Nournews: Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi's official visit to the United States takes place at one of the most sensitive moments in Baghdad-Washington relations. On the one hand, the visit offers Iraq an opportunity to leverage economic cooperation, attract investment, and expand regional partnerships in order to fulfill part of the government's development agenda. On the other hand, there are concerns that Washington may seek to create new forms of dependency through economic initiatives and fresh agreements while preserving its political and security influence in Iraq.

The record of Al-Zaidi's first months in office suggests that he has adopted a national and economically driven approach focused on combating corruption, improving living standards, strengthening domestic cohesion, reinforcing state authority, and enhancing Iraq's regional role. His efforts to dismantle corruption networks within government institutions can be viewed within this framework—measures aimed not only at domestic reform but also at addressing claims by some foreign actors regarding Iraq's structural challenges.

The economy and energy are expected to be among the central topics of Al-Zaidi's visit to Washington. The Iraqi government has announced that the talks will focus on expanding economic relations, increasing investment, and strengthening bilateral cooperation. The two sides are also expected to examine and implement understandings in the fields of oil, gas, and energy—issues that are critical to Iraq's economic development given the country's vast energy resources.

Alongside economic discussions, some reports suggest that Iraq, the United States, and several regional countries may hold meetings to discuss regional developments. Baghdad hopes to use this opportunity to expand its diplomatic role in regional affairs. However, past experience has shown that many U.S.-led regional initiatives have often been designed to advance Washington's geopolitical objectives rather than provide lasting solutions to regional crises.

The United States: Economic Partner or a Pretext for Maintaining Its Presence?

The central question surrounding Al-Zaidi's visit concerns Washington's real objectives. While the United States speaks of economic cooperation, energy development, and joint investment in Iraq, its practical policies over recent years have raised significant questions.

Washington has repeatedly used economic and political tools to pressure Baghdad. Sanctions targeting certain Iraqi officials—particularly in the energy sector—along with financial and currency-related pressure and security issues linked to Iraq's relations with its neighbors have led many Iraqi political groups to reassess America's intentions.

In addition, some U.S. security policies in the region and its support for regional allies have fueled concerns about efforts to limit Iraq's independent decision-making. Pressure to reshape Iraq's internal security landscape and weaken resistance groups has remained a recurring issue in the country's political discourse.

Moreover, two decades of U.S. involvement in Iraq have demonstrated that Washington has either failed or been unwilling to fulfill many of its promises regarding Iraq's stability and development. Rather than strengthening Iraq's security, that presence has at times contributed to instability and the expansion of terrorist threats.

Iraq's Oil and Washington's Effort to Preserve Its Influence

One of the most significant dimensions of Al-Zaidi's visit concerns Iraq's energy sector and oil resources. As one of the world's largest holders of proven oil reserves, Iraq occupies a strategic position in both regional and international affairs. Consequently, cooperation in the energy sector can create economic opportunities while also becoming a tool of political influence.

The fundamental question is how the United States can advocate economic development and joint investment while simultaneously employing sanctions and economic pressure against parts of Iraq's economy. This contradiction has led some analysts to argue that Washington is less interested in Iraq's development than in preserving its strategic position within the country's energy sector.

The issue has become even more significant as the United States has seen its influence diminish in several regional arenas in recent years and has sought to maintain its position in Iraq through economic, political, and security channels. Under these circumstances, Al-Zaidi's government faces the challenge of balancing the benefits of foreign economic cooperation with the preservation of Iraq's independent national decision-making.

Iraq's Independence: Its Greatest Asset Against External Pressure

Iraq's experience over the past years has shown that the country has played its most effective regional role when it relied on its domestic capabilities and political independence. The fight against terrorism, the role of the country's religious leadership in public mobilization, and the formation of popular forces have all contributed to strengthening Iraq against security threats.

A significant segment of Iraqi society believes that foreign relations should be based on national interests and respect for Iraq's sovereignty rather than dependence on major powers. Large public participation in national events and continued emphasis on national independence send a clear message to the government in Baghdad: safeguarding sovereignty must take precedence over any short-term economic or political gains.

Against this backdrop, Ali Al-Zaidi's visit to Washington can be viewed as a critical test for the Iraqi government—a test of its ability to seize economic opportunities while preventing the return of an influence that many Iraqis associate with the instability of previous years.

Ultimately, the success of the visit will depend not only on the economic agreements that may be reached, but also on Baghdad's ability to preserve its independence, defend its national interests, and establish itself as an autonomous actor in regional affairs.