American Troops Leave Iraq With a Warning for Iran
The withdrawals from Iraq and Afghanistan serve as a lesson on the limits of what U.S. military power can achieve. Or do they?
Wednesday marks the final day of the American military presence in Iraq, bringing an end to a prolonged presence dating back to the 2003 invasion. The U.S. withdrawal echoes the abrupt departure from Afghanistan five years earlier, marking the conclusion of two costly and complex "forever wars." These conflicts, while costly for all involved, highlighted the limitations of military power alone.
With the last plane departing Iraq's skies, two U.S. carrier strike groups remain in the Arabian Sea, supporting military operations against Iran, initiated in Operation Epic Fury seven months prior. Upon entering Baghdad in April 2003, U.S. forces overthrew Saddam Hussein's regime, capturing him before the end of the year. Initial hopes for success were tempered by the revelation that no weapons of mass destruction were found, yet the U.S. military still managed to prevail over the situation.
The cost of this endeavor was immense, with 4,492 American soldiers losing their lives and nearly 32,000 wounded during the nearly eight-year conflict. In comparison, civilian casualties in Iraq are estimated to be between 180,000 and 210,000, while over 26,000 Iraqi soldiers and military personnel perished during the four-year battle against ISIS.
Despite the reduction of ISIS's presence in the region, Iraq's current political and social landscape appears far more stable than during the darkest days of U.S. occupation. Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi declared America Iraq's most important strategic partner, asserting that after September 30, no armed factions would be necessary, as Iraq's federal forces could protect the nation.
The removal of Saddam also facilitated Iran's increased influence in Iraq, as Shiite political movements aligned with Tehran gained access to the political system, and Iran armed and supported various groups across the border. This has left Prime Minister al-Zaidi in a precarious position, trying to govern between two opposing forces—American investment, security cooperation, and diplomatic support versus the Iranian-backed forces operating within Iraq.
While America's role in Iraq carries a high price tag, it is still preferable to the situation in Afghanistan, where over two decades and many billions of dollars were invested, ultimately leading to the Taliban's swift takeover of Kabul before the last American soldier left the country.
Written by urgent.news from Newsweek's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
