Austin said the trip is to “reaffirm” the strategic relationship between the U.S. and Iraq, where a small number of U.S. forces are still working to combat the Islamic State.
The defense secretary is the most senior official in President Joe Biden’s administration to visit Iraq, where the U.S.Austin’s visit comes days before the 20th anniversary of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003.
He is one of a number of foreign dignitaries—Iranian, Russian and Saudi foreign ministers and United Nations chief Antonio Guterres—to visit Iraq ahead of the milestone. Former President George W. Bush justified the invasion with claims Iraqi dictator Hussein possessed weapons of mass destruction, though no such weapons were ever found. Hussein’s regime was toppled and U.S.
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