Biden’s Nominee for Iraq Ambassador Says Iran ‘Remains a Malign Actor’

Tracy Jacobson was the US Ambassador to Ehtiopia in 2022. Photo: State Department
Tracy Jacobson was the US Ambassador to Ehtiopia in 2022. Photo: State Department
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Biden’s Nominee for Iraq Ambassador Says Iran ‘Remains a Malign Actor’

Tracy Jacobson was the US Ambassador to Ehtiopia in 2022. Photo: State Department
Tracy Jacobson was the US Ambassador to Ehtiopia in 2022. Photo: State Department

Tracy Jacobson, US President Joe Biden's nominee for Ambassador to Iraq, has surprised Iraqi officials with unconventional statements about Iranian influence and Tehran-backed militias.

In her opening statement to the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, Jacobson thanked the President and the Secretary of State “for their confidence.”

“Our military provides vital support in an advise, assist, and enable role to the Iraqi security forces and the Peshmerga in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region. Ten years after our troops returned to Iraq at the government’s invitation to fight ISIS – and five years after ISIS’s territorial defeat – it is time for our military to transition to a new role,” she said.

“If confirmed, I will ensure any transition from Operation Inherent Resolve to a bilateral security arrangement will be geared toward the defeat of ISIS and Iraq's security,” Jacobson told the Committee.

In her statement, Jacobson warned that Iran “remains a malign actor and a destabilizing influence in the region that threatens to undo all of Iraq’s achievements. We recognize that the primary threat to Iraq’s stability and sovereignty are the Iran-aligned militias.”

She said it was important for Iraq to strengthen its ties with many of its neighbors and “Prime Minister (Mohammed Shia) Sudani has taken positive steps in that direction.”

Earlier this year, Sudani's office said the Iraqi government was beginning the process to remove the US-led international military coalition from the country.

Yassin al-Bakri, Professor of Political Science at the University of Nahrain, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the new ambassador's mission will be to arrange the security transition.



Berlin Says Situation in Gaza ‘Unbearable’, Calls for Ceasefire

 Newly appointed German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul gestures during a meeting with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot in Paris, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP)
Newly appointed German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul gestures during a meeting with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot in Paris, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP)
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Berlin Says Situation in Gaza ‘Unbearable’, Calls for Ceasefire

 Newly appointed German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul gestures during a meeting with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot in Paris, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP)
Newly appointed German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul gestures during a meeting with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot in Paris, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP)

Germany's new top diplomat Johann Wadephul called on Saturday for "serious discussions for a ceasefire" in Gaza, where the humanitarian situation "is now unbearable".

Ahead of a visit to Israel, Wadephul said it was "imperative to start" talks "to free all hostages and to ensure that supplies reach the population of Gaza", according to comments reported by his ministry.

While reaffirming Germany's unwavering support for Israel, the official said he would "inquire about the strategic objective of the fighting that has intensified since March".

In Israel, Wadephul is expected to meet his counterpart Gideon Saar and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday.

Israel's military resumed its offensive on the Gaza Strip on March 18, ending a two-month truce that saw a surge in aid into the war-ravaged territory and the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.

On Tuesday, new German Chancellor Friedrich Merz voiced "considerable concern" about the Gaza conflict and demanded that Israel "respect its humanitarian obligations".

The Gaza Strip, where nearly all 2.4 million inhabitants have been displaced at least once during the war sparked by Hamas’ October 2023 attack on Israel, has been subjected to a strict blockade since March 2 and is experiencing a severe humanitarian crisis.

Israeli authorities claim that the blockade aims to compel Hamas to release hostages.

"In the West Bank as well, Palestinians need political and economic future prospects so that hatred and extremism no longer find fertile grounds," Wadephul said.

His visit comes at a time when Israel and Germany are preparing to celebrate 60 years of joint diplomatic relations.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog is expected in Berlin on Monday, while his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier will visit Israel on Tuesday.