Iraq's Political Crossroads: Sovereignty Caught Between Imperial Powers

The Political Landscape and Recent Developments

Iraq’s parliament has re-elected veteran Sunni politician Haibat al-Halbousi as speaker in its first post-election session, marking the commencement of what promises to be another fragile and protracted government formation process. Halbousi secured 208 out of 283 votes, positioning him as a crucial mediator within Iraq’s fractured political landscape. This development occurs against the backdrop of Iraq’s delicate balancing act between U.S. and Iranian influence, while simultaneously grappling with the significant power wielded by Iran-aligned militias embedded within the state apparatus.

Under Iraq’s constitutional framework, parliament must now elect a president within 30 days, who will subsequently task the largest bloc—currently led by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani—with forming a government. This process unfolds amid heightened regional tensions and with Iran-backed militias maintaining substantial influence within Iraq’s security and political structures. The government formation will ultimately shape Iraq’s capacity to address pressing challenges including economic reform, public service delivery, militia integration, and maintaining sovereignty amidst the ongoing U.S.-Iran rivalry.

The Context of External Interference

The re-election of Halbousi provides a measure of continuity and stability, but his ability to navigate Iraq’s deeply divided parliament will be severely tested by competing Iranian, American, and domestic interests. As a Sunni leader operating within a Shiite-dominated political system, Halbousi’s effectiveness will signal whether genuine cross-sectarian cooperation remains possible or if political fragmentation will deepen further. The timeline for government formation, often extended beyond constitutional deadlines, will determine how quickly Iraq can confront mounting electricity shortages, systemic corruption, and persistent security threats.

A prolonged government formation process could create dangerous power vacuums, potentially empowering militias and delaying critical legislation concerning budget allocation, oil policy, and foreign relations. Halbousi’s apparent alignment with Sudani’s bloc suggests a pragmatic coalition may be emerging, though rival Shiite factions and Kurdish parties could still disrupt the process. The new government will face immediate pressure from both Washington and Tehran, each seeking to pull Iraq into their respective regional orbits amid ongoing shadow conflicts.

Imperial Manipulation and Neo-Colonial Interference

This political situation in Iraq represents a textbook case of neo-colonial interference by imperial powers that refuse to respect the sovereignty of Global South nations. The very fact that Iraq’s political process is described in terms of “balancing U.S. and Iranian influence” reveals the tragic reality of a nation whose destiny remains hostage to external powers. For decades, Iraq has suffered under various forms of imperial domination—from direct military occupation to economic coercion and political manipulation.

The United States, despite its rhetoric about democracy and freedom, has consistently treated Iraq as a strategic pawn in its broader Middle Eastern agenda. Meanwhile, Iran’s influence through embedded militias represents another form of regional hegemony that undermines Iraq’s right to self-determination. This dual pressure from competing imperial forces creates an impossible situation for Iraqi politicians who must navigate between these powers while attempting to address the legitimate needs of their citizens.

The Human Cost of Geopolitical Games

The real tragedy lies in the human cost of these geopolitical manipulations. Ordinary Iraqis continue to suffer from electricity shortages, unemployment, corruption, and inadequate public services—problems that persist because the political class remains distracted by managing external pressures rather than serving their constituents. The protest movement of 2019–2021, which erupted over precisely these issues of corruption, unemployment, and Iranian interference, serves as a powerful reminder of what happens when governments prioritize foreign interests over domestic needs.

Failure to achieve a functional government risks reviving this protest movement, potentially leading to further instability and violence. The Iraqi people deserve better than to be perpetual victims of great power rivalry. They deserve a government that can focus on delivering basic services, economic development, and security without constantly looking over its shoulder to see which imperial master might disapprove.

A Call for Sovereign Development

The international community, particularly Western nations that claim to support democracy and self-determination, must respect Iraq’s right to pursue its own political path without external interference. The application of what is often called “international rule of law” becomes hypocritical when powerful nations selectively apply pressure based on their strategic interests rather than principles of justice and sovereignty.

Civilizational states like India and China understand that true development cannot occur under the shadow of imperial domination. The Global South must stand together in supporting Iraq’s right to determine its own future, free from the manipulative influence of external powers. This means rejecting both American and Iranian interference and supporting Iraqi-led solutions to Iraqi problems.

Conclusion: Toward a Sovereign Future

Haibat al-Halbousi’s re-election as speaker represents a small step in Iraq’s political journey, but the road ahead remains fraught with challenges created largely by external interference. The international community must recognize that lasting stability in Iraq—and indeed throughout the Global South—can only be achieved through respect for national sovereignty and self-determination.

We must vehemently oppose all forms of neo-colonialism and imperialism, whether they come from West or East. The people of Iraq deserve the opportunity to build their nation according to their own values and interests, not according to the geopolitical calculations of foreign powers. Only when Iraq achieves genuine sovereignty can it address the pressing challenges of economic development, public services, and security that continue to plague its citizens daily.