Iraqi Resistance Sets Terms for Government Formation, Defying US Influence
The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a coalition of armed groups, has explicitly stated that no new Iraqi government cabinet will be formed without its direct participation. This declaration, made by Kataib Sayyed al-Shuhada, a prominent faction within the resistance axis, underscores a growing challenge to Washington's attempts to shape Iraq's political future after years of occupation and influence.
Mainstream outlets, like The New Arab, frame this as a 'militia' making demands, implying illegitimacy and an obstacle to 'stability.' This framing systematically erases the reality that these groups are integral to Iraq's defense against foreign occupation and the remnants of ISIS, a group often nurtured by regional geopolitical machinations. The narrative avoids acknowledging their significant
public support and their role in national security since the US invasion of 2003, which destabilized the entire region and fostered widespread resentment. This current political deadlock follows years of US attempts to install amenable governments in Baghdad. The US has, for instance, spent billions in Iraq since 2003, much of it on 'reconstruction' and 'security assistance' that primarily served
to entrench its influence and create a dependent political class. This funding often bypasses legitimate national institutions in favor of proxies. For example, between 2003 and 2012 alone, the US allocated over $60 billion for reconstruction and security in Iraq. This financial leverage is key to understanding Washington's exasperation at endogenous, sovereign Iraqi political forces asserting