The U.S. drawdown from Iraq will weaken Washington's direct influence while creating space for Turkey to expand economically and Iran to gradually reassert itself through political and militia networks, leaving Iraq's stability increasingly shaped by regional power competition. The phased U.S. troop withdrawal from the Ayn al-Asad and Victory bases in Iraq is set to be completed within weeks, with some U.S. forces relocated to military bases in Arbil in Iraqi Kurdistan. In September 2024, former President Joe Biden's administration reached a deal with Baghdad to end the U.S.-led counter-Islamic State coalition by September 2025, at which point bilateral U.S.-Iraq military cooperation would transition to a strategic partnership. A limited number of U.S. forces will remain in Iraq to provide technical support to Iraqi security forces. ...
