Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi warned that he was being forced to maintain an impossible balance between the United States and Iran. He urged Europe to treat Iraq. Provide assistance to a debt-ridden economy.
In June of this year, Kadimi, a former British citizen and journalist, was appointed as the prime minister of Iraq. Since then, he adopted a simple plan to govern: early elections, strengthening security, and preventing the collapse of an oil-dependent economy.
Reports say that since taking office, he has been slowly adjusting personnel in some security and economic departments. Faced with accusations of being too cautious, he told reporters that patience is better than being dragged into bloody chaos and civil war. He said: “A thousand years of discussion is better than a flash of fire.”
According to reports, Kadimi is trying to walk in the middle ground between the United States and Iran, both of which are competing for influence in Iraq. He said: “I’m standing on the rope between two tall buildings. They didn’t ask me to walk on the rope, but instead asked me to ride a bicycle on the rope. I dance with the snake every day and I’m looking for someone to control it. Snake’s flute.”
The report pointed out that the outside world is worried that before the US presidential election, Iraq will become a battlefield for military confrontation between the United States and Iran. The US government cut its 5,000 troops in Iraq last month and threatened that if the Iraqi government does not contain militias allied with Iran, the US will close its embassy in Iraq.
Kadimi said that after the U.S. election, he will face delicate negotiations on terms for further withdrawal and redeployment of U.S. troops. He said: “Everyone is seeking an opportunity for dialogue. No matter who enters the White House, we are seeking an opportunity to transcend this sensitive issue and its impact.” But he added that the “Islamic State” extremist group is still Iraqi Daily threats.
At the same time, he vowed to control the Iranian-backed militia and told reporters that “any armed forces beyond the government’s control are not allowed.”
Kadimi said that lack of job opportunities, poor medical services and corruption are driving these young people to join armed groups. Since taking office, Kadimi has published a white paper on large-scale economic reforms that will cut public sector wages from 25% of GDP to 12.5%. He added that the country’s political class has become lazy due to its dependence on oil.
During his visits to France, Germany and the United Kingdom, he referred to this white paper as a signal to overseas investors that he hoped that the reform plan would free the country from its excessive dependence on oil in order to obtain national income.
