US and Iraqi Officials Prepare for Security Partnership Talks

Officials from the United States and Iraq are set to engage in pivotal high-level discussions aimed at strengthening a lasting security partnership. This announcement was made by Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III. The initiative, known as the U.S.-Iraq Higher Military Commission, seeks to further the commitments made during the previous U.S.-Iraq Joint Security Cooperation Dialogue held in Washington. These talks emphasized the importance of regional security and respect for Iraq's sovereignty.

Shaping the Future of Joint Security Efforts

The forthcoming conversations between U.S. and Iraqi officials will focus on the strategic progression of Iraq's ongoing campaign against the Islamic State (ISIS). Over the past decade, this partnership has played a crucial role in the fight against ISIS, with the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) taking the lead backed by the Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF OIR).

Defense Secretary Austin has highlighted the progress made in defeating ISIS, noting that the upcoming discussions will reflect upon the evolving nature of the mission. The aim is to ensure that ISIS is not only defeated but also prevented from regaining strength in the future.

Building Upon a Decade of Partnership

A senior defense official acknowledged the significance of the cooperation between CJTF OIR and the ISF in the decisive defeat of ISIS. Iraq invited the U.S. and its allies to assist in combating the terrorist group, resulting in substantial reductions in ISIS's size and capability. Now, the focus shifts to transitioning toward a normalized bilateral security cooperation relationship.

Ensuring that future U.S. military presence in Iraq aligns correctly with the shared objectives of defeating ISIS is top of the agenda. While the talks are not indicative of a U.S. withdrawal from Iraq, they represent the evolution of the security cooperation towards an Iraqi-led effort to sustain the defeat of ISIS.

Both nations affirm their dedication to continuing security collaboration and contributing to regional stability. The U.S.-Iraq partnership will evolve to shape the U.S. military presence with a strong emphasis on an enduring cooperative effort against ISIS.

US-Iraq, Security, Partnership