America Withdraws, Iran Stays: Iraq's Future
The main U.S. military presence in Iraq has ended after more than 23 years, as the "Wall Street Journal" announced that the United States will close its last major military base in the country. This move aligns with a previous agreement stipulating that the military mission would conclude by 2026. At the same time, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaydi set a deadline of September 30th for the handover of weapons belonging to Iran-backed militias, with the possibility of postponing this to next year. Iraq faces a significant challenge in disarming these Iran-supported factions, which wield considerable political and military influence—reflecting the complex interplay of Iranian influence and its ongoing impact within Iraqi state institutions. Despite the withdrawal of American forces, Iran's sway remains substantial through these armed groups, which, over the summer, have seen an increase in their armament capabilities, employing longer-range rockets and drones. This situation poses a major security and sovereignty challenge for Iraq in the coming period.
تنويه: هذا ملخص تم إنشاؤه بواسطة الذكاء الاصطناعي
comments.heading