US Forces Exit Iraq After Two Decades, Leaving Opening for Iran
US forces are set to leave their last bases in Iraq by Wednesday, ending a deployment that cost 4,500 American lives. The withdrawal, agreed under President Biden and carried out by the Trump administration, hands a strategic victory to Iran and its allies, who now hold deep influence in Iraq. Iraqi security officials warn the pullout could also give Islamic State room to regroup, as sleeper cells show new movement.
Iran stands to benefit strategically from the coalition's departure because it removes a military presence that for years acted as a counterweight to Tehran's influence in Iraq.
- meowface
Why is this article written like an op-ed, despite being Reuters?
I am not even necessarily disagreeing with it (I lean very anti-Iran and slightly geopolitically neoconservative) but the tone is not at all neutral and makes no mention of the possible downsides of troops staying in Iraq after decades.
- rjzzleep
Usually when the US forces exit a theater it's a prelude to war, like the Afghanistan withdrawal was so that they couldn't be retaliated against. I caution people not to get too excited about this.
- throwaw12
Unfortunately, millions of lives lost, another millions started hating US for what it did to their families.
I am curious what did the world gain from this?
- nomilk
> (the) departure (is) celebrated as a victory by Iran and its allies who now have deep influence in the country
Although the Iraq war was based on a lie and caused tremendous suffering, it did demonstrate the US's willingness and capability to handle a brash dictatorship. In this sense, at least at a macro level, it has tempered (as opposed to emboldened) other dictatorships like Iran and North Korea.
- maeln
> a departure celebrated as a victory by Iran and its allies who now have deep influence in the country where 4,500 Americans died during more than two decades of war.
Kind of crazy to lead with this. Talking about the Americans victims (mostly military) and ignoring the local Iraqi victims (mostly civilians).
- apexalpha
This seems like weird timing to this amateur seeing how they're at war with Iran and Iraq was recently used to stage attacks against Saudi oil infrastructure.
- mahboi
"We believe Iraq is still not fully ready to take over the security file at this time"
Welp, sounds like it wasn't going to happen.
- shevy-java
Have they finally found weapons of mass destruction there? I remember a certain powerpoint presentation ...