The senior Iraqi delegation in Washington.. "two birds with one stone".
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Baghdad today - follow-up
The visit of Iraqi Defense Minister Thabet al-Abbasi, accompanied by senior military leaders, to Washington is the highest visit by Iraqi officials to the United States since the formation of the government of Prime Minister Muhammad Shia al-Sudani in October of last year, a step that could pave the way for further development in relations between the two countries. According to observers .
Al-Abbasi arrived in Washington last Monday, at the head of a high-ranking delegation that included the Commander of the Counter-Terrorism Service, Lieutenant General Abd al-Wahhab al-Saadi, Chief of Staff of the Army, Lieutenant General of Special Forces Abd al-Amir Rashid Yarallah, Deputy Commander of Joint Operations Lieutenant General Qais al-Muhammadawi and other senior officials .
Al-Abbasi and his accompanying delegation met with many US military officials, led by Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and his assistant Celeste Wonder, and US representatives from the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, the US Central Command, the State Department and the National Security Council .
In a joint statement issued on Tuesday, the two sides affirmed their joint commitment to continue bilateral military cooperation in all fields, especially combating ISIS, working to prevent the return of its activity, and training the Iraqi military forces .
The two sides also stressed their commitment to developing Iraq's security and defense capabilities, and they consulted on opportunities to expand Iraqi participation in the military maneuvers led by the US Central Command .
The statement renewed Washington's support for Iraq's sovereignty and security, and stressed that the US forces are present in Iraq at the invitation of the Iraqi government only to support the Iraqi security forces in their war against ISIS .
The Government of Iraq reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the personnel and advisors of the United States and the international coalition, convoys and diplomatic facilities, according to the joint statement .
Commenting on the visit, writer and political analyst Aqil Abbas indicates that it falls within the framework of preparation for the next session related to the strategic framework agreement, whose "date may be announced soon ."
Abbas, who resides in the United States, adds that "the only two aspects that work well in the strategic framework agreement are the security and energy file and the American companies operating in Iraq ."
Abbas asserts that "usually there are initial meetings related to the strategic framework agreement, prior to reaching the summit meeting between the two parties," and it is likely that "this meeting will include US President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Muhammad Shia'a al-Sudani. "
According to a report published by the "Voice of America" website, Washington and Baghdad hope to take decisive steps to expand their partnership from one focused almost entirely on confronting ISIS to one that some US officials describe as a full-fledged government alliance .
After meeting Abbasi last Monday, Austin said the United States "realizes that its military mission will change in Iraq as local forces build their capabilities," describing the talks as part of "the next step in our strategic defense partnership."
On the other hand, Abbasi stated that it is important to "preserve the victories" that the Iraqi and American forces have already achieved, "as well as to strengthen relations and cooperation with the United States .
The United States has about 2,500 soldiers in Iraq tasked with advising and assisting the Iraqi security forces as they pursue the remnants of ISIS .
Before Monday's meeting between Austin and Abbasi, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East Dana Stroul said that her country is interested in establishing a permanent defense relationship with Iraq within a strategic partnership for many years to come .
US State Department officials say this includes focusing more on the Iraqi economy, noting that some US companies such as "Cinnabon" and "Burger King" have already opened stores in Baghdad .
And the "Voice of America" website quotes a State Department official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, saying, "This is a very strong symbol and a sign that the Iraqis want American products and want American business, even if it is in the form of concessions. "
"We would like to continue to expand our involvement in the field of energy, particularly in helping Iraqis build greater self-sufficiency in their energy sector," the official added, stressing the focus on finding ways to "preserve the employment of Iraqi youth. "
US officials say they are also encouraged by Iraqi progress in fighting corruption, pointing to improvements in the banking sector in particular, although Washington's decision to blacklist 14 Iraqi banks for allegedly laundering money on behalf of Iran sparked protests last month .
American officials are also aware that there is competition from other countries that want to increase security cooperation with Iraq, such as China, Russia and Turkey .
"This is why this dialogue is so important," Stroul said. "We have to work with the Iraqis on a comprehensive picture to take advantage of those defense and security resources ."
Abbas asserts that the arrival of a delegation that includes the Minister of Defense, the Commander of the Anti-Terrorism Force and the Chief of Staff is "evidence of the US satisfaction with the file of relations with Baghdad and that cooperation between the two parties is progressing well ."
Abbas pointed out that the talk about the existence of "political objections to Al-Sudani's visit to Washington is incorrect ."
He added, "Iraq tried more than once to ensure the realization of this visit, but the American side informed them clearly that the issue is only related to the president's schedule, which is currently preoccupied with Ukraine and other files ."
And he believes that "the American assessment of the Sudanese government tends in general to be positive, as they see that it has adhered to its pledge not to target American forces in Iraq, which no previous Iraqi government has been able to abide by. "
It is believed that "this matter is essential for the Americans, who believe that Al-Sudani is making an effort to reform many files, especially with regard to financial issues and energy dependence on Iran ."
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