[KARAH RUCKER]

THE U.S. HAS HAD A MILITARY PRESENCE IN IRAQ FOR DECADES.

THERE’S CURRENTLY ABOUT 25 HUNDRED SOLDIERS IN IRAQ.

BUT NOW IRAQ HAS BEGUN THE PROCESS TO KICK THE U.S. MILITARY OUT OF ITS COUNTRY.

THE PURPOSE OF THE U.S. BEING THERE IS TO KEEP A HANDLE ON TERRORIST ACTIVITY IN THE MIDDLE EAST.

WHICH ISIS – IS STILL A REGIONAL THREAT.

THE GROUP IS RESPONSIBLE FOR AN ATTACK THAT KILLED NEARLY 100 PEOPLE IN IRAN LAST WEEK.

BUT IRAQ’S PRIME MINISTER –

WANTS TO EVICT THE U.S. FROM ITS TERRITORY AFTER THE U.S. TOOK OUT A HEZBOLLAH LEADER IN AN AIRSTRIKE LAST WEEK.

HEZBOLLAH IS AN IRAQI MILITANT GROUP – BACKED BY IRAN.

CALLS FOR THE REMOVAL OF THE U.S. CAME BEFORE NEWS TODAY OF 

ANOTHER HEZBOLLAH TOP SENIOR OFFICIAL BEING TAKEN OUT – THIS TIME BY ISRAEL.

FURTHER INFURIATING IRAQ, IRAN, AND ITS PROXY GROUPS ALL ALIGNED AGAINST ISRAEL AND THE U.S. FOR TAKING ISRAEL’S SIDE.

WHILE IRAQ IS IN CAHOOTS WITH MANY OF IRAN’S PROXY GROUPS –

IRAQ AND THE U.S. ARE PARTNERS AGAINST A COMMON ENEMY IN ISIS.

IN IRAQ’S DECISION TO REMOVE U.S. TROOPS. –

IT WILL WEIGH WHICH IS MORE IMPORTANT.

A UNITED FRONT WITH THE U.S. AGAINST THE ISLAMIC STATE.

OR REMOVING THE U.S. – A FOE OF ITS FRIENDS – FROM THE REGION.