Withdrawal of Iraq from CENTO
The first country to withdraw from the Central Treaty Organization (CENTO) was Iraq.

Reason for Withdrawal
1. Political Instability: Iraq withdrew from CENTO in 1959 due to political instability in the country. The regime of Abdul Karim Qasim, who came to power in a coup d'état, was against the Baghdad Pact, which later became known as CENTO.
2. Nationalistic Policies: Qasim pursued a policy of Arab nationalism and opposed any form of alliance with the Western powers. This led to Iraq's decision to withdraw from CENTO.
3. Alignment with the Soviet Union: After withdrawing from CENTO, Iraq moved closer to the Soviet Union, which was a rival to the Western powers that were part of the alliance.
4. Desire for Independence: Iraq's withdrawal from CENTO was also driven by a desire for greater independence and autonomy in its foreign policy decisions.

Impact of Iraq's Withdrawal
- Iraq's withdrawal from CENTO weakened the alliance, as it was one of the founding members of the organization.
- It also highlighted the challenges faced by the alliance in maintaining cohesion among its member states.
- Iraq's alignment with the Soviet Union shifted the geopolitics of the region and had implications for the Cold War dynamics in the Middle East.
In conclusion, Iraq's withdrawal from CENTO in 1959 was a significant event that had repercussions for the alliance and the broader geopolitical landscape of the Middle East.