Overview

• President Joe Biden will welcome Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani to the White House on April 15.
• The talks will focus on ending the mission of the U.S.-led military coalition against the Islamic State and promoting Iraqi financial independence.
• Iraq's relationship with Iran and the safety of U.S. bases in the Middle East are key concerns ahead of the meeting.
• The visit coincides with the anniversary of the kidnapping of Elizabeth Tsurkov, a Russian-American academic, by an Iran-backed militia.
• The U.S. and Iraq are committed to the lasting defeat of ISIS and the evolution of their military mission.