IRAQIS GET WHAT THEY WANTED: US President Joe Biden has said what Iraqi prime minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi wanted to hear: The US combat mission in Iraq will conclude by year-end. For Al Kadhimi, who met Biden on Monday, the ability to offer Iraqis a date for the end of the US combat presence could be a feather in his cap before parliamentary elections scheduled for October. For years, US troops have played support roles in Iraq, which was the origin of Daesh terror group in 2014, prompting the US to send troops to Iraq. Biden, however, said US troops will continue to train and help the country deal with Daesh. Biden also assured the US would help Iraq strengthen electric power supplies and fight COVID-19. For both countries, this is a welcome shift. [COMMENT BY: Stephen N R, Senior Associate Editor]
Reuters