Can Sistani save Iraq from its predicament?

The question posed by the title of this article is more than just a political inquiry. At its core, it is a question about the nature of authority in Iraq, the limits of the state, and the role that a single cleric can play when domestic crises intersect with regional confrontation. Although the question borders on wishful thinking, many people inside and outside Iraq believe that the answer could be yes — if Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani chooses to act. However, this “yes” is neither simple, nor guaranteed, nor risk-free. Today, Iraq is at the centre of an open confrontation between the United States and Iran, with its territory serving as a convenient arena for this conflict. Iran-aligned armed factions […]