Iraqi PM Ali al-Zaidi's visit to US, meeting with Trump strengthens US-Iraq ties - analysis

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi's recent visit to Washington and his meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump appear to signal a new chapter in U.S.-Iraq relations, moving beyond a history marked by conflict and instability.

Trump, known for his business background and personal approach to diplomacy, reportedly "likes" the new Iraqi leader. Zaidi, also a former businessperson, presented a new image of Iraq to the White House. This personal connection is central to what the article terms the "Trump doctrine" – a foreign policy shaped by personal meetings and assessments.

The article traces the tumultuous history between the two nations. This includes U.S. involvement in the Iran-Iraq War, the 1991 Gulf War, and the 2003 invasion. Following Saddam Hussein's fall, the U.S. struggled to establish a stable government, facing insurgencies, the rise of al-Qaeda, and Iranian-backed Shi'ite groups. The subsequent surge of U.S. troops and eventual withdrawal by 2011 preceded the emergence of ISIS.

Past Iraqi leadership, like Nouri al-Maliki, proved problematic, alienating Sunnis and Kurds and driving them towards extremist groups. The U.S. had to return to combat ISIS, supporting new prime ministers like Haider al-Abadi, who, while helping liberate Mosul, also fostered Shi'ite militias. Throughout these periods, Iran often exerted significant influence behind the scenes, with Shi'ite militias attacking U.S. bases.

Zaidi's meeting with Trump suggests a potential shift, with regional reports indicating Trump is "betting" on the new prime minister for a better future for Iraq. This personal engagement could lead to a more stable and cooperative relationship, moving away from the complex and often fraught history between the two countries.