Joe Biden pays a visit to Iraq | ||
29/04/2016 | ||
On Thursday, Joe Biden arrived to Baghdad with intent to help Iraqi leaders resolve a political crisis that has hindered efforts to defeat the Islamic State group. Protests and demands for political reforms have paralyzed an Iraqi government already struggling with a troubled economy and violent extremists. The Obama administration has stepped up the U.S. military role with more troops and equipment, but the U.S. worries that infighting in Baghdad is jeopardizing hard-fought gains with President Barack Obama set to leave office in January. Due to concern for Biden's security, his trip was not announced in advance. Journalists traveling with Biden had to agree to keep it secret until he arrived. The political turmoil in Iraq grew out of weeks of rallies by followers of influential Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr demanding an end to corruption and mismanagement. Thousands have protested just outside Baghdad's heavily guarded Green Zone, calling for politicians to be replaced by independent technocrats and for Iraq's powerful Shiite militias to be brought into vital ministries. Al-Abadi is caught between Iraqis who are pleading for government accountability and entrenched political groups that are reluctant to give up a patronage system that's widely blamed for squandering Iraq's oil fortunes. On Tuesday, Iraq's parliament approved half a dozen new Cabinet ministers whom al-Abadi nominated in a gesture to protesters. Obama stated, "They've got a lot on their plate," adding that, "Now is not the time for government gridlock or bickering." Aiming to build on recent progress in retaking territory from IS, the U.S. this month agreed to deploy more than 200 additional troops to Iraq, bringing the authorized total to just over 4,000, and to send Apache helicopters into the fight. Although the White House has ruled out a ground combat role, Obama's decision puts American forces closer to the front lines to train and support Iraqi forces preparing to try to take back the key northern city of Mosul. U.S. officials would not put a timeline on reclaiming Mosul but said they expect progress to slow during the summer. The slow but consistent ramp-up of U.S. military involvement in Iraq, and more recently in Syria, has raised concerns about the extent of the mission, and the risks of another Mideast entanglement. On the other hand, many Obama critics deem his efforts too little, too late. Nearly all of this year's presidential candidates are pledging a more aggressive campaign against IS. | ||
Last Update:: 29/04/2016 | ||
Iraq Directory |