Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi's recent visit to the US has been praised by some Iraqi factions but strongly rejected by a number of Iran-affiliated groups.
Member of the parliamentary foreign relations committee Dhafer al-Ani said that despite the unjustified exaggeration and intentional underestimation of its achievements, the Prime Minister's visit was “successful by all standards."
Ani told Asharq Al-Awsat that ripping the benefits of the visit depends on the government’s ability to carry out effective reforms which will enable it to win the confidence of the international community and the support of the Iraqis.
Dean of the Political Science Faculty at al-Mustansiriya University Khaled Abdelilah, in remarks to the newspaper, said some Iraqi parties demanded Kadhimi for guarantees on the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq at a time when Washington discusses means to fight ISIS.
He indicated that signing an agreement with a major US company worth over one billion dollars is the key to bringing back US companies to Iraq.
Kadhimi seeks to gain the support he needs for his government. He is after bilateral deals by activating the economic, oil, aid, and investment agreement signed between the two parties.
The head of the Iraqi Advisory Council, Farhad Alaaldin, confirmed to Asharq Al-Awsat that the strategic dialogue between Baghdad and Washington remains the most important aspect of the visit.
Alaaldin indicated that other major issues were discussed such as oil, the economy, and the coronavirus pandemic, especially that the visit is the result of the first round of talks that began in June.
He indicated that the US stressed the importance of the strategic dialogue given that the Iraqi government needs the support of Washington to face the financial and economic challenges as well as its fight against ISIS.
However, Alaaldin pointed out that this support is not unconditional, especially after the parliament’s decision to remove US forces from Iraq. He also believes that during his talks in Washington, Kadhimi was under tremendous political pressure from the Iraqi forces that reject improved relations with the US.
