[/caption]Today, President Obama delivered a speech from the Oval Office. He employed a number of nautical metaphors about sailing through turbulent seas and storms in his speech.
He spoke to announce the end of America's combat role in the war in Iraq. Today, as the President put it, was a day to begin to "turn the page" -- a day when America could turn its focus towards building itself back up from a devastating recession.
It's been 7 years since the war in Iraq officially started, and even longer since there's been peace between the United States and other Middle Eastern countries. Very many people sacrificed their lives in the war, and those who are still alive are happy to be going home.
All U.S. troops will be back home by the end of next year as was agreed with the Iraq government. During the time until then, the U.S. will continue to support the government there, and will also help prepare to country for the complete departure of U.S. troops as Iraq has, if anything, become used to having American soldiers around to help, so it might be a bit difficult at first when they're all gone.
The President also mentioned that Vice President Joe Biden is in Iraq now. He spent the day meeting with Iraqi leaders about working with America's diplomatic team going forward.
Here are a few words from Barack Obama:
"So tonight, I am announcing that the American combat mission in Iraq has ended. Operation Iraqi Freedom is over, and the Iraqi people now have lead responsibility for the security of their country.
Continue reading, and see a video of President Obama delivering his address on the next page.
"This was my pledge to the American people as a candidate for this office. Last February, I announced a plan that would bring our combat brigades out of Iraq, while redoubling our efforts to strengthen Iraq’s Security Forces and support its government and people.
That’s what we’ve done. We’ve removed nearly 100,000 U.S. troops from Iraq. We’ve closed or transferred to the Iraqis hundreds of bases. And we have moved millions of pieces of equipment out of Iraq."
Obama also says that even though American troops are leaving Iraq, we will continue to support the Iraqi Government's efforts, and that America will be their partner. "The Iraqi people will have a strong partner in the United States. Our combat mission is ending, but our commitment to Iraq’s future is not."
We will wait to see how this all works out, and it could happen that Iraq is able to build up a strong government and is able to spread democracy.
Below is the video of President Barack Obama delivering his address.
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