There is a path to success in Iraq. The international coalition’s legacy could be a stable and secure regional ally. But the defeat of ISIS must be seen through to the finish.

The Government of Iraq’s military campaign to regain control of the territo-rial landmass of Iraq is coming close to the final stages. Iraqi forces learned valuable lessons during the battle for Mosul, and broke the back of the ISIS so called caliphate. Post Mosul, Iraqi forces have conducted operations in Ninewah, Hawijah, and Anbar with renewed confidence and valuable expe-rience. The military campaign has momentum and ISIS are on the back foot. Although difficult battles remain, defeat of the ISIS physical caliphate now looks inevitable, and there is a small (but increasing) chance of an early, catastrophic collapse of ISIS’s fighting capability.