President Obama ends the war in Iraq
Posted by AzBlueMeanie:
The unnecessary war of choice in Iraq sold on a web of lies, one of America's greatest mistakes at a terrible toll in lives and treasure, is finally coming to an end.
Last year, the President brought an end to the combat mission in Iraq, and through the course of the past 14 months, more than 100,000 troops have returned to their families.
Today, President Obama announced that the rest of our troops will be home by the holidays. President Obama Has Ended the War in Iraq:
Over the next two months, our troops in Iraq—tens of thousands of them—will pack up their gear and board convoys for the journey home. The last American soldiers will cross the border out of Iraq—with their heads held high, proud of their success, and knowing that the American people stand united in our support for our troops. That is how America’s military efforts in Iraq will end.
But this moment represents more than an accomplishment for the President. It marks a monumental change of focus for our military and a fundamental shift in the way that the our nation will engage in the world:
The United States is moving forward, from a position of strength. The long war in Iraq will come to an end by the end of this year. The transition in Afghanistan is moving forward, and our troops are finally coming home. As they do, fewer deployments and more time training will help keep our military the very best in the world. And as we welcome home our newest veterans, we’ll never stop working to give them and their families the care, the benefits, and the opportunities that they have earned.
A promise made, a promise kept. All troops will be withdrawn from Iraq by the end of 2011 effectively ending the war in Iraq. Our troops will be home for the holidays.
Full statement after the jump.