President Biden is set to meet with Iraqi Prime Minister Shia al-Sudani to discuss regional stability and the presence of American troops in Iraq following Iran’s unprecedented attack on Israel. U.S. forces in Iraq were credited with assisting in shooting down Iranian missiles intended for Israel. The meeting is also expected to cover economic, trade, and energy issues. The leaders may also discuss future U.S. troop deployments, although it is not the primary focus of the visit.
U.S. Central Command reported that American forces, supported by U.S. European Command destroyers, engaged and destroyed over 80 uncrewed aerial vehicles and at least six ballistic missiles. A U.S. Patriot battery in Irbil, Iraq, successfully intercepted at least one Iranian ballistic missile. The meeting between President Biden, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, and Prime Minister al-Sudani aims to address a range of issues, including the fight against the Islamic State and financial reforms in Iraq to promote economic development.
The U.S. and Iraq have been in talks since January about potentially ending the regional coalition created to combat ISIS. About 2,000 U.S. troops remain in Iraq under an agreement with Baghdad. The delicate relationship between the two countries is complicated by Iran’s influence in Iraq, where Iran-backed groups helped bring al-Sudani to power in October 2022. The U.S. has urged Iraq to use its influence with Iran to prevent attacks on American bases in Iraq and Syria, especially following an attack on Israel by Hamas on October 7.
Since assuming power in 2022, Prime Minister al-Sudani has attempted to balance relations between Iran and the U.S. despite being perceived as close to Tehran. The White House announced al-Sudani’s visit to Washington last month, emphasizing consultations on various issues, including economic development and progress towards Iraqi financial independence and modernization. The U.S. and Iraq have a complex relationship due to Iran’s significant influence in the region, which poses challenges in maintaining stability and security.
The attack on Israel by Iran has raised concerns for the U.S. and further emphasized the need for cooperation and dialogue between the two countries. The meeting between President Biden, Defense Secretary Austin, and Prime Minister al-Sudani is crucial for discussing strategies to address regional challenges and ensure stability in Iraq. The U.S. remains committed to supporting Iraq in its fight against extremism and promoting economic growth while navigating the complexities of regional politics. The outcome of the meeting will likely have implications for U.S. policy in the Middle East and its relationship with Iraq and Iran.
