Iraq Prime Minister Ali al‑Zaidi pushes state reform amid US‑Iran rivalry

Iraq, one of the Middle East’s most strategic states because of its geography and vast oil reserves, continues to grapple with the legacy of the 2003 invasion, the dissolution of its army and ongoing political fragmentation. Internal divisions among parties, regional authorities, tribes and militia forces, alongside widespread corruption and economic hardship, have limited the central government’s ability to assert authority.

Prime Minister Ali al‑Zaidi has pledged to restore state power by tackling corruption, modernising the civil service, promoting economic development and attracting foreign investment. His government seeks to balance competing pressures from the United States and Iran, both of which maintain significant influence in Iraq, while navigating the country's complex internal power‑sharing arrangements.