BAGHDAD — Political circles expect former US Ambassador to Yemen Steven Fagin to become the new US Chargé d’Affaires in Baghdad. Fagin has extensive experience in the region, having served as Chargé d’Affaires in Baghdad from May to August 2025 before his appointment as ambassador to Yemen in 2022. His prior postings include serving as Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy in Baghdad from 2020 to 2021 and as Principal Officer at the US Consulate General in Erbil from 2018 to 2020. Most recently, Fagin served as the main US diplomat at the Civil-Military Coordination Center established in October 2025.

The diplomatic transition occurs as US troops participating in the anti-ISIS coalition are expected to complete their withdrawal from Iraq by September 30, 2026. Washington has concluded that Iraqi factions are not serious about handing over their weapons and are merely playing for time. Kataib Sayyid al Shuhada has created a list of conditions before it disarms.

Timeline

Joshua Harris was appointed US Chargé d’Affaires in Baghdad in August 2025. In a previous instance, US Chargé d’Affaires Joshua Harris met with Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi on 2 June 2026, during which they discussed bilateral cooperation and regional developments. On August 27, 2026, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Falih Al-Zaidi met with Joshua Harris to mark the conclusion of Harris's tenure.

During that 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. Also on August 27, 2026, 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.

What's New

Additional reporting confirms details surrounding the transition. The official record states that US Chargé d’Affaires Joshua Harris concluded his mission in Iraq on 1 September 2026, following a final meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi. Further context indicates that in a previous instance, US Chargé d’Affaires Joshua Harris met with Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi on 2 June 2026, during which they discussed bilateral cooperation and regional developments. Baghdad is capital city of Iraq.

Why It Matters

The conclusion of Harris's tenure coincides with the scheduled completion of the US troop withdrawal from Iraq by September 30, 2026. This military drawdown follows a history of fluctuating presence, as the US military withdrew from Iraq in 2011 and returned in 2014 following the ISIS invasion. The diplomatic leadership change occurs with ongoing tensions regarding militia disarmament, with Washington assessing that Iraqi factions are not serious about handing over their weapons.