Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner makes surprise visit to Iraq

This file photo taken on February 23, 2017 shows US President Donald Trump alongside White House Senior Adviser Jared Kushner (L), during a meeting with manufacturing CEOs in the State Dining Room at the White House in Washington, DC. (Photo by AFP)

Jared Kushner, the son-in-law and top aide to US President Donald Trump, has traveled to Iraq for an official visit, a senior US official says.

Kushner was being accompanied by General Joe Dunford, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Trump administration officials said on Sunday.

Kushner’s objective was not clear but it seems the US military’s ongoing campaign against alleged Daesh (ISIL) positions in Iraq and Syria were high up on the agenda.

The Pentagon arranged the visit shortly after Trump mentioned it in a conversation with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi.

According to some reports, Kushner might also discuss Iraq’s reported business investment requests. Apparently, US Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross has been reviewing some of those requests over the past few days. 

A senior administration official told CBS News that Kushner was trying to get a better picture of the overall situation in Iraq and show his support for the Iraqi government.

Nevertheless, the trip bears special significance for Trump, since he has also tasked Kushner, who lacks political experience, with brokering a peace deal between Palestine and Israel.

“If you can’t produce in the Middle East, nobody can,” Trump told his son-in-law at an event days before inauguration.

Kushner is also one of the key Trump associates involved in the investigation into his alleged ties to the Russian government.

The White House confirmed last week that Kushner had volunteered to appear before the Senate Intelligence Committee and answer their questions in this regard.

Kushner is also expected to play an important role in this week’s meeting between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Florida.

Trump has indicated that the meeting would revolve around trade and the threat from North Korea.


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