AUTHORS NOTE:
What frustrates me most is how normalised this situation has become. Iraq is supposed to be a sovereign state with one army, one chain of command, and one national security structure. Instead, there are multiple armed actors with political influence, ideological justification, and external connections operating inside the same country.

This is not about religion being “the problem.” That is too simplistic and not accurate. The real issue is that armed groups have developed ideological narratives that give them justification, legitimacy, and social support, which makes it extremely difficult for the state to fully integrate or control them.

And this creates a dangerous imbalance. When armed groups have political representation, military capability, and ideological backing at the same time, the line between state authority and non-state power becomes blurred. That weakens enforcement, complicates decision-making, and makes national security dependent on negotiation instead of command.

The result is a state that constantly has to manage influence instead of exercising full control. And that is why Iraq remains stuck in cycles of instability. Not because of one factor alone, but because institutions, armed actors, and political networks overlap in ways that prevent the state from functioning as a single, unified authority.

ARTICLE:
On 16 May 2026, Iraqi security and political discussions continued to focus on the influence of Iran-aligned armed groups operating within the Popular Mobilization Forces framework, as concerns persist over the extent of their independence from full state control.

Security analysts note that several of these groups identify with religiously framed ideological narratives tied to Shiite political identity and regional resistance discourse, which has contributed to their sustained recruitment, legitimacy, and political influence within parts of Iraq’s security and political system.

The Iraqi government has repeatedly stated that all armed formations must operate under the authority of the state and within official command structures. However, enforcement remains inconsistent, with some factions maintaining parallel logistical and command capabilities while also holding political representation in parliament or influence through allied parties.

Regional observers continue to warn that Iraq remains vulnerable to escalation stemming from external regional conflicts, particularly involving Iran and its allied networks. This includes concerns that armed groups operating in Iraq could act in alignment with broader regional dynamics, potentially affecting Iraq’s internal stability and foreign relations.