The Republican Party's protracted inability to select a speaker of the US House of Representatives last month disrupted plans for an Iraqi delegation's trip to Washington for a conference, the hosting think tank has told The National.
The Atlantic Council last week convened a conference on “Iraq’s future in an evolving landscape”, with speakers including Nazar Al Khirullah, Iraq's ambassador to the US, a virtual visit by Baghdad's climate envoy Fareed Yasseen and former State Department officials.
An Atlantic Council representative said the organisation had planned to bring Mohammed Al Halbousi, Speaker of the Iraqi Parliament, to the conference but the lack of a speaker in the US Congress played a role in his staying in Baghdad due to the lack of a “counterpart” in Washington to receive him.
Mr Halbousi leads Al Takadum (Progress) Movement, a Sunni political party that holds the largest number of seats in Iraq's Parliament.
The Atlantic Council representative added it had been planning for a wider parliamentary delegation visit for the conference.
The lack of leadership in Congress, after Kevin McCarthy was voted out by rebels in his own Republican Party, for 23 days stalled the US legislature's capacity to respond to the Israel-Gaza war and make advances on funding the national budget.
The Baghdad parliamentary delegation's decision to sit out the Washington visit shows that the domestic infighting affected US foreign and diplomatic engagements.
The House last week voted in a new speaker, right-wing 2020 election denier Mike Johnson.
With the legislative branch back in motion, President Joe Biden's administration has requested $106 billion to fund aid for Ukraine and Israel as well as support for US border security. The White House request also includes money for Taiwan, which is facing threats from China.
But that proposal faces stiff opposition from Mr Johnson and his Republicans.
Mr Johnson has rejected the White House request and this week countered with a significantly smaller bill that includes $14.3 billion for Israel and cuts to the Internal Revenue Service.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
SUNDAY'S ABU DHABI T10 MATCHES
Northern Warriors v Team Abu Dhabi, 3.30pm
Bangla Tigers v Karnataka Tuskers, 5.45pm
Qalandars v Maratha Arabians, 8pm
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
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Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
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The Vile
Starring: Bdoor Mohammad, Jasem Alkharraz, Iman Tarik, Sarah Taibah
Director: Majid Al Ansari
Rating: 4/5
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Leap of Faith
Michael J Mazarr
Public Affairs
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How does ToTok work?
The calling app is available to download on Google Play and Apple App Store
To successfully install ToTok, users are asked to enter their phone number and then create a nickname.
The app then gives users the option add their existing phone contacts, allowing them to immediately contact people also using the application by video or voice call or via message.
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UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
Tonight's Chat on The National
Tonight's Chat is a series of online conversations on The National. The series features a diverse range of celebrities, politicians and business leaders from around the Arab world.
Tonight’s Chat host Ricardo Karam is a renowned author and broadcaster with a decades-long career in TV. He has previously interviewed Bill Gates, Carlos Ghosn, Andre Agassi and the late Zaha Hadid, among others. Karam is also the founder of Takreem.
Intellectually curious and thought-provoking, Tonight’s Chat moves the conversation forward.
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