US policy towards Iraq since 2014
the international and political journal
Abstract
Studying US policy toward Iraq is crucial given the United States' position and influence. Its policy toward Iraq has shifted from withdrawal (2009-2011) to a renewed military presence and the establishment of the international coalition to combat ISIS in September 2014. This US approach has followed several paths. Politically, the United States has sought to develop its relations with Iraq. In terms of security, it has provided direct support for Iraq's stability, including consultations, training, and arms, in addition to economic support in the energy and reconstruction sectors. There was also potential to develop relations in the educational and cultural spheres.
In the period following the first Trump administration, US policy began to further reduce its security presence in Iraq, and tensions in the relationship escalated. This trend continued under the Biden and second Trump administrations. Despite
References
iraqs-political-crisis-guidelines-more-effective-engagement
China’s Massive Belt and Road Initiative, Council on Foreign Relations, Feb 2026, At: https://www.cfr.org/backgrounders/chinas-massive-belt-and-road-initiative
David Schenker, Trump’s Pivot to the Gulf, The Washington Institute, Mar, 2026, At: https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/trumps-pivot-gulf
Dlawer Ala’Aldeen, A Decade of U.S. and Iranian Policy Towards Iraq Will Shape 2020, , The Washington Institute, Jan 2026, At: https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/decade-us-and-iranian-policy-towards-iraq-will-shape-2020
Ian McCary, The Islamic State Five Years Later: Persistent Threats, U.S. Options, , The Washington Institute, Jan 2026, At: https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/islamic-state-five-years-later-persistent-threats-us-options
Khalid Al-Jaber, Trump 2.0 and the Gulf’s Strategic Future, The Middle East Council on Global Affairs (ME Council), Feb 2026, At: https://mecouncil.org/blog_posts/trump-2-0-and-the-gulfs-strategic-future/
Leveraging Iran’s Defeat to Strengthen U.S.-Iraq Security Relations,, Leveraging Iran’s Defeat to Strengthen U.S.-Iraq Security Relations, The Washington Institute, Feb 2026, At: https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/leveraging-irans-defeat-strengthen-us-iraq-security-relations
Mais Abbas Abousy, Safwan Al-Amin, Amer Aladhadh, Bridging the U.S.-Iraq Business Gap, The Washington Institute, Jan 2026, At: https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/bridging-us-iraq-business-gap
Michael Knights, Leveraging Iran’s Defeat to Strengthen U.S.-Iraq Security Relations, The Washington Institute, Feb 2026, At: https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/leveraging-irans-defeat-strengthen-us-iraq-security-relations
Noam Raydan, Devorah Margolin, Noam Raydan, Devorah Margolin, The Washington Institute, Jan 2026, At: https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/redefining-and-strengthening-us-iraq-relationship-through-energy-and-security
Noam Raydan, Devorah Margolin, Redefining and Strengthening the U.S.-Iraq Relationship Through Energy and Security, The Washington Institute, Jan 2026, At: https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/redefining-and-strengthening-us-iraq-relationship-through-energy-and-security
Trade in Goods with Iraq, Feb 2026, At: https://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/balance/c5050.html
Muhaysin, Hamza Ibrahim. 2024. Israeli Policy in Conflict Management and its Impact on the Future of a Settlement. Beirut: Al-Zaytouna Center for Studies and Consultations.
Mahdi, Haider Karim. 2026. The Second Trump Administration and Iraq. Baghdad: Al-Baydar Center for Studies and Planning.
Musa, Abdul-Muttalib Abdul-Mahdi. 2017. The Phenomenon of Political Violence in Iraq After 2003: A Study of the Causes and Ways to Confront It. Amman: Ghayda Publishing and Distribution House.
Al-Musa, Muhammad Khalil. 2025. The Other and the War on Terror. Amman: Dar Al-Fikr Publishers and Distributors.
Al-Ali, Marwan Salem. 2025. Iraq: National and International Challenges and Ways to Confront Them: Future Visions. Cairo: Dar Al-Kanzi for Publishing and Distribution.
Hashim, Nawar Jalil, et al. 2020. Russia's Great Approach to the Middle East. Amman: Dar Al-Khaleej for Publishing and Distribution.
Zarou, Nawaf. 2005. Israel's Wars in Iraq: Data, Facts, and Documents. Amman: Dar Majdalawi for Publishing and Distribution.
Al-Tamimi, Amina Dakhel Shalash. 2021. "President Trump's Policy Towards Iraq 2017-2021." Journal of Human and Natural Sciences. Issue (10). Volume 2. Brabdo Educational Services Foundation, United Kingdom, in cooperation with Al-Abrar Center for Human Research and Studies, Iraq.
Abdullah, Iyad Ahmed and Ahmed Khamis. 2025. "American Foreign Policies Towards Iraq During the Trump and Biden Periods." Scientific Journal of Business Research and Studies. Volume 39. Issue (1). Helwan University.
Hanan, Razakia. 2016. "The American Withdrawal from Iraq in 2011: A Study of Causes and Consequences." Algerian Journal of Political Science and International Relations. Volume 9. Issue (2). Algiers - University of Algiers.
Abdullah, Ru'a Jabbar Tawfiq and Khalaf Latif Ali. 2024. "American Foreign Policy towards Iraq under Trump." Journal of International Studies. Issue (98). University of Baghdad.
Hassan, Zahraa Amir. 2025. "The Foreign Policy of the United States of America towards Iraq under President Biden." Journal of International Studies. Issue (102).
Abdul-Kadhim, Zeina Shaker and Rasha Salem Al-Zubaidi. 2019. "The Role of Iraqi Oil Reserves in the Global Oil Market for the Period 1990-2018." Wasit Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences. Volume 15. Issue (44). University of Wasit
Alai, Sattar Jabbar. 2023. "American Policy towards Iraq after 2014." Political and International Journal. Volume 17, Issue (55). Al-Mustansiriya University.
Hassan, Saad Muhammad. 2022. "The Impact of Extremism on Political Stability in Iraq After the Events of 2014." Ibn Ladun Journal for Studies and Research. Volume 2, Issue (4). Palestine: Ibn Arabi Center for Culture and Publishing.
Shaalan, Samira and Abdullah Hamid Al-Atabi. 2025. "American Intervention in Iraqi-Syrian Relations." Al-Bahith Journal. Volume 44, Issue (1). University of Karbala.
Kadhim, Dhaffaf Kamil. 2024. "The Policy of the United States of America Towards Iraq Under Joe Biden's Administration." Hammurabi Journal for Studies. Issue (52). Volume 13. Baghdad: Hammurabi Center for Strategic Studies.
Awad, Amer Hashim. "The Role of the New Iraq in the American Strategy Towards the Middle East Region." International Studies Journal. Issue (33). University of Baghdad.
Al-Hasnawi, Muntadhar and Basil Muhanna. 2023. "The Syrian Crisis and its Impact on Iraq's Security." Kufa Center for Studies Journal. Volume 69. Issue (1). University of Kufa.
Al-Askari, Hani Malik. 2021. "The Iraqi Economy and the Dual Crises of the Period (2014-2020): Repercussions and Approaches to Change." Journal of Business Economics for Applied Research. Special Issue. Part 2. University of Fallujah.
Majid, Ahmed Dhamid. 2025. The Economic Variable and its Impact on Chinese Policy towards Iraq after 2014. Master's Thesis - University of Tikrit.
The Debate on the American Withdrawal from Iraq: Between Slogans and Needs. 2020. A Case Study. Doha: Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies.
Taqia, Al-Hawas. 2014. On the Brink of Collapse: Iraq Brinks Between Consensual Authority and Civil War. Doha: Al Jazeera Center for Studies Report.
Alou, Emad. 2021. A New Reading of the Baker-Hamilton Report. Articles. Doha: Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies.
Galishkan, Serjan. The Dilemma of Forming a Government in Iraq Amid US-Iranian Rivalry, ORSAM (Center for Middle East Studies), accessed March 11, 2026, available at: https://orsam.org.tr/ar/yayinlar
Jabbar, Sabreen Sattar. US Presidential Envoy Mark Savaya: An Analysis of US Missions and Strategy in Iraq, Bayan Center for Studies and Planning, accessed January 22, 2026, available at: https://www.bayancenter.org/2025/11/14737/
Saleh, Salah Jassim. The United States' Strategy Towards Iraq Under Biden, Bayan Center for Studies and Planning, accessed January 12, 2026, available at: https://www.bayancenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/938933w.pdf
Al-Sudani: The Time Has Come for American Companies to Enter the Iraqi Market, Especially in the Energy Sector, accessed January 29, 2026, available at: https://www.alrasheedmedia.com/2023/09/22/520312/
Al-Marhoon, Abdul Jalil Zaid. Pillars and Objectives of the US-Gulf Summit, Future Center for Advanced Research and Studies, accessed February 19, 2026, published at: https://www.futureuae.com/opencart/Mainpage/Item/346
Iraq and the US Sign Memorandum of Understanding to Produce 24,000 Megawatts of Electricity, accessed January 29, 2026, published at: https://www.aljazeera.net/ebusiness/2025/4/9/iraq-us-sign-memorandum-projects-power-plants
Iraq Hopes to Double US Support to Confront the Climate Change and Drought, accessed February 19, 2026, available at: https://shafaq.com/ar
Al-Talqani, Ali. Iraq in the Context of the Middle East and American Policy: An Analytical Reading, Al-Nabaa Foundation for Culture and Media, available at: https://annabaa.org/arabic/environment/44592
Al-Sheikh, Imad Salah Dawood. The Public and the Hidden Aspects of Partnership Prospects for Global Infrastructure and Investment, Al-Bayan Center for Studies and Planning, History of Nations, February 22, 2026, available at: https://www.bayancenter.org/2022/08/8751/
Hamzawi, Amr. Referendum in Kurdistan and Catalonia… Secession is not the solution, Malcolm Kerr-Carnegie Middle East Center, accessed February 16, 2017, published at: https://carnegieendowment.org/ar/posts/2017/10/astftaa-fy-krdstan-wfy-ktalwnya-alanfsal-lys-hla
Taqi, Ghassan. American companies are returning to Iraq... Why now?, accessed January 29, 2026, published at: https://alhurra.com/6435
The "Blue Peace in the Middle East" initiative at the 4th Baghdad International Water Conference, Blue Peace in the Middle East website, accessed February 19, 2026, published at: https://bluepeaceme.org/ar/news/fostering-regional-cooperation-at-the-4th-baghdad-international-water-conference
Idris, Mohammed Al-Saeed. The Future of US Orientations Towards the Middle East in Light of the New National Security Strategy, Cairo, Information and Decision Support Center, accessed February 27, 2026, available at: https://www.idsc.gov.eg/Article/details/7854
Nikolay Mladenov et al., Energy and Economic Diplomacy in Iraq: Regional Integration and Global Interdependence, Middle East Research Institute (MERI), accessed February 27, 2026, available at: https://www.meri-k.org/publication
Al-Dawi, Yasmine. The Russian-Ukrainian War: Has Trump's Diplomacy Failed in the Face of the Interests and Stakes of the Parties?, Cairo, Al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies, accessed February 27, 2026, published at: https://acpss.ahram.org.eg/News/21531.aspx
Alina Romanowski, Hiwa Osman, The Evolution of the Comprehensive US-Iraq Relationship, Middle East Research Institute (MERI), accessed February 27, 2026, published at: https://www.meri-k.org/publication
Amal Abdullah Al-Hadabi, Will Washington's Pressure on Russia Succeed in Ending the Ukraine War?, Future Center for Advanced Research and Studies, accessed February 27, 2026, published at: https://futureuae.com/ar-AE/Mainpage/Item/10583
Report: To Counter Tehran's Threats... Trump Extends the "US National Emergency" Regarding Iran for Another Year, States, February 25, 2026, accessed at: https://www.iranintl.com/ar/202511070714
Joe Biden and the Challenges of the American Strategy in Iraq, Emirates Policy Center, accessed January 22, 2026, accessed at: https://epc.ae/ar/details/scenario/biden-and-challenges-to-the-american-strategy-in-iraq
Khaled Hashem Mohammed, The American Strategy Towards Iraq in Obama's Second Term, Arab Democratic Center, Between the Constant and the Variable (2013-2016), accessed February 19, 2026, accessed at: https://www.democraticac.de/?p=59986#_ftn15
Ziad Abdel Wahab, The Baghdad Conference for Cooperation and Partnership: Ambitious Goals for a Complex Reality, ORSAM (Center for Middle Eastern Studies), accessed February 19, 2026, published at: https://orsam.org.tr/ar/yayinlar
Ramzi Ezz El-Din Ramzi, Biden's National Security Strategy: The Decline of the Middle East and China and Russia as Adversaries, Al-Majalla Magazine, Saudi Research and Media Group, accessed February 27, 2026, published at: https://www.majalla.com/node/285571
Sattar Jabbar Alai, Iraqi-Iranian Relations: A Study in Analyzing Political Trends After 2003, Arab Forum for Iranian Policy Analysis "AFAIP", accessed March 11, 2026, published at: https://afaip.com/
Sardar Aziz, The United States in Iraq: Withdrawal Without Disengagement, Emirates Policy Center, accessed March 29, 2026, published at: https://www.epc.ae/ar/details/featured/alwilayat-almutahida-fi-aliraq-ainsihab-min-dun-fak-airtiba
Additional Files
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Journal Policies
All articles published in the International and Political Journal are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. This means that the Authors can:
The journal allows reuse and remixing of content in accordance with a Creative Commons license.
Copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format.
Policy of publishing in The International and Political Journal
The journal is committed to the ethics of scientific publishing, and according to the publication ethics report of the journal.
The decision to publish is based on the value of the scientific research, to what extent it meets the conditions of publication approved, the declared policy of the journal, and its specialty.
It is based on the principles of the scientific honesty, and originality of research submitted for publication. It deals with the names of reviewers and their reports with great confidentiality.
The opinions published in the journal reflect the views of the authors, and not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board.
The journal does not adhere to the publication of whatever comes to it. The time and place of publication are subject to technical considerations adopted in the editorial plan of the journal.
The journal does not abide to return the research papers to their owners whether accepted for publication or not.
The researcher is to be provided with the acceptance of publication within about 24 WEEKS. As for publication, the editorial board reserves its right in priority of publishing. The arrangement of the research papers in the same issue is subject to technical standards.
Diversify of publishing papers from solid universities and scientific centers from inside and outside Iraq is preferable.
The journal maintains hard copies and electronic archive of the published issues in addition to the publication of the research papers.
The journal also publishes the issues electronically through the website of the journal, and the official website of the Iraqi academic journals, and makes it possible to download. Thus, documenting the intellectual property of the research papers and publishing them internationally is achieved.
Terms of publication may be modified when necessary with no previous notice.
The researcher obtains a copy of his research paper. If he wishes to buy acopy of the journal, the volume costs ID 10000 from inside Iraq and $8from the outside.
The Editorial Board considers that the researcher who submits his research paper for publication in the journal has already read the terms and conditions of publication and agreed on them.
The journal publishes the research papers of the postgraduate students in special issues for this purpose.
Stages of editing and publishing:
The researcher undertakes that his research has never been published before, and has not been submitted for publication to other sides until the end of the evaluation procedures and the acceptance of publication in the journal.
The research papers submitted for publication are to subjected for preliminary examination by the editorial board to determine their suitability for the journal specialization, its policy and the safety of scientific research procedures, and then to indicate its eligibility for scientific evaluation. The editorial board may apologize for accepting the research all together or require the researcher to amend it in accordance with the journal policy before sending it to editors.
After conducting the scientific evaluation, the research paper returns back to the researcher to make the required amendments within a maximum of two weeks.
A copy of the final research paper is to be submitted to the secretariat of the journal a hard copy and a soft copy on a CD, in both Word and PDF format. The researcher is fully responsible for the typing and linguistic mistakes after submitting the full research paper on a CD.
Plagiarism checker
All research papers are subjected to Turnitin program to uncover plagiarism before being sent to scientific evaluation. The researcher undertakes a written pledge to take the legal and moral responsibility, in the event of the emergence of plagiarism or taking from the efforts of other researchers, without a reference to them. The journal uses appropriate anti-plagiarism software, such as Turnitin to check for plagiarism.
Dealing with Allegations of Research Misconduct
The Journal shall take reasonable and serious steps to identify and prevent the publication of papers where research misconduct has occurred, including plagiarism, citation manipulation, and data falsification/fabrication.
Scientific Evaluation:
Scientific evaluation strengthens the research paper submitted to the journal and helps to take the appropriate decision by the editorial board to publish it. It also benefits the researchers to improve and correct their research papers.
The research paper is sent to three evaluators in the same specialty to evaluate







