(Transcript from SBS World News Radio)
It's a response to recent setbacks at the hands of the self-proclaimed Islamic State, or IS, as well as Iraq's appeals for more help.
Under the plan, the number of United States training sites in Iraq will increase from four to five, enabling a larger number of Iraqis to join the fight against IS.
The new base will be located in the western Anbar province.
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As many as 450 additional US soldiers will be sent to the country to expand the existing contingent of more than three thousand trainers and advisers already in Iraq.
It is all in an attempt to help Iraqi forces reclaim territory lost to IS.
White House spokesman Josh Earnest has talked about the move with the media in Washington.
"I think what it represents is a conclusion by the President and his national security team that the situation on the ground in Iraq would benefit from more trained Iraqi security forces and more Sunni tribal fighters that are operating under the command and control of the Iraqi central government who have received advice and assistance, and equipment, from the US military."
Josh Earnest says President Barack Obama made the decision after a request from Iraq's Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi.
While the US troops will not take the fight to IS themselves, Mr Earnest says they will still be in a precarious situation.
He says there is grave concern in Washington about security conditions in Anbar province.
"There is no environment in which I would downplay the risk that these military, that these military members will face in Iraq. We've been direct about the fact that the security situation in Iraq is tenuous, particularly in Anbar province."
And with IS continuing to hold its ground, there is ongoing criticism within Iraq of the country's armed forces and their ability to defeat the militants.
A year after the capture of Mosul in the north of the country, the city's former governor says not enough has been done to retake Iraq's second city.
Atheel al-Nujaifi partly blames the city's police and military for the fall of Mosul.
IS gave only three options for the soldiers and police officers guarding Mosul when they neared it a year ago: Repent, run or die.
Many ran, emphasising the complicated task faced by international forces training them to stand and fight.
Mr al-Nujaifi says he expects more.
"Definitely, today is a painful day for us, painful because the city of Mosul was abandoned and betrayed by its police and army members while they were supposed to protect the city. But they betrayed it and didn't provide the aid. It's also painful because, after one year, we don't see serious action by all parties involved to liberate Mosul."
Bashar al-Kiki, who heads the northern Nineveh provincial council that includes Mosul, says he wants the city retaken by the end of the year.
"We asked for a time frame that won't exceed this year for taking action in order to liberate the city. And in my opinion, this is very possible to do if all parties involved agree on it, mainly Baghdad and Irbil with the help of the international coalition."
But that time frame may be too tight for Iraq's international partners.
White House spokesman Josh Earnest is suggesting a longer picture for the US soldiers.
"I would expect it that at least some of the US military personnel that are currently in Iraq will still be there when the President leaves office."
And that exit is not due to take place until November 2016.
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