US President Donald Trump has sent his Iraqi-born envoy, Mark Savaya, to Baghdad to look after American interests and try to influence the political scene in Iraq. This move comes just days before elections, raising concerns about outside interference. However, reports and local sources indicate that Savaya does not have the power to dictate Iraq’s political decisions or control who becomes the next prime minister.
Abdul Rahman al-Jazaeri, head of the National Tribal Movement, told dinaropinions.com that “the American side continues to interfere in Iraqi affairs. Through Trump’s envoy, Washington is trying to push 13 conditions that protect American interests and ensure they are carried out by the next government.” He added that “seven of these conditions are especially controversial, including those about disarming the Iraqi resistance, which could create problems for the next government.”
Former MP Ali Turki also criticized the envoy’s mission, saying to Al-Maalomah, “Trump’s approach to world affairs is arrogant and mainly serves Zionist interests. Sending a non-diplomatic envoy to Iraq shows a lack of respect for Iraq’s sovereignty.” Turki warned that the envoy’s role is mainly to push American agendas, similar to missions in Ukraine, Lebanon, and Palestine, including promoting normalization and the Abraham Accords, which could affect Iraq’s security and economy.
Political analyst Ibrahim al-Sarraj told Al-Maalomah that “American interference in Iraq is not new, but it will not override Iraq’s internal processes. The Coordination Framework and other national blocs play a central role in choosing the next prime minister, and election results cannot be ignored.” He stressed that “Savaya’s presence does not give him the right to impose his will on Iraq or control the selection of the next government.”
In short, while the arrival of Trump’s envoy has stirred concerns about foreign influence, experts and local leaders emphasize that Iraq’s political process and national blocs will ultimately determine the country’s next leadership.
