Staff Reports
The U.S. withdrawal from Iraq is a big story that changed the map of American policy in the Middle East. This article looks at the facts, the risks, and why Carl Higbie and other conservatives say President Trump learned from decades of mistakes. Keywords: Iraq withdrawal, U.S. forces exit Iraq, Carl Higbie, President Trump, Iran influence, ISIS resurgence.
What happened: U.S. forces exit Iraq
The final phase of the U.S. presence in Iraq wrapped up at the end of September 2026. What started as a phased drawdown after the 2024 U.S.–Iraq agreement ended more than two decades of American boots on the ground. Reports say only a few thousand U.S. troops remained in recent years — roughly 2,500 — and that more than 4,500 U.S. service members died over the long Iraq involvement. The pullout is both a symbolic end and a practical change in how Washington projects power in the region.
Carl Higbie’s take and the Trump lesson
On his show, Carl Higbie argued the withdrawal proves a point his audience likes to hear: President Trump learned from past mistakes and acted to stop open‑ended military occupations. Whether you cheer or scoff at the message, the argument is simple. Presidents who keep troops in forever get the blame and the bill. A leader who recognizes limits and seeks an orderly exit can protect American lives while still keeping other tools ready. That’s the claim — and it’s one that deserves debate, not reflexive insults.
Risks ahead: Iran influence and ISIS threats
No one should pretend the withdrawal is risk‑free. Iraqi analysts and on‑the‑ground voices warn Iran stands to gain strategically, and pro‑Iran militia leaders are already calling the pullout a victory. Kurdish commanders and Sunni leaders worry that losing U.S. intelligence, drone support, and logistics could give ISIS sleeper cells room to breathe. Those are real vulnerabilities. Saying “we left” is not the same as saying “we no longer care.” The smarter move is to keep intelligence, over‑the‑horizon strike options, and economic and diplomatic pressure in play.
Bottom line: Learn the lesson, keep the tools
The end of the long U.S. presence in Iraq should be treated like a test grade, not a graduation party. If President Trump and his team truly learned, they’ll follow the withdrawal with a clear plan: maintain remote strike capability, shore up Iraqi security partners, and work with allies to blunt Iranian expansion. Conservatives should applaud sensible exits and criticize reckless departures. We can both celebrate fewer troops in harm’s way and demand that America retain the tools to stop terrorists and deter Tehran. That balance is the hard part — and the one our leaders must get right.
