Iraq

According to The Washington Post, the United States has formally withdrawn all forces from Iraq, concluding a 12-year military presence. The Pentagon confirmed the historic moment, with President Trump calling it the end of an excursion from hell as the regional balance of power enters a period of deep recalibration. Iran’s regional influence is expected to grow while the threat from residual extremist organizations cannot be ignored.

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Energy announced on September 12 the temporary shutdown of a key crude oil pipeline crossing Iraqi territory that delivers crude from Saudi eastern oilfields to Red Sea export ports, after a drone attack launched from the Iraqi side struck pipeline facilities, causing damage and triggering local fires. Saudi authorities activated the highest level of energy emergency response, drawing on strategic reserves and alternative routes to maintain contractual exports. Iraq’s Prime Minister’s Office subsequently announced the dismissal of a military commander responsible for the relevant border area and launched a joint investigation involving security and judicial authorities, highlighting possible new patterns of cross-border non-state armed activity. The incident, occurring alongside recent Houthi strikes on Saudi energy facilities, signals that Saudi energy infrastructure now faces simultaneous threats from multiple directions and is placing renewed pressure on global energy markets.

The US Department of Justice has filed terrorism charges against a commander of Kataib Hezbollah, an Iraqi Shia militia group, accusing him of planning attacks targeting New York City. BBC News also reported on the case, alleging that the Iraqi militant leader “directed” the terrorist activities. The charges underscore ongoing US national security concerns and the potential threat posed by Middle Eastern armed groups to the American homeland. Kataib Hezbollah is a US-designated foreign terrorist organization and has long been viewed as a key instrument of Iranian influence in Iraq. These charges could further escalate tensions between Washington and Tehran, with potential ripple effects across regional security dynamics. ...