ADADViewed through the lens of national security, the case for a withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq and Syria is actually simple. This means that U.S. forces in Iraq will be at increased risk. As such, they can serve no useful purpose in Iraq other than being a target for angry Iraqis seeking revenge on the United States. In Iraq, as in Syria, the United States would need to increase the number of U.S. forces on the ground just to keep the current deployment of troops safe. It can do so confidently knowing that the Iraqis are demanding that all foreign forces leave — meaning that Iran is also under pressure to reduce its military footprint in Iraq — and that the time is ripe for real diplomacy.

Source: Washington Post February 04, 2020 12:00 UTC