In an unexpected move, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin journeyed to Baghdad on March 7 to meet with Iraq’s Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, marking 20 years since the U.S.-led coalition’s invasion of Iraq. Austin’s Middle East tour includes meetings with allied leaders, and his talk with al-Sudani focused on the U.S. troop presence in Iraq, where 2,500 American soldiers are stationed. Despite the end of combat operations in December 2021, the U.S. has chosen to maintain a presence to advise, aid, and enable Iraqi security forces. Discussing the prior U.S.-led coalition to defeat Daesh, Austin emphasized America’s dedication to expanding its partnership with Iraq and supporting its people. Austin participated in the 2003 invasion of Iraq and later led the U.S. withdrawal in 2011. The war began when former President George Bush claimed Saddam Hussein and his regime possessed weapons of mass destruction, leading to coalition forces invading Iraq with the majority support coming from U.S. and UK troops. They defeated Hussein’s military in a brief campaign, but insurgent activities and guerilla warfare plagued coalition forces for years, leading to significant diplomatic and military consequences. Saddam Hussein was captured by U.S. soldiers and tried by the new Iraqi government for crimes against humanity; he was executed in 2006.
Pentagon chief surprises Iraq with unscheduled arrival.
