Biden is hosting Iraqi PM Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani in Washington next week. While the two leaders have a host of festering issues to iron out, Iraq seems to be the least of US concerns at the moment.

As the future of the US presence in the Middle East is being debated, foreign policy discussions would be incomplete without considering Russia's role in the region. Al Majalla explains.

What would the regional and global implications of a US military withdrawal from the region look like? Our March issue's cover story provides some answers.

The US will not withdraw from all its bases around the Middle East, but the future of its military forces in Iraq and Syria is less certain

A naval presence can help serve as the cornerstone of enhanced partnerships, deterrence, and regional stability. 

The US now recognises the need to contain Iran — an approach that will require it to maintain a significant military presence in the region for the foreseeable future

In response to the killing of three US soldiers in Jordan last week, the US attacked more than 80 targets belonging to Iran-backed proxy groups and Tehran's Revolutionary Guard.

In an election year, Biden needs to draw a line for Iran to deter future attacks while also avoiding a further regional escalation

Without US military presence, the vice currently around the neck of IS in northeastern Syria would be loosened considerably, if not removed altogether.

While some say a US presence in Iraq is vital to stability and point to continuing gaps in Iraqi security force capabilities, others say the time for any foreign military presence has passed