U.S. Leaves Iraq After 23 Years: Who Will Fill The Power Vacuum?

The U.S. has completed its military withdrawal from Iraq after more than two decades of war, occupation and counter-terror operations. Washington says the mission has changed, while Baghdad says it is ready to take greater responsibility for national security. But the US exit comes as Iran-backed militias remain deeply embedded in Iraq and Islamic State continues to operate through sleeper cells. With American forces no longer carrying the main military burden, questions are growing over Iraq’s security landscape, Iran’s regional influence and the threat from ISIS. Here’s what the US withdrawal means for Iraq, Iran-backed groups and the future fight against ISIS.