- Feb 27, 2009 - President Barack Obama said he will withdraw U.S. troops from Iraq over the next 18 months. However, he also said that between 35,000 and 50,000 troops will initially remain there afterwards to help train Iraqi forces and undertake counter-terrorism missions.
B: This move should come as no surprise for two reasons. First, since the 2007 troop surge the violence level in Iraq is down 90 percent. The number of casualties and Iraqis and Americans is significantly diminished. There have been elections and a written constitution. So the Bush administration already had plans for pulling some U.S. troops. Secondly Obama campaigned to committing the pulling of U.S. troops out of Iraq within 16 months of taking office. (It actually happened two months longer than promised but close enough). So Obama has kept his word. In reality, this move is no different than what the Bush administration or McCain administration would have done, especially considering the fact that Obama will keep between 35,000 and 50,000 troops remaining in Iraq. Many Obama supporters give him a low grade for this as they argue ALL troops should be pulled. However, committing to keeping U.S. troops stationed in Iraq indefinitely to help maintain security for years to come is the right call. Remember, America still has troops based in Germany, Japan and Italy since WW II and these nations still remain as some of America's closest allies.