Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi concluded a weeklong visit to the United States on July 19, 2026, his first foreign trip since taking office, which included a high-level business summit and meetings with American energy executives in Houston aimed at attracting investment and strengthening bilateral ties. The visit reflects a broader reorientation in how Washington views Baghdad — shifting away from a purely counterterrorism lens toward a partnership centred on energy, infrastructure and private-sector development. Iraq's ability to maintain simultaneous relationships with the US, Iran, China and the Gulf states positions it as an emerging intermediary in a rapidly reshaping Middle East, though analysts warn that entrenched corruption and powerful Iran-aligned militias could undermine Baghdad's ability to translate that strategic position into lasting national advantage.