The author of this Perspective argues that the United States should make a full and enduring commitment to Iraq by providing robust, long-term assistance to the Iraqi Army. A clear-eyed look at the current situation in Iraq suggests that early 2020 could represent a potential turning point for U.S. policy. U.S. military and diplomatic influence is arguably as strong as it has been since the 2011 withdrawal, but Iraq's urgent need for U.S. military assistance may not endure. Competition from Iran, Russia, and China in Iraq and across the Middle East is fierce. All three of these countries may offer more-appealing deals than the United States. It is time to make a full and enduring commitment to Iraq before fleeting opportunities are lost. Risks and benefits should be weighed carefully, but quickly. The best way to establish that commitment is through robust, long-term assistance to the Iraqi Army.

       Table of Contents Chapter One

       Introduction: Iraq's Army and U.S. National Security

       Chapter Two

       Iraq's Importance to U.S. National Security Interests

       Chapter Three

       America's Experience with and in Iraq, 1979–2019

       Chapter Four

       Iraq at the Heart of American Foreign Policy: 1979–2019

       Chapter Five

       Current Strategic Importance of Iraq and Its Army: Late 2019

       Chapter Six

       Iraq's Army as a Focal Point for Enduring Strategic Development

       Chapter Seven

       A Policy for Enduring Commitment in Iraq

       Chapter Eight

       Building Iraqi Army Combat Effectiveness

       Chapter Nine

       Summing Up

       Research conducted by RAND National Security Research Division

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