Blinken, Al-Sudani discuss future of US-Iraq relations, regional tensions

NEWSROOM — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani met in New York on Monday to discuss the future of the U.S.-led international coalition’s presence in Iraq, highlighting differing approaches to the coalition’s role moving forward. While both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to continued security cooperation, their official statements presented distinct visions for the future of the coalition’s mission in Iraq.

According to the U.S. State Department, Blinken emphasized the need to transition “the military mission of the D-ISIS coalition in Iraq to ensure the defeat of ISIS.”

However, the Iraqi government’s readout indicated a preference for a faster conclusion to the coalition’s role in Iraq. “Prime Minister al-Sudani stressed the importance of shifting from coalition-led operations to bilateral cooperation with individual coalition member states,” the Iraqi statement read. The prime minister signaled Iraq’s desire to manage its own security more independently moving forward.

Despite the divergence in approach, both sides reaffirmed their shared goal of ensuring the defeat of ISIS and fostering long-term regional stability. Blinken underscored the importance of a “stable, secure, and sovereign Iraq” as a key player in promoting regional peace. Al-Sudani, speaking earlier this month, emphasized that Iraq’s current situation in 2024 differs significantly from 2014, noting that the large-scale coalition formed to fight ISIS is no longer needed. “There is no longer a need for a coalition of 86 countries,” al-Sudani stated.

Al-Sudani made clear that Iraq would maintain relationships with coalition member states, including the U.S., through bilateral agreements. The two countries have already agreed on a two-year plan for the withdrawal of coalition forces. On Sept. 8, Iraqi Defense Minister Thabet al-Abbasi disclosed that U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had requested an additional year for the withdrawal, but Baghdad rejected the extension, reiterating its intent to stick to the original timeline.

The meeting, which took place on the sidelines of the 79th United Nations General Assembly session, also touched on escalating violence in Gaza and Lebanon. Prime Minister al-Sudani urged decisive international action to halt the conflicts, warning that they risked spreading and destabilizing the region. “The world and the region are facing a difficult time,” al-Sudani said, calling on the United Nations to fulfill its responsibilities in protecting civilians in conflict zones.

Economic cooperation was another key topic of discussion. Blinken pressed Iraq to reopen the Iraq-Türkiye oil pipeline, which has been closed since March due to a legal dispute. Reopening the pipeline, Blinken noted, would “encourage continued foreign investment in the Iraqi economy” and align with Iraq’s goal of achieving energy independence by 2030.

The two leaders also discussed Iraq’s economic modernization efforts. Blinken praised Prime Minister al-Sudani’s reforms aimed at combating corruption and restructuring Iraq’s financial sector, reaffirming U.S. support for the country’s economic development initiatives.