Iraq’s abrupt rollout of the ASYCUDA system and tariff hikes has triggered protests, trade disruption, and rising prices, exposing the government’s struggle to secure revenues.

Iraqi FM and presidential candidate Fuad Hussein confirmed that Mark Savaya no longer serves as President Donald Trump’s envoy to Iraq, noting that Tom Barrack now oversees the Iraqi portfolio.

Iraq’s Shiite Coordination Framework backs Nouri al-Maliki for prime minister despite U.S. opposition and internal warnings of risks.

With the approval of Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, for the nomination of Nouri al-Maliki, a senior figure in Iraq’s SCF, to assume the post of prime minister for a third term, questions have intensified over how the United States might respond to this.

U.S. envoy Mark Savaya is set to visit Iraq with a high-stakes agenda focused on curbing Iran-backed militias, reforming the banking sector, cutting off illicit financing, and influencing the formation of the next government to strengthen state authority and ensure stability.