Ali Al Zaidi emerges as likely next prime minister of Iraq
Updated
Updated · The Wall Street Journal · May 11
Ali Al Zaidi emerges as likely next prime minister of Iraq
11 articles · Updated · The Wall Street Journal · May 11
Trump invited the businessman to Washington, backed him publicly and wants Iranian-backed militias excluded before a parliamentary vote in coming weeks.
Zaidi, who has never held office, was a compromise choice after Trump opposed Nouri al-Maliki and threatened to cut US assistance to Baghdad.
His bank was barred from dollar transactions in 2024 over suspected militia links, underscoring the risks of curbing groups blamed for 600 attacks on US facilities.
With his own bank once sanctioned, can Ali Al Zaidi convince Washington to restore Iraq’s vital access to U.S. dollars?
Is Ali Al Zaidi a U.S.-backed reformer, or is he playing Washington against Tehran simply to consolidate his own power?
Caught between U.S. demands and Iranian allies, can Iraq's new leader disarm powerful militias without igniting a civil war?
Ali al-Zaidi’s Appointment as Iraq’s Prime Minister: Can a Businessman Break the Political Deadlock in 30 Days?
Overview
Ali al-Zaidi was designated as Iraq's prime minister on April 28, 2026, after a severe political deadlock within the Coordination Framework, Iraq’s largest Shia bloc. The bloc had missed its constitutional deadline to name a candidate, creating the risk of a constitutional vacuum. To resolve this crisis, a final, decisive meeting was held, where al-Zaidi was unanimously approved as a compromise candidate. His appointment aimed to break the impasse without alienating internal rivals or provoking a potential US veto. This swift decision set the stage for al-Zaidi to lead Iraq through a challenging period of political transition.