On Thursday, September 11, at 12:00 p.m. EST, the Atlantic Council’s Iraq Initiative hosted a discussion on the implications of the end of the US-led Operation Inherent Resolve mission in Iraq for US and regional security and for the future of the US-Iraq partnership.

Last year, the Biden administration and Iraqi government announced the end of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS operations in Iraq this September, with coalition operations in Syria continuing from a platform in Iraq. The announcement marked the end of a prolonged negotiation that occurred against the backdrop of more than 180 Iran-aligned militia strikes against US personnel in Iraq and Syria during the Israel-Hamas war.

This panel addressed the future of the US-Iraqi security partnership, potential impact on Iran and Iran-aligned militias, and how the Iraqi public and politicians view the US military presence. The panel also discussed the current ISIS threat in Iraq and Syria, the impact of a US departure on Iraqi security, and how the fall of Assad in Syria alters the security calculus.

This event was streamed live on Atlantic Council TV, YouTube, Facebook, and X.

Speakers

Amb. James F. Jeffrey
Former United States Ambassador to Iraq
Department of State

Hon. Darin LaHood
Member of the House Intelligence Committee
United States House of Representatives

Victoria J. Taylor
Director of the Iraq Initiative, Middle East Programs
Atlantic Council

Renad Mansour
Senior Research Fellow with the Middle East and North Africa Programme and Director of the Iraq Initiative
Chatham House

Moderated by

Vivian Salama
Staff Writer
The Atlantic

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The Iraq Initiative is driving policy-oriented programs and analysis that advance Iraq’s stability and sovereignty, regional integration, and democratic and economic development. It also aims to promote a strengthened US-Iraq partnership.

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