Staff Reports
The Pentagon this week confirmed what many Americans have been waiting to hear: the U.S. has closed its last military base in Iraq and formally ended Operation Inherent Resolve there. After more than a decade of fighting ISIS on Iraqi soil, coalition forces completed an orderly departure from Erbil Air Base. The mission’s military chapter in Iraq is over, and Washington says responsibility now rests with Baghdad and Iraq’s own security forces.
The exit and what officials say about the US withdrawal
The Defense Department framed the move as the “successful conclusion” of a 12‑year campaign that destroyed ISIS as an organized territorial force in Iraq. Pentagon leaders say the U.S. will shift from a wartime presence to a normal bilateral relationship, offering targeted training and intelligence help instead of combat forces. President Donald Trump welcomed the outcome and Iraqi leaders hailed the return of full sovereignty. In plain English: boots are off the ground in Iraq, but some U.S. support will continue from the sidelines.
Why this matters: ISIS remnants and Iran‑aligned militias
Defeating ISIS as a declared caliphate was a real accomplishment. But the enemy that hid in caves and online has not vanished. Small cells, sleeper networks, and lone-wolf attackers still pose a threat if Iraq’s security services stumble. At the same time, powerful Iran‑aligned militias operate inside Iraq with their own agendas. If Baghdad cannot rein in those militias or integrate fighters into accountable security forces, instability could grow and American interests could be hurt indirectly.
Promises and risks: training, intel, and the test of Iraqi leadership
The administration promises targeted training and intelligence support to the Peshmerga and Iraqi security forces. That’s smart as far as it goes — airpower and shared information matter. But training alone can’t substitute for clear political will in Baghdad to disarm militias, secure borders, and protect minorities. If Prime Minister Ali al‑Zaidi’s government can do that, the withdrawal looks like a sensible end to a long, costly mission. If not, the region will pay the price and American credibility will be tested in other ways.
What Americans should watch next
Celebrate the end of a combat mission if you want — long wars drain treasure and patience. Still, keep your eyes on four things: whether Iraqi forces can arrest and dismantle ISIS cells; whether Baghdad moves to disarm or absorb militia groups; whether Iran or its proxies escalate violence; and how Washington balances reduced footprint with effective counterterrorism tools. The withdrawal is a milestone, not a finish line. If American leaders and Iraqi partners stay honest about the risks, this can be a responsible pivot. If they don’t, we’ll be reading similar headlines all over again.
