It stated that a NATO delegation was at the State Department to discuss increasing NATO’s role in Iraq, in line with Trump’s desire for burden sharing in all of our collective defense efforts and added: "There does, however, need to be a conversation between the U.S. and Iraqi governments not just regarding security, but about our financial, economic, and diplomatic partnership. We want to be a friend and partner to a sovereign, prosperous, and stable Iraq."

After the U.S. killing of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani, Iraq says it wants Americans gone from the country. Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi asked the U.S. to send a delegation to set up a mechanism for withdrawing U.S. troops from his country.

On January 5, the Iraqi parliament approved a resolution to expel US troops from the country. In response, Donald Trump threatened to impose sanctions on Iraq like they’ve never seen before.

ILKHA