American Research Foundation: What does a Sadrist-led government mean?

[size=52]American Research Foundation: What does a Sadrist-led government mean?[/size]

[size=45]Translation/ Hamid Ahmed[/size]
[size=45]The American Heritage Foundation for Studies and Research stated in its report on the current political situation in Iraq after the elections of October 10, 2021 and what this constitutes for the foreign policy of the United States towards the country, that America has two main goals in Iraq: facing the influence of Iran and fighting The extremist organization ISIS. Fortunately, the official results of the Iraqi elections have created an opportunity for the United States to advance in pursuit of these goals.[/size]
[size=45]The first winner in these elections was represented by the cleric's movement, Muqtada al-Sadr, a prominent national figure. The Sadrist movement strengthened its balance in these elections by winning 20 additional seats for what it owned in the previous parliament, bringing its balance to 73 seats out of a total of 329 in the new parliament, while the Al-Fateh coalition led by Hadi al-Amiri, which includes representatives of armed factions within the Popular Mobilization, lost 31 seat, bringing his balance down from what he held in the previous parliament to only 17 seats in the new parliament.[/size]
[size=45]The results of the October 10 elections had provoked direct reactions from armed factions that led to tensions, and were accompanied last month by an assassination attempt on Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kazemi, with a drone attack on his residence in the Green Zone. But the Iraqi Electoral Commission confirmed on Tuesday the election results. This is what made the Sadrist movement considered as the largest undisputed bloc and has the final say in forming the next government.[/size]
[size=45]The Heritage Research Foundation report indicates that Al-Sadr is well known to US decision-makers since his forces were fighting US forces in the early days of the Iraq war and the US invasion. And the fact that, according to the election results, the Sadrist movement has become a weighty egg to form the government, it may resort to renewing a second presidential term for Al-Kazemi, who is accepted by the Americans.[/size]
[size=45]During the difficult security situation that befell Iraq in 2014 during the rule of former Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, and ISIS invaded large areas of Iraq and threatened to approach the capital, Baghdad, the Supreme Religious Authority issued a fatwa according to which the Popular Mobilization Forces were formed to confront ISIS, and the Sadrist movement achieved wide popularity through the participation of its military wing, Saraya al-Salam in Confronting the terrorist organization ISIS and helping the Iraqi forces to confront it. Following the defeat of ISIS in 2017, a decision was taken to integrate the PMF forces into the Iraqi military institution under the supervision of the government, including Saraya al-Salam forces under the direct control of the Prime Minister. While there are still certain factions that refuse to comply with the army's orders and act outside the government's control.[/size]
[size=45]The think tank states that despite Al-Sadr's positions against Iranian interference and his closeness to Al-Kazemi, which are two factors that support America's foreign policy goals toward Iraq, this does not prevent the movement from standing against the American presence. But there are indications that al-Sadr has become more pragmatic. He declared that all foreign embassies are welcome, including the United States, as long as it does not interfere in Iraq's internal affairs and government formation.[/size]
[size=45]Al-Sadr, on the other hand, encouraged better relations with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, which have friendly ties with the United States. He also repeated calls to curb armed groups that do not respond to the orders of successive governments and which call for arms to be confined to the hands of the state only.[/size]
[size=45]Al-Sadr had previously made it clear that the presence of armed factions is not a good factor for building a state, and therefore it must be integrated within the framework of the security forces to create a more united and cohesive Iraq.[/size]
[size=45]The report concludes that the United States must take a carefully considered approach in its foreign policy toward Iraq, a country beset by economic, social and political challenges and located in one of the world's most complex regions.[/size]
[size=45]Al-Sadr's position opposing the growing Iranian influence in Iraq and the political majority he enjoys in the upcoming parliament make him a crucial partner to bring Al-Kazemi back and give him a chance for a second presidential term. Thus, Al-Kazemi may take steps to restore Iraq to its position as an independent country that will reward Iran as a state to a state, rather than becoming a vassal of it.[/size]
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