Weighing U.S. Troop Withdrawal from Iraq: Strategic Risks and Recommendations

Assessing options for military withdrawal in Iraq in 2020, the authors conclude that supporting a stable and friendly Iraq is in the continuing long-term interest of the United States—and that this does not require continuing the combat assistance mission in Iraq over the long run, but does require maintaining a small force of military advisers to help train and develop Iraqi military capabilities so that Iraq can defend itself.