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 to meet with US President Donald Trump signals a potential turning point in US-Iraq relations. Trump, known for his personal approach to diplomacy, reportedly developed a positive assessment of Zaidi, a fellow former businessperson. This visit aims to foster a new partnership, with Zaidi vowing to disarm Iran-aligned militias responsible for numerous attacks on US personnel. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth emphasized the need for Iraq to "assert its sovereignty and disarm the Iran-aligned militias" to deepen the partnership.

• The US has a long and complex history in Iraq, including the 2003 invasion, the rise of ISIS after the US withdrawal in 2011, and subsequent re-engagement.
• Previous Iraqi prime ministers, such as Nouri al-Maliki and Haider al-Abadi, faced challenges with sectarianism and the influence of Shi'ite militias.
• Despite the positive meetings in Washington, Iranian-backed militias in Iraq remain armed and critical of US policy, indicating potential ongoing challenges to Zaidi's disarmament efforts.