The Post-2011 U.S. Military Presence in Iraq

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Feb. 16 that U.S. military forces may stay in Iraq past the 2011 deadline — if requested by Iraq. The observance of that deadline is a politically sensitive matter in both the United States and Iraq, but both countries may have reason to extend it. Despite years of U.S. training, Iraqi forces still rely on the United States in a number of capacities, and it is unclear who will provide that assistance once U.S. forces leave. For Washington, its residual military presence — currently fewer than 50,000 troops — is central to its strategy to counterbalance Iranian influence in the region.