Biden Pulling Troops From Iraq To Avoid Clashes With Iran, Turkey - Ex-Pentagon Official
Faizan Hashmi Published July 27, 2021 | 06:10 AM
WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 27th July, 2021) The Biden administration will likely follow through on its announcement to pull all American combat forces from Iraq by the end of the year to avoid clashes with Iran and Turkey, former senior adviser to the Acting US Defense Secretary, Douglas Macgregor, told Sputnik.
On Monday, Biden, when meeting visiting Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi at the White House, said the US combat mission in Iraq would come to a close by the end of this year. After December 31, 2021 the United States will switch to training and assisting Iraqi forces to counter the Islamic State (IS, a terrorist group banned in Russia).
"Biden and his advisers fear the potential for conflict with Iran that our [US] presence in Iraq creates," Macgregor, a retired US Army Colonel and military historian and tactician, said. "They are equally concerned about [Turkish President Recep Tayyip] Erdogan's role in Iraq and Syria."
Macgregor, who commanded the main US armored force victory over Saddam Hussein's Republican Guard in the 1991 Iraq War, also said the US economy cannot withstand the pressure that a major regional war would exert.
"As a result, he [Biden] will honor the pledge," he said.
The current Baghdad government led by al-Kadhimi was already dependent on Tehran and its allies for survival, Macgregor said.
Meanwhile, he added, Turkish aspirations to regain control of northern Iraq and its oil fields are "real."
"As Erdogan expands his control and influence in Kurdistan, Baghdad's dependence on Tehran will increase to ensure Baghdadi's survival," Macgregor said.
IS, Macgregor added, was a creature of Erdogan and "US stupidity" and was always designed to fight and destroy Shiite control of Iraq and Syria.
"If Erdogan can focus it on Iraq he may use it, but Erdogan will measure what he might gain by what he may lose by re-purposing ISIS [IS]. There is no point in reviving it if he cannot control it," Macgregor said.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Robinson, bowlers help New Zealand go 2-1 up against Pakistan
Shahzeb Chachar to hold khuli kachehri on April 26
Heatwave amid Israel's aggression in Gaza brings new misery, disease risk
Tourism must change, mayor says as Venice launches entry fee
Court adjourns Judicial Complex attack case till May 17
Nasreen Noori’s book ‘Popatan Jahra Khwab’ launched
Wafaqi Mohtasib inspection team visits Excise and taxation office
AJLAC announces 5th Conference titled ‘People’s Mandate: Safeguarding Civil ..
Pak-US officials engage to enhance trade, investment ties
IBCC to promote educational excellence, expand regional presence
Pakistani 'Blue Helmets' serving UN Peacekeeping Mission in DR Congo set to leav ..
Putin says plans to visit China in May
More Stories From World
-
Slot 'confident' of Liverpool job as 'negotiations' take place
3 hours ago -
Google parent Alphabet's Q1 profits beat estimates: company
3 hours ago -
WADA asks 'independent prosecutor' to examine Chinese swimmers case
3 hours ago -
New York court overturns Harvey Weinstein sex crime conviction
3 hours ago -
Bagnaia and Spanish rivals chase victory at Jerez
5 hours ago -
Russian, Ukrainian strikes kill at least 10 in frontline regions
5 hours ago
-
Heatwave amid Israel's aggression in Gaza brings new misery, disease risk
5 hours ago -
Tourism must change, mayor says as Venice launches entry fee
5 hours ago -
Pakistani 'Blue Helmets' serving UN Peacekeeping Mission in DR Congo set to leave after 20 years of ..
6 hours ago -
Putin says plans to visit China in May
6 hours ago -
US reinstates open internet rules rescinded under Trump
6 hours ago -
Honda announces US$11 bn EV battery and vehicle plant in Canada
6 hours ago