Ex-Ambassador: Iraq wants to know next US administration's policies in ME

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – A former US Ambassador to Iraq on Friday said the policies of the next US administration regarding the Middle East must be made clear to Americans and Iraqis.

In an interview with Kurdistan24, the former Iraqi Ambassador to the US Lukman Faily said the American people need a clear understanding of the US’ future policies in Iraq and the Middle East.  

On the other hand, he explained Iraqis needed an outline of what they require from the new Washington administration moving forward.

“We have had a higher dependence on the change in presidency [from] President [George] Bush to President [Barack] Obama,” Faily continued.

“We need to understand the next presidency in the United States, what [are] their policies, vision, and what are their expectations and requirements in dealing with Iraq and the region,” he added.

The former Ambassador believed the US would always have a presence in the region, but “the scale and the type of relationship” between Iraq and America must be made clear.

Moreover, Faily stated the US’ approach to the situation in the Middle East is more “global” than the Kurdish dimension.

However, he affirmed the US’ relationship with the Kurds was a key factor in upholding Middle East relations, and that the US depends on Kurds.

Faily also mentioned the upcoming US elections and pointed out that Hillary Clinton, the Democratic candidate, had clearer policies toward Iraq, unlike Republican nominee Donald Trump.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany

(Abbas Zangana conducted the interview in Washington, DC)