Figures describe their labeled year, not today’s conditions.
In the briefs
These are country-linked developments, not a blanket rating of the country. Older items remain visible as context; only qualifying assessments within seven days affect priority.
Erbil / Iraq (city reference point)
Elevated
Source date: Sep 30, 2026 · Confidence: high
Reporting
Reporting: CENTCOM announced that personnel and equipment departed Erbil on September 30, ending the Iraq-based Operation Inherent Resolve mission. Reuters and AP report the transition. Reuters attributes continued targeted training and intelligence support to the Pentagon; the future scope remains unclear. This updates the September 29 expectation of departure, retained below as historical reporting.
Assessment
Assessment: ELEVATED for transition uncertainty, not evidence of a new attack. Confidence is high in the formal mission ending and moderate in continued limited security cooperation. Further clarification of bilateral arrangements over 24–72 hours is likely; this is analytic inference.
Official claim: CENTCOM assesses Iraqi and Kurdish forces as capable of managing domestic threats. Reporting: Reuters describes mixed public reactions and officials’ and analysts’ concerns about ISIS cells and militia influence. These concerns do not confirm a fresh offensive. No new large-scale attack was verified in the production brief; this is a reporting limitation, not proof none occurred.
Assessment
Assessment: ELEVATED monitoring. Iraqi readiness, intelligence sharing, air defense and militia intent remain uncertain. Further political messaging is likely over 24–72 hours (moderate confidence). A major immediate ISIS offensive is possible but not indicated by reviewed evidence; confidence in near-term adversary intent is low.
The September 29 Proudly Served brief cites an Iraqi spokesperson’s September 28 announcement that coalition forces would complete their departure by September 30, and Reuters reporting on expected base departures. Completion, unit locations, and final troop totals were not independently confirmed in the brief.
Assessment
Assessment: ELEVATED. The announced transition warrants monitoring of security arrangements and official completion statements. Possible openings for Islamic State cells or militia influence are risks discussed by officials and analysts, not proof of a new campaign or territorial takeover.
Iraq