Washington will sustain a presence in Iraq

Significance Abassi suggested that Baghdad had rebuffed US proposals for a three-year timeline. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani faces pressure for a withdrawal from Iran-backed militias that are key partners in his ruling bloc, the Shia Coordination Framework (SCF). Impacts No major US bases will be evacuated before the US elections in November 2024. Some US bases in Iraq and Syria could be fully shut down in 2026, although much could occur in the interim to prevent this. Iran-backed militias are likely to continue increasing their attacks against US forces.