President Joe Biden is preparing to host Iraqi Prime Minister Shia al-Sudani in a critical meeting to discuss the escalating tensions in the Middle East, particularly relating to Iran’s recent attack on Israel and the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The presence of American troops in Iraq has come into question as Iran-backed groups have launched attacks on U.S. interests from inside Iraq. The talks between Biden and al-Sudani will cover regional stability, U.S. troop deployments, as well as economic, trade, and energy issues that are a priority for Iraq.
The U.S. and Iraq have had delicate relations, complicated by Iran’s influence in Iraq and the close ties between al-Sudani and Iran-backed groups that helped bring him to power. While the primary focus of the visit is not on the U.S. troop presence in Iraq, it is likely to be discussed during the talks. The formal discussions about ending the coalition created to fight the Islamic State have been ongoing since January, with Iraqi officials periodically calling for the withdrawal of U.S. forces.
Previous prime ministers of Iraq have visited Washington earlier in their tenure, but al-Sudani’s visit was delayed due to regional escalations and tensions between the U.S. and Iran. Despite being perceived as closer to Tehran, al-Sudani has tried to maintain a balance between Iran and America. The Iraqi prime minister has faced challenges, including instances of violence against foreigners in Iraq, such as the abduction of an Israeli-Russian student believed to be held by Kataib Hezbollah.
Economic difficulties, including issues with the Iraqi currency exchange rates and a tightening of the supply of dollars from the U.S., have added pressure on al-Sudani’s government. The U.S. has restricted the dealings of Iraqi banks in dollars as part of efforts to combat money laundering and funds smuggling to Iran. Despite these challenges, the al-Sudani government has renewed contracts with Iran, such as the purchase of natural gas, which could lead to American displeasure.
The meeting between Biden and al-Sudani will address a range of issues, from security concerns to economic development and fighting corruption in Iraq. The talks come at a critical time when tensions in the region are high, and finding a balance between maintaining stability and addressing foreign influences in Iraq is essential. The discussions may also touch on the Kurdish-Turkish oil dispute, with al-Sudani set to meet with the Turkish president following his visit to Washington. Washington has been working to resume oil exports from Kurdish areas of Iraq to Turkey.
