Operation Inherent Resolve will be mothballed, the U.S. military expects to continue its presence in Iraq, officials say.

American leaders should reject any form of mission creep in the Middle East – including state building and countering Iranian influence in Iraq.

The U.S. announced an agreement with the Iraqi government Friday to wrap up the military mission in Iraq of an American-led coalition fighting the Islamic State group by next year, with U.S. troops departing some bases that they have long occupied during a two-decade-long military presence in the country.