
AI-generated summary
The US Operation Inherent Resolve mission in Iraq, launched in 2014 to fight Islamic State, ended on September 30, 2026, completing a withdrawal agreed upon in 2024 under former President Joe Biden. Washington stated it will continue targeted training and intelligence support while the mission has been replaced by an Iraqi-led security effort.
Analysts say Beijing will pursue energy and commercial deals after American withdrawal but will not seek to fill a security role
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Cao Jiaxuanin Beijing
Published: 12:00pm, 8 Oct 2026
The US has ended its military mission in Iraq, a move analysts said could give Baghdad more room for diversified partnerships and indirectly benefit China’s energy and commercial interests.
But they cautioned that the shift was unlikely to create a power vacuum for Beijing to fill, with China lacking both the ambition and capacity to take on the US security role.
The United States formally ended its Operation Inherent Resolve mission in Iraq on September 30, completing a withdrawal agreed on in 2024 under the administration of former US president Joe Biden.
The mission, launched in 2014 to fight Islamic State, has been replaced by an Iraqi-led security effort, while Washington has said it will continue targeted training and intelligence support.
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
China will increase energy and commercial investments in Iraq following the US military withdrawal
Likely · Within months
China will not seek to fill the US security role in Iraq due to lack of ambition and capacity
Very likely · Within months

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