Iraq has seen an efflorescence of both terrorist groups, like Al-Qaeda in Iraq and the Islamic State, and progovernment militia forces, like the Popular Mobilization Forces and the Kurdish Peshmerga. The US and Iran compete for influence by providing training, financing, and direct military support to progovernment militia forces. Yet neither outside actor has been able to assert hegemony over these Iraqi forces. Iraqi actors may accept outside support, but they also fiercely guard their independence and autonomy.