US Troops Conclude Iraq Withdrawal, Handing Regional Leverage to Iran
US forces have fully exited Iraq, ending a two-decade military presence that began with the 2003 invasion. The withdrawal, which concluded with the departure from bases in Erbil, marks a significant shift in regional power dynamics. While Washington frames the move as a successful transition to an Iraqi-led security effort, Iran and its allied militias have celebrated the exit as a victory. This development leaves Baghdad facing challenges in asserting sovereignty and disarming foreign-aligned factions, while Kurdish officials express anxiety over the removal of US air defense systems.