U.S. Agrees to 'Remove Remaining Troops' From Iraq
Summary from the AllSides News Team
The United States and Iraq agreed Wednesday on the withdrawal of U.S. combat troops from Iraq after a third round of strategic talks between the countries, though no timetable has been set yet. Both countries issued a joint statement Wednesday that said since he mission of U.S. forces would now be focused on training Iraqi troops to fight ISIS, combat forces are no longer required. According to the Pentagon, there are currently 2,500 U.S. troops in Iraq helping Iraq counter ISIS, though how many of those forces are combat troops is unclear. A statement from the State Department said Wednesday that with increasing capacity of Iraqi security forces, the mission of U.S. and coalition forces “has now transitioned to one focused on training and advisory tasks, thereby allowing for the redeployment of any remaining combat forces from Iraq.” Also on Wednesday, Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby said the joint statement does not represent an agreement to begin a further withdrawal of U.S. forces. Talks between the two nations began in June under the Trump administration; Wednesday was the first session with President Joe Biden.
The story received consistent coverage across the political spectrum.
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From the Left
No timetable for withdrawal of troops after US, Iraq talks
The mission of U.S. forces in Iraq has shifted to training and advisory roles, allowing for redeployment of combat forces remaining in the country, U.S. and Iraq delegates said Wednesday, after a third round of strategic U.S.-Iraq talks.
Statements issued by both sides, however, said the timing of such a redeployment would be determined in upcoming technical talks, without specifying when they would take place. They also stressed the need for continued security cooperation.
The talks — held virtually because of the pandemic — began in June under the Trump...
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Mustafa al-Kadhimi's statement came as the fourth round of strategic talks with Washington got under way, the first under President Joe Biden. The talks — held virtually because of the pandemic — began in June and are expected to center on an array of issues, including the presence of remaining U.S. combat forces in Iraq and Iran-backed groups...
From the Left
U.S. and Iraq conclude talks on troop presence 
The United States and Iraq concluded talks Wednesday on America’s troop presence here, issuing a joint statement that emphasized the growing capacity of the Iraqi military, six years after it crumbled in the face of the Islamic State’s advance.
The statement followed a third round of talks between Washington and Baghdad, known as the Strategic Dialogue, and the first to take place under President Biden.
“Based on the increasing capacity of the ISF [Iraq Security Forces], the parties confirmed that the mission of U.S. and Coalition forces has now transitioned...
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