Sep 10
1
Tuesday, August 31st, President Obama declared an end to combat operations in Iraq, officially drawing the seven year, five month-long war to a close. Around 50,000 troops will remain in the country to “advise and assist” the Iraqi forces. According to the President, those troops will come home by the end of 2011. This war has killed over four thousand Americans, wounding over thirty thousand. Iraqi losses have been projected as high as a hundred thousand.
The conflict in Afghanistan, nearing its ten year mark, will still continue, though the President reaffirmed his earlier statements about a timetable of withdrawal starting in summer 2011. “He said that American forces in Afghanistan “will be in place for a limited time” to give Afghans the chance to build their government and armed forces” (Cooper, and Stolburg, New York Times).
Markedly un-triumphant, this war did not end with parades in the streets of New York, or iconic photographs of sailors kissing swooning nurses. President Obama, unlike his predecessor, did not declare victory, only credited the American troops for their immense sacrifice and bravery overseas. In his 18 minute Oval Office address (only the second of his Presidency), he made it clear that domestic issues will take precedent over the conflict in the Middle East.
While the President’s speech itself avoided partisan sentiments (he praised Mr. Bush for his devotion to and love of this country), some critics in Washington are faulting Mr. Obama for opposing the 2007 troop increase, an action that many give credit to for bringing about some measure of stability to the troubled region.
This official end to the combat mission in Iraq is an important first step towards pulling the curtain on the struggle in the Middle East, but this war will only truly be over when the 50,000 men and women still deployed return home.
Sources:
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