Foreign Policy: Three expected outcomes for Al-Kazemi's summit meeting with Biden

[size=52]Foreign Policy: Three expected outcomes for Al-Kazemi's summit meeting with Biden[/size]

[size=45]Translation / Hamed Ahmed[/size]
[size=45]During their upcoming meeting Monday at the White House, the two leaders are expected to repeat their familiar diplomatic statements that include their continued pledge to fight terrorism and preserve Iraq's sovereignty in the face of foreign interference.[/size]
[size=45]However, Biden, Al-Kazemi and everyone in the audience know very well that the threat of terrorism will intensify in the absence of a clear strategy to curb it, and that Iraq's sovereignty is being violated daily.[/size]
[size=45]The Foreign Policy indicates in its report that Al-Kazemi, like his predecessors for two decades, spent most of his time trying to maintain an unstable balanced position between the United States and Iran, the two main players in the political system of Iraq since 2003. However, even when US and Iranian interests overlap at times, as in the war against ISIS for example, the two countries' goals are at odds. As for Iran, it wants Iraq to become a theocracy linked to it, while the United States wants Iraq to become a federal civil state. On the other hand, Iraq's policy is swaying from one side to the other while it is trying to maintain its support from Washington and Tehran, and because Baghdad is under pressure from both sides, it is on the verge of losing its balance.[/size]
[size=45]The upcoming US-Iraq summit coincides with the acceleration of the withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan. As the Kabul government faces the re-emergence of threats by Taliban militants, questions are now being raised in the Middle East and beyond about the extent of its dependence on the United States as an ally. This is what will make it so important for the Biden administration to demonstrate its continued strategic commitment to Iraq.[/size]
[size=45]Foreign Policy says that there are three possible outcomes and outcomes for the upcoming summit meeting. The first conclusion is very familiar, as is the case with any foreign official who meets with Biden and shows him support, this thing does not convince those inside Iraq who are watching Al-Kazemi request the support of the United States while the situation in Iraq worsens, from the killing of more than 160 people in my incidents A fire in two hospitals led to a horrific suicide bombing in Sadr City that killed 35 people, and entered the country with a third wave of painful injuries from the Corona epidemic that Iraq is currently fighting.[/size]
[size=45]The second expected outcome is a substantive meeting that will positively affect the course of events and at least the course of the Iraqi national elections to be held in October. Biden may urge Al-Kazemi to curb cases of corruption that undermine the Iraqi state and focus on rebuilding the country's economy.[/size]
[size=45]President Biden may demand that Al-Kazemi hold accountable those involved in the killing of activists and protesters. Moreover, this year's elections must be free and fair. It is expected that Biden will also encourage Al-Kazemi to take a firm position on the various armed groups in Iraq, especially the armed factions backed by Iran, while ensuring the support of the United States for him if he embarks on this approach.[/size]
[size=45]On the other hand, it is expected that Al-Kazemi will request a pledge from Biden that the American presence in Iraq will not be limited to fighting ISIS only. Above all, Al-Kazemi must seek a guarantee from Washington to support Iraq's independence and to use it as a pawn in negotiations with Iran. The third expected outcome of the meeting, which is the most worrying, is that the meeting will be short and useless and without tangible results to be followed up, which may show a lack of interest or indifference from the United States in Iraq. Such an outcome may greatly weaken Al-Kazemi and others in Baghdad who support Iraq's move to the West.[/size]
[size=45]The consequences of the results of the Biden-Al-Kazemi summit will go beyond the borders of Iraq. Other Arab governments from Lebanon to Yemen will follow Biden's seriousness towards Iraq. If Biden focuses only on ISIS, these countries will know that they are facing more problems. By ignoring the armed factions, Biden may thus give them the green light to gain more influence in Iraq and more influence over the October elections.[/size]
[size=45]Al-Kazemi's time is very short, and Biden's focus on Iraq is limited. There are many reasons to doubt the possibility of a breakthrough. But it is possible that the White House summit will provide a rare opportunity that will produce results that will help Iraq, its people, and the region as a whole.[/size]
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