Based on an analysis of (523) X / Twitter posts trending in Iraq on January 26, 2026, Miqrab AI identified several key themes and narratives. The dominant conversation revolved around US-Iraq relations, particularly a stark warning from the United States against the formation of an Iran-controlled government, which directly impacts the contentious nomination of Nouri al-Maliki for prime minister. This contributed to a broader theme of escalating regional tensions, with widespread discussion of a potential US-Iran conflict, fueled by reports of American military buildup and public pledges of support for Tehran from powerful Iraqi armed factions. Concurrently, users expressed significant concern over cross-border security threats, including the resurgence of ISIS and the activities of other militant groups in Syria. The discourse also covered broader geopolitical shifts, with detailed analyses of Saudi Arabia’s changing alliances, as well as domestic political maneuvering and factional clashes within Baghdad.

Today’s Top 10 X (Twitter) Trends in Iraq:

1. US Warns Iraq Against an Iran-Controlled Government

The most prominent topic of discussion was a direct warning from the United States to Iraq regarding the formation of its next government. The U.S. Embassy Baghdad (Post Impact: 13%) and multiple commentators reported on a call between U.S. Secretary of State Rubio and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shiaa al-Sudani. According to the U.S. readout, Rubio stressed that “a government subject to Iran’s control cannot successfully put Iraq’s interests first, keep Iraq out of regional conflicts, or foster a mutually beneficial partnership between the United States and Iraq.” This message, also highlighted by accounts like Steven Nabil (Post Impact: 9%) and Rafid Jaboori رافد جبّوري (Post Impact: 6%), was widely interpreted as an explicit rejection of the potential premiership of Nouri al-Maliki. Aayad Al Twfan – أعياد الطوفان (Post Impact: 8%) noted Iran’s response that this was an internal Iraqi affair. The U.S. Embassy also posted a graphic with a photo of President Trump and the text “We are watching Iran closely,” as seen in another of its posts (Post Impact: 100%).

2. Intense Debate Surrounds Nouri al-Maliki’s PM Candidacy

The nomination of Nouri al-Maliki for prime minister by the Shiite Coordination Framework has ignited a firestorm of debate online. Supporters like Ezzat Alshabandar | عزت الشابندر (Post Impact: 19%) addressed the “Shiites of the Framework,” urging them not to abandon al-Maliki after giving him their confidence multiple times. Conversely, fierce opposition emerged from others. Mithal Al-Alusi (Post Impact: 5%), speaking for the “civilians and liberals of Iraq,” announced his “absolute rejection” of al-Maliki’s candidacy, invoking the victims of the Speicher massacre and the Tishreen protests. Hiba Al-Na’ib | هـبـة النـائـب (Post Impact: 4%) stated that al-Maliki’s name is historically linked to the entry of ISIS into Iraq. Meanwhile, political maneuvering continued, with Muthanna al-Samarrai | مثنى السامرائي (Post Impact: 6%) reporting on a meeting between the Azm Alliance and al-Maliki to discuss constitutional deadlines and government formation.

3. Alarm Over ISIS Resurgence and Militant Activity in Syria

Numerous posts raised alarm over a deteriorating security situation in Syria and its potential spillover into Iraq. Citing the head of the Iraqi Intelligence Service, Haidar | حيدر (Post Impact: 12%) reported that the number of ISIS fighters in Syria has surged from around 2,000 to nearly 10,000 in one year, with new recruits including disgruntled former allies of “Al-Sharaa” and members of Arab tribes. In another high-impact post, Haidar | حيدر (Post Impact: 24%) reported that “Al-Joulani gangs” kidnapped an Iraqi citizen visiting relatives in Syria and are demanding a ransom. Issam Hussein | عصام حسين (Post Impact: 10%) shared a video of a woman whose beauty salon was allegedly robbed by these gangs. This has led to criticism of Iraqi forces, with Najeh Abbas Al-Mizan | ناجح عباس الميزان (Post Impact: 12%) stating mockingly that Hashd militias went to the border to prevent ISIS, but now there are over 10,000 ISIS members in Baghdad.

4. Iraqi Militias Pledge Support for Iran Amid US Tensions

As fears of a U.S. military strike against Iran grow, several Iraqi armed factions and their supporters have publicly pledged allegiance to Tehran. The Badr Organization, led by Hadi al-Amiri, issued a statement shared by Dr. Zaid Abdulwahab Al-Adhami | د. زيد عبدالوهاب الأعظمي (Post Impact: 10%) and Ali Farhan | علي فرحان (Post Impact: 4%), announcing its “unwavering and principled position in supporting the Islamic Republic of Iran against American-Israeli arrogance.” In a more symbolic act, Sabereen News | صابرين نيوز (Post Impact: 7%) and Abu Mzeal | ابو مزيعل (Post Impact: 5%) posted photos of Abu Hussein al-Hamidawi, the Secretary-General of Kata’ib Hezbollah, filling out a form to volunteer as a “martyr” in defense of Iran. Abu Mustafa Al-Khafaji | ابومصطفى الخفاجي (Post Impact: 8%) predicted that a fatwa for “defensive jihad” would be issued from Najaf and Qom.

5. Reports of US Military Buildup and Posturing Towards Iran

Multiple accounts shared news of increased U.S. military movements in the region, interpreting them as direct threats to Iran. ZaidBenjamin زيد بنيامين (Post Impact: 4%) reported on the arrival of the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier group in the Middle East, citing a Fox News official. Dr. Ali Al-Jabiri | د. علي الجابري (Post Impact: 11%) noted that U.S. President Donald Trump was expected to hold a closed-door meeting with the commander of the U.S. Air Force. This military posturing was accompanied by direct rhetoric from Trump, quoted by Rusly Al-Maliki 🇮🇶 رسلي المالكي (Post Impact: 12%) and Haidar | حيدر (Post Impact: 5%), who said, “I don’t want to talk about what I will do with Iran… We have a large fleet there, larger than we had in Venezuela.” Commentators saw these moves as clear signals of a potential impending conflict.

6. Economic Analysis Warns of Imminent Global Monetary Collapse

A detailed economic analysis warning of an impending global financial crisis gained traction. The article, written by Luay al-Khatteeb لؤي الخطيب (Post Impact: 10%) and also shared by Rusly Al-Maliki 🇮🇶 رسلي المالكي (Post Impact: 5%), predicts the “collapse of the global monetary system” tied to the U.S. dollar. The author argues that massive global debt and continuous money printing have eroded the real value of paper currencies. The piece forecasts that the value of gold and silver will continue to rise and advises individuals to convert their cash into real assets like real estate and precious metals, concluding that “the upcoming crisis is not seasonal but a harsh and radical reset of the entire global financial system.”

7. Commentary on Israel’s Actions and the Aftermath in Gaza

The aftermath of the recent conflict in Gaza was a subject of pointed commentary. Faiq Al-Sheikh Ali/Kalimati Lil Tarikh | فائق الشيخ علي/كلمتي للتاريخ (Post Impact: 18%), responding to news that Israel had recovered the body of its last soldier, offered a scathing summary of the outcome for Palestinians: Gaza was destroyed, its people were displaced, and Hamas was finished. He rhetorically asked Hamas, “Is this what you wanted?” In a similar tone, Sufian Al-Samarrai | سفيان السامرائي (Post Impact: 4%) declared that Israel had “triumphed in Gaza” by retrieving its last hostage and that it would ultimately defeat the entire “axis of terrorist jihad,” vowing that those who started the war would pay a heavy price.

8. Analysis: Saudi Arabia Pivots Away from US-Israel Alliance

A significant regional strategic shift was detailed in two extensive posts by ZaidBenjamin زيد بنيامين (Post Impact: 20%, Post Impact: 8%), which summarized opinion articles from *National Interest* and *The Jerusalem Post*. The analysis posits that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is moving away from normalization with Israel and a broader alliance with the United States. Instead, he is reportedly strengthening ties with Turkey and Qatar to create a new regional bloc. This realignment is attributed to a combination of factors, including internal opposition to normalization, a reduced perception of the threat from Iran, and viewing Israel and the UAE as emerging regional competitors. The articles advise the U.S. to reassess its strategy, including the potential sale of F-35 fighter jets to Riyadh.

9. Kurdish Political Leaders Hold Key Diplomatic Meetings

Iraqi Kurdish leaders were reported to be actively engaged in diplomacy amid the country’s political shifts. Qubad Talabani (Post Impact: 6%) posted about his visit to Baghdad, where he held separate meetings with the ambassadors of the Netherlands, France, and Türkiye to discuss the political situation and the formation of federal and regional governments. Separately, Haidar | حيدر (Post Impact: 11%) reported on a meeting between Hussein Al-Alawi and Shakhwan Abdullah, head of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) bloc in parliament, to discuss several political files. Additionally, Rusly Al-Maliki 🇮🇶 رسلي المالكي (Post Impact: 5%) reported on a call between U.S. official Thomas Barrack and KDP leader Masoud Barzani, where the U.S. position against an Iran-formed government was reiterated.

10. Reports of Clashes Between Militias in Baghdad’s Green Zone

Tensions between powerful Iraqi factions reportedly spilled into a physical altercation within Baghdad’s heavily fortified Green Zone. Yasser Eljuboori – ياسر الجبوري (Post Impact: 10%) was among the first to report on the incident, describing it as “gunfire and a brawl between #Badr and #Sadiqoun inside the Green Zone.” This was corroborated by Hiba Al-Na’ib | هـبـة النـائـب (Post Impact: 5%), who mentioned a “scuffle between one of the factions and security forces” near the Babylon Restaurant, across from the U.S. Embassy. The reports, though brief, underscore the persistent rivalries and potential for conflict among the dominant armed political groups in the capital.