Troop drawdown in Iraq is welcome but should go further

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
August 28, 2020
Contact: press@defensepriorities.org

WASHINGTON, DC—Today, the Wall Street Journal reported the Pentagon will be withdrawing a third of the U.S. forces in Iraq, drawing down troop numbers to 3,500. Defense Priorities Senior Fellow Lt. Col. Daniel L. Davis, USA, Ret. issued the following statement in response:

“This is a welcome move toward reducing the U.S. military presence in the Middle East, but it stops short of a full withdrawal from Iraq, which is what best serves U.S. interests. After the defeat of ISIS’s caliphate, U.S. troops in Iraq and Syria were left without a militarily attainable objective and asked to pursue an open-ended mission disconnected from American security.

“Even once U.S. troops depart from Iraq, our ability to monitor and conduct strikes against targets that pose legitimate threats to American security will remain unparalleled. Troops permanently stationed in Iraq and exposed to regional troublemakers weakens our defense—bringing them home or offshore strengthens the U.S.”

Author

Daniel
Davis

Senior Fellow & Military Expert