“It’s no longer a separate issue”: Washington is reshaping its priorities in Iraq.

Diler Khalaf Osman, a researcher in international relations and Middle Eastern affairs at the University of Tennessee, confirmed on Monday that Washington’s decision to merge the Iraq and Syria files under the supervision of a single envoy reflects a fundamental shift in the American strategy towards the region.

Osman told Shafaq News Agency that this move confirms that the United States no longer deals with Iraq as a separate or isolated case with its internal particularities, but rather as part of a broader regional security and geopolitical architecture.

He added that this trend represents a shift from the American approach that has prevailed since 2003, which focused on democracy and development, to a regional approach that views Iraq from the perspective of regional balances, with the aim of reducing Iranian influence and redirecting the geopolitical course of the two countries in a way that serves American interests.

The researcher pointed out that the background of the new envoy, Tom Barrack, and his ideology related to the idea of ​​“America First” reveal the features of his mission, as he does not seem concerned with the files of democracy, federalism and political pluralism as much as he is concerned with strengthening the central state and its security capabilities, to ensure that it does not pose any threat to American interests, and to enable it to manage its security itself in the long term, which reduces the need for a direct American military presence.

Osman predicted that Barak’s sharp style and his quick and influential decisions, which characterized his management of the Syrian file, would be reflected in his handling of the Iraqi file, indicating that the challenges Barak will face in Baghdad will be more complex and intertwined compared to the Syrian file, given the multiplicity of power centers and their distribution among different political components and entities in Iraq, without a single entity or organization controlling the state completely.

He considered the regional challenge in Iraq to be the biggest obstacle. While Turkey, Washington’s ally, was the most influential power in post-Assad Syria, Barak faced deep and multifaceted Iranian influence in Iraq that would undermine his objectives, making his new mission a real test of Washington’s ability to reshape the balance of power in a highly fragmented arena.

On Sunday, US President Donald Trump announced the appointment of Washington’s ambassador to Ankara, Tom Barrack, as a special presidential envoy to Iraq and Syria. Trump said in a post on the Truth Social platform that “Tom Barrack will continue his duties as ambassador to Turkey and will perform his new duties with the full support of the State Department.”

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed last Saturday that Barak will continue to play a leading role in the Syria and Iraq files within President Donald Trump’s administration, despite the end of his term as special envoy to Syria.

Barak, the US ambassador to Turkey, took over the role of special envoy to Syria in May 2025, in parallel with the Trump administration’s moves to reformulate its approach to the Syrian issue and lift sanctions on Damascus, in light of Turkey’s growing role in the Syrian issue.

Rubio’s statements give an official dimension to the broader role that Barak has begun to play practically in Iraq as well, after he emerged during the past period at the forefront of American communications with Baghdad, following the failure of Mark Savaya to officially assume the position of Special Envoy to Iraq.

Shafaq.com

After the Chinese… MSC, the giant, returns to Umm Qasr after an absence of months

The giant ship “MSC” arrived on Monday at the ports of Umm Qasr in Basra, in the far south of Iraq, after an absence of more than three months as a result of the war and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

The Director General of the General Company for Iraqi Ports, Farhan Al-Fartousi, told Shafaq News Agency that the ship came from Dubai and is scheduled to carry 96 containers, all of which are for export and not for import.

He explained that the shipments include food items such as dates, soft drinks, and spare parts exported from Iraq to foreign markets.

Earlier today, the General Company for Iraqi Ports announced that the Umm Qasr North Port received its first cargo ship arriving directly from China via the Strait of Hormuz after the resumption of maritime traffic.

It stated that the ship “MV KSL XINYANG” docked at the port loaded with materials and equipment for the oil sector and various commercial goods with a total weight of 29,720 tons.

MSC (Mediterranean Shipping Company) is one of the world’s largest shipping companies, with a fleet of nearly 1,000 container ships, and operates a vast transport and logistics network covering hundreds of ports in more than 150 countries.

Shafaq.com

“The Red Bus”: Baghdad residents’ refuge from the summer heat and high transportation costs

The “Red Buses”, belonging to the Iraqi Passenger and Delegation Transport Company, continue to play their role in easing the burden of transportation for citizens in the capital, Baghdad, especially in areas of the city center such as Tahrir Square, Al-Shourja, Bab Al-Muadham, and the connecting lines between the two sides of Karkh and Rusafa.

These buses, which include single-decker and double-decker models, are a preferred means of transportation for a wide segment of employees, workers, and self-employed individuals, due to the low fares they offer compared to other means of transportation, as well as their contribution to reducing the suffering caused by traffic congestion during peak times.

Citizens told Shafaq News Agency that “the red buses, despite needing more attention, maintenance and improved cleanliness, still represent an important economic option for people with limited income.”

Citizen Abdul-Ilah told Shafaq News Agency, “The red buses have become a real lifeline for people with limited income. Despite their small number and the fact that we sometimes have to wait for more than a quarter of an hour in the parking lots, they remain better than the expensive taxis.”

He added that “the passenger can travel between Victory Square and Bab Al-Muadham and vice versa for only 500 dinars, which makes it a suitable means of transportation for a large segment of citizens in light of the current living conditions.”

Citizens hope for an increase in the number of red buses and the development of their services, which will contribute to strengthening public transport and relieving pressure on the main streets in the capital.

Two years ago, former Transport Minister Razak Muhaibis Al-Saadawi inaugurated the fifth public transport line in Baghdad, pledging that the “red bus” would reach all areas of the capital.

The Minister of Transport said in a speech during the opening ceremony that “the Ministry of Transport, represented by the General Company for Passengers and Delegations, has begun activating the fifth line of mass transit in the capital, Baghdad.”

Shafaq.com

Nechirvan Barzani discusses with al-Samarrai Baghdad’s measures to restrict weapons to the state

On Monday, Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani discussed with Muthanna al-Samarrai, head of the Azm Alliance, Baghdad’s measures to restrict weapons to the state, complete the government of Ali al-Zaidi, and fill the vacant ministries.

This came during Nechirvan Barzani’s reception of Al-Samarrai in Erbil, according to a statement issued by the Presidency of the Region and received by Shafaq News Agency.

During the meeting, the political situation in the country was discussed, as well as the importance of completing the government and filling the vacant ministries, and restricting weapons to the state. Both sides stressed the need for cooperation and coordination between political parties in order to serve the public interest and stability.

Relations between Erbil and Baghdad formed another focus of the meeting, according to the statement, where emphasis was placed on the need to resolve outstanding issues through dialogue and understanding, in a way that guarantees the interests of all and preserves the stability of the country.

Recent regional developments and the situation in the region were another focus of the meeting.

Shafaq.com

Al-Zidi directs the formation of the Supreme Sovereign Council for Integrity and Oversight

On Saturday, Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi directed the formation of the Supreme Sovereign Council for Integrity, Oversight and Recovery of Public Funds.

A statement from the Prime Minister’s Media Office, received by Shafaq News Agency, indicated that Al-Zaydi chaired a special meeting regarding procedures for auditing government contracts, in the presence of the head of the Federal Board of Financial Control, the head of the Federal Integrity Commission, the head of the Public Prosecution, and the judge of the Karkh Investigation Court specializing in integrity cases.

He added that Al-Zaydi directed the formation of the Supreme Sovereign Council for Integrity, Oversight and Recovery of Public Funds, headed by him and with the membership of the head of the Financial Control Bureau and the head of the Integrity Commission, to carry out oversight monitoring of ministries, non-ministerial entities and governorates on essential and important issues, in order to stop the waste of public funds and recover state funds, provided that the results of the council’s work are sent to the judiciary.

Al-Zaydi also directed, according to the statement, the need to verify the economic feasibility of projects and to have specialized subcommittees to audit government contracts in order to ensure their compliance with applicable laws and instructions.

The statement indicated that the meeting included a discussion on forming a central committee between the Financial Control Bureau, the Integrity Commission and the Ministry of Finance, to undertake the task of developing a mechanism for auditing and investigating government contracts before they are concluded, to ensure their compliance with the approved allocations.

Last Thursday, Al-Zaydi directed the regulatory bodies and the competent law enforcement authorities to initiate extensive investigation procedures regarding a number of important contracts concluded by ministries and government institutions, to ensure their compliance with laws and instructions and to protect public funds.

An official statement, received by Shafaq News Agency, stated that the directives included auditing those contracts, identifying shortcomings in them, and identifying those responsible for what was described as “injustice and abuse of public funds,” in addition to revealing the parties benefiting from them at the expense of the public interest.

Shafaq.com

Al-Jubouri: What happened in the session to grant confidence to Al-Zidi’s government was a conspiracy, and Al-Halbousi violated the law.

MP Iyad al-Jubouri, from the Azm Alliance, accused unnamed parties on Saturday of being behind what he described as a “conspiracy” to thwart the passage of a number of ministers during the vote on Ali al-Zidi’s government, stressing that the session’s management witnessed legal violations.

Al-Jubouri told Al-Maalomah News Agency, “What happened during the session to grant confidence to Ali Al-Zidi’s government was a conspiracy aimed at obstructing the passage of some ministers,” indicating that “the speed with which the results of the vote were announced and the use of the gavel by the Speaker of Parliament raised many questions.”

He added that “the Speaker of Parliament, Heba al-Halbousi, violated the law in the way he managed the confidence vote session,” stressing the need to “review the procedures that accompanied the session and hold those responsible for any legal violations accountable if they are proven.”

Al-Jubouri stressed that “respecting constitutional and legal procedures in managing parliamentary sessions is essential to ensuring the integrity of decisions issued and maintaining the integrity of the political process.”

Almaalomah.me

Al-Fayez sets a date for completing the cabinet.

The head of the “Design” coalition, Amer Al-Fayez, confirmed on Saturday that the completion of the ministerial cabinet of Prime Minister Ali Al-Zidi’s government will take place after the Eid Al-Adha holiday, noting that the decision will be made through an emergency session or immediately after the end of the parliamentary legislative holiday.

Al-Fayez told Al-Maalomah News Agency that “political forces and blocs are currently holding intensive internal meetings to discuss the names nominated to fill the remaining ministerial portfolios and to ensure the entitlement of the components and blocs.”

He added that “the vote on the candidates may be held in an emergency session called by the House of Representatives during its current legislative recess,” noting that “official meetings of the Coordination Framework forces are currently suspended, but will resume immediately after the Eid al-Adha holiday to finalize the matter.”

Almaalomah.me

MP: Power struggles within the Sunni bloc have widened the political divide

MP Kamel Al-Akeeli, from the Coordination Framework, confirmed on Saturday that one of the most prominent reasons for the disputes that accompanied the confidence vote session was due to the competition within the Sunni component regarding the distribution of positions and ministerial portfolios, noting that this conflict was directly reflected in the course of the session and the atmosphere of political consensus.

Al-Akeeli told Al-Maalouma that “the most prominent dispute was the competition between the Progress and Determination alliances regarding the distribution of positions and ministerial portfolios,” explaining that “this conflict was directly reflected in the process of passing some candidates within the House of Representatives, especially for the Ministries of Planning, Interior and Education.”

He added that “divisions within the Sunni bloc have brought back an atmosphere of tension to the political scene and have contributed to delaying the resolution of the remaining ministerial appointments.”

Al-Akeeli pointed out that “criticism directed at some political forces regarding the management of the negotiations file has escalated recently amid accusations of relying on temporary understandings and immediate deals instead of stable agreements,” explaining that “this approach has contributed to increasing the complexity of the political scene and weakening the chances of reaching a unified vision, especially with new leaders seeking to strengthen their influence and political presence, in contrast to the decline in the role of traditional figures who represented an influential weight in the political equation.”

Speaker of Parliament Haibat al-Halbousi faced numerous criticisms and accusations following his failure to manage the confidence vote session, amid objections from some political forces regarding the session’s management and the voting procedures that accompanied the vote of confidence for the cabinet members.

Almaalomah.me

Al-Zaydi and a delegation from Al-Sadr discuss the integration of Saraya Al-Salam into the security forces.

On Saturday, the Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Ali Faleh al-Zaidi, received a delegation representing the leader of the Shiite National Movement, Muqtada al-Sadr, in the presence of the Deputy Commander of Joint Operations and the personal secretary.

The Prime Minister’s Media Office stated in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency that the meeting discussed the mechanism for implementing Al-Sadr’s initiative to integrate the Peace Brigades into the Iraqi security forces and hand over weapons to the state, and a committee was formed for this purpose.

According to the statement, Al-Zaydi reiterated his appreciation for this patriotic stance taken by Mr. Muqtada al-Sadr.

The committee appointed by the leader of the National Current, Muqtada al-Sadr, regarding the disengagement of the Peace Brigades, announced yesterday, Friday, that it held its first meeting to officially disengage the brigades.

According to the media office, in accordance with what was stated in Al-Sadr’s statement, in which he ordered the completion of the procedures for the separation of the military side of the Peace Brigades from the national Shiite movement within a maximum period of one week, the assigned committee began yesterday, Friday, in order to follow up on the completion of the procedures for the separation of the military side of the Peace Brigades from the national Shiite movement.

The leader of the Shiite national movement, Muqtada al-Sadr, announced last Wednesday the separation of the “Peace Brigades” from the movement and the joining of its members to the state, while calling on the “Popular Mobilization Forces” to separate from “partisan and sectarian” orders.

Al-Sadr said in a statement, which was received by Shafaq News Agency, that “the decision came from the general interest of the nation, and in line with the dangers surrounding the nation.”

He added that the civilian entities attached to the “Saraya” will move to Al-Bunyan Al-Marsous without any headquarters, weapons, uniforms, addresses, or anything else.

A government source confirmed last Thursday that the move by the leader of the Shiite National Movement, Muqtada al-Sadr, came as a quick response to direct messages sent by Prime Minister Ali al-Zubaidi to the political forces that have armed wings, urging them to “disband them and integrate their members into official institutions.”

Shafaq.com

After his term ended, Rubio said: Tom Barrack will continue to play a leadership role in Iraq and Syria.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that US Ambassador Tom Barrack will continue to play a leading role in the Syria and Iraq files within President Donald Trump’s administration, despite the end of his term as special envoy to Syria.
Rubio said in a post on the X platform that “Ambassador Tom Barrack has played an invaluable role as our special envoy to Syria.”

He added that “this title will end, but he will continue to play a leading role in the Trump administration, in both Syria and Iraq, where his experience, relationships, and understanding of the America First agenda will continue to deliver gains on behalf of our great country.”

Barak, the US ambassador to Turkey, took over the role of special envoy to Syria in May 2025, in parallel with the Trump administration’s moves to reformulate its approach to the Syrian issue and lift sanctions on Damascus, in light of Turkey’s growing role in the Syrian issue.

Rubio’s statements give an official dimension to the broader role that Barak has begun to play practically in Iraq as well, after he emerged during the past period at the forefront of American communications with Baghdad, following the failure of Mark Savaya to officially assume the position of Special Envoy to Iraq.

Shafaq.com