second term of the one whose term ended and who rejected the coordination framework,” in reference to Al-Sudani.
Washington regains influence
Political analyst Ayed Al-Hilali places Trump’s statements and “terror lists” within a broader framework that reflects a rearrangement of American influence in Iraq.
Al-Hilali told Shafaq News Agency that “the timing of Trump’s statements gives them a dimension that goes beyond mere courtesy, as they indicate the desire of the incoming US administration to rebuild its partnership with Baghdad and strengthen state institutions.”
He adds that the charged Iraqi political environment makes any American position a subject for exploitation, stressing that “some forces are using Trump’s statements to undermine Sudan and question the independence of its decision, in the context of an internal conflict that is escalating as the government entitlements approach.”
Al-Hilali points out that “the next stage will be characterized by high sensitivity. The government’s course in files such as terrorism lists and others will be a test of its ability to balance its relations and prevent the outside world from becoming an internal tool.”
For her part, political researcher Nawal Al-Moussawi believes that Iraqi moves in Washington played a role in redirecting American attention towards Baghdad.
Al-Moussawi told Shafaq News Agency, “Trump made it clear that Iraq was not among his priorities, but the Iraqi lobby in Washington stirred things up, and this caused annoyance among powerful lobbies.”
She points to a change in the nature of the relationship between the Shiite political center and Washington through the US President’s envoy, Mark Savaya. Direct American support for the government has emerged, even if not by name, but most American statements have focused on the last three years of the Iraqi government, which is the period of al-Sudani’s rule.
Al-Moussawi believes that “this indicates a clear American acceptance of Al-Sudani’s performance,” adding that “there is an American desire to extend Al-Sudani’s term, and a keenness to avoid any surprises in Iraq.”
But she believes that this support also reflects the decline of the Iranian role, as “the rise of the Sudanese with American support, in contrast to the erosion of Iranian influence, creates internal imbalances and raises concerns among traditional forces that have been accustomed to controlling the scene.”
Meanwhile, US envoy to Syria Thomas Barrack said that “Iranian-backed militias have gained considerable influence within the Iraqi parliament,” adding that “Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani is a good person, but he lacks sufficient political power due to the composition of the House of Representatives and the control exerted by parties linked to the Popular Mobilization Forces over the formation of coalitions.”
shafaq.com
