Mattis: US should stay in Iraq after Islamic State is defeated
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Joseph Dunford both told Congress Wednesday that a residual force of U.S. troops should remain in Iraq after the Islamic State is defeated to prevent a resurgence of the terrorist group. That's in line with what Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Wednesday at a meeting of the coalition to defeat the Islamic State in Washington.
Testifying before a Senate Appropriations subcommittee, Mattis said it would be a mistake to declare victory and leave, as the U.S. did in 2011.
"I don't see any reason to pull out again, and find the same lesson," he said.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Many analysts blame the Obama administration for failing to negotiate an agreement with the government of former Iraq Prime Minister Nouri al-Malaki to keep U.S. troops in an advisory role, a failure they argue led to the rise of the Islamic State.