Arizona Sen. John McCain is in Baghdad for meetings with Iraqi officials and U.S. military leaders. He wants to get an update on the fight against the Islamic state known as ISIS.
McCain's visit comes right after the Iraqi prime minister said Iraq and Turkey have discussed cooperation in fighting the Islamic State group.
That may include possible Turkish military and intelligence assistance.
The senator’s trip to Iraq comes after he made a surprise Christmas visit to Kabul, Afghanistan.
He met with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and his chief executive officer, Abdullah Abdullah.
A majority of American and NATO combat troops will withdraw from Afghanistan on Dec. 31.
McCain is a vocal critic of President Obama’s foreign policy and he’s set to lead the Senate Armed Services Committee next year.