The enduring paradox of Iraqi sovereignty was exposed again last week. The final US-led coalition forces left the country late last month, ending a military presence that, in different forms, had lasted more than two decades. Baghdad designated Oct. 1 “Sovereignty Day,” with Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi declaring that Iraqi forces had assumed responsibility for the country’s security, while Iran-aligned factions celebrated the withdrawal as the defeat of the “American project.” Yet, on Wednesday,
