Political analyst Hassan Al-Amiri says that a closer look at the comments made by U.S. Special Envoy Tom Barak shows that there is growing regional worry about what’s happening inside Iraq’s political scene—especially after certain factions gained more seats in parliament. According to Al-Amiri, this rise gives these groups a form of “new political legitimacy” that strengthens their position in the country.
Al-Amiri told dinaropinions.com that Israel views Iraq through two main lenses.
First, it sees the Iranian influence expanding west toward Syria and Lebanon.
Second, it sees Iraq turning into a possible logistical and military backup zone in any future regional conflict.
He explained that the progress made by these factions in politics—not just on the ground—gives them influence that now reaches the legislative and political arenas, not only the military one. Israel considers this a worrying shift in Iraq’s balance of power.
Al-Amiri added that Barak’s comments act like an “early warning”, showing that the U.S. and the region believe these factions are getting stronger while Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani’s ability to maneuver is becoming more limited.
According to Al-Amiri, Iraq’s political scene now shows al-Sudani shifting from a prime minister who enjoyed strong support to a leader pressured by internal tensions and external concerns. At the same time, international players fear any sudden attempt to remove him, as he is seen as the most suitable figure for integrating Iraq into wider regional plans, including what some describe as the New Middle East project.
He stressed that al-Sudani is not expected to fall or lose his position anytime soon. Instead, the coming phase will likely push him to:
• reshape his political alliances,
• make certain internal compromises,
• toughen the government’s stance against non-state groups, and
• reassure regional and international partners that he can still maintain balance.
Al-Amiri said Barak’s statements are more than political talk—they point to a shift in Iraq’s power dynamics and rising regional concern about what comes next.
