After more than 20 years of messing up the country U.S. troops have finally left Iraq:
The last U.S. troops left an air base in northern Iraq under a deal between Baghdad and Washington.
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Baghdad touted the end of the U.S. mission as a sign of the country’s increasing strength and sovereignty.The withdrawal was also celebrated by Iran-backed groups but raised concerns among some other Iraqis, particularly in the Kurdish region, where many fear a resurgence of IS as well as more attacks by Iran-linked groups, possibly emboldened by the departure of U.S. forces.
Meanwhile, questions loom around the future of the Iraqi militias, which the Baghdad government has sought to disarm, with little success so far.
The move is little more than symbolic. Iraq’s sovereignty is still in doubt.
There still are Turkish forces in the Kurdish areas, allegedly to hunt down Kurdish resistance forces hiding in the north of Iraq.
Militia aligned with Iran are still armed. Some of them are actively helping Iran in its war. This is in Iraq’s interest but makes them a target for U.S., Saudi and Israeli war planes.
Iraq has no air defenses. It is not yet capable to defend its own borders.
Most importantly though is its lack of control over its own financial resources:
Through Iraq’s U.S.-based bank account for oil payments, Washington controls the physical shipment of dollars Iraq earns and has shown itself willing to use that power after temporarily halting the flow this year.
Iraq needs a plan to solve those issues. Companies pumping or buying oil in Iraq should be forced to pay directly to Baghdad. If they are unwilling of so, because of U.S. pressure, Chinese companies should be invited to take their place.
Iraq will have to further rebuild its military before it can become a regular state.
