This report summarizes the key themes and narratives across 586 X \/ Twitter posts trending in Iraq on November 18, 2025, based on an analysis by Miqrab AI. The most dominant conversation celebrated the Iraqi national football team’s victory over the UAE, which prompted congratulations from across the political spectrum. Another major topic was the high-profile visit of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the United States, which generated discussions about regional power dynamics, US-Saudi relations, and economic investments. Domestically, conversations revolved around the aftermath of the recent parliamentary elections, with commentary focusing on the formation of the next government, the integrity of politicians, and broader critiques of the political system. Other significant topics included political meetings in the Kurdistan Region, controversial statements by the Iranian president regarding Syria, and sectarian rhetoric about the identity of Baghdad.<\/p>\n
The victory of the Iraqi national football team, the “Lions of Mesopotamia,” over the United Arab Emirates in Basra dominated online discussions, with numerous political figures and the public celebrating the win which secured Iraq’s place in the global play-offs for the 2026 World Cup. Top politicians including Prime Minister Mohamed Shia Al-Sudani<\/a> (Post Impact: 57%<\/strong>), influential cleric and political leader Qais Al-Khazali<\/a> (Post Impact: 100%<\/strong>), Speaker of Parliament Mohammed Al-Halbousi<\/a> (Post Impact: 30%<\/strong>), former Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki<\/a> (Post Impact: 11%<\/strong>), and Head of the National Wisdom Movement Ammar Al-Hakim<\/a> (Post Impact: 13%<\/strong>) all issued statements congratulating the Iraqi people and the team. While most celebrated the national achievement, some posts had a more aggressive tone, such as Abbas Al-Ardawi<\/a> (Post Impact: 34%<\/strong>), who celebrated the victory over the “Jews of the nation, the statelet of the UAE.”<\/em> On a more positive note, user Haydar<\/a> (Post Impact: 22%<\/strong>) shared videos showing friendly interactions between Iraqi and Emirati fans after the match in Basra.<\/p>\n Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s (MBS) visit to the United States and his meeting with President Donald Trump garnered significant attention, with users discussing the diplomatic and economic implications. Accounts like Rusly Al-Maliki<\/a> (Post Impact: 40%<\/strong>) and Sufian Samarrai<\/a> (Post Impact: 12%<\/strong>) highlighted the “unprecedented” and lavish reception MBS received at the White House. Rafid Jaboori<\/a> (Post Impact: 16%<\/strong>) reported that Trump announced the completion of a joint defense agreement, the sale of advanced F-35 jets to Saudi Arabia, and that MBS conditioned normalization with Israel on a roadmap for a Palestinian state. The economic aspect was also prominent, with Zaid Benjamin<\/a> (Post Impact: 10%<\/strong>) noting MBS’s statement about growing Saudi investments in the US. However, the visit also drew criticism, as seen in a post by Wasan Al-Shaikhli<\/a> (Post Impact: 30%<\/strong>), who contrasted MBS’s announcement of a trillion-dollar investment in America with the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza who lack shelter.<\/p>\n High-level political meetings took place in Duhok on the sidelines of the sixth annual Middle East Peace and Security Forum, focusing on the results of the recent parliamentary elections and the formation of the next government. Ammar Al-Hakim<\/a> (Post Impact: 13%<\/strong>), head of the National Wisdom Movement, posted about his meeting with President Masoud Barzani, KRG President Nechirvan Barzani, and KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, where they discussed the successful elections and the need to expedite government formation. KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani<\/a> (Post Impact: 7%<\/strong>) also shared details of his meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohamed Shia Al-Sudani, emphasizing the need for “political stability” and protection of the Kurdistan Region’s constitutional entitlements, including salaries. Mashaan Al-Jabouri<\/a> (Post Impact: 7%<\/strong>) praised Masoud Barzani’s ability to bring together PM Al-Sudani and Chief Justice Faiq Zaydan, suggesting Barzani’s wisdom remains a “safety valve for all of Iraq.”<\/p>\n Following the parliamentary elections, discussions on X \/ Twitter turned to the formation of the next government and the qualities required for the prime minister. Ammar Al-Hakim<\/a> (Post Impact: 10%<\/strong>) explicitly called for the formation of a “strong and balanced government.” Veteran politician Ezzat Alshabandar<\/a> (Post Impact: 11%<\/strong>) urged the Coordination Framework, before naming candidates, to first establish the “specifications and standards” a prime minister must meet at the personal, national, regional, and international levels. In a more critical tone, Adnan Al-Taie<\/a> (Post Impact: 15%<\/strong>) sarcastically commented that the “Coordination Framework forces want a district manager, not a prime minister,” implying they seek a weak and pliable leader. Similarly, Dr. Qusay Shafiq<\/a> (Post Impact: 5%<\/strong>) claimed that the Framework has set strict conditions for the next PM, including that they cannot run in future elections or form a party, effectively ruling out Al-Sudani for a second term.<\/p>\n A post quoting recent statements by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian regarding Iran’s role in Syria drew sharp condemnation. The account Aayad Al Twfan<\/a> (Post Impact: 32%<\/strong>) shared remarks attributed to Pezeshkian, including claims that Iran “sought security and peace in Syria,” “paid huge sums of money to protect the Syrian people,” and that Bashar al-Assad “was not a strong president and eventually fled.” The Iranian President was also quoted as saying Iran expects its money back and that the “Syrian people are ungrateful.” The X \/ Twitter account strongly refuted these statements, using the proverb, “Speak to the sane about the unbelievable, and if he believes you, then he has no mind,”<\/em> and citing the reality of one million Syrian martyrs and 13 million displaced people as a direct contradiction to Iran’s claims of humanitarian support.<\/p>\n A series of posts by user Wesam Aziz<\/a> (Post Impact: 22%<\/strong>) promoted a sectarian vision for the city of Baghdad, sparking controversy. The user called for the removal of all statues and the changing of street names associated with what he termed “the killers of Ahl al-Bayt,” referring to figures from the Umayyad and Abbasid eras. He proposed renaming streets after “the original companions of the Prophet” and companions of Imam Ali. Going further, the user explicitly demanded that Baghdad be renamed “Kadhimiyin,” a name referring to the shrine of Imam Musa al-Kadhim in the city. In another post, the same user declared, “Baghdad is Shiite. No condolences to the minorities in it,”<\/em> clearly advocating for a mono-sectarian identity for the historically diverse Iraqi capital.<\/p>\n A significant corruption case in Ukraine was a topic of discussion among Iraqi users. The account Sufian Samarrai<\/a> (Post Impact: 27%<\/strong>) reported that Dmytro Basov, the Executive Director of Security for Ukraine’s state nuclear energy company, Energoatom, was arrested after a raid on his home by the Ukrainian Security Service. The arrest is allegedly linked to an ongoing “$100 million money laundering and bribery scheme.” The account commented that money intended to support Ukraine’s war effort “went to the corrupt,” and suggested that President Zelensky had previously turned a blind eye and is only now taking action against these officials.<\/p>\n Two accounts highlighted former Member of Parliament Raed Al-Maliki as an example of political integrity, contrasting him with widespread corruption. Ahmad Abdulsada<\/a> (Post Impact: 14%<\/strong>) praised Al-Maliki for living in a simple hotel room affiliated with the Kadhimiya shrine throughout his four-year term, which he claims saved the state over 128 million dinars. He also noted that Al-Maliki donated his allowances, including for personal protection, to the poor. Similarly, Dr. Haider Al-Barzanji<\/a> (Post Impact: 7%<\/strong>) described Al-Maliki as a “noble and authentic” figure whose tears and pain for his countrymen are worth more than any position. Both posts presented him as a symbol of hope for reform and an indictment of politicians who use their positions for personal gain.<\/p>\n Discontent with the Iraqi political and electoral system was a recurring theme. The account Salam Al-Husseini<\/a> (Post Impact: 10%<\/strong>) shared a detailed critique from academic Dr. Ramadan Al-Badran, who stated that the political system is “emaciating and destroying the state” and that elections are merely “a poll to divide public money among political forces” rather than representing the will of the people. Another critical view was expressed by Mula Abood Al-Karkhi<\/a> (Post Impact: 7%<\/strong>), who claimed that parties associated with “uncontrolled weapons” have secured 106 seats in the new parliament. He lamented the lack of a “brave MP” who would wear a bulletproof vest to the first session to symbolize a “parliament armed to the teeth,” expressing a deep-seated distrust in the democratic process and its outcomes.<\/p>\n2. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s High-Profile Visit to the US<\/h2>\n
3. Political Leaders Converge in Duhok for Security Forum and Post-Election Talks<\/h2>\n
4. Debates Over Government Formation and Criteria for Next Prime Minister<\/h2>\n
5. Criticism of Iranian President’s Statements on Syria<\/h2>\n
6. Sectarian Calls to Reshape Baghdad’s Identity<\/h2>\n
7. Reports of High-Level Corruption in Ukraine<\/h2>\n
8. Praise for Former MP Raed Al-Maliki as a Model of Integrity<\/h2>\n
9. Criticism of Iraq’s Political System and Electoral Outcomes<\/h2>\n
10. New York Times Report on “Forgotten” Kenyan Children in Saudi Arabia<\/h2>\n