U.S. Envoy Reaffirms Iraq Must Assert State Authority and Keep Weapons Out of Politics to Secure Its Future

Iraq 09:30 PM - 2025-11-29

Mark Savaya, U.S. Special Envoy to Iraq.

Mark Savaya, the United States Special Envoy to Iraq, has said that Iraq is now viewed internationally as a country capable of assuming a greater and more influential role in the region — but only if it succeeds in ending the presence of weapons outside state control and safeguarding the authority of its institutions.

In a statement on his X account, Savaya said: “Today, the world views Iraq as a country capable of playing a larger and more influential role in the region, provided that the issue of weapons outside state control is fully resolved and the prestige of official institutions is protected.”

He stressed that no economy can grow and no international partnership can flourish “in an environment where politics is intertwined with unofficial power.” He said that Iraq now has a historic opportunity to turn the page on this chapter and strengthen its image as a state governed by the rule of law rather than the “power of weapons.”

The Special Envoy underscored the importance of protecting constitutional order and reinforcing the separation of powers, warning that interference in political and institutional processes risks weakening the state. “Strong nations are built when the executive, legislative, and judicial branches operate within their defined boundaries and are held accountable through clear legal mechanisms, not through pressure or influence centres,” he said.

Savaya noted that Iraq stands at a decisive crossroads: “it can advance towards independent institutions capable of enforcing the law and attracting investment, or fall back into the cycle of complexity that has burdened everyone.” 

He called for unified support for Iraq’s constitutional path, the strengthening of institutional independence, and firm, practical measures to prevent weapons from influencing political life. This, he said, is the only way to build a strong, respected Iraq capable of meeting the aspirations of its people.



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