Where will new round of strategic talks with US take Iraq?
Iraq and US agreed on shifting the anti-IS coalition to training and support only, working on ending the presence of any combat forces.
The latest round of strategic dialogue between Iraq and the United States, which could lead to a further withdrawal of US troops, took place April 7.
Iraqi officials say the talks, which began in June 2020, are aimed at establishing a more developed and diverse relationship with the United States, giving priority to education, technology, health and culture, as well as economics and security.
But Iraq also wants to end the presence of US combat troops, a sensitive topic for the country, although Iraqi officials acknowledge that they need US and international support for training and logistics, as well as the use of air power against Islamic State.
“The relationship between Washington and Baghdad must be based on Iraqi-American interests in the fields of economy, security, culture and health,” Kadhimi said in an interview with the Hadath TV channel March 27. He added, “Iraq does not need the presence of combat forces, but it needs international support and the international coalition's airstrikes against Islamic State hideouts.”
