US unveils sprawling consulate in Erbil as troops shift to Kurdistan region

The United States has unveiled a massive new diplomatic compound in Erbil, the capital of Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdish region. This development highlights a deepening American footprint in Kurdistan as the US draws down its military presence in Baghdad and other parts of Iraq. The move coincides with a shift in the US military mission from countering the Islamic State to a mutual defense partnership, with reports indicating many remaining troops will be based in Erbil. The new consulate, the largest of its kind in the world, underscores the strategic importance of the region amidst ongoing political debates within Iraq about the presence of foreign forces.