Iraq's Prime Minister Mohammed al-Sudani has managed to keep his country neutral amid escalating regional conflicts, balancing relations with both the United States and Iran. In a recent interview, al-Sudani detailed how his government used political and military measures to prevent Iran-aligned armed groups from attacking Israel or United States interests, thwarting dozens of attempted strikes. As he seeks a second term, al-Sudani aims to deepen ties with the United States, particularly in security and economic investment, while also maintaining cooperation with Iran-backed political factions. Ongoing challenges include managing powerful militias, addressing recent drone attacks in the Kurdish region, and navigating complex relations with Syria's new leadership. Al-Sudani emphasized the need for all armed groups to come under state control and called for a comprehensive political process in Syria to prevent further instability in the region.