In February 2009, President Barack Obama set an August 2010 deadline for ending the military's combat presence in Iraq. Last week, he met that deadline, declaring an end to Operation Iraqi Freedom, which commenced in 2003 under former president George W. Bush.
Fifty thousand troops will remain in Iraq, however, to attempt to increase and maintain stability as the nation tries to rebuild. Obama has thus transferred much of the responsibility of rebuilding to the Iraqi people.
We agree with Obama's decision to end the war, but we also feel that he needs to be more clear about his future plans for Iraq.
Most importantly, Obama deserves to be applauded for sticking to the promises that he made while campaigning for the presidency. He had been opposed to the war in Iraq since its outset, and last week, he reassured those who worried that the pressures of the presidency would cause him to reconsider his stance.
Indeed, there are definite risks to leaving Iraq now, as nobody can be sure what will happen next. But Obama showed he has the courage to shoulder the responsibility and the consequences for leaving, whether it turns out to be a good or a bad move.
The uncertainties ahead in Iraq were readily apparent in Obama's language when he made his announcement with an address from the Oval Office.
Obama referred to the new relationship between the United States and Iraq as a "friendship" and a "partnership," yet he also proclaimed that the Iraqis are now responsible for their own security. He claimed that the "partnership" is one characterized by "mutual interest and mutual respect."
We're not sure how much "respect" Iraqis could have for the United States after being invaded and occupied for over seven years. We hope Obama is truthful in his characterization, but at this point, it seems optimistic at best.
Obama also described the roles of the 50,000 remaining troops, who will leave in one year, as "advising and assisting Iraq's Security Forces, supporting Iraqi troops in targeted counterterrorism missions, and protecting our civilians."
We must ask, though: What happens if more insurgents rise up and gain steam? Will the U.S. fight back? If so, will it go on the offense or be content to simply protect?
These questions cannot possibly be answered now, but we hope Obama is prepared for such problems.
Fifty thousand is also a misleading number due to the much greater amount of civilian government workers and independent contractors (such as those working for the Halliburton corporation) who also remain in Iraq. What will be the roles of these individuals?
President Obama inherited two wars that he didn't start when he took office. He has ended one, whether successfully or unsuccessfully. We hope that leaving Iraq allows him the ability to bring a swift and definitively successful end to the war in Afghanistan
