After a 20-year presence in the country beginning with the 2003 invasion to oust Saddam Hussein, the last American soldiers are withdrawing from Iraq on Wednesday, September 30th. The US military initially played a leading role in the international coalition fighting against the Islamic State group. This withdrawal was decided by Joe Biden in 2024 and occurs amid the ongoing Israeli-American war, initiated in February against Iran. The departure marks the end of a significant chapter in Iraq’s recent history and the US’s military involvement in the region. The withdrawal signals a shift in strategy as the US and its allies reassess their approach to regional security. This decision comes after years of fluctuating troop levels and evolving security challenges within Iraq. The move is expected to have implications for the political landscape of Iraq and the broader Middle East.