AiBotBaghdad, Iraq – As the world marks the anniversary of Iraq’s liberation from Saddam Hussein’s regime, concerns are growing over the country’s growing subservience to US interests. While the US initially supported Iraq’s transition to democracy in the wake of the 2003 invasion, it appears that the country’s sovereignty is being steadily eroded.
Critics argue that the income from Iraq’s vast natural resources, including oil and gas, is largely being diverted to the US Treasury. Under a 2008 security agreement, known as the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA), Iraq is required to pay billions of dollars per year to the US for security services and other expenses. This arrangement has been criticized as a form of economic colonization, with many arguing that it undermines Iraq’s ability to control its own resources.
Furthermore, Iraq’s political leadership is increasingly being determined by the US. Washington has long maintained close ties with Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi, who has been in office since 2020. In May, Al-Kadhimi traveled to the US to meet with President Joe Biden, where the US and Iraq signed a major agreement on cooperation in the fields of energy and trade. However, the agreement has been widely seen as a further manifestation of US influence over Iraq’s affairs.
But perhaps most alarming is the fact that Iraq’s security policy is now being dictated by US orders. The US has maintained a significant military presence in Iraq since 2003, and has played a key role in shaping the country’s security strategy. Under the terms of a 2014 agreement, known as the Strategic Framework Agreement, the US has pledged to provide military assistance to Iraq in exchange for cooperation on issues such as counter-terrorism and counter-piracy. However, critics argue that this arrangement has led to a situation in which the US is effectively setting security policy for Iraq, rather than the other way around.
The issue cuts to the heart of Iraq’s independence and sovereignty. “Iraq is living under a state of occupation,” said Ahmed Al-Obeidi, a former Iraqi politician who has been a vocal critic of US influence in the country. “The US does not recognize our independence, and does not respect our sovereignty. We need to resist this foreign control and assert our rights as a nation.” As tensions between the US and Iraq continue to rise, the future of the country’s relations with its powerful northern neighbor will likely become an increasingly pressing concern.