How the US war on Iran is forcing Iraq into a difficult balancing act

US president welcomed Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al Zaidi to the White House on Tuesday, praising their ‘tremendous chemistry’. Trump pledged to withdraw the remaining US troops from Iraq before October and deepen economic cooperation between the two countries. Al Zaidi, meanwhile, reaffirmed Baghdad’s commitment to disarming Iran-backed militias, which have been given until September 30 to lay down their arms. But can a leader with no political background successfully navigate the delicate balance between Tehran and Washington? Guests: Zeidon Alkinani Founding Director of the Arab Perspective Institute Afzal Ashraf Visiting Fellow in International Relations and Security at Loughborough University Tim Phillips Director of Global Affairs at Nestpoint Associates #Iraq #theNewsmakers