Tag

Us Iraq Relations

All articles tagged with #us iraq relations

geopolitics20 days ago•210 min saved

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.

via CNN|

#geopolitics #iran-influence #iraqi-sovereignty

world20 days ago•22 min saved

US Completes Iraq Withdrawal, Ceding Regional Influence to Iran

US forces have fully withdrawn from Iraq, ending a two-decade military presence that began with the 2003 invasion. The departure, which concluded with the exit from bases in Erbil, marks a shift in regional power dynamics, leaving Iran and its allied militias as the dominant external influence in the country. While the US frames the move as a successful transition to an Iraqi-led security effort, Iran-backed groups have celebrated the exit as a victory, complicating Baghdad's efforts to assert sovereignty and disarm foreign-aligned factions.

via washingtonpost.com|

#iran #iraq #middle-east

world21 days ago•3 min saved

US Forces Exit Iraq by Sept 30, Ceding Regional Influence to Iran Amid ISIS Fears

US troops are set to leave Iraq by September 30, ending a two-decade presence that began with the 2003 invasion. While Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi frames the exit as a victory for sovereignty, critics warn it creates a security vacuum. Iran-backed militias celebrate the move, while Kurdish and Sunni leaders fear a resurgence of Islamic State and increased Iranian dominance.

via Military Times|

#iran-influence #islamic-state #middle-east-security

geopolitics1 month ago•5 min saved

US halts planned security aid renewal for Iraqi Kurdish forces amid Iran conflict

The Trump administration is not planning to renew a memorandum of understanding that provides security assistance to the Peshmerga, the security forces of Iraq’s Kurdistan region. This decision coincides with the scheduled withdrawal of US troops from Iraq on October 1, 2026, and the expiration of the current aid agreement on September 30. While the Pentagon argues that the defeat of the Islamic State group justifies reallocating funds, Kurdish officials and analysts warn that cutting support will leave the region vulnerable to escalating Iranian attacks. The move risks undermining a key US ally and creating a security vacuum in the Middle East.

via BBC|

#defense-policy #geopolitics #iran-conflict

world5 months ago•2 min saved

Covert Israeli Bases in Iraq Tied to Shepherd’s Death, NYT Investigation Finds

New York Times reports two secret Israeli bases in western Iraq used to back air operations during the conflict; a shepherd who discovered one base was killed when a helicopter fired on his truck, and Iraqi officials accuse Washington of withholding knowledge of the bases, sparking calls for accountability while Baghdad has yet to respond.

via Middle East Eye|

#covert-bases #iraq #israel

world11 months ago•6 min saved

Iraq's Elections: Potential for Stability Amid Ongoing Sectarian and Militia Influence

Iranian-backed Iraqi political parties' influence after the November 11 elections hinges on their unity, with potential to shape the next government and counter US interests, but internal divisions and opposition from Prime Minister Sudani could challenge their dominance.

via Institute for the Study of War|

#iranian-backed-parties #iraq-elections #iraqi-politics

international-relations1 year ago•3 min saved

Tensions Rise as Iraq Caught Between Iran and Israel Amid Militia Threats

The Biden administration has warned Iraq that it could face Israeli retaliation if it allows Iran to launch attacks on Israel from its territory. This warning comes amid intelligence reports suggesting Iran is planning a significant attack against Israel from Iraqi soil, in response to an Israeli strike in Iran. U.S. officials, including National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, have urged Iraq's Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani to prevent such attacks and control Shia militias targeting U.S. and Israeli interests. The Iraqi government is reportedly struggling to restrain pro-Iranian factions within its borders.

via Axios|

#diplomatic-warnings #international-relations #iran-israel-tensions

world-news2 years ago•2 min saved

"Iraqi Prime Minister Pushes to Expel US Forces Following Airstrike on Militia Leader"

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani announced plans to initiate dialogue with the United States regarding the removal of U.S. troops from Iraq, following a U.S. airstrike that killed an Iraqi militia leader in Baghdad. Al-Sudani emphasized Iraq's sovereignty and the need to end the international coalition's presence as the original justifications for their stay have ceased. The strike targeted Mushtaq Taleb al-Saidi, a leader of the Iranian-backed Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba, which is part of the Popular Mobilization Forces. The Pentagon stated the strike was a defensive action and expressed the U.S.'s desire to maintain a positive relationship with Iraq.

via The Hill|

#iraq #militia-strike #mohammed-shia-al-sudani

international-relations3 years ago•1 min saved

Blinken's Surprise Visit to Iraq

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken made an unannounced visit to Iraq, meeting with Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani and discussing the threat posed by Iranian-backed militias. Blinken emphasized that attacks against US personnel are unacceptable and reiterated the US commitment to protecting its personnel and military facilities. They also discussed preventing the conflict in Gaza from spreading further in the region. Blinken's visit to Iraq is part of his broader trip to the Middle East, which includes stops in Israel, Jordan, the West Bank, Cyprus, and Turkey.

via CNN|

#antony-blinken #international-relations #iranian-backed-militias