Some Republicans aren’t as ready as Trump to embrace Iraq’s new leader

A number of congressional Republicans are worried Iraq's new leader won't be the partner the U.S. needs in an increasingly turbulent Middle East.

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi met with both President Donald Trump and a slew of lawmakers last week in Washington — his first international trip since taking office. But those on the Hill came away from the visit with more skepticism and reservations than Trump, who praised al-Zaidi's leadership in their meeting.

"Iraqi leaders have fooled us in the past and so far, I have no reason to believe this one will be different," Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) said. "I am afraid that the so-called militia disarmament that the prime minister keeps promising will simply be Iran-backed militia members switching jerseys from terrorist uniforms to the Iraqi government."

Wilson, a prominent advocate for severing Iranian ties with Iraq, said he supports the president's effort to strengthen the relationship with Baghdad, but argues Iraq's promises must be met with caution.

The success of Iraq's new prime minister matters greatly to Washington. Amid the Iran war, the White House has pushed to bridge relations with another Gulf state where ties have long been strained. But before al-Zaidi can become the ally the U.S. hopes for, he needs to address the threat posed by Iran-backed militias, whose attacks have persisted in his country during the war.

Al-Zaidi is saying — and doing — a number of things that are winning him plaudits in Washington.

During his visit, al-Zaidi said his government will honor the Sept. 30 deadline Iraq has set to disarm all Iran-backed and non-state armed groups. And under al-Zaidi, there have been some early signs of progress. The leaders of three major militia groups in the region have already pledged that they will disarm.

But on the ground, the picture remains more complicated. Since the start of the Iran war, many other militias have escalated their attacks, launching strikes targeting U.S. diplomatic and military sites, as well as other public infrastructure in Baghdad.

Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.), a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said he didn't get the answers he needed from al-Zaidi during his visit last week.

" To me personally, it was disappointing. He didn't answer any questions, and I just didn't get much from it," Burchett said. He added he hopes that al-Zaidi can meet the Sept. 30 deadline to disarm Iraq's militias, but acknowledged the steep challenge ahead. "It'll be difficult," Burchett said. "I sure hope he can."

It doesn't help al-Zaidi's case that he attended the funeral procession of Iran's late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei this month, fueling concerns among some U.S. lawmakers of Baghdad's continued allegiance with Tehran.

"This does not inspire confidence in Iraqi leaders," Wilson said, referring to al-Zaidi's attendance at the funeral procession.

The episode shows the delicate balancing act al-Zaidi faces as he seeks to maintain close ties with both Washington and Tehran. But he also has a balancing act in Washington.

Even lawmakers who left the meeting encouraged by the prime minister's remarks noted major obstacles ahead.

Rep. Keith Self (R-Texas), a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said Iran-backed militias in Iraq are "always a concern" and noted that al-Zaidi has significant "history to overcome" to come to terms with Washington.

When asked to comment on the lawmakers' concerns, a White House spokesperson referred to Trump's previous comments on al-Zaidi.

"This man is going to be a great leader in the Middle East, beyond Iraq. His influence is going to spread all throughout the Middle East," Trump said during their meeting last week.

Iraq's embassy in Washington didn't respond to a request for comment.

Victoria Taylor, an Iraq analyst at the Atlantic Council, said a key mission for al-Zaidi's visit was to charm Trump, "and I think he can really say the mission accomplished there."

"Where the visit was less successful was really with other elements of Washington, including on the Hill, where understandably many congressmen are eager to really see more action and more details before they're willing to give him the kind of effusive stamp of approval that he received from the Trump team."

Trump's support for al-Zaidi, a 40-year-old banker with no prior political experience, has been consistent. The president threw his support behind al-Zaidi after the country's parliamentary elections last year, even threatening to cut off U.S. support to Iraq if another candidate was elected.

Al-Zaidi was seen as a consensus candidate and a more neutral pick amid Iraq's political factions. He also used his trip to advance Baghdad's economic agenda, leading the signing of several memorandums of understanding as Iraq looks for alternative export routes and ways to relieve the economic impact of disruptions to its oil business through the Strait of Hormuz.

U.S. envoy to Iraq Tom Barrack has made it clear that the administration is hoping to help al-Zaidi in these endeavors.

"What you're going to find today is this young leader, who we need support with your thoughts, with your confidence, with your businesses, has the ability to change the fabric of the 23-year unbelievable adventure that we have had with Iraq," Barrack said during the U.S.-Iraq Business Summit on Friday.