Iraq Forms New Government with Young Businessman as Prime Minister

Ali al-Zaidi, a young businessman, has become Iraq's new prime minister, making him the youngest person to hold the office in the country's history. Al-Zaidi assumes the role during a critical period as Iraq attempts to balance its relationships between the United States and Iran following recent regional conflict escalation. While the new prime minister secured parliamentary confidence for most of his ministerial appointments, his cabinet remains incomplete and faces scrutiny from Washington. The formation of this government comes as Iraq navigates complex geopolitical pressures, caught between its two major allies whose relations have been strained by recent tensions in the Middle East.