Iraq’s Dangerous Mix: 2,500 U.S. Troops, Iran-backed Militias and Battle for Influence

SUBSCRIBER+ EXCLUSIVE REPORTING – Almost 21 years since the United States invaded Iraq and toppled Saddam Hussein, the nation is home to a contest between U.S. and Iranian interests, and the war in Gaza has made that contest more dangerous for Iraq and raised questions about the U.S. presence in the country.

“Iraq continues to pose a challenge for any successful U.S. policy,” said Behnam Ben Taleblu, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, citing the recent spate of attacks by Iran-backed militias against American targets in Iraq, and calls by the Iraqi government for U.S. forces to leave the country.

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SUBSCRIBER+ EXCLUSIVE REPORTING – Almost 21 years since the United States invaded Iraq and toppled Saddam Hussein, the nation is home to a contest between […] More
The post Iraq’s Dangerous Mix: 2,500 U.S. Troops, Iran-backed Militias and Battle for Influence appeared first on The Cipher Brief.