Iraq’s Man in the Middle
Iraq's new prime minister faces the challenge of balancing relations between the United States and Iran, advocating for economic engagement over military presence during a period of heightened US-Iran conflict. Despite a planned withdrawal of US troops, skepticism remains about their departure, especially if regional tensions escalate.
Why it matters
Iraq's geopolitical position is critical for regional stability, and its prime minister's efforts to navigate US-Iran tensions directly impact the future of the Middle East, potentially influencing conflict, trade, and security.
The country’s new prime minister is trying to navigate between Washington and Tehran.
Graeme Sloan / EPA / Bloomberg / Getty July 21, 2026, 3:55 PM ET Share Save E very Iraqi prime minister since the fall of Saddam Hussein has inherited the same impossible job: Convince Washington that Iraq is not slipping entirely into Iran’s orbit while convincing Tehran that it is not becoming an American outpost.
Iraq’s new prime minister now faces that challenge under the most trying of circumstances. The United States and Iran are at war—and Iraq sits between them. When I met with Ali al-Zaidi during his visit to Washington, D.C., last week, which included an Oval Office audience with President Trump, I was looking for signs that Iraq’s strategy had changed. Instead, I heard a familiar refrain: fewer American troops; more American business.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in