Based on a Miqrab AI analysis of 426 X / Twitter posts trending in Iraq on January 24, 2025, the social media landscape was dominated by discussions on international politics, particularly the implications of Donald Trump’s return to the US presidency for Iraq and the wider Middle East. This included widespread commentary on his potential policies toward Iran, Saudi Arabia, and regional conflicts. Domestically, conversations were marked by sharp criticism of Iraqi political leaders and parties, debates over sectarian identity and demographics, and concern over ongoing security threats from ISIS and the PKK. Other key narratives included allegations of Iranian influence within Iraqi state institutions, the persecution of Shiite communities in Syria, and internal political debates regarding federalism and corruption.

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

1. Donald Trump’s Return and US Foreign Policy Shifts

Multiple accounts discussed the implications of Donald Trump’s return to the US presidency, focusing on his potential foreign policy changes. Sufian Al-Samarrai (Post Impact: 46%) shared a video claiming Trump would deploy the National Guard to carry out mass deportations of illegal immigrants, alleging that “axis of evil” countries had sent criminals and terrorists among them. Essam Hussein (Post Impact: 40%) characterized Trump’s potential second term as a period of unprecedented extortion, particularly toward Gulf nations. Meanwhile, Haider (Post Impact: 8%) quoted Trump as rejecting military force to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, instead saying he wants Iranian leaders to have a “great country” but without such weapons. Emad Bajalan (Post Impact: 26%) shared a video of Trump, simply describing him as a “psychopathic disaster.”

2. Intense Criticism of Iraqi Political Leadership

Sharp criticism was directed at prominent Iraqi political figures and the ruling establishment. Dr. Hussein Al-Safi (Post Impact: 100%) posted an image of Muqtada al-Sadr with the caption, “You will remain a terrorist in the eyes of the Iraqi people.” In a different vein, Rusly Al-Maliki (Post Impact: 24%) argued that the Shiite public suffers the most under the “Shiite political majority,” pointing to poor living conditions, corruption, and lack of services in southern provinces like Nasiriyah and Amara. He noted that the Tishreen protests were led by Shiite youth who felt their future was stolen, concluding, “This is the reality, and let anyone who can, refute me.”

3. Alleged Iranian Influence in Universities and Legal Action Against MP

A significant narrative emerged around claims of Iranian influence in Iraqi universities, specifically targeting Minister of Higher Education Naim Al-Aboudi. Independent MP Sajjad Salim (Post Impact: 41%) stated that after he spoke about Iranian influence, Minister Al-Aboudi instructed public universities to file lawsuits against him. He noted that the University of Basra was the first to do so, the same university that experienced a major ethical scandal under Al-Aboudi’s tenure. This was echoed by Hiba Alnnayib (Post Impact: 8%), who accused “the judiciary” of colluding with the “Minister of Corruption” to lift Salim’s immunity. Zaidoq96 (Post Impact: 6%) also commented on the situation, contrasting the legal pursuit of Salim with the authorities’ failure to prosecute killers and corrupt officials.

4. Sectarian Narratives and Demographics in Baghdad

The annual pilgrimage commemorating the martyrdom of Imam Musa al-Kadhim sparked discussions about the sectarian identity of Baghdad. Emad Al-Musafir (Post Impact: 29%) argued that even if the Ministry of Planning removes the sect field from the census form, the massive turnout for the pilgrimage proves that “Shiites constitute the majority in Iraq and that Baghdad has a Shiite majority.” This sentiment was shared by Abu Darandash Al-Askari (Post Impact: 10%), who posted a photo of the crowds with the caption, “Baghdad is Shiite according to what we see, not what we hear.” Other accounts like Wasan Al-Shaikhli (Post Impact: 7%) simply posted the phrase “Baghdad is Shiite.”

5. Security Incidents: ISIS and PKK Attacks

Users reported on two separate deadly security incidents. One was an ISIS attack in the Tarmiyah district north of Baghdad. Haider (Post Impact: 14%) shared an image announcing that ISIS had officially claimed responsibility for the attack, which resulted in the deaths of six security personnel. Abu Darandash Al-Askari (Post Impact: 12%) also posted about the incident, referring to ISIS as “tribal revolutionaries.” In a separate event, accounts reported that PKK elements attacked Iraqi border guards on the Iraqi-Turkish border. Haider (Post Impact: 13%) noted that an Iraqi Ministry of Interior statement described the PKK as a “terrorist” organization for the first time.

6. Concern Over Persecution of Shiites in Syria

Several accounts expressed alarm over reports of attacks against Shiite communities in Syria. Shahou Al-Qaradaghi (Post Impact: 11%) shared a statement from Nouri al-Maliki, who expressed “great pain” over the “crimes against unarmed Shiite youth in Syria” and held the new administration there responsible for protecting them. Hassan Alkaaei (Post Impact: 10%) described the situation as “campaigns of extermination and massacres” in Homs, happening solely because of their Shiite identity. Haider (Post Impact: 9%) posted an appeal from a Syrian Shiite who felt abandoned by the “axis of resistance,” questioning why support fronts were opened for Palestine but not for them.

7. Hypocrisy Allegations Regarding Israeli Company Boycotts

Sufian Al-Samarrai (Post Impact: 82%) accused certain groups of hypocrisy regarding boycotts of Israeli-linked companies. He claimed that millions were spent on social media campaigns to promote boycotts, but after a ceasefire was announced, these same groups rushed to “kiss the heels of Jewish companies.” He described this as “Islamist hypocrisy that no degenerate on this earth will ever reach.” In a related post, Sufian Al-Samarrai (Post Impact: 8%) also criticized Hamas, stating that they hid like “rats” during the fighting but began executing people in the streets of Gaza after the ceasefire.

8. Debate on Sunni Federalism vs. Decentralization

Political commentator Mashaan Al-Jabouri (Post Impact: 30%) addressed calls from some Sunnis to establish a federal region encompassing Sunni-majority provinces as a solution to what they perceive as sectarianism and marginalization. He argued against this, stating that the solution is not an autonomous region but comprehensive reform of the entire system of governance. In a follow-up post, Mashaan Al-Jabouri (Post Impact: 4%) elaborated that administrative decentralization is a more practical option. He warned that a sectarian region could lead to internal power struggles, destabilize the country, and provoke regional actors, whereas decentralization would grant provinces control over their local affairs while preserving national unity.

9. Saudi Payments to Trump to Counter Iran

Commentators discussed large financial payments from Saudi Arabia to Donald Trump, allegedly aimed at influencing US policy in the Middle East. Ahmad Abdulsada (Post Impact: 9%) analyzed the motivation behind a potential $600 billion payment, suggesting that while the first term’s payments were to counter Iran and its allies, the new focus for Saudi Arabia is to use Trump to stop the expansion of the Muslim Brotherhood, particularly in Syria under Al-Julani. Essam Hussein (Post Impact: 40%) viewed the payment as pure extortion, claiming Trump felt the initial figure was too low after Saudi Arabia’s quick compliance. ahmedmeckya (Post Impact: 9%) contrasted Saudi Arabia’s perceived gains from its payments to Trump with Nouri al-Maliki’s tenure, where he claimed $900 billion was spent while half of Iraq fell to ISIS.

10. Criticism of Iran’s Regional Strategy

Quotes attributed to Sheikh Aws al-Khafaji circulated, criticizing Iran’s foreign policy and its treatment of its allies. Rusly Al-Maliki (Post Impact: 13%) and Shahou Al-Qaradaghi (Post Impact: 7%) both shared a video in which Al-Khafaji claims Iran sacrificed its allies, stating, “Iran allowed for the targeting of Mr. Hassan Nasrallah and Lebanon and the fall of Syria, as it is known to sacrifice its limbs to preserve its heart, which is the Islamic Republic.” This narrative suggests a growing disillusionment with Iran’s role, portraying it as a self-interested power willing to abandon its regional partners.