Iraq must not become an Iranian banana republic

The withdrawal of American and other international forces from Iraq comes at one of the most difficult and dangerous moments amid the US-Iran war. Over the past decade, Iraqi political forces and institutions have sought to preserve Iraq’s sovereignty and the independence of its decision-making. With the departure of the Americans, Iran now seeks to fill the vacuum. Evidence of Tehran’s project suggests that it aims to control decision-making in Baghdad and dominate key state institutions, inclu