Based on an analysis of 448 X \/ Twitter posts trending on December 6, 2025, Miqrab AI found that the primary narratives in Iraq focus on severe political dysfunction and foreign influence. Dominant conversations centered on widespread criticism of the political class, particularly regarding the contentious race for Prime Minister, which many users described as being undermined by militia power. A significant portion of the discourse was dedicated to statements by US envoy Tom Barrack, who described Iraq as a past failure of US policy and current Prime Minister Al-Sudani as being powerless. This theme was complemented by posts highlighting the overt influence of Iran, with users condemning the public presence of Iran-backed factions in Baghdad. Other key topics included reports of a forthcoming US sanctions list targeting over a thousand Iraqi figures, leaked videos damaging the reputation of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, and congratulations for the national football team’s success.<\/p>\n
Prominent commentators expressed deep frustration with Iraq’s political situation, highlighting the paralysis in governance and the chaotic race for prime minister. Faiq Al-Sheikh Ali\/My Word for History<\/a> (Post Impact: 100%)<\/strong> described it as “shameful, disgraceful, and a disgrace”<\/em> that militias prevent the prime minister from governing while 16 candidates vie for the position, asking, “Have you ever in your lives seen anyone more despicable, trivial, foolish, vile, and base than these people?!”<\/em> Iyad Al-Anbar<\/a> (Post Impact: 21%)<\/strong> stated that the nomination process has reached a point of “belittling the position” and called on Nouri al-Maliki and Mohammed Shias’ al-Sudani to rise above their differences to resolve the issue. Adding to the discussion of political maneuvering, Shaho Al-Qaradaghi<\/a> (Post Impact: 29%)<\/strong> shared a report from the Institute for the Study of War claiming that “Maliki offered, through intermediaries, to America to disarm the factions if they supported him to take over the post of prime minister.”<\/p>\n Statements from US envoy Tom Barrack about American policy in Iraq circulated widely, painting a bleak picture of the country’s sovereignty. Haider<\/a> (Post Impact: 35%)<\/strong> quoted Barrack as saying, “Iraq is a great example of the mistakes we should never repeat,”<\/em> and that Prime Minister Al-Sudani is “very good but has no authority because the PMF has the parliament.”<\/em> Similarly, Hisham Ali<\/a> (Post Impact: 13%)<\/strong> and Zaid Benjamin<\/a> (Post Impact: 8%)<\/strong> highlighted Barrack\u2019s assessment that Al-Sudani has “zero power.” Shaho Al-Qaradaghi<\/a> (Post Impact: 29%)<\/strong> and Omar Abdul Sattar Mahmoud<\/a> (Post Impact: 23%)<\/strong> amplified Barrack’s point that “Iraq is essential for America 1000%” and that “Iran will not leave Iraq easily.”<\/p>\n Users expressed outrage over the public display of Iranian allegiance by armed factions in Baghdad. Steven Nabil<\/a> (Post Impact: 59%)<\/strong> reported that the Al-Nujaba faction raised photos of Khomeini and the Iranian flag in front of the Iraqi Media Network headquarters, a sovereign state institution, and questioned if this was a broadcast of “Statement Number One,”<\/em> referencing a term used for coup announcements. Ghaith Al-Tamimi<\/a> (Post Impact: 23%)<\/strong> described these actions as a “brazen coup,”<\/em> condemning state employees for using official vehicles and positions to support foreign groups. Relatedly, Shaho Al-Qaradaghi<\/a> (Post Impact: 40%)<\/strong> criticized militias for having previously recruited Iraqis to “sacrifice their lives to defend” Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.<\/p>\n A report of a massive new wave of US sanctions targeting Iraqi elites generated significant discussion. Nazar Haidar<\/a> (Post Impact: 50%)<\/strong> posted an “exclusive” claim that “US sanctions lists are ready for more than [1000] Iraqi figures,”<\/em> including judges, former prime ministers, ministers, party leaders, and businessmen linked to political factions. Haidar noted the lists contain “shocking names.” This was complemented by a post from Omar Abdul Sattar Mahmoud<\/a> (Post Impact: 42%)<\/strong> questioning if it was plausible that the US Treasury had already listed figures like MPs Mustafa Sanad and Yousef Al-Kalabi “on terror lists for their links to the [Iranian] Revolutionary Guard.”<\/p>\n Leaked videos showing former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad with his advisor Luna al-Shibl were widely shared, sparking condemnation of his character. Rusly Al-Maliki<\/a> (Post Impact: 32%)<\/strong> shared a compilation of the videos, noting that al-Shibl was later assassinated. Tamara Alkhazraji<\/a> (Post Impact: 20%)<\/strong> expressed disbelief, asking, “Seriously, this moron was the ruler of Syria and had supporters?”<\/em> Dr. Zaid Abdulwahab Al-Adhamy<\/a> (Post Impact: 17%)<\/strong> commented that the videos confirm Assad is a “psychologically ill, obscene, hateful person” and congratulated the Syrian people on the anniversary of his fall.<\/p>\n Discussions about Iran’s internal stability surfaced following reports of a major political crisis. Raad Hashim<\/a> (Post Impact: 42%)<\/strong>, citing a senior source in Supreme Leader Khamenei’s office who spoke to “Al-Jarida” newspaper, reported that Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian offered his resignation due to the country’s worsening crises. According to the report, Khamenei rejected the resignation and advised him to replace his government team instead. Dr. Zaid Abdulwahab Al-Adhamy<\/a> (Post Impact: 15%)<\/strong> also shared the headline: “Iranian President: Our economy is heading towards a total collapse.”<\/em><\/p>\n The candidacy of journalist Salam Adel for the position of Prime Minister was announced and discussed across several accounts. Ali Farhan<\/a> (Post Impact: 28%)<\/strong> broke the news, stating that Adel had submitted his candidacy file to Qais Khazali and other leaders of the Coordination Framework. Mohammed Jabbar<\/a> (Post Impact: 30%)<\/strong> voiced strong support for the idea, describing Adel as an independent, experienced, and non-sectarian figure who is “able to control weapons and institutions.”<\/em> Shaho Al-Qaradaghi<\/a> (Post Impact: 17%)<\/strong> also reported the announcement, noting Adel’s assertion that his goal is a “state project” rather than a political position.<\/p>\n A moment of national pride was celebrated as Iraq’s football team advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2025 Arab Cup in Qatar. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al Sudani<\/a> (Post Impact: 47%)<\/strong> issued a statement congratulating “our Iraqi people and all sports fans” on the national team’s qualification. The sentiment was shared by political leader Ammar Al-Hakim<\/a> (Post Impact: 35%)<\/strong>, who congratulated the “Lions of Mesopotamia as they advance towards the Arab Cup.” News page Haider<\/a> (Post Impact: 21%)<\/strong> also officially announced the team’s qualification after their two-nil victory over their Sudanese counterpart.<\/p>\n The Iraqi government’s decision to reverse its designation of Hezbollah and the Houthis as terrorist entities was met with criticism and mockery. Salam Al-Hussaini<\/a> (Post Impact: 19%)<\/strong> shared a lengthy post from politician Mohammed Tawfiq Allawi, who called the reversal a “catastrophic” event that proved the current leadership is “not fit to run a school, let alone a country the size of Iraq.” Rusly Al-Maliki<\/a> (Post Impact: 19%)<\/strong> sarcastically commented on the government’s official excuse that the Ministry of Communications’ representative was absent during the vote. Meanwhile, Hisham Ali<\/a> (Post Impact: 15%)<\/strong> reported the official US reaction from the State Department, which expressed “disappointment” with Iraq’s reversal.<\/p>\n2. US Envoy Tom Barrack on Failures in Iraq and Sudani\u2019s Lack of Power<\/h2>\n
3. Condemnation of Iranian Influence and Militia Activities<\/h2>\n
4. Reports of Impending US Sanctions on Over 1,000 Iraqi Figures<\/h2>\n
5. Leaked Videos of Bashar al-Assad Elicit Disgust<\/h2>\n
6. Reports of Iranian President Offering Resignation Amid Economic Crisis<\/h2>\n
7. Journalist Salam Adel Announces Candidacy for Prime Minister<\/h2>\n
8. Iraq\u2019s Football Team Advances in Arab Cup<\/h2>\n
9. Government Backtracks on Sanctioning Hezbollah and Houthis<\/h2>\n
10. Indonesian Ambassador Visits Imam Hussein Shrine in Karbala<\/h2>\n