Atlantic Council Middle East Programs

Last week, Iraqi PM Al-Zaidi visited Damascus to meet with President al-Sharaa, marking the first visit of an Iraqi PM to Syria since the fall of Bashar al-Assad. Despite this positive political step, the Iraq-Syria relationship remains complicated and marked by lingering concerns on both sides of the border. Join me on November 18 at 11 EST when I'll moderate a virtual discussion with @IbrahimAlAssil, @yesar, @LahibHigel, @Karam__Shaar to discuss the political and economic foundations of this relationship and whether and how the two countries can warm previously cool ties. Register at this link: atlanticcouncil.org/event/th…

The results are in: @MUNQITHDAGHER breaks down what nationwide polling reveals about US favorability among Iraqis. Watch the full event at the link: atlanticcouncil.org/event/ho…

As Operation Inherent Resolve concludes, major questions remain about the future of US engagement with Iraq and the region. Join us next Thursday on Sept 10, at 9:00 a.m. ET at the @AtlanticCouncil for a discussion with Amb. Alina Romanowski, @Andrewtabler , and @MohammedASalih, moderated by @humeyra_pamuk. We’ll assess what the US military departure means for counter-ISIS efforts, security cooperation with Baghdad and the KRG, and the broader US-Iraq relationship. Register here to join us in person or virtually: atlanticcouncil.org/event/us…

A few key Iraq messages from presser between Iraqi PM Ali al-Zaidi and President Trump. Bottom line is that Zaidi got some very positive statements from Trump, apparently landed an unscheduled lunch invite from the President, and avoided any really embarrassing moments: - Trump calls Zaidi "handsome" and says they had "great chemistry." He's going to be "one of the great leaders of the Middle East" and "brilliant guy." "His influence is going to spread throughout the Middle East." --good sign for Zaidi that he managed to charm the President - Trump refers to al-Zaidi as having had a huge electoral victory, a "highly competitive election," and emphasizing that al-Zaidi had US support -- reminder: this is a parliamentary system and al-Zaidi himself was selected by a coalition of Shia parties and did not stand as a candidate in the elections - Trump obliquely refers to Maliki, noting that the US opposed the other candidate - Zaidi confirms that US military is departing on September 30 along with the scheduled end of Operation Inherent Resolve and he says the military will be replaced by US companies - On militias, Zaidi says after September 30 "the Resistance" has no reason to exist and must turn in their weapons. No real response to follow up question about how he will follow up on militias after return - On question about Iraq leaving OPEC, Zaidi says Iraq needs its fair share and there are still displaced people living in camps - President Trump recalls his opposition to 2003 invasion of Iraq and that US invaded the wrong country - Trump recalls his decision to order the strike to kill Qasim Soleimani and refers to the other person who was killed with him (Abu Mahdi Mohandes) and asks Zaidi if he did him a favor (a question Zaidi absolutely cannot answer for domestic political reasons) - In response to q's from Mr. Kurd and Diyar Kurda, Zaidi says Kurdistan is important part of Iraq (like a limb that can't be cut off) and US is most strategic partnership for Iraq, which is why it was important to visit first -Trump refers to Iran as the "bully of the Middle East," including bullying Iraq - Trump: Iraq is a "potentially really great country" and it has US support. "We're going to have a long-term relationship with Iraq."