The Legacy of the US Invasion of Iraq 20 Years Later.

The US has maintained a small but consistent presence of around 2,500 troops in Iraq since the 2003 invasion, largely to ensure an ongoing relationship with a key military and diplomatic partner in the Middle East and as a hedge against Iranian influence and weapons trafficking. The troops provide training and equipment to Iraqi forces to battle the remnants of the Islamic State insurgency and prevent any resurgence. The US troop presence also disrupts what could be an uncontested land bridge for Iran to the eastern Mediterranean and provides critical logistical and other support for American forces in Syria.