US President Joe Biden holds a formal news conference in the East Room of the White House. Reuters
US President Joe Biden holds a formal news conference in the East Room of the White House. Reuters
US President Joe Biden holds a formal news conference in the East Room of the White House. Reuters
US President Joe Biden holds a formal news conference in the East Room of the White House. Reuters

US shifting towards diplomacy in Iraq when dealing with Iran, experts say


Mina Aldroubi
  • English
  • Arabic

US-Iraqi relations have taken a more diplomatic path under President Joe Biden’s administration in comparison to the Donald Trump era, experts have told The National.

Mr Biden was inaugurated a year ago and has shifted Washington’s policy by taking a softer approach when dealing with Iranian meddling in Iraq and the wider region.

“The Biden administration has a completely different view of Iraq and the region than the Trump administration,” said Renad Mansour, director of the Iraq initiative at London’s Chatham House.

“The Trump administration's legacy in Iraq will be centred around the very maximal policy against Iran in Iraq.”

Under Mr Trump, who served one term as US president between 2016 and 2021, Iraq was used as a “battle on the ground” for Washington’s conflict with Iran, Mr Mansour said.

In early 2020, a convoy carrying top Iranian general Qassem Suleimani and Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi Al Muhandis was hit by a US drone near Baghdad's airport. The two men were instantly killed.

Suleimani and Al Muhandis played key roles in co-ordinating militia operations against US and coalition forces in Iraq between 2005 and 2011 and, later, against ISIS.

Mr Trump said he had authorised the assassination in response to a wave of attacks on US interests in Iraq, including a fatal attack on American forces on December 27, 2019.

“When the Biden team came, they were much more interested in negotiating with Iran, putting back the JCPOA [Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action on Iran’s nuclear programme],” Mr Mansour said.

A new phase of US involvement in Iraq was announce at the beginning of Mr Biden’s administration — one which still involves “dealing with ISIS".

For the past year, Washington has moved “towards diplomacy and negotiation by seeking avenues for co-operation with Iran and so again it still means Iraq is still important to the US”, Mr Mansour said.

Iraq has been “allowed to free itself from Iran’s grip at a more gradual pace” under Mr Biden, said Michael Knights, a fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.

“The main amendment has been more US patience and understanding under Biden,” he told The National.

“US sanctions waivers for Iraq to import Iranian energy have been forthcoming and general US negotiations with Iran have lowered the temperature in Iraq.”

But Mr Biden’s team has stressed continuity in policy from the Trump period and the pre-2017 Barack Obama period when it comes to Iraq, Mr Knights said.

“The US is still in Iraq, still retaliating against Iran-backed militias when needed, and still supporting Iraq’s democratic process and re-engagement with the world.”

Years of war, insurgency, corruption and poverty have ravaged Iraq. Anti-government protesters have railed since 2019 against a lack of public services and have called for Iraq to put an end to external interference from Iran and the West.

But it remains unlikely that Mr Biden will completely abandon Iraq due to the influence of Tehran on Baghdad’s internal politics.

The US and Iran are entering a dangerous period in 2022, as Iran is closer than ever to having nuclear weapons capability, Mr Knights said.

Washington must come to a decision on whether it can “accept an Iran that has a hidden nuclear weapon or do something about it".

“Depending on which way it goes, Iran will either support ongoing stabilisation in Iraq or risk upsetting it by attacking US forces,” he said.

US troop presence in Iraq

Since 2014, US troops have played an active role in fighting ISIS. But last month, Washington's combat mission in the country was declared over almost two decades after it began.

The new plan stops short of a full-scale withdrawal; instead, the US military will remain in a training, logistics and advisory capacity. There are about 2,500 US troops and personnel still in Iraq.

The declaration sparked fears of a direct military confrontation between Washington and Tehran in Iraq.

Iran, which wields considerable influence in Iraq, said it would avenge Suleimani’s death, and since his assassination, US troops stationed in the country have come under continuous missile attacks.

Western security, military and diplomatic sites across Iraq have been the targets of dozens of rockets and roadside bombs for the past two years.

Iraqi and western officials blame hardline pro-Iran factions for the attacks, though they have not been claimed by any group.

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MATCH INFO

Barcelona 4 (Messi 23' pen, 45 1', 48', Busquets 85')

Celta Vigo 1 (Olaza 42')

Gothia Cup 2025

4,872 matches 

1,942 teams

116 pitches

76 nations

26 UAE teams

15 Lebanese teams

2 Kuwaiti teams

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
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Rating: 3/5

ESSENTIALS

The flights

Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.

The hotels

Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.

The tours

A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages. 

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
 
Started: 2021
 
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
 
Based: Tunisia 
 
Sector: Water technology 
 
Number of staff: 22 
 
Investment raised: $4 million 
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Living in...

This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.

While you're here
Specs

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  • Priority access to new homes from participating developers
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Tips for taking the metro

- set out well ahead of time

- make sure you have at least Dh15 on you Nol card, as there could be big queues for top-up machines

- enter the right cabin. The train may be too busy to move between carriages once you're on

- don't carry too much luggage and tuck it under a seat to make room for fellow passengers

The specs

The specs: 2019 Audi Q8
Price, base: Dh315,000
Engine: 3.0-litre turbocharged V6
Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 340hp @ 3,500rpm
Torque: 500Nm @ 2,250rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.7L / 100km
 

Tips to avoid getting scammed

1) Beware of cheques presented late on Thursday

2) Visit an RTA centre to change registration only after receiving payment

3) Be aware of people asking to test drive the car alone

4) Try not to close the sale at night

5) Don't be rushed into a sale 

6) Call 901 if you see any suspicious behaviour

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Tearful appearance

Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday. 

Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow. 

She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.

A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.

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MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League quarter-final, second leg (first-leg score)

Porto (0) v Liverpool (2), Wednesday, 11pm UAE

Match is on BeIN Sports

PFA Premier League team of 2018-19

Allison (Liverpool)

Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)

Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)

Aymeric Laporte (Manchester City)

Andrew Robertson (Liverpool)

Paul Pogba (Manchester United)

Fernandinho (Manchester City)

Bernardo Silva (Manchester City)

Raheem Sterling (Manchester City)

Sergio Aguero (Manchester City)

Sadio Mane (Liverpool)

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Founder: Ulugbek Yuldashev

Sector: e-commerce

Size: 600 plus

Stage: still in talks with VCs

Principal Investors: self-financed by founder

Brief scores:

Pakistan (1st innings) 181: Babar 71; Olivier 6-37

South Africa (1st innings) 223: Bavuma 53; Amir 4-62

Pakistan (2nd innings) 190: Masood 65, Imam 57; Olivier 5-59

Results

Catchweight 60kg: Mohammed Al Katheeri (UAE) beat Mostafa El Hamy (EGY) TKO round 3

Light Heavyweight: Ibrahim El Sawi (EGY) no contest Kevin Oumar (COM) Unintentional knee by Oumer

Catchweight 73kg:  Yazid Chouchane (ALG) beat Ahmad Al Boussairy (KUW) Unanimous decision

Featherweight: Faris Khaleel Asha (JOR) beat Yousef Al Housani (UAE) TKO in round 2 through foot injury

Welterweight: Omar Hussein (JOR) beat Yassin Najid (MAR); Split decision

Middleweight: Yousri Belgaroui (TUN) beat Sallah Eddine Dekhissi (MAR); Round-1 TKO

Lightweight: Abdullah Mohammed Ali Musalim (UAE) beat Medhat Hussein (EGY); Triangle choke submission

Welterweight: Abdulla Al Bousheiri (KUW) beat Sofiane Oudina (ALG); Triangle choke Round-1

Lightweight: Mohammad Yahya (UAE) beat Saleem Al Bakri (JOR); Unanimous decision

Bantamweight: Ali Taleb (IRQ) beat Nawras Abzakh (JOR); TKO round-2

Catchweight 63kg: Rany Saadeh (PAL) beat Abdel Ali Hariri (MAR); Unanimous decision

Other workplace saving schemes
  • The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
  • Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
  • National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
  • In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
  • Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
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Labour dispute

The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.


- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law 

THE BIO

Favourite book: ‘Purpose Driven Life’ by Rick Warren

Favourite travel destination: Switzerland

Hobbies: Travelling and following motivational speeches and speakers

Favourite place in UAE: Dubai Museum

Race card for Super Saturday

4pm: Al Bastakiya Listed US$250,000 (Dh918,125) (Dirt) 1,900m.

4.35pm: Mahab Al Shimaal Group 3 $200,000 (D) 1,200m.

5.10pm: Nad Al Sheba Conditions $200,000 (Turf) 1,200m.

5.45pm: Burj Nahaar Group 3 $200,000 (D) 1,600m.

6.20pm: Jebel Hatta Group 1 $300,000 (T) 1,800m.

6.55pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 Group 1 $400,000 (D) 2,000m.

7.30pm: Dubai City of Gold Group 2 $250,000 (T) 2,410m.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
ELIO

Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett

Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina

Rating: 4/5

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Updated: January 21, 2022, 3:26 PM`