Rashid spoke with Fox News Digital after his UNGA speech. (Eduardo Munoz/Reuters)
"We have started development in every field of life, and there are good opportunities for number of American companies, American businessmen, to be our partner in improving the situation in Iraq."
Under this "new phase," Rashid said he wants Iraq to be defined less by conflict and more by commerce.
"Our relationship with the United States is a long relationship. We want to make a stronger relationship… on trade, on investment, on energy and water."
The timing is significant. The U.S.-led coalition that toppled Saddam Hussein in 2003 and later fought ISIS was scheduled under an agreement last year to begin its final withdrawal this September. That exact timeline is unclear, and the Pentagon has disclosed few details.
The issue is sure to dominate next month’s parliamentary elections, where a swath of Iraqis want the U.S. to adhere to its agreement and leave.
"This is a hot button political issue," said Behnam Taleblu, fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), "with a timetable that was technically — or at least allegedly — already supposed to have started by then, is going to be something that we should be keeping our eyes on."
American commanders have warned that ISIS cells remain active in rural areas, while Iran-aligned militias have targeted U.S. and Iraqi government facilities with rockets and drones.
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Some argue the counter-ISIS mission is not over, and U.S. troops should remain. Others say the U.S. footprint lacks a clear purpose at this point.
"The deterrent effect of U.S. forces there, I think, could be significant," said Taleblu.
Pressed on these concerns, Rashid dismissed talk of Iraq being "overrun with Iranian proxies" as exaggerated and said Baghdad is determined to prevent outside powers from dictating its politics.
"We want to keep our independence, our decision-making in Iraq as the Iraqis, not to be influenced by outsiders," he said.
On reports of militia attacks, Rashid claimed ignorance but insisted such actions would not be tolerated.
"I’m not really aware of any groups [carrying out attacks]. We will not allow it. And these are against the Iraqi security and Iraqi independence," he said.
Still, the perception of Iranian influence remains a flashpoint in Washington.
Veterans of the Iraq War may not recognize the Baghdad of today, which President Rashid says is "100% secure." (Thaier al-Sudani/Reuters)
The Iraqi presidency is reserved for a Kurd under an informal power-sharing agreement, while the prime minister is Shi'a Arab and the speaker of the parliament is Sunni Arab.
Rashid also pointed to November’s parliamentary elections as proof of democratic stability.
"We are going to have elections in two months’ time in November. That’s really an indication of how stable the country is… We want the process to be fully democratic," he said.
But the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) — a state-sanctioned umbrella of mostly Shiite militias, some with close ties to Tehran — are seen by critics as a parallel power structure undermining Iraq’s sovereignty.
Rashid, however, argued that integrating all armed groups under the constitution strengthens, rather than weakens, the state.
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And on foreign policy, Rashid tried to position Iraq as a bridge.
He welcomed growing recognition of a Palestinian state, cautiously praised Donald Trump’s push for peace in Gaza, and reiterated that war — whether in the Middle East or in Ukraine — "doesn’t solve any problem. It makes the problem more complicated."
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/iraqi-president-calls-nation-100-safe-even-isis-iranian-militia-threats-persist