Closing the Chapter on Endless War in Iraq

ARLINGTON, Va. ― Concerned Veterans for America applauds the full withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq’s federal territory, marking the end of a military presence that has stretched far too long beyond what our Constitution and national interests require. Concerned Veterans for America Executive Director John Vick had this to say:

“I last set foot on al-Asad airbase in Iraq over twenty years ago. Since then, an entire generation of Americans has been born, raised, and also sent to serve in Iraq. The complete departure of American troops from bases such as al-Asad signals a meaningful step toward a more restrained U.S. foreign policy and a decisive end to endless war in the Middle East. This outcome reflects a growing consensus in Washington that protracted military deployments should not be America’s main tool for foreign policy.”

The withdrawal comes on the heels of Congress’s recent repeal of the 1991 and 2002 Authorizations for Use of Military Force (AUMFs) ― outdated and overly broad mandates that were used to justify open-ended military engagement in Iraq and beyond. Repealing these authorizations restored constitutional war-making authority to Congress and aligned U.S. policy with the will of the American people for a more accountable and judicious use of military power.

CVA encourages our nation’s leaders to build on this moment by continuing to promote legislative and diplomatic measures that ensure the United States does not drift back into large-scale combat operations without clear objectives, constitutional authorization, or public support.

This withdrawal is a victory for veterans of our nation’s endless wars in the Middle East, for service members and their families, and for a foreign policy that prioritizes restraint, accountability, and the responsible defense of U.S. interests.

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