Iraq withdrawal / America's Mideast footprint / Hegseth's Pentagon overhaul | Sources & Methods
For the second time since the 2003 invasion, the last American troops have left Iraq.
Host Mary Louise Kelly speaks with NPR International Correspondent Jane Arraf who is in Baghdad to see how Iraqis are greeting the moment. And NPR Pentagon Correspondent Tom Bowman explains how this withdrawal and the ongoing war with Iran are changing the U.S. footprint in the region. He also discusses Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's "State of the Force" address.
Video Summary
AI GeneratedThe U.S. military has completed its second withdrawal from Iraq, ending a presence that began in 2003. This exit creates a security vacuum, shifting counter-ISIS operations to Jordan and increasing Iranian influence. Simultaneously, the Pentagon is undergoing cultural and strategic reforms under Pete Hegseth, while regional powers form new alliances to offset the diminishing U.S. security umbrella.