U.S. Completes Second Withdrawal of Troops from Iraq, Redefining Middle East Footprint

For the second time since the 2003 invasion, the United States has removed its remaining forces from Iraq. The departure was confirmed by NPR’s international correspondent Jane Arraf, who reported from Baghdad that the final convoy left the country, ending the latest chapter of the U.S. military presence there.

NPR

American troops first entered Iraq in 2003 and maintained a continuous presence for more than two decades. Over the years, the force size fluctuated, but a permanent footprint remained until the recent decision to pull out all remaining personnel. This withdrawal follows a broader U.S. strategy to reassess its role in the region.

NPR

Pentagon correspondent Tom Bowman explained that the Iraq exit coincides with an active conflict between the United States and Iran. Bowman noted that the reduction of troops may alter how the United States projects power in the Middle East, potentially affecting its ability to respond to Iranian actions and shaping future diplomatic and military calculations.

NPR

During his “State of the Force” address, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth highlighted the withdrawal as part of a larger Pentagon overhaul. He linked the move to a shift in strategic priorities, emphasizing that the United States will continue to address security challenges in the region through other means while adapting its force structure.

NPR

Local response to the departure was mixed, with some Iraqis viewing the exit as a chance to assert greater sovereignty, while others expressed concern about security gaps. Arraf’s on-the-ground reporting captured a range of sentiments, indicating that the end of the U.S. troop presence will influence Iraq’s domestic and foreign-policy landscape in the months ahead.

NPR