{"id":7071150,"date":"2026-10-01T09:30:33","date_gmt":"2026-10-01T09:30:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=7071150"},"modified":"2026-10-01T09:30:33","modified_gmt":"2026-10-01T09:30:33","slug":"us-withdraws-last-troops-from-iraq-redefining-baghdad-washington-partnership","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=7071150","title":{"rendered":"US withdraws last troops from Iraq, redefining Baghdad-Washington partnership"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div style=\"--floated-w:max(400px, ((100cqw - 740px - (var(--body-gutter) * 2)) \/ 2) + (var(--body-gutter) * 2));--floated-max-h:60vh\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">All remaining US troops are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2026\/09\/30\/world\/middleeast\/iraq-us-troop-withdrawal.html\">leaving their bases<\/a> in Iraq by the end of Wednesday. American soldiers have been stationed in Iraq for more than two decades. They were first <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gicj.org\/positions-opinons\/gicj-positions-and-opinions\/1384-the-2003-war-against-iraq-15-years-of-denial\">deployed in 2003<\/a> in the operation that overthrew former President Saddam Hussein\u2019s government. After withdrawing for a few years, US forces redeployed to the country in 2014 to fight ISIS. This week\u2019s US departure has widely been seen as a boost for neighboring Iran and powerful militias with longstanding ties to Tehran.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To learn more, The World\u2019s Host Carolyn Beeler spoke with Victoria Taylor, director of the Iraq Initiative at the Atlantic Council and the US deputy assistant secretary for Iraq and Iran during the Biden administration.<\/p>\n<figure data-slot=\"figure-root\" data-align=\"default\" style=\"--aspect-ratio:0.75;--floated-max-w:calc(var(--floated-max-h)*var(--aspect-ratio))\" class=\"my-12\">\n<div data-slot=\"figure-wrapper\" class=\"flex flex-col content-center gap-4\"><span class=\"relative block overflow-clip rounded-md bg-navy-blue\/30 backdrop-blur-lg dark:bg-blue\/30 light:bg-blue before:absolute before:inset-0 before:z-0 before:bg-linear-to-tl before:from-purple before:to-purple\/0 after:absolute after:inset-0 after:z-0 after:bg-linear-to-tr after:from-green after:to-green\/0 after:to-40%\"><img alt=\"Large crowd fills a street, many dressed in black, waving yellow and red flags with Arabic script\" data-slot=\"figure-media\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"relative z-1 object-cover w-full rounded-md\" style=\"color:transparent\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 900px\" srcset=\"\/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.pri.org%2Fs3fs-public%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F09%2FAP26273555445974-1024x683.jpg&amp;w=370&amp;q=75 370w, \/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.pri.org%2Fs3fs-public%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F09%2FAP26273555445974-1024x683.jpg&amp;w=384&amp;q=75 384w, \/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.pri.org%2Fs3fs-public%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F09%2FAP26273555445974-1024x683.jpg&amp;w=600&amp;q=75 600w, \/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.pri.org%2Fs3fs-public%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F09%2FAP26273555445974-1024x683.jpg&amp;w=640&amp;q=75 640w, \/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.pri.org%2Fs3fs-public%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F09%2FAP26273555445974-1024x683.jpg&amp;w=750&amp;q=75 750w, \/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.pri.org%2Fs3fs-public%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F09%2FAP26273555445974-1024x683.jpg&amp;w=828&amp;q=75 828w, \/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.pri.org%2Fs3fs-public%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F09%2FAP26273555445974-1024x683.jpg&amp;w=960&amp;q=75 960w, \/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.pri.org%2Fs3fs-public%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F09%2FAP26273555445974-1024x683.jpg&amp;w=1080&amp;q=75 1080w, \/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.pri.org%2Fs3fs-public%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F09%2FAP26273555445974-1024x683.jpg&amp;w=1200&amp;q=75 1200w, \/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.pri.org%2Fs3fs-public%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F09%2FAP26273555445974-1024x683.jpg&amp;w=1280&amp;q=75 1280w, \/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.pri.org%2Fs3fs-public%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F09%2FAP26273555445974-1024x683.jpg&amp;w=1920&amp;q=75 1920w, \/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.pri.org%2Fs3fs-public%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F09%2FAP26273555445974-1024x683.jpg&amp;w=1920&amp;q=75 1920w, \/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.pri.org%2Fs3fs-public%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F09%2FAP26273555445974-1024x683.jpg&amp;w=2048&amp;q=75 2048w, \/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.pri.org%2Fs3fs-public%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F09%2FAP26273555445974-1024x683.jpg&amp;w=2048&amp;q=75 2048w, \/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.pri.org%2Fs3fs-public%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F09%2FAP26273555445974-1024x683.jpg&amp;w=3840&amp;q=75 3840w, \/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.pri.org%2Fs3fs-public%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F09%2FAP26273555445974-1024x683.jpg&amp;w=3840&amp;q=75 3840w\" src=\"https:\/\/theworld.org\/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.pri.org%2Fs3fs-public%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F09%2FAP26273555445974-1024x683.jpg&amp;w=3840&amp;q=75\"\/><\/span><figcaption data-slot=\"figure-caption\" class=\"grid grid-cols-[max-content_1fr] gap-4 justify-between items-start px-2\"><button data-slot=\"dialog-trigger\" style=\"--background:var(--button-background, var(--color-red));--background-end:var(--button-background-end, var(--color-purple))\" class=\"shrink-0 inline-flex items-center justify-center gap-2 whitespace-nowrap rounded-md outline-none font-medium transition-all [&amp;_svg]:pointer-events-none [&amp;_svg]:shrink-0 disabled:pointer-events-none disabled:opacity-50 focus-visible:border-ring focus-visible:ring-ring\/50 focus-visible:ring-[3px] aria-invalid:ring-destructive\/20 dark:aria-invalid:ring-destructive\/40 aria-invalid:border-destructive hover:bg-cyan\/20 hover:backdrop-blur-sm hover:backdrop-brightness-125 size-9 [&amp;_svg]:size-6 cursor-pointer -m-1\" type=\"button\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-expanded=\"false\" data-state=\"closed\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" class=\"lucide lucide-image\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><rect width=\"18\" height=\"18\" x=\"3\" y=\"3\" rx=\"2\" ry=\"2\"\/><circle cx=\"9\" cy=\"9\" r=\"2\"\/><path d=\"m21 15-3.086-3.086a2 2 0 0 0-2.828 0L6 21\"\/><\/svg><span class=\"sr-only\">View Image: <!-- -->AP26273555445974-1024&#215;683.jpg<\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<p>People gather during celebrations marking the complete withdrawal of US troops from Iraq, in Baghdad, Iraq, Sept. 30, 2026.<span class=\"media-credit\">Hadi Mizban\/AP<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<div data-slot=\"qa-root\" class=\"group\/qa relative ps-7 -ms-7 my-8 before:absolute before:inset-0 before:left-2 before:right-auto before:w-1 before:bg-linear-(--gradient-body-divider-bg) before:bg-fixed before:rounded-full\">\n<p>Carolyn Beeler: Describe the beginning of US operations in Iraq that were initiated as part of the post-9\/11 War on Terror.<\/p>\n<p>Victoria Taylor: At that moment when the US invaded, of course, there was the debate about whether or not Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction. And certainly within the US government at high levels, there was a discussion about regime change and the possibility of also bringing democracy to Iraq. I think the reality, of course, was much more complicated as the US learned that some of the intelligence on which the assessments about weapons of mass destruction were based were faulty. And of course, I think the picture is much more complicated in hindsight in terms of what the fall of Saddam Hussein ushered in, in terms of Iraq\u2019s next government. I think you could call Iraq a democracy, but it is a flawed democracy, and it\u2019s certainly a complicated democracy. And I don\u2019t think you could say that the government that has been put in place has always been pro-US or pro-Western in its approach.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div data-slot=\"qa-root\" class=\"group\/qa relative ps-7 -ms-7 my-8 before:absolute before:inset-0 before:left-2 before:right-auto before:w-1 before:bg-linear-(--gradient-body-divider-bg) before:bg-fixed before:rounded-full\">\n<p>US troops were sent into Iraq after a brief absence in 2014 to fight ISIS. Was it successful in its objectives in that operation?<\/p>\n<p>I think you could call Operation Inherent Resolve a success. And certainly, at the moment that US troops were sent back in, ISIS had taken over a third of Iraqi territory and had significant territorial holdings in Syria as well. And so, the US-led coalition was able to retake Iraqi and Syrian territory and able to significantly degrade ISIS in Iraq as well as in Syria.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<figure data-slot=\"figure-root\" data-align=\"default\" style=\"--aspect-ratio:0.75;--floated-max-w:calc(var(--floated-max-h)*var(--aspect-ratio))\" class=\"my-12\">\n<div data-slot=\"figure-wrapper\" class=\"flex flex-col content-center gap-4\"><span class=\"relative block overflow-clip rounded-md bg-navy-blue\/30 backdrop-blur-lg dark:bg-blue\/30 light:bg-blue before:absolute before:inset-0 before:z-0 before:bg-linear-to-tl before:from-purple before:to-purple\/0 after:absolute after:inset-0 after:z-0 after:bg-linear-to-tr after:from-green after:to-green\/0 after:to-40%\"><img alt=\"Smoke rises over a lit city skyline at night, with a river and bridges visible amid the illuminated buildings and streets\" data-slot=\"figure-media\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"674\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"relative z-1 object-cover w-full rounded-md\" style=\"color:transparent\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 900px\" srcset=\"\/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.pri.org%2Fs3fs-public%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F09%2FAP030320111831-1024x674.jpg&amp;w=370&amp;q=75 370w, \/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.pri.org%2Fs3fs-public%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F09%2FAP030320111831-1024x674.jpg&amp;w=384&amp;q=75 384w, \/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.pri.org%2Fs3fs-public%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F09%2FAP030320111831-1024x674.jpg&amp;w=600&amp;q=75 600w, \/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.pri.org%2Fs3fs-public%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F09%2FAP030320111831-1024x674.jpg&amp;w=640&amp;q=75 640w, \/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.pri.org%2Fs3fs-public%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F09%2FAP030320111831-1024x674.jpg&amp;w=750&amp;q=75 750w, \/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.pri.org%2Fs3fs-public%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F09%2FAP030320111831-1024x674.jpg&amp;w=828&amp;q=75 828w, \/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.pri.org%2Fs3fs-public%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F09%2FAP030320111831-1024x674.jpg&amp;w=960&amp;q=75 960w, \/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.pri.org%2Fs3fs-public%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F09%2FAP030320111831-1024x674.jpg&amp;w=1080&amp;q=75 1080w, \/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.pri.org%2Fs3fs-public%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F09%2FAP030320111831-1024x674.jpg&amp;w=1200&amp;q=75 1200w, \/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.pri.org%2Fs3fs-public%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F09%2FAP030320111831-1024x674.jpg&amp;w=1280&amp;q=75 1280w, \/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.pri.org%2Fs3fs-public%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F09%2FAP030320111831-1024x674.jpg&amp;w=1920&amp;q=75 1920w, \/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.pri.org%2Fs3fs-public%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F09%2FAP030320111831-1024x674.jpg&amp;w=1920&amp;q=75 1920w, \/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.pri.org%2Fs3fs-public%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F09%2FAP030320111831-1024x674.jpg&amp;w=2048&amp;q=75 2048w, \/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.pri.org%2Fs3fs-public%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F09%2FAP030320111831-1024x674.jpg&amp;w=2048&amp;q=75 2048w, \/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.pri.org%2Fs3fs-public%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F09%2FAP030320111831-1024x674.jpg&amp;w=3840&amp;q=75 3840w, \/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.pri.org%2Fs3fs-public%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F09%2FAP030320111831-1024x674.jpg&amp;w=3840&amp;q=75 3840w\" src=\"https:\/\/theworld.org\/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.pri.org%2Fs3fs-public%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F09%2FAP030320111831-1024x674.jpg&amp;w=3840&amp;q=75\"\/><\/span><figcaption data-slot=\"figure-caption\" class=\"grid grid-cols-[max-content_1fr] gap-4 justify-between items-start px-2\"><button data-slot=\"dialog-trigger\" style=\"--background:var(--button-background, var(--color-red));--background-end:var(--button-background-end, var(--color-purple))\" class=\"shrink-0 inline-flex items-center justify-center gap-2 whitespace-nowrap rounded-md outline-none font-medium transition-all [&amp;_svg]:pointer-events-none [&amp;_svg]:shrink-0 disabled:pointer-events-none disabled:opacity-50 focus-visible:border-ring focus-visible:ring-ring\/50 focus-visible:ring-[3px] aria-invalid:ring-destructive\/20 dark:aria-invalid:ring-destructive\/40 aria-invalid:border-destructive hover:bg-cyan\/20 hover:backdrop-blur-sm hover:backdrop-brightness-125 size-9 [&amp;_svg]:size-6 cursor-pointer -m-1\" type=\"button\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-expanded=\"false\" data-state=\"closed\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" class=\"lucide lucide-image\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><rect width=\"18\" height=\"18\" x=\"3\" y=\"3\" rx=\"2\" ry=\"2\"\/><circle cx=\"9\" cy=\"9\" r=\"2\"\/><path d=\"m21 15-3.086-3.086a2 2 0 0 0-2.828 0L6 21\"\/><\/svg><span class=\"sr-only\">View Image: <!-- -->AP030320111831-1024&#215;674.jpg<\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<p>In this file photo, smoke rises from the Trade Ministry in Baghdad after it was hit by a missile during US-led forces attacks, March 20, 2003.<span class=\"media-credit\">Jerome Delay\/AP\/File photo<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<div data-slot=\"qa-root\" class=\"group\/qa relative ps-7 -ms-7 my-8 before:absolute before:inset-0 before:left-2 before:right-auto before:w-1 before:bg-linear-(--gradient-body-divider-bg) before:bg-fixed before:rounded-full\">\n<p>Victoria, how many troops were still in Iraq and what were they doing there?<\/p>\n<p>By the end of the mission, there were under 5,000 troops, and much of the operation was still focused on supporting the counter-ISIS mission, both providing logistical support to operations in Syria, but also for operations within Iraq.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div data-slot=\"qa-root\" class=\"group\/qa relative ps-7 -ms-7 my-8 before:absolute before:inset-0 before:left-2 before:right-auto before:w-1 before:bg-linear-(--gradient-body-divider-bg) before:bg-fixed before:rounded-full\">\n<p>Now, you were part of the team that negotiated this withdrawal agreement when you were in the State Department during the Biden administration. What were the terms of that agreement?<\/p>\n<p>All counter-ISIS operations under Operation Inherent Resolve would end in September 2025, and they would then have one remaining year to remain based in the Kurdistan region in Erbil to support operations in Syria. At that time, under the Biden administration, the focus was on securing as long a lead time as possible and retaining the possibility that the US military could remain in Iraq in a bilateral capacity. I was there in the early months of the Trump administration. And of course, there was a different approach and goal in terms of the US military presence in Iraq.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<figure data-slot=\"figure-root\" data-align=\"default\" style=\"--aspect-ratio:0.75;--floated-max-w:calc(var(--floated-max-h)*var(--aspect-ratio))\" class=\"my-12\">\n<div data-slot=\"figure-wrapper\" class=\"flex flex-col content-center gap-4\"><span class=\"relative block overflow-clip rounded-md bg-navy-blue\/30 backdrop-blur-lg dark:bg-blue\/30 light:bg-blue before:absolute before:inset-0 before:z-0 before:bg-linear-to-tl before:from-purple before:to-purple\/0 after:absolute after:inset-0 after:z-0 after:bg-linear-to-tr after:from-green after:to-green\/0 after:to-40%\"><img alt=\"Armed fighters climb a dirt embankment beneath an Iraqi flag, one aiming a mounted gun skyward\" data-slot=\"figure-media\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"727\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"relative z-1 object-cover w-full rounded-md\" style=\"color:transparent\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 900px\" srcset=\"\/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.pri.org%2Fs3fs-public%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F09%2FAP26257498522899-1024x727.jpg&amp;w=370&amp;q=75 370w, \/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.pri.org%2Fs3fs-public%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F09%2FAP26257498522899-1024x727.jpg&amp;w=384&amp;q=75 384w, \/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.pri.org%2Fs3fs-public%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F09%2FAP26257498522899-1024x727.jpg&amp;w=600&amp;q=75 600w, \/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.pri.org%2Fs3fs-public%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F09%2FAP26257498522899-1024x727.jpg&amp;w=640&amp;q=75 640w, \/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.pri.org%2Fs3fs-public%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F09%2FAP26257498522899-1024x727.jpg&amp;w=750&amp;q=75 750w, \/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.pri.org%2Fs3fs-public%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F09%2FAP26257498522899-1024x727.jpg&amp;w=828&amp;q=75 828w, \/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.pri.org%2Fs3fs-public%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F09%2FAP26257498522899-1024x727.jpg&amp;w=960&amp;q=75 960w, \/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.pri.org%2Fs3fs-public%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F09%2FAP26257498522899-1024x727.jpg&amp;w=1080&amp;q=75 1080w, \/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.pri.org%2Fs3fs-public%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F09%2FAP26257498522899-1024x727.jpg&amp;w=1200&amp;q=75 1200w, \/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.pri.org%2Fs3fs-public%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F09%2FAP26257498522899-1024x727.jpg&amp;w=1280&amp;q=75 1280w, \/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.pri.org%2Fs3fs-public%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F09%2FAP26257498522899-1024x727.jpg&amp;w=1920&amp;q=75 1920w, \/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.pri.org%2Fs3fs-public%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F09%2FAP26257498522899-1024x727.jpg&amp;w=1920&amp;q=75 1920w, \/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.pri.org%2Fs3fs-public%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F09%2FAP26257498522899-1024x727.jpg&amp;w=2048&amp;q=75 2048w, \/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.pri.org%2Fs3fs-public%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F09%2FAP26257498522899-1024x727.jpg&amp;w=2048&amp;q=75 2048w, \/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.pri.org%2Fs3fs-public%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F09%2FAP26257498522899-1024x727.jpg&amp;w=3840&amp;q=75 3840w, \/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.pri.org%2Fs3fs-public%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F09%2FAP26257498522899-1024x727.jpg&amp;w=3840&amp;q=75 3840w\" src=\"https:\/\/theworld.org\/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.pri.org%2Fs3fs-public%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F09%2FAP26257498522899-1024x727.jpg&amp;w=3840&amp;q=75\"\/><\/span><figcaption data-slot=\"figure-caption\" class=\"grid grid-cols-[max-content_1fr] gap-4 justify-between items-start px-2\"><button data-slot=\"dialog-trigger\" style=\"--background:var(--button-background, var(--color-red));--background-end:var(--button-background-end, var(--color-purple))\" class=\"shrink-0 inline-flex items-center justify-center gap-2 whitespace-nowrap rounded-md outline-none font-medium transition-all [&amp;_svg]:pointer-events-none [&amp;_svg]:shrink-0 disabled:pointer-events-none disabled:opacity-50 focus-visible:border-ring focus-visible:ring-ring\/50 focus-visible:ring-[3px] aria-invalid:ring-destructive\/20 dark:aria-invalid:ring-destructive\/40 aria-invalid:border-destructive hover:bg-cyan\/20 hover:backdrop-blur-sm hover:backdrop-brightness-125 size-9 [&amp;_svg]:size-6 cursor-pointer -m-1\" type=\"button\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-expanded=\"false\" data-state=\"closed\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" class=\"lucide lucide-image\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><rect width=\"18\" height=\"18\" x=\"3\" y=\"3\" rx=\"2\" ry=\"2\"\/><circle cx=\"9\" cy=\"9\" r=\"2\"\/><path d=\"m21 15-3.086-3.086a2 2 0 0 0-2.828 0L6 21\"\/><\/svg><span class=\"sr-only\">View Image: <!-- -->AP26257498522899-1024&#215;727.jpg<\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<p>In this file photo, fighters from the Badr Brigades Shia militia clash with ISIS at the front line on the outskirts of Fallujah in the Anbar province of Iraq, June 1, 2015.<span class=\"media-credit\">Hadi Mizban\/AP\/File photo<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<div data-slot=\"qa-root\" class=\"group\/qa relative ps-7 -ms-7 my-8 before:absolute before:inset-0 before:left-2 before:right-auto before:w-1 before:bg-linear-(--gradient-body-divider-bg) before:bg-fixed before:rounded-full\">\n<p>So, if it was the Kurdish region that US troops were still stationed in, what impact does this have on that region, on Kurds, this minority community in Iraq?<\/p>\n<p>For the Kurds, it provided them with a sense of protection against the possibility of Iranian attacks, which became very vivid during the Iran war as the region was continually hit by drones, rockets and missiles, both from the Iran-backed militias, but also directly from Iran. But I think it was also very important symbolically, as the Kurds continue to believe that their autonomy is at risk.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div data-slot=\"qa-root\" class=\"group\/qa relative ps-7 -ms-7 my-8 before:absolute before:inset-0 before:left-2 before:right-auto before:w-1 before:bg-linear-(--gradient-body-divider-bg) before:bg-fixed before:rounded-full\">\n<p>So, the picture on the ground has changed since this agreement was negotiated. If Washington had wanted to extend the US presence beyond this week, could they have done that?<\/p>\n<p>Well, I think there were a few key moments at which the US could have extended the Operation Inherent Resolve mission, one of those being the fall of [former President] Bashar al-Assad\u2019s government in Syria and the threat that even the Iraqi government in Baghdad felt from a possible ISIS resurgence. I think it would be hard for the Iraqi government to extend Operation Inherent Resolve right now, but it would be possible for the US to negotiate terms that allow a limited bilateral security mission.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<figure data-slot=\"figure-root\" data-align=\"default\" style=\"--aspect-ratio:0.75;--floated-max-w:calc(var(--floated-max-h)*var(--aspect-ratio))\" class=\"my-12\">\n<div data-slot=\"figure-wrapper\" class=\"flex flex-col content-center gap-4\"><span class=\"relative block overflow-clip rounded-md bg-navy-blue\/30 backdrop-blur-lg dark:bg-blue\/30 light:bg-blue before:absolute before:inset-0 before:z-0 before:bg-linear-to-tl before:from-purple before:to-purple\/0 after:absolute after:inset-0 after:z-0 after:bg-linear-to-tr after:from-green after:to-green\/0 after:to-40%\"><img alt=\"Colin Powell holds up a small vial while speaking at the United Nations Security Council\" data-slot=\"figure-media\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"relative z-1 object-cover w-full rounded-md\" style=\"color:transparent\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 900px\" srcset=\"\/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.pri.org%2Fs3fs-public%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F09%2FAP23132650683824-1024x683.jpg&amp;w=370&amp;q=75 370w, \/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.pri.org%2Fs3fs-public%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F09%2FAP23132650683824-1024x683.jpg&amp;w=384&amp;q=75 384w, \/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.pri.org%2Fs3fs-public%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F09%2FAP23132650683824-1024x683.jpg&amp;w=600&amp;q=75 600w, \/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.pri.org%2Fs3fs-public%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F09%2FAP23132650683824-1024x683.jpg&amp;w=640&amp;q=75 640w, \/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.pri.org%2Fs3fs-public%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F09%2FAP23132650683824-1024x683.jpg&amp;w=750&amp;q=75 750w, \/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.pri.org%2Fs3fs-public%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F09%2FAP23132650683824-1024x683.jpg&amp;w=828&amp;q=75 828w, \/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.pri.org%2Fs3fs-public%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F09%2FAP23132650683824-1024x683.jpg&amp;w=960&amp;q=75 960w, \/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.pri.org%2Fs3fs-public%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F09%2FAP23132650683824-1024x683.jpg&amp;w=1080&amp;q=75 1080w, \/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.pri.org%2Fs3fs-public%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F09%2FAP23132650683824-1024x683.jpg&amp;w=1200&amp;q=75 1200w, \/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.pri.org%2Fs3fs-public%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F09%2FAP23132650683824-1024x683.jpg&amp;w=1280&amp;q=75 1280w, \/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.pri.org%2Fs3fs-public%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F09%2FAP23132650683824-1024x683.jpg&amp;w=1920&amp;q=75 1920w, \/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.pri.org%2Fs3fs-public%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F09%2FAP23132650683824-1024x683.jpg&amp;w=1920&amp;q=75 1920w, \/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.pri.org%2Fs3fs-public%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F09%2FAP23132650683824-1024x683.jpg&amp;w=2048&amp;q=75 2048w, \/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.pri.org%2Fs3fs-public%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F09%2FAP23132650683824-1024x683.jpg&amp;w=2048&amp;q=75 2048w, \/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.pri.org%2Fs3fs-public%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F09%2FAP23132650683824-1024x683.jpg&amp;w=3840&amp;q=75 3840w, \/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.pri.org%2Fs3fs-public%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F09%2FAP23132650683824-1024x683.jpg&amp;w=3840&amp;q=75 3840w\" src=\"https:\/\/theworld.org\/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.pri.org%2Fs3fs-public%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F09%2FAP23132650683824-1024x683.jpg&amp;w=3840&amp;q=75\"\/><\/span><figcaption data-slot=\"figure-caption\" class=\"grid grid-cols-[max-content_1fr] gap-4 justify-between items-start px-2\"><button data-slot=\"dialog-trigger\" style=\"--background:var(--button-background, var(--color-red));--background-end:var(--button-background-end, var(--color-purple))\" class=\"shrink-0 inline-flex items-center justify-center gap-2 whitespace-nowrap rounded-md outline-none font-medium transition-all [&amp;_svg]:pointer-events-none [&amp;_svg]:shrink-0 disabled:pointer-events-none disabled:opacity-50 focus-visible:border-ring focus-visible:ring-ring\/50 focus-visible:ring-[3px] aria-invalid:ring-destructive\/20 dark:aria-invalid:ring-destructive\/40 aria-invalid:border-destructive hover:bg-cyan\/20 hover:backdrop-blur-sm hover:backdrop-brightness-125 size-9 [&amp;_svg]:size-6 cursor-pointer -m-1\" type=\"button\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-expanded=\"false\" data-state=\"closed\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" class=\"lucide lucide-image\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><rect width=\"18\" height=\"18\" x=\"3\" y=\"3\" rx=\"2\" ry=\"2\"\/><circle cx=\"9\" cy=\"9\" r=\"2\"\/><path d=\"m21 15-3.086-3.086a2 2 0 0 0-2.828 0L6 21\"\/><\/svg><span class=\"sr-only\">View Image: <!-- -->AP23132650683824-1024&#215;683.jpg<\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<p>In this file photo then-US Secretary of State Colin Powell holds a vial of what he said could have been a biological weapon during a meeting selling the invasion of Iraq in the United Nations Security Council, Feb. 5, 2003.<span class=\"media-credit\">Elise Amendola\/AP\/File photo<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<div data-slot=\"qa-root\" class=\"group\/qa relative ps-7 -ms-7 my-8 before:absolute before:inset-0 before:left-2 before:right-auto before:w-1 before:bg-linear-(--gradient-body-divider-bg) before:bg-fixed before:rounded-full\">\n<p>And has the US done that? Has the Trump administration done that?<\/p>\n<p>I don\u2019t think that they\u2019ve really focused on that kind of long-term planning. And I think part of that is because the Trump administration really comes in with a view that Iraq is an example of the kind of \u201cforever war\u201d that President Trump himself has stated that the US should have avoided and should not enter into again. And also, just a broader desire of this administration to begin to reduce the US military presence in the Middle East.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div data-slot=\"qa-root\" class=\"group\/qa relative ps-7 -ms-7 my-8 before:absolute before:inset-0 before:left-2 before:right-auto before:w-1 before:bg-linear-(--gradient-body-divider-bg) before:bg-fixed before:rounded-full\">\n<p>You have said that the Kurds might lose by this US withdrawal happening. Who stands to win in Iraq right now? Who benefits from this?<\/p>\n<p>I think it\u2019s been clear over the preceding decades that Iran has been eager to put pressure on the US military presence in the Middle East. And, you know, it has done that very effectively in Iraq by arming militias in Iraq, many of whom have launched numerous attacks against US military and diplomatic facilities. And the ultimate goal was to see the departure of US troops, which I believe Iran views as a significant victory.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<figure data-slot=\"figure-root\" data-align=\"default\" style=\"--aspect-ratio:0.75;--floated-max-w:calc(var(--floated-max-h)*var(--aspect-ratio))\" class=\"my-12\">\n<div data-slot=\"figure-wrapper\" class=\"flex flex-col content-center gap-4\"><span class=\"relative block overflow-clip rounded-md bg-navy-blue\/30 backdrop-blur-lg dark:bg-blue\/30 light:bg-blue before:absolute before:inset-0 before:z-0 before:bg-linear-to-tl before:from-purple before:to-purple\/0 after:absolute after:inset-0 after:z-0 after:bg-linear-to-tr after:from-green after:to-green\/0 after:to-40%\"><img alt=\"Soldiers in camouflage uniforms walk across a gravel base past tents, one making a peace sign\" data-slot=\"figure-media\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"693\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"relative z-1 object-cover w-full rounded-md\" style=\"color:transparent\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 900px\" srcset=\"\/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.pri.org%2Fs3fs-public%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F09%2FAP26257498680440-1024x693.jpg&amp;w=370&amp;q=75 370w, \/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.pri.org%2Fs3fs-public%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F09%2FAP26257498680440-1024x693.jpg&amp;w=384&amp;q=75 384w, \/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.pri.org%2Fs3fs-public%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F09%2FAP26257498680440-1024x693.jpg&amp;w=600&amp;q=75 600w, \/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.pri.org%2Fs3fs-public%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F09%2FAP26257498680440-1024x693.jpg&amp;w=640&amp;q=75 640w, \/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.pri.org%2Fs3fs-public%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F09%2FAP26257498680440-1024x693.jpg&amp;w=750&amp;q=75 750w, \/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.pri.org%2Fs3fs-public%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F09%2FAP26257498680440-1024x693.jpg&amp;w=828&amp;q=75 828w, \/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.pri.org%2Fs3fs-public%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F09%2FAP26257498680440-1024x693.jpg&amp;w=960&amp;q=75 960w, \/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.pri.org%2Fs3fs-public%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F09%2FAP26257498680440-1024x693.jpg&amp;w=1080&amp;q=75 1080w, \/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.pri.org%2Fs3fs-public%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F09%2FAP26257498680440-1024x693.jpg&amp;w=1200&amp;q=75 1200w, \/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.pri.org%2Fs3fs-public%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F09%2FAP26257498680440-1024x693.jpg&amp;w=1280&amp;q=75 1280w, \/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.pri.org%2Fs3fs-public%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F09%2FAP26257498680440-1024x693.jpg&amp;w=1920&amp;q=75 1920w, \/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.pri.org%2Fs3fs-public%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F09%2FAP26257498680440-1024x693.jpg&amp;w=1920&amp;q=75 1920w, \/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.pri.org%2Fs3fs-public%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F09%2FAP26257498680440-1024x693.jpg&amp;w=2048&amp;q=75 2048w, \/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.pri.org%2Fs3fs-public%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F09%2FAP26257498680440-1024x693.jpg&amp;w=2048&amp;q=75 2048w, \/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.pri.org%2Fs3fs-public%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F09%2FAP26257498680440-1024x693.jpg&amp;w=3840&amp;q=75 3840w, \/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.pri.org%2Fs3fs-public%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F09%2FAP26257498680440-1024x693.jpg&amp;w=3840&amp;q=75 3840w\" src=\"https:\/\/theworld.org\/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.pri.org%2Fs3fs-public%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F09%2FAP26257498680440-1024x693.jpg&amp;w=3840&amp;q=75\"\/><\/span><figcaption data-slot=\"figure-caption\" class=\"grid grid-cols-[max-content_1fr] gap-4 justify-between items-start px-2\"><button data-slot=\"dialog-trigger\" style=\"--background:var(--button-background, var(--color-red));--background-end:var(--button-background-end, var(--color-purple))\" class=\"shrink-0 inline-flex items-center justify-center gap-2 whitespace-nowrap rounded-md outline-none font-medium transition-all [&amp;_svg]:pointer-events-none [&amp;_svg]:shrink-0 disabled:pointer-events-none disabled:opacity-50 focus-visible:border-ring focus-visible:ring-ring\/50 focus-visible:ring-[3px] aria-invalid:ring-destructive\/20 dark:aria-invalid:ring-destructive\/40 aria-invalid:border-destructive hover:bg-cyan\/20 hover:backdrop-blur-sm hover:backdrop-brightness-125 size-9 [&amp;_svg]:size-6 cursor-pointer -m-1\" type=\"button\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-expanded=\"false\" data-state=\"closed\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" class=\"lucide lucide-image\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><rect width=\"18\" height=\"18\" x=\"3\" y=\"3\" rx=\"2\" ry=\"2\"\/><circle cx=\"9\" cy=\"9\" r=\"2\"\/><path d=\"m21 15-3.086-3.086a2 2 0 0 0-2.828 0L6 21\"\/><\/svg><span class=\"sr-only\">View Image: <!-- -->AP26257498680440-1024&#215;693.jpg<\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<p>In this file photo, a US army soldier flashes a V for victory sign as he begins his journey home, at the al-Asad Air Base west of Baghdad, Iraq, Nov. 1 , 2011.<span class=\"media-credit\">Khalid Mohammed\/AP\/File photo<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<div data-slot=\"qa-root\" class=\"group\/qa relative ps-7 -ms-7 my-8 before:absolute before:inset-0 before:left-2 before:right-auto before:w-1 before:bg-linear-(--gradient-body-divider-bg) before:bg-fixed before:rounded-full\">\n<p>And so, at a time when the US is at war with Iran, it is giving up its foothold in Iraq to fight Iran-backed militias.<\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s right. And I think, unfortunately, the Iran War has not prompted any reconsideration of the US military presence and what role it could have played in the broader regional context of the Iran War.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div data-slot=\"qa-root\" class=\"group\/qa relative ps-7 -ms-7 my-8 before:absolute before:inset-0 before:left-2 before:right-auto before:w-1 before:bg-linear-(--gradient-body-divider-bg) before:bg-fixed before:rounded-full\">\n<p>Iraq is one of the few countries that has strong ties to both the US and Iran. Can they maintain those close ties with both countries as the US [and Israeli] war with Iran continues?<\/p>\n<p>I think that\u2019s becoming increasingly untenable at a moment when the US and Iran are in active conflict. And I think that\u2019s why you\u2019re seeing greater pressure from the Trump administration in order to disarm the militias and undermine Iranian influence in Iraq. And at a moment when US policy towards Iraq is really defined by undermining Iranian influence, it really appears that the Trump administration is trying to force the Iraqi government to pick a side. And so, I think it will be increasingly challenging for the Iraqi government to maintain any kind of balance between these two powerful [countries].<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>This interview has been\u00a0lightly\u00a0edited\u00a0and condensed for clarity.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>All remaining US troops are leaving their bases in Iraq by the end of Wednesday. American soldiers have been stationed in Iraq for more than two decades. They were first deployed in 2003 in the operation that overthrew former President Saddam Hussein\u2019s government. After withdrawing for a few years, US forces redeployed to the country [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":7071151,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[134967,232203,11907,232204,143937],"tags":[232205,74192,11188,15679,10280,42302],"dealstore":[],"offerexpiration":[],"class_list":["post-7071150","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-conflict-justice","category-iraq-war","category-military","category-us-military","category-withdrawal","tag-baghdadwashington","tag-iraq","tag-partnership","tag-redefining","tag-troops","tag-withdraws"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>US withdraws last troops from Iraq, redefining Baghdad-Washington partnership - Som2ny Network<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=7071150\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"US withdraws last troops from Iraq, redefining Baghdad-Washington partnership - Som2ny Network\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"All remaining US troops are leaving their bases in Iraq by the end of Wednesday. American soldiers have been stationed in Iraq for more than two decades. They were first deployed in 2003 in the operation that overthrew former President Saddam Hussein\u2019s government. 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