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Written by Damir Nazarov
In early November 2024, according to the Gregorian calendar, the Iraqi Parliament elected Dr. Mahmoud Al-Mashhadani as its new speaker. After long disputes, conflicts and disagreements, the leading Iraqi political parties and blocs have finally come to a unanimous opinion. The new speaker was a “veteran of jihad” during the American occupation.
Two questions arise, why exactly did Al-Mashhadani become the speaker of parliament? Why did the influential Halbousi and Khanjar agree to his candidacy?
Answering the first question, I see three main directions, the first is that the Yankees are ceding influence to China, because Al-Mashhadani, according to the Americans, is an “agent of Iran“, Iran is a strategic ally of the Celestial Empire, therefore the new speaker of the Iraqi parliament is a figure who was welcomed in China.
The second factor is the Zionist terror against the Gaza Strip. Due to the fact that the Axis of Resistance is preparing for a large-scale confrontation with the Zionists, all its elements need to have appropriate political figures at their disposal. Unlike secular and nationalist politicians, Al-Mashhadani is a pro-Islamic figure(he is rumored to be a moderate Salafist) with an obvious pro-Palestinian position. This background allows him to influence the Sunni street of Iraq and attract them to a wider participation in the fight against Zionism.
Finally, the third point. Halbousi’s boundless ambitions and Khanjar’s thirst for power form a diabolical tandem, their mutual hatred of each other overshadows the situation, nevertheless, both dictators supported the election of a “jihadist” as speaker of parliament. There is an indirect Turkish influence behind their decision. Turkey has long been the key to Iraq’s Sunni environment* and has its own levers. From Turkey’s point of view, the election of Al-Mashhadani as the new speaker will help expand bilateral relations with Iran, which will help accelerate the implementation of the economic project between Ankara and Baghdad within the framework of the establishment of the Silk Road.
That is why the Turks put pressure on the two main obstinate leaders of the secular Sunnis so that they would not interfere with the victory of the “jihad veteran” when choosing a speaker. Moreover, Turkey turns a blind eye to the “unfriendly” new speaker of the Iraqi parliament, since the geopolitical project is more important than the political nuance in the neighboring country.
The answer to the second question comes from their first, Halbousi and Khanjar do not want to anger the Turkish-Chinese alliance and accordingly accept a pro-Iranian candidate. These two tried to provide their candidates, but they were refused. Of course, Halbousi, like Khanjar, see themselves or their loyalists in the place of the speaker of parliament and will certainly try to take advantage of the chances in the future, especially since Al-Mashhadani is no longer young, but blows provincial dictators, and did not understand that the influential forces of the region are not interested in an alcoholic or a smuggler ruling a Sunni street.
Iraq is in full swing in terms of mastering its new regional role based on integration into the Silk Road. But before that, the Iraqis will definitely have to participate in the elimination of all enemies of the “caravan road from Asia to Europe.” Kurdish separatism, Takfiri enclaves and the Zionist colony, all these vicious elements will certainly be eliminated, including by the hands of the Iraqis. These moments explain why a Salafi jihadist became the speaker of parliament, Hashad al-Shaabi launched cooperation with Turkey, Shiite factions of the Islamic Resistance are preparing a march on occupied al-Quds through Jordan, and the anti-Western Sadrist leader eclipsed the “traditional” Marjiyat Najaf.
*- Nevertheless, at the moment we can only talk about temporary alliances, but not as deep relationships. It is absolutely possible to say that both Halbousi and Khanjar are situational allies of Ankara, but not as trusted persons.
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kick the yankees out of iraq and i will believe it