World News
U.S. Forces Leave Iraq After 23 Years: What Changes Now?
The United States has completed the withdrawal of its remaining forces from Iraq, bringing an end to more than two decades of American military involvement that began with the 2003 invasion.
The departure marks a major turning point for Iraq and the wider Middle East. While the Iraqi government has emphasized national sovereignty and responsibility for security, the end of the U.S. military presence also raises questions about the balance between Baghdad, Iran-backed armed groups and the remaining threat posed by Islamic State militants.
The end of a 23-year military presence
The final U.S. forces left their remaining positions in Iraq on Wednesday, completing a withdrawal process that had been negotiated before the current administration.
The American military presence in Iraq changed dramatically over the years. The original invasion removed Saddam Hussein's government, but the subsequent occupation was followed by sectarian conflict, insurgency and the emergence of Islamic State.
Washington later returned troops to Iraq as part of the international campaign against Islamic State after the militant group seized large areas of the country.
Iraq takes greater responsibility for security
With the withdrawal completed, Iraqi security forces will carry greater responsibility for protecting the country against armed groups and preventing a resurgence of extremist organizations.
The United States has not completely ended its relationship with Iraq. Training, intelligence cooperation and other forms of support can continue even without American combat forces stationed in the country.
That distinction is important. The end of the military mission does not mean the end of U.S.-Iraq security cooperation.
Why Iran's role is receiving attention
The withdrawal also changes the regional balance.
Iran maintains close relationships with several Iraqi political and armed groups. Reuters reported that Iranian-backed militias view the U.S. departure as an important development, while some Iraqis worry that the reduction of American military support could give these groups greater room to operate.
The extent of Iran's future influence will depend on Iraq's political institutions, the strength of its security forces and the ability of Baghdad to maintain authority across the country.
The Islamic State question
Another major issue is the continuing threat from Islamic State remnants.
The group no longer controls the vast territory it once held, but militant networks have remained active in parts of Iraq and Syria.
The experience of 2014 remains part of the security debate. Islamic State's rapid territorial expansion at that time exposed weaknesses within Iraqi security institutions and created a crisis that eventually brought an international military coalition back into the country.
The challenge for Iraq now is to prevent a similar security deterioration without relying on a large foreign military presence.
A different kind of American influence
The U.S. withdrawal from Iraq also demonstrates that military departure does not necessarily mean the disappearance of American influence.
Washington continues to have economic, diplomatic and financial relationships with Baghdad. Iraq's oil revenues, financial system and access to the international dollar system remain connected to broader international structures in which the United States plays an important role.
That means the relationship between the two countries is entering a new phase rather than simply ending.
What happens next?
The immediate priority for Iraq will be maintaining security and political stability without the American military presence that has shaped the country's security environment for years.
For Washington, the withdrawal represents a major reduction in direct military involvement in Iraq while leaving behind diplomatic, economic and intelligence relationships.
For Iran and other regional actors, the departure creates new strategic possibilities.
The long-term significance of the withdrawal will therefore depend less on the ceremony surrounding the departure and more on what happens inside Iraq afterward.
If Iraqi institutions can maintain security and political stability, the withdrawal could become a significant step toward greater national control. If security gaps emerge, however, armed groups and extremist networks could gain new opportunities.
For the first time in more than two decades, Iraq's security future will be shaped without U.S. troops on the ground.
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