Iraq army to remain dependent on US

While American combat troops have pulled out of Iraq, the Iraqi military will continue to depend on the US military for training and maintenance. Rebuilding its military from scratch, Iraq has also been purchasing sophisticated American weapon systems, a dramatic departure from Saddam Hussein's Soviet-era equipment. Even after a full military withdrawal (50,000 US troops remain in Iraq), an enduring relationship will likely include the Iraqis and the Americans in a long-term partnership.