Iraq’s Parliamentary Election Reveals Dangerous Tug-of-War Between Sovereignty and Foreign Influence

As Iraq heads to the polls in a parliamentary election that holds profound consequences, the American public should watch closely—not just for regional stability, but for how this vote impacts our national security and strategic posture in the Middle East.Since the 2003 U.S.-led liberation that toppled Saddam Hussein, Iraq has struggled with violence and sectarian division. Yet today's election is less about raw security threats and more about controlling a fractured system where Iran-backed militias vie openly for political power, challenging Iraqi sovereignty while complicating Washington’s efforts to maintain influence.Is Iraq Free to Choose Its Own Future?The candidacy of groups...