Safaya: The decisions of political leaders in the next phase will determine whether Iraq progresses or regresses: Mark Safaya, the envoy of US President Donald Trump to Iraq, affirmed that the direct responsibility for the country's future rests on the political leadership, stressing that the decisions they make in the coming period will determine whether Iraq advances or regresses.
According to National Iraqi News Agency, in a post on X, Safaya stated that twenty-three years after the fall of the dictatorship, Iraq once again stands at a critical juncture. He noted that the country has a historic opportunity to rebuild its institutions and secure a prosperous future. However, he emphasized that no state can succeed while armed groups compete with its authority and undermine its autonomy, an issue that, according to him, has weakened Iraq's international standing, stifled its economy, and limited its ability to safeguard national interests.
Safaya added that the past three years have proven that genuine stability is achievable when the government follows a realistic and balanced approach that steers the country away from regional conflicts and refocuses on national priorities. He stressed that this emerging course must not be derailed, as stability requires responsible leadership, unity of purpose, and a firm commitment to strengthening the state and its institutions.
He further noted that as Iraq marks the eighth anniversary of its victory over ISIS and concludes successful parliamentary elections, a significant responsibility now rests on the political and religious leaders. The decisions they make in the coming period, he said, will determine whether Iraq moves toward autonomy and strength or slips back into division and decline.
Safaya affirmed that a unified and rational choice would send a clear and unequivocal message to the United States and the international community that Iraq is ready to claim its natural place as a stable and respected state in a new Middle East. The alternative, he warned, would be economic deterioration, political confusion, and international isolation.
He concluded by stating that under President Trump's leadership, the United States stands fully prepared to support Iraq during this critical phase. He reaffirmed his and his team's commitment to working closely with Iraqi leaders in the coming weeks and months to help build a strong, stable, and sovereign Iraq capable of shaping its own future within the new Middle East.