Iraq’s Proxy Problem

Iraq’s Proxy Problem

July 7, 2026 · 30 min

About this episode

The episode discusses Iraq's political struggles with Iran-backed militias and the challenges of achieving true sovereignty.

Iraq's political system is caught in a chokehold, squeezed between fragile reform efforts and the entrenched power of Iran-backed militias. Deep-rooted corruption and patronage networks keep the status quo alive while the US attempts to financially pressure the Iraqi government into action. Can Iraq break free toward real sovereignty—or is it destined to stay locked in Tehran's orbit? FDD Research Analyst and Fulbright Scholar Bridget Toomey meets with Generation Jihad’s Bill Roggio to break down why Iraqi disarmament may promise collapse, and how armed Iran-backed groups quietly pull the strings on Iraq's political and economic future.

People in this episode

Host: Bill Roggio

Guest: Bridget Toomey

Topics covered

Keywords

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Iran, US

Places: Iraq, Tehran

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