At a Glance

• US Special Envoy Tom Barrack praised Iraq's direction in a post on X on Friday.

• He described Iraq as choosing sovereignty, investment, and partnership over proxy.

• His remarks follow his meeting with Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi in Baghdad on Thursday.

US Special Envoy to Iraq Tom Barrack said Friday that Iraq is charting a path of sovereignty and partnership in a post on X reflecting on his talks with Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi in Baghdad a day earlier.

Key Statements and Focus Area

• Barrack on Iraq's Direction: "Under Prime Minister Al-Zaidi, it is choosing sovereignty over dependency, investment over stagnation, and partnership over proxy." — Tom Barrack, US Special Envoy to Iraq, on X.

• Barrack on Regional Responsibility: "America is a partner in it, not a substitute for it." — Tom Barrack.

• Focus Area: Washington's message on Iraq's role in the region and its push to deepen economic ties while easing tensions.

Barrack compared the Middle East to a Rubik's Cube, saying every side touches every other and that no single country, and no outside power, can solve it alone. It comes together, he wrote, only when the nations of the region decide to turn the pieces themselves, patiently and together.

He said Iraq is doing exactly that, and that the United States is proud to stand with it by deepening economic and commercial ties and opening the door to American companies and Iraqi talent alike.

He added that the talks also covered the harder work of lowering the temperature across the region, containing crises before they spread and choosing diplomacy over escalation.

That responsibility, he said, belongs first to the region, to neighbors willing to own their security and their future. A sovereign, prosperous Iraq anchored in such a region, he wrote, is good for Iraqis, their neighbors, and the United States.

Al-Zaidi received Barrack on Thursday, according to the Prime Minister's office, with discussions covering bilateral relations, economic and investment cooperation, and the importance of intensifying diplomatic efforts to contain crises and prevent conflicts from spreading.

FYI

Tom Barrack serves as President Trump's Special Envoy to Iraq, a role focused on US-Iraqi relations, investment, and regional diplomacy.

Washington has repeatedly voiced support for Baghdad's efforts to strengthen state authority and expand economic partnerships, while Iraq seeks to balance its ties with the United States and its neighbors amid regional tensions.

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