Al-Sudani visits Washington in a “stormy moment” and wants planes and air defense… 4 analysts
Al-Sudani visits Washington in a “stormy moment” and wants planes and air defense… 4 analysts
3-2-2024
Baghdad – 964
Four Iraqi experts and locals imagine the shape of the expected meeting between Prime Minister Muhammad al-Sudani and US President Joe Biden, and each of them set a hypothetical agenda for the dialogue scheduled in the White House.
Analysts told the 964 Network that the invitation to visit Washington reached Al-Sudani at a complex and stormy stage of his term. Of course, the issue of the armed factions and the dollar crisis in Iraq will be at the top of the issues, but what is noteworthy is that analysts expected an important impact from the visit of the Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government, Masrour Barzani, which he made to Washington a few days ago.
Therefore, analysts believe that Biden will discuss with Sudanese issues of Kurdistan, such as the region’s oil export file, and the decisions of the Federal Court regarding employee salaries and elections. Some of them also indicated that the Prime Minister will discuss Baghdad’s requests regarding armament and development of the army, especially the air force and air defense.
Al-Sudani waited about a year after assuming responsibility, to receive an invitation to visit the White House, and he received it twice, the first through Secretary of State Anthony Blinken last December when they met in New York during the United Nations meetings, and the second through US Vice President Kamala Harris in early February when they were brought together by the Munich Security Conference. Global.
The visit will come in light of a complex political, security and economic crisis resulting from the escalation of factions against American forces in Iraq, Syria and Jordan.
Sudanese advisors had previously talked about possible dates for the visit, but they said that the matter depends on the “agenda compatibility” of the two parties, and when it suits the agendas in Baghdad and Washington, amid many unrest across the world.
Yassin Aziz, political affairs researcher, for the 964 Network:
Al-Sudani’s expected visit to Washington will come after numerous attempts to secure the invitation, and it was expected that he would receive it shortly after assuming the position in late 2021.
Circumstances did not help the Sudanese to make the visit, and now there are many important files waiting for him in Washington, more complex than his first days as prime minister.
There will be an honorary meeting between Al-Sudani and Biden, and then Al-Sudani will discuss complex files with the American side, including the status of armed factions and weapons outside the control of the state, and scenarios for the American military presence in Iraq.
The Americans will discuss with Sudanese the resumption of oil exports from the Kurdistan region, the overall relationship between his government and the regional government, ending the outstanding issues between the two parties, the possibility of the United States supporting the capabilities of the Peshmerga forces, the investment file in Iraq, and giving American companies priority in this matter.
Al-Sudani will discuss with Biden several key files, most notably the American presence in Iraq.
The second file that will be on the negotiating table is the procedures of the US Federal Bank and developments in the issue of the dollar sent to Iraq.
Gaza and Iran are at the heart of concerns from Baghdad to Washington
The two parties will discuss Iraq’s position on the war that has been going on for months in the Gaza Strip. What are its paths and effects on stability in the region?
The Sudanese meeting at the White House will address Iran, its role in the region, and its relationship with Iraq, as it is Washington’s greatest concern in the Middle East.
Washington seeks to demarcate Iraq’s relationship with Iran according to its interests and policies that serve its interests.
Also important are the armed factions in Iraq and the possibility of stopping the targeting of American forces.
The American presence and the nature of the work of foreign forces in Iraq will be at the top of the discussions between Al-Sudani and Biden.
The Iraqi government’s position in support of Palestine will be the focus of the conversation between the two presidents.
On the political level, the meeting will discuss the decisions of the Federal Court to restore the relationship between the region and Baghdad, especially after the visit of the Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government, Masrour Barzani, to America.
Armament, aircraft and air defense!
The investment file and the work of American companies in Iraq will be strongly present in the upcoming meeting.
The issue of arming the Iraqi army with weapons, aircraft, and air defense, and continuing cooperation in this regard, will have a share in the meeting.
Iraq’s commitment to the US sanctions imposed on Iran will also be discussed in the meeting.
The economic file will be present at the energy level and the work of American companies in Iraq, as well as development projects.
Dollar smuggling and how government and private banks in Iraq deal with this issue, amid fear of imposing sanctions on Iraq related to this file.
The American presence in Iraq is a major issue that will be present on the dialogue table between Al-Sudani and Biden during the upcoming meeting.
The discussions will include the issue of the relationship with the region, Masrour Barzani’s recent visit to Washington, and ways to address the chronic disputes between Baghdad and Erbil.
964media.com
