US envoy Tom Barrack arrives in Baghdad for talks with PM Zaidi

BAGHDAD  — The U.S. President’s envoy to Iraq and Syria, Tom Barrack, arrived in Baghdad on Monday on an official visit. He was received by embassy staff and Chargé d’Affaires Joshua Harris and is scheduled to meet the Prime Minister before traveling to Erbil.

In a post on X, Barrack said that he would meet Prime Minister Ali Falih al-Zaidi later in the day to convey President Donald Trump’s support for his government and discuss a “partnership on a new direction for a strong and mutually beneficial U.S.-Iraq relationship.”

Earlier on Sunday, a government source told Asharq News network that the envoy’s agenda in Baghdad would include discussions on several key political and security issues, including completing cabinet formation, integration of armed factions and restricting weapons to state control, and preparations for the Iraqi prime minister’s anticipated visit to Washington.

The source added that Barrack’s tour will not be limited to Baghdad. He is also expected to visit the Kurdistan Region for talks with regional leaders on outstanding issues between Baghdad and Erbil.

The U.S. ambassador to Turkey and Presidential Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack was appointed as the U.S. Presidential Envoy to Iraq, succeeding Mark Savaya, an Iraqi-American who was appointed to the post in October 2025. Reuters and other outlets reported in January 2026 that Savaya was no longer serving in the role, with one source attributing his removal to what was described as his “mishandling” of political developments in Iraq.