A specialized website calls for a smart, long-term Iraqi-American agreement to combat terrorism and “Iran’s agents”

A specialized website calls for a smart, long-term Iraqi-American agreement to combat terrorism and “Iran’s agents”

2024-05-21 08:11

Shafaq News / Defense One, the American website specializing in military affairs, called on Iraq and the United States to reach a “smart and long” agreement to combat terrorism, considering that despite the good intentions between Baghdad and Washington, their future relationship will be affected by terrorism and Iranian-backed forces.

On the occasion of the “Global Security Forum” in the Qatari capital, Doha, the report, translated by Shafaq News Agency, said that the United States must focus on national security, combating terrorism, and global competition, while at the same time benefiting from allies as strategic partners.

He pointed out that with regard to Iraq, any setbacks regarding this country could be reversed by strengthening counter-terrorism relations between Baghdad and Washington.

Flammable pressure

The American report considered that the Iraqi-American partnership is capable of overcoming the challenges of competition today, adding that the political and human aspects in Iraq require Prime Minister Muhammad Shia al-Sudani to overcome multi-faceted security challenges and flammable internal pressures, which have been exacerbated by what he called “agents.” Iran and their influence.

The report stated that Al-Sudani expressed, in the period preceding his meetings in Washington, his clear understanding of the complexities of establishing a sustainable and long-term partnership with the United States.

The report indicated that the region suffers from war, terrorism, agents, and hostage-taking, adding that Al-Sudani is fully aware of the delicate balance that Iraq must strike between the United States and the armed groups hostile to it, while at the same time trying to achieve prosperity and security for the Iraqi people.

However, the report found that Iran’s “malign behaviour”, ISIS activities and hostage-taking by Kataib Hezbollah indicate that the militias that have been integrated into the Iraqi security forces may have stronger ties with Iran than with Iraq, and therefore, Baghdad must Washington must carefully manage their strategic relationship in the long term.

Therefore, the report considered that strategic investments in the Iraqi-American partnership to combat terrorism must continue, regardless of the setbacks, calling for not ignoring the Iraqi counter-terrorism agency, noting that protecting the agency is extremely important to the relationship between Iraq, the United States, and Iraq, recalling that this agency Created and supported by the United States, it is also necessary for Iraq to protect its counterterrorism structure against Iranian interference.

The report indicated that despite all the successes achieved by Iraq and the United States in combating terrorism and their war against ISIS, the coalition was unable to defeat it decisively.

Sudanese and Biden

The report added that the Sudanese presidents and Biden realize that Iraq must enjoy the support of the United States in order to ensure that ISIS is not able to rearrange its ranks again in a way that poses a threat to Iraq, the international community, or the United States.

After the report pointed out Al-Sudani’s visit to Washington, which coincided with the escalation of the regional war, he said that the importance of Iraq is that, even if it is uncomfortably confined between warring countries, it has the potential to achieve urgent stability in the region.

The report noted that during his visit to the United States, Al-Sudani devoted time to meeting the family of Kayla Mueller, who was kidnapped and killed in 2015 by ISIS terrorists in Syria while working in the relief field.

He added that the Mueller family requested the assistance of the Iraqi government in conducting an investigation that might lead to the recovery of their daughter’s remains, as Al-Sudani expressed his willingness to begin such an investigation, adding that this constitutes an encouraging step forward.

Strategic partnership

Now, the American report says that in light of everything that is happening in Iraq, the bilateral strategic partnership has become more important at the present time, which is supposed to be the conclusion of Al-Sudani’s visit to Washington.

The report considered that in the face of terrorism and “proxies”, the vital counter-terrorism partnership with the United States will remain the appropriate counterweight to this.

He continued by saying that with regard to hostage-taking and future counter-terrorism, the United States and Iraq have three main considerations.

He stated that the first consideration is that Washington must express its long-term commitment to Iraq by enhancing its understanding of the complex security challenges facing Iraq and acknowledging the sensitivities between issues of sovereignty and the ongoing and mutual counter-terrorism partnership with the United States.

As for the second consideration, the report said that Baghdad can point out the strategic importance of the Counter-Terrorism Service and ensure that the agency is not politicized or harmed through Iranian interference, adding that it is imperative for the Iraqi security and intelligence services to contribute to creating a security environment that prevents the kidnapping of any foreigners in the country. Baghdad, so that the hostage takers are brought to justice.

As for the third consideration, the report stated that the best way to combat terrorism is to avoid “endless wars” that cause high costs and raise risks, in addition to strengthening international alliances and with local allies.

The report noted that with counterterrorism partnerships ending abruptly in places like Chad and Niger, Iraq must remain a priority for the United States.

The report concluded by saying that the best way to combat terrorism “requires making smart investments for the future that reduce the risks of further instability and terrorism,” noting that “the smart, long-term partnership to combat terrorism in Iraq is a bet worth making.”

shafaq.com