Al-Sudani highlights future of Iraq-US relations in meeting with diaspora community

WASHINGTON — Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani met with members of the Iraqi diaspora from across the United States during a gathering in Washington, D.C., on Sunday. Addressing attendees, he highlighted the government’s strides in institutional reforms and underscored the significance of harnessing the expertise of Iraqis abroad for national advancement.

In a statement, Al-Sudani expressed pride in Iraqi communities worldwide, saying, “Iraq belongs to all Iraqis,” and stressed the country’s reliance on the skills and initiatives offered by Iraqi nationals in the U.S. He disclosed plans to explore the establishment of a department for expatriate affairs to bolster communication with Iraqi communities globally, aiming to transcend political quotas.

Discussing the future of Iraq-U.S. relations, the prime minister emphasized the importance of his visit to the U.S., calling it a “crucial” step in articulating a new vision for the bilateral relationship. Central to his discussions in the U.S. was the trajectory of the international coalition, pivotal in neutralizing the threat from the so-called Islamic State, or ISIS.

“Iraq today is different from what it was in 2014; ISIS no longer poses a threat to Iraq,” Al-Sudani stated. “We aim to transition to bilateral relations with the international coalition countries following our victory over ISIS, similar to other regional countries, including in security relations.”

Al-Sudani declared Iraq’s progress as “unprecedented,” highlighting efforts to reform institutions and combat corruption. He noted significant advancements in recovering assets and pursuing individuals implicated in corruption cases, saying, “We have recovered a significant amount of money and [caught fugitives] in corruption cases who hold other nationalities, and some have voluntarily surrendered to the judiciary.”

Despite these strides, Iraq finds itself navigating between its allies, the U.S. and Iran, amid escalating tensions in the region. The recent surge in hostilities, including Tehran’s retaliatory strikes on Israel this week, underscores the delicate geopolitical balance Iraq maintains.

“Iran is a neighboring country with which we share common interests, and America is a strategic ally,” Al-Sudani remarked. He framed Iraq’s relationships with both nations as assets that could help mitigate regional tensions, drawing on past instances of collaboration during crises.

Amid escalating regional tensions and the recent Iranian strike on Israel, the timing of Al-Sudani’s visit gains added significance. Hamza Mustafa, a political analyst accompanying the Iraqi delegation, emphasized the pivotal role Iraq could play in de-escalating conflicts as a country enjoying good relations with both Iran and the U.S. Mustafa noted, “The Iranian strike did not come as a surprise; it was preceded by many warnings, and even though there was a significant escalation from Iran on the eve of Al-Sudani’s visit, neither the American side nor the Iraqi side postponed or canceled the visit.”