Suggested Michael Knights and Ahmed Bureij, researchers at the Washington Institute, rebuild American influence in Iraq through attention to meetings and joint committees, which necessitated the strategic agreements between the two countries.
The researchers, in a report published by the Institute just days before the summit, which was held in Washington between U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari serves as the fifth meeting of the "Coordinating Committee political-diplomatic shared", one of the coordinating committees joint negotiating the seven constituent under " Strategic Framework Agreement "signed in bilateral November 2008.
He adds the researchers said, "since the purpose of the conclusion of the Convention is to become a means of maintaining close contact between Washington and Baghdad after the withdrawal of U.S. forces, has sought (SFA) to develop ongoing relationships and mutually beneficial and which would protect the interests of the United States in at the same time. " And stresses, saying that "the Convention could also represent an ingenious way and slow to rebuild U.S. influence in Iraq."
The researchers gives a lengthy narrative about the committees emanating from the "Strategic Framework Agreement" and the meetings held by the two sides since the U.S. withdrawal from Iraq. Pointing to the 7 sub-committees are:
1 - Committee on Political Affairs and diplomatic cooperation
2 - Commission for security and defense cooperation
3 - Commission for cooperation in the field of energy
4 - Commission for law enforcement and judicial cooperation
5 - Committee on Cooperation in the field of culture and education
6 - Commission for cooperation in the field of technical and services, environment and transport
7 - Commission for cooperation in the field of trade and financial resources
The researchers anticipate a meeting of the Higher Coordination Committee of the expectation that "discusses U.S. and Iraqi officials will discuss the ongoing Syrian crisis as well as to address the Baghdad relations with Iran, especially Iraq's growing role as a gateway through which Tehran reduce the impact of the financial sanctions and energy-related."
The researchers saw Almt_khasassan international affairs that "the meeting is an opportunity to show when Washington to Baghdad, they will play a more powerful role in Syria and shed light on how which can help Iraq in mediating the crisis."
And stressed the "need for the Joint Coordinating Committee of the convergence of views between Baghdad and the Gulf States President like Saudi Arabia, which makes the Shiites who preside over power in Iraq feel more welcome among Sunni Arabs who dominate the neighboring Arab countries while reducing sectarian tensions at home and throughout the the region. "
He adds Knights Bureij saying that "the meeting is an opportunity to start to establish a framework for important national elections to be held in Iraq in 2014 - which will be the first of its kind since the withdrawal of U.S. forces can not overstate the importance of this election."
The attention of the authors that "Many Iraqis believe that the United States helped in the deflection process of forming a government in favor of al-Maliki after the 2010 elections, which looked like it had supported the current prime minister, in order to stabilize the country; It could be argued that this has resulted in more cases of instability . "
And corrects the researchers said, "This time, Washington should be shown to the Iraqis that it stands behind the democratic process rather than any particular result. It's time to start emphasizing - firmly and insistence - to be the next elections free and fair and accurate," warning that "not be delayed local elections for two months in Anbar and Nineveh as a test case for the postponement of the elections for national security reasons. "
In the opinion of experts Internationals that "local sensitivities of the American intervention and the lack of U.S. funds additional earmarked for spending on aid will not necessarily any endeavor U.S. to strengthen relations with Iraq," but Anoha that "Washington feels that he has passed enough time since its withdrawal and that Iraq may be prepared to reactivate relations Through the Strategic Framework Agreement. "
In its reasoning for the return of the U.S. interest in Iraqi affairs, researchers mentioned "the possibility of rebuilding American influence through successive meetings of the Joint Coordinating Committees and one after the other." Considering that "patience and perseverance will return benefits to Iraq, and the U.S. has a lot to offer to the country where lacks every sector of economic sectors to the presence of technocrats and specialists to manage Add to that the issue of excellence and ingenuity of America still exist in the minds of many officials."
The researchers emphasize that the "regular meetings better than the loss of momentum at all, even if I had some meetings via video conferencing, such as the conference, which was attended by U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who is considered the first meeting of the Higher Coordinating Committee of this kind."
Knights and continues Bureij census areas that enable the United States to restore its influence and its cooperation with the Iraqi government, particularly in the oil refining sector and the management and operation of prisons "After nearly ten cases storming prisons in the last year."
In the area of the local government system, he saw the researchers that "the amendment latter, which took place in late June, the Law on Local Powers in Iraq, will transform a set of offices conservatives into units to spend several billion dollars - a responsibility not qualified or prepared her," and to increase the capacity of governments local spending and reduce the size of corruption and ruin, researchers believe "there is a great need for a program to building local capacity ستضعه the United States funded a senior Iraqi."
It emphasizes experts Internationals saying, "The United States should ensure the holding of a meeting of the Higher Coordinating Committee this year, was held last Thursday evening," noting that "the Commission did not hold any meetings in the year 2012", considering it "a clear sign of deteriorating political situation in Iraq The White House is busy - if there were not alienated state of affairs of Iraq. "
The researchers sealed package of recommendations contained in the report by recalling that "amid worsening security crisis, Iraqi political leaders collaborating on a temporary basis, so Washington should support this process through clearly indicated its commitment to the future of the country."
It demands Knights and Bureij the need to "be regarded as the Iraqi elections in 2014, the moment of success or failure for Iraq and U.S. interests in the region," noting that "increasing bilateral cooperation before this election is the best way to start rebuilding U.S. influence in this country, important and vital for of the United States. "
