"US and Iraq to Begin Talks on Phased Withdrawal of American Military Presence"

The US and Iraq are set to begin discussions on the future of the US military presence in Iraq, with a focus on the next phase of the US-led anti-ISIS coalition. The talks come amid growing public calls from the Iraqi government for the US to withdraw its troops, and will address whether and when it will be feasible to end the US military presence in Iraq. The US has roughly 2,500 troops in Iraq, and while the US prefers a schedule based on conditions in Iraq, some elements within the Iraqi government prefer a timeline-based schedule for American withdrawal. The talks are seen as crucial amid wider regional instability, and the US is also maintaining its presence in Syria to fight ISIS.