Iraq, the US, and the 'New' Middle East

The U.S. "long war" in Afghanistan may be ending, although it is far from clear what will happen when U.S. forces fully withdraw, and there is no way to predict what kind of new government will emerge and what level of U.S. aid and assistance - if any - will continue. The story in Iraq, however, is very different. The "long war" in Iraq against ISIS and extremist movements has broken up the ISIS "caliphate" - although elements of ISIS remain all too active - but Iraq remains a major strategic interest, faces a serious threat of being at least partially...