Uncertain future for U.S.-Iraq dialogue
A strategic dialogue has already started between Washington and Baghdad, in what marks an important development in relations between the two capitals.
The dialogue kicked off amid demands by some Iraqis
for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq.
Thorny relations
The first round of negotiations between Baghdad and
Washington took place on June 10.
The dialogue covered strategic relations between Iraq
and the United States and relations between the central government in Baghdad
and the Kurdistan region.
Issues on the table
Special Representative for Syria
Engagement and Special Envoy to the Global Coalition To Defeat ISIS, James
F. Jeffrey, said the dialogue also focused on the measures the Iraqi government
should take to protect American diplomats and military personnel operating
within the Global Coalition To Defeat ISIS.
He added that the dialogue also
focused on the future of American presence in Iraq in the post-ISIS defeat
period.
Iraqi factions
Iraqi political analyst Hesham
al-Hashmi said militant Iraqi factions had not objected to the dialogue in
principle.
This is especially true, he added, in
the light of the fact that Quds Force Commander, Ismail Qani, who visited
Baghdad recently did not object to the dialogue.
Al-Hashmi noted that the Iraqi
government is aware of rifts between Iraqi parties and factions on dialogue
with the United States.
However, Iraqi parties are afraid that
Baghdad might sign an agreement with the U.S. that can trim their influence in
the future, al-Hashmi said.
U.S. interests
Egyptian political analyst Tarek Fahmi
referred to American strategic considerations behind the dialogue with Baghdad.
Nevertheless, there is a new
government in Iraq, Fahmi told The Reference.
He added that it is still early to say
this government is fully settled on the need for dialogue with the U.S.
