This is John Batchelor, conversation about Iraq with Bradley Bowman and Cameron

McMillan of the Foundation for the Defense of Democracy's. The surprising news is

that the US has thoughts about withdrawing from Iraq in the next two years.

The comments, however, are guarded. There is no clarity. This is the end of the Biden administration and

what does this mean withdrawing from Iraq? Are the Iraqi forces ready to stand up to ISIS, to al-Qaeda, to the bad actors of Hezbollah,

to the IRGC?

Or here's Bradley Bowman to explain what we know so far and how it is very tempting to say

this is another Afghanistan in the making. More of this tonight.

John, when we reach out to folks and listen to folks from the Pentagon,

whether it's the Office of Secretary of Defense or reach out to CENTCOM, they're very reluctant to say anything publicly

because they don't want to get ahead of the White House.

I'm not aware of a decision made that's been announced by the White House, and if it were I would say it would be of limited utility and significance frankly

Because the next administration will decide if we're talking about a withdrawal that's going to last for two years, then on January 20th, the next administration, which whoever it is, could completely overturn that.

What we're trying to do in this piece is just say, hey, you know, when you do with withdrawal, it should be based on American

interests, the facts on the ground, and it should be informed by the vice of our

military commanders. And who is the leading commander in the Middle East?

It's General Carilla, the commander of U.S. Central Command.

And he warned Congress in March

that a withdrawal of the US-led coalition, quote,

would all but guarantee ISIS's return

if it occurred before the Iraqi security forces

are ready to stand on their own."

...