Politico reports (not behind paywall, for a change) that our diplomatic missions in Iraq have ordered an evacuation of all but skeleton staff. Spouses and children are to go home, and some diplomats as well. Gateway Pundit adds the drawdown extends to Kuwait, Bahrain and beyond (see below).
As I see it, there are two ways to read these 'tea leaves.' First, the nuclear talks with next door neighbor Iran are stalemated and kinetic strikes on Iran's nuclear installations are imminent. Therefore we are reducing the risk of reprisal to non-essential personnel.
Or second, as a way to suggest to Iran a not-distant attack. Thus perhaps getting those same talks restarted.
I suppose a third, remotely possible interpretation is that DC has finally become realistic about Iraq and decided to let the locals sort it out themselves without our hand-holding.
One thing it does not mean is "everything is fine, no worries. Open Source Intel posts the following on X.
The U.S. has directed all embassies within range of Iran — including those in the Middle East, parts of Eastern Europe, and North Africa — to activate emergency action committees and report back to Washington on their risk mitigation plans. This directive triggered today’s evacuation moves in Iraq.
