American troops will be out of their last bases in Iraq by Wednesday, ending a military presence that spanned more than two decades and cost 4,500 American lives. Iran and its a…
American troops will be out of their last bases in Iraq by Wednesday, ending a military presence that spanned more than two decades and cost 4,500 American lives. Iran and its allies in the country…
Assessment
The withdrawal of American troops from Iraq by Wednesday closes a costly chapter that claimed 4,500 American lives over more than twenty years. Iran and its Iraqi allies are framing this as a win, which shifts the regional narrative of power and influence. The immediate question is how the security vacuum in Iraq will be filled, and whether the departure strengthens Iran's hand or creates new frictions among Iraqi factions. The pullout's aftermath, not the withdrawal itself, will determine its true consequences.