Story perspectives

U.S. Completes Final Withdrawal From Iraq, Reshaping Footprint

By Drooid · Oct 2, 2026, 3:35 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

U.S. forces completed their final withdrawal from Iraq, the second departure since the 2003 invasion.
NPR International Correspondent Jane Arraf discussed Iraqi reactions in a Baghdad interview with host Mary Louise Kelly.
NPR Pentagon Correspondent Tom Bowman explained how the withdrawal and the war with Iran reshape the U.S. regional footprint.
Bowman also discussed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's “State of the Force” address.

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Story summary

U.S. forces completed their final withdrawal from Iraq, the second departure since the 2003 invasion.
NPR International Correspondent Jane Arraf discussed Iraqi reactions in a Baghdad interview with host Mary Louise Kelly.
NPR Pentagon Correspondent Tom Bowman explained how the withdrawal and the war with Iran reshape the U.S. regional footprint.
Bowman also discussed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's “State of the Force” address.