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Iraq (CRS Report for Congress)

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Release Date Revised Oct. 25, 2024
Report Number IF10404
Report Type In Focus
Authors Christopher M. Blanchard
Source Agency Congressional Research Service
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Summary:

The Republic of Iraq (Figure 1), with a substantial history of U.S. involvement, large energy resources, and a growing, diverse population, continues to experience security and political challenges that are further complicated by competition between outside powers, including neighboring Iran and the United States. U.S. military operations in Iraq from 2003 to 2011 involved billions of dollars in U.S. investments in Iraq’s reconstruction and stabilization. After withdrawing in 2011, U.S. forces returned to the country in 2014 at the Iraqi government’s invitation to assist Iraqis in defeating the Islamic State group (IS, aka ISIS/ISIL). Through September 2024, about 2,400 U.S. military forces remained deployed in Iraq to provide advice and aid to Iraqi security forces, including the peshmerga forces of the federally recognized Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). The Biden Administration has supported continued U.S.-Iraqi security cooperation and encouraged Iraqi leaders to fight corruption and respect citizens’ rights. Iran’s ties to some Iraqi parties and militias complicate U.S.-Iraqi relations, and some Iraqis with ties to the Iranian government lead calls for the expulsion of U.S. and other foreign forces from Iraq. Iran-backed groups’ attacks on U.S. and coalition forces have prompted U.S. response strikes in a pattern that intensified after the onset of the Israel-Hamas war in October 2023. Iraq’s government has criticized U.S. strikes as inconsistent with the coalition’s mission and has engaged in talks with the United States to determine a timeline for an end to the coalition’s mission and presence. In September 2024, U.S. officials announced the coalition’s mission in Iraq would end by September 2025, with coalition forces in Iraq continuing to support anti-IS missions in Syria “until at least September 2026,” subject to security conditions and ongoing consultations. Iraqi and U.S. officials have stated their intent to continue security cooperation and training on a bilateral and enduring basis. The 118th Congress may consider developments in Iraq and Iraq’s relationships with its neighbors as Members review the Biden Administration’s requests for U.S. foreign aid and security assistance for Iraq. Members also may consider steps to shape U.S.-Iraq economic ties, influence relations between Iraq’s national government and the KRG, address humanitarian needs, and promote human rights, including those of religious and ethnic minorities.