The Countdown to Withdrawal: How Iraq Prepares for the Post-US Forces Era

With the Pentagon confirming the withdrawal of combat forces from Iraq by the end of summer 2026, the Iraqi military establishment has begun developing comprehensive strategic plans to fill the potential security vacuum. These plans focus on enhancing the efficiency of the air force and local intelligence systems to ensure the complete elimination of terrorist remnants without relying on American air cover. The withdrawal step represents a victory for Iraqi diplomacy, which managed to schedule the foreign exit quietly amid complex regional challenges, notably the US-Iranian conflict, confirming the state's capability to assert full control.