US diplomatic reshuffle in Iraq comes at critical moment for Baghdad and Washington - analysis

Jerusalem Post/Middle EastUS Chargé d’Affaires Joshua Harris is ending his posting in Baghdad as Washington prepares for a diplomatic transition amid the planned US troop withdrawal from Iraq and ongoing tensions.Follow us on Google An illustrative image of the Syrian and Iraqi flags.(photo credit: SHUTTERSTOCK)SEPTEMBER 1, 2026 21:30US Chargé d’Affaires Joshua Harris is ending his year-long appointment in Baghdad. He was appointed last August. Asharq al Awsat noted that “political circles expect former US Ambassador to Yemen Steven Fagin to become Washington’s new chargé d’affaires in Baghdad. Many describe him as an expert on Iraq and the wider region, particularly Iran.”The change in diplomats in Baghdad comes at an important time. US troops who are part of the anti-ISIS coalition are expected to complete their withdrawal by September 30. This would be at least the second time the US has left Iraq since 2003. The US also left in 2011. The ISIS invasion in 2014 led to the US returning. Now the US is leaving again. This leaves concerns for US friends in Iraq, particularly in the autonomous Kurdistan Region.Meanwhile, the US is also in a conflict with Iran. The US has been pressuring Iraq to rein in Iranian-backed militias. The militias are supposed to disarm. However, the militias continue to put up roadblocks. Kataib Sayyid al Shuhada has created a list of conditions before it disarms. The head of the Badr Organization, one of the most powerful militias, has said that Iraq won’t confront the militias, but instead the arrangement will continue peacefully. This likely means Baghdad won’t disarm the groups.On August 27 Iraq’s new prime minister Ali al Zaidi met with Harris. “The Prime Minister, Mr. Ali Falih Al-Zaidi, received Mr. Joshua Harris, Chargé d'Affaires of the United States Embassy in Iraq, on the occasion of the conclusion of his tenure,” Zaidi’s office said. “During the meeting, the bilateral relations between Iraq and the United States were reviewed, along with ways to enhance joint cooperation in various fields and expand the fruitful partnership, in a manner that serves the mutual interests of the two countries and their friendly peoples.”Iraq’s Prime Minister’s Office noted that he “expressed his appreciation for the efforts exerted by the American Chargé d'Affaires during his tenure in Iraq, wishing him success and achievement in his forthcoming duties.” The statement went on to say that “for his part, Mr. Harris expressed his thanks and appreciation to the Prime Minister and the efforts of the Iraqi government in developing joint economic cooperation and supporting the consolidation of security and stability in the region, affirming his country's keenness to continue developing relations with Iraq, in a way that enhances the common interests between the two countries.”Iraqi Prime Minister and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi chairs the Ministerial Council for National Security for an emergency meeting, to discuss the latest security developments and the attack carried out by the US and Saudi air forces, Baghdad, Iraq, July 29, 2026. (credit: THE MEDIA OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER/HANDOUT VIA REUTERS)Asharq al Awsat noted that “Harris took over after former US Ambassador Alina Romanowski, ushering in a diplomatic downgrade in a country that hosts one of Washington’s largest embassies, sprawling for nearly two kilometers along the Tigris River in Baghdad.” In addition, “Iraqi officials and experts told Asharq Al-Awsat that Baghdad-Washington ties could take a different course in the next phase, particularly as they become linked to US-Iranian relations.” The US is monitoring the disarmament of the militias and whether their weapons will be under state authority. “Despite optimism about the new prime minister and the clear support for him, Washington has concluded that the factions are not serious about handing over their weapons and are merely playing for time,” the report quoted a source as saying.US Ambassador Steven Fagin will be new Chargé d’Affaires in BaghdadAccording to the US Department of State, Ambassador Steven Fagin has been US Ambassador to Yemen since 2022. He was previously Deputy Chief of Mission at the US. Embassy in Baghdad (2020-21) and also the Principal Officer at the US. Consulate General in Erbil (2018-20). As such, he has a lot of experience in Iraq. He also served as the main US diplomat at the Civil-Military Coordination Center, established in October 2025 as part of the US-backed peace plan for Gaza. He was also briefly Chargé d’Affaires in Baghdad from May to August 2025. In June reports said he was wrapping up his role as Ambassador to Yemen.Follow us on Google