Iraq

Troops Coming Home

The United States’ President, Barack Obama, announced on Friday that the US would be pulling out all remaining troops in Iraq by the year’s end. This announcement comes days after Iraqi government officials released statements addressing their refusal to grant American soldiers immunity past December of this year.

Both Americans and Iraqis are rejoicing from the news that American soldiers will be returning home soon. Although recent US military activity and relations with the Iraqi government have been positive and helpful, many of the Iraqi citizens are glad to hear that the US Military presence in their country will dwindle greatly by the end of this year. Much of the United States’ mission in Iraq recently has been to train and equip Iraq’s military and police so that they can better defend their country against the “evils” and influence of Al’ Qa’ida. Regardless, a foreign military presence is still viewed as a threat and is intimidating to its host. There have been thousands of Iraqi casualties in the last nine years of the war and, naturally, this has caused many Iraqi people to resent the United States and its involvement in their country. Many Iraqis are elated with the anticipation of freedom and retention of power with the removal American troops.

Realist

http://www.tehrantimes.com/index.php/middle-east/3820-iraqis-celebrate-us-withdrawal-decision

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-15411907

October 27, 2011 at 8:51 pm