Biden says US combat mission in Iraq to conclude by year end
By ROBERT BURNS, AAMER MADHANI and QASSIM ABDUL-ZAHRA WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden said Monday the U.S. combat mission in Iraq will conclude by the end of the year, an announcement that reflects the reality on the ground more than a major shift in U.S. policy. Even before Biden took office, the main U.S. focus has been assisting Iraqi forces, not fighting on their behalf. And Biden did not