Blinken Makes Surprise Visit to Iraq as Questions Surround Post-Assad Syria

Secretary of State Antony Blinken has spoken with Jordanian, Turkish, and Iraqi leaders about preventing a surge in sectarian conflicts and terrorism in Syria.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken (2nd R) attends a briefing with U.S. Army Major General Kevin Leahy (R), commander of the Combined Joint Task Force–Operation Inherent Resolve, at the U.S. Embassy headquarters in Baghdad, Iraq, on Dec. 13, 2024. Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Pool/AFP via Getty Images

Secretary of State Antony Blinken made a surprise visit to Baghdad, Iraq, on Dec. 13, in hopes of promoting regional stability after Bashar al-Assad’s recent fall from power in neighboring Syria.

Upon his arrival, Blinken met with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani.