Five priorities for the US-Iraq strategic dialogue include recognizing regional role for Iraq
US diplomacy during Iraqi transition sets tone for relationship.
Kadhimi’s vote of confidence
The vote of confidence in Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi by Iraq’s Council of Representatives (the Iraqi parliament) this week has the feel of change.
His Cabinet is composed of technocrats and professionals, as Ali Mamouri explains. There is no sense of entitlement in Kadhimi and his team; they are there to do the business of Iraq.
Kadhimi’s priorities, also approved by the parliament, include dramatic and urgent economic reforms; implementation of a new electoral law; settling outstanding issues with the Kurdistan Regional Government (Dana Taib Menmy has the story); and “restricting weapons to state and military institutions,” meaning that all armed groups or Popular Mobilization Units must fall under authority of the state.
