Abstract
Abstract
The U.S. military presence in Iraq after 2003 represents a pivotal shift in the country’s and region’s security and political landscape. Although the intervention was justified under the pretext of spreading democracy and toppling a dictatorial regime, its outcomes produced a complex reality marked by instability, growing sectarian conflicts, weakened state institutions, and increased foreign influence. Despite the official withdrawal of U.S. forces in 2011, the rise of ISIS in 2014 brought the United States back to the Iraqi arena as part of the international coalition, albeit in a different form. This renewed presence sparked internal and regional controversy, especially amid escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran, which peaked in 2020. Although the U.S. combat missions officially ended in 2021, Iraq continued through 2025 to be a battleground for geopolitical struggles among international and regional powers, making the American presence a central factor in the region’s security dilemma rather than a source of stability.
References
ئمة المصادر:
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