Divergent Views Over al-Kadhimi’s Visit to Washington to Discuss US Forces Withdrawal

Upon Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi’s decision to visit the US and the possibility of holding talks on US forces withdrawal from Iraq, civil democratic and media blocs expressed divergent views. Some emphasized that considering the actual facts and the upcoming parliamentary elections, US forces’ withdrawal isn’t in Iraq’s favor. They cited the 2011 experience when the US forces withdrew and ISIS took over many Iraqi governorates leading the country into a political, social, and economic crises. However, others indicated that in light of Iraq’s strategic geographical position, the country needs US forces’ presence in order to train Iraqi soldiers and provide logistic help.