Sudani and backers navigate domestic considerations in DC

The government’s main political backers are attempting to manage domestic expectations from Sudani’s visit to Washington DC by focusing on broader bilateral cooperation rather than the future of Coalition forces or the ensuing conflict in the region.

Following PM Sudani’s meeting with President Biden in the White House, the Coordination Framework issued a statement on Monday expressing its “full support” for the visit. The CF emphasized the necessity of “establishing a sustainable bilateral strategic partnership with the United States,” particularly highlighting areas such as “energy, investment, economy, and technology.”

While the CF’s statement did refer to the phasing out of the Coalition mandate and Iraq’s role in reducing conflict in the region, Sudani’s political backers recognize the limited outcomes expected from this visit regarding these complex issues.