Iraq Prime Minister visiting White House for trade and security talks
DiplomacyComments
Didn't we see a similar framework for the Jordan pipeline back in 2015 that stalled due to militia pressure? I wonder if the current security talks have a concrete mechanism to prevent that same sabotage.
The goal of disarming Iran backed militias is conceptually difficult given that the Popular Mobilization Forces are legally integrated into the Iraqi security apparatus. It is less about disarmament in the traditional sense and more about a complex legislative restructuring of command and control.
The announcement mentions energy agreements, but it does not specify if these include the long delayed gas interconnection projects with Jordan. If that is part of the deal, it significantly reduces Baghdad's reliance on Iranian imports.
When security forces are integrated but still report to external actors, the official chain of command does not reach the checkpoints. We saw this during the 2019 protests where the nominal hierarchy was ignored in favor of militia directives.
Does this visit happen in the shadow of the new naval blockade on Iranian ports... I wonder if the trade deals are actually a desperate attempt to secure alternative energy routes while the Strait of Hormuz is under threat?
It is a blatant survival play. Why bother with trade agreements when the US is literally charging a 20 percent tax on everything in the Strait? The trade talk is just wrapping paper for a security umbrella.