Here's a short wrap-up video of the 2026 Iraq Dialogue. Lots of amazing insights from our distinguished panelists and a great opportunity to network with old and new friends. We can't wait to do it again next year.

Good conversation with @diyarkurda and @RudawEnglish on a range of Iraq issues: militia disarmament, Erbil-Baghdad relations, and perhaps most importantly, the KDP-PUK division and how that is undermining Kurdish interests at home and abroad.

SCOOP: @USAMBTurkiye Barrack heads to Iraq as US presses Baghdad on Iran-backed militias. Barrack is expected to meet with KRG leaders and with @MazloumAbdi in Erbil as well al-monitor.com/originals/202…

On June 9, I joined @YousefQiblawy at the @AtlanticCouncil's Global Energy Forum for a fireside chat to discuss energy security and recovery in Syria. Below Qiblawy shares how the Syrian Petroleum Company is working to help meet the local electricity demand. #GEF26

Iraq foreign minister is even more pessimistic than me He said the country may be unable to pay public salaries next month if Hormuz remains shut (link) I didn't think that would happen until late July or August (video below) bloomberg.com/news/articles/…

#Iraq is printing banknotes to pay salaries (inflation ⬆️?) and could face #economic collapse, says Iraqi FM Fuad Hussein. Three potential #geopolitical medium-term consequences: 👉🏻 This means more leverage for the U.S. if #IMF assistance to Iraq is on the table (provided U.S. handing over of withheld oil proceeds is insufficient). 👉🏻 Such assistance may be coupled with more pressures regarding the disarmament of #Iran-aligned Iraqi factions. 👉🏻 The current Iran-Israel escalation over #Hezbollah and whether Iraqi groups respond is a factor.

Another reason why Iraq is one of this war’s biggest losers

Iraq’s militias face a spiritual and organizational dilemma that gravely endangers their existence in the wake of Iran’s leadership change, writes @MUNQITHDAGHER. Read more ⤵️ atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/me…

And here's today's statement from Kata'ib Imam Ali announcing their own steps towards disarmament. This follows last week's statement from Moqtada Sadr and today's earlier announcement from Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq's leader Qais al-Khazali. Statement: Out of a sense of national responsibility, preserving the gains of victory, strengthening national unity, and supporting the sovereignty of the unified national state, and based on the legitimate religious and national duty, the leadership of Kataib Imam Ali (ع) has decided to sever ties with the Popular Mobilization Forces formations, and to begin immediate procedures to place weapons under the control of the state, in coordination with the national will and the decisions of the brothers in the coordination framework. In this appropriate context, we renew our pledge to our people and our loved ones, and to the families of the martyrs and our wounded heroes, that we will remain committed to the pledge, committed to this pure land, and defending it and its gains on all fields. The arena today is a battle to build a strong, capable state with full sovereignty over its land and its sky, united by all its components. The resistance today is not a profession, nor an idea or belief, but rather a responsibility and a duty that requires restricting weapons to the hands of the state, strengthening security institutions, and expanding the rule of law. Accordingly, the leadership has decided to form committees as follows: • Committee for following up on the process of integration and transfer under the supervision of the General Commander of the Armed Forces. • Committee for following up on the affairs of martyrs and wounded, who will be received at the first care center. • Committee for following up on the affairs of individuals, retirees, and re-integrating them within state institutions. • Committee for the glory and eternity of the martyrs of Iraq, and the speedy treatment of the wounded and injured, and their families remaining on this pure land so that Iraq remains united, enjoying peace, and rising to the level of major states. And Allah is the Granter of Success. Imam Ali Battalions General Secretariat Tuesday, 2 June 2026

And to waive his miranda rights!

Asa’ib Ahl Al-Haq (AAH) statement on disarmament. The details will be important, but this is a major announcement. Translation here: In alignment with the call of the supreme religious authority, and in response to the national stance expressed by the brothers in the Coordination Framework, and in confirmation of what was stated by the Secretary-General of Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq, His Eminence Sheikh Qais al-Khazali, on 13/12/2017 regarding the disengagement from the Popular Mobilization Forces and restricting weapons to the hands of the state: The leadership of Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq has decided to implement this directive by forming a central committee, chaired by Hajj Jawad al-Talibawi, with the following members: • Rafid Salih Ali (Hajj Mufid) • Abdulillah Shakir Kamil (Hajj Abu Dhafir) • Ali Hamza Kazem (Hajj Abu Baker al-Jubouri) The committee is tasked with completing all requirements, procedures, and special measures to implement this decision. This includes the withdrawal of all individuals and weapons, along with all logistical and institutional matters related to the full disengagement from the Popular Mobilization Forces, in a manner that aligns with the requirements of the armed forces and state institutions, and serves the supreme national interest. Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq Tuesday, 2 June 2026

According to the American Foreign Service Association, nearly 2k Foreign Service Officers left in the past year. This is out of an estimate 13k total. I'd wager that the number of departures is significant at the Senior Foreign Service level. Those are decades of experience that will not be replaced overnight. nbcnews.com/politics/nationa…

U.S. Army Central has published a statement announcing the death of an American Soldier during a “military training accident” with the British Army at Erbil Air Base in Northern Iraq on May 31, 2026.

In the tradition of those who have long studied the Levant and Anatolia — Iraq, Syria, and Turkey remain the strategic fulcrum upon which any enduring Middle East stability must pivot. Balancing these three nations requires a single, consistent point of American contact and leverage — transcending tribal, religious, or sectarian differences. This vital mission, embraced by President Trump, seeks to aid the region in aligning itself toward shared prosperity by weaving its disparate threads into one coherent tapestry of order and mutual interest.

Thanks to @Tamerbadawi1 for having me on his podcast to discuss militia disarmament in Iraq, what the United States wants to see from the next government, and how Iran is part of this picture.

Tom Barrack officially adding Iraq as well, formalizing what had been his de facto role.

This is likely not the last time we're going to see the juxtaposition of Iraqi government statements for the militias to disarm and militias firing drones and rockets as neighboring countries. ***** The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Iraq expresses its condemnation of the targeting of the sisterly State of Kuwait with missiles and drones, stressing its rejection of all actions that threaten the security and stability of the countries of the region. The ministry stresses the importance of restraint and avoiding escalation, which contributes to reducing tension and enhancing regional security and stability, stressing the need to adopt dialogue and diplomatic means to address crises. The Ministry also affirms the Republic of Iraq’s support for all regional and international efforts aimed at preventing the spread of violence and working towards peaceful solutions that preserve the security and stability of the peoples of the region. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Iraq, May 29, 2026

A few thoughts on Moqtada Sadr's announcement that he will disband Saraya al-Salam. This statement is consistent with Sadr's messaging for years and is not the first time Sadr has declared his readiness to do this. He has said he would disarm SAS for years, but has often stated he would do so when other militias did as well. Over the years, Sadr has undergone an evolution in some respects, breaking with Iran and guiding SAS away from kinetically attacking the United States. While not attacking the United States, Sadr remains ideologically anti-American and firmly anti-Israel (and definitely anti-semitic). What is different now? Groups like Asa'ib ahl al-Haq, which has Sadrist roots, are now expressing their own willingness to disarm and integrate into the formal state security structure in response to significant pressure from the United States and and their own changed priorities (securing their political and economic interests, for example). Did Sadr make this announcement now to beat AAH leader Qais al Khazali to the punch or to put more pressure on other groups? I have no idea. The Sadrists won't talk to me 🤣