No date set yet for US president's meeting with Iran-backed Mohammed Shia al-Sudani; development comes as similar invite still eludes Netanyahu

Lloyd Austin touches down in Baghdad after meeting with King Abdullah in Amman, where pair discussed mutual concerns over 'escalation in tensions in the West Bank and Jerusalem'

State Department says legislation jeopardizes freedom of expression, contrasts with progress being made by Baghdad's neighbors who joined Abraham Accords

Tehran says it won't tolerate 'sabotage' and 'conspiracy' from its neighbor; Iranian ambassador summoned to Baghdad to protest attack, which marked escalation between US and Iran

Mixed election results raise tensions among Iraqi Shiite factions, potentially further complicating challenge of balancing alliances with adversaries Tehran and Washington

UNESCO hails return of artifact, which was looted during Islamic State rule and then illegally imported to the US, as 'a significant victory'

US invasion aimed at confronting 'axis of evil' led to years of unrest, violence, and civil strife, rather than bringing the stability originally envisioned

Main US focus is already assisting Iraqi forces rather than fighting; US president doesn't say if he plans to reduce the number of troops in Iraq, now about 2,500

At the heart of the discussion will be the presence of US troops in Iraq and whether Baghdad's government can deal with remnants of Islamic State terror group

Al-Kadhimi is second Middle Eastern leader slated to visit Washington this month after Jordan's King Abdullah; Bennett also expected for talks, but no date set yet