Troop withdrawal brings mixed emotions

The 2008 presidential election brought many promises, including an end to the war in Iraq. President Obama promised that American troops would be brought back from Iraq within 16 months of his inauguration.

In Feb. 2009, one month after his inauguration, he pledged that the U.S. combat mission in Iraq would end by Aug. 31, 2010. This date came three months later than promised in his presidential campaign.

Operation Iraqi Freedom began when the United States invaded Iraq in March 2003. The government had reason to believe that Iraq harbored weapons of mass destruction. Though no WMDs were found, the U.S. occupied Iraq and captured their President, Saddam Hussein. The United States has been pushing for a democratic government ever since.

Obama spoke in Atlanta on Aug. 2 at the Disabled Veterans of America conference. In his speech, he thanked the veterans for their service, but his reiteration of the troop withdrawal by the end of the month is what got the most attention.

"Shortly after taking office, I announced our new strategy for Iraq and for a transition to full Iraqi responsibility," said Obama. "And I made it clear that by Aug. 31st, 2010, America's combat mission in Iraq would end. And that is exactly what we are doing -- as promised and on schedule."

American families with loved ones fighting overseas are overjoyed that their families and friends are coming home. With over 4,000 American casualties and billions of dollars spent, the war has caused much distrust in the government.

Though the troop withdrawal plan has given many Americans a reason to celebrate, the Iraqi people feel shorted. They still have not declared the winner of the March parliamentary elections, and they fear the increasing terrorist attacks will spark a civil war.

In a quote to the British newspaper, The Guardian, Iraqi foreign minister Hoshyer Zebarisaid, "…it is embarrassing for them to withdraw and still we don't have a government in place, because all the achievements, all the sacrifices that have been made, could be in jeopardy."

Georgia State University students have differing viewpoints on the President's withdrawal plan. Rosina Skaria, a sophomore, believes that troop withdrawal is a "definite progression."

"Although the troop withdrawal will be a slow process, Obama's mind is in the right place, and America can no longer complain about our troops being overseas for nothing," she said. Sam Uddin, a fellow sophomore, agrees with Skaria, saying that the withdrawal "is long overdue."

Despite the relief some students are feeling over Obama's withdrawal plan, there are many who are hesitant as well.

"I feel like we should give them time to rebuild," says Georgia State junior Tina Tran. "If we pull them out now, and leave the situation unstable, everything will get worse."

Lindsay Wilson has mixed feelings concerning Obama's plan: "I agree that we should leave, but I think it's sad that we haven't tried to provide them with a stable government."

"I am happy that they are moving out because my sister was overseas, but I'm afraid that all the hard work our military put in will go to waste, and Iraq will go back to the way it was," said John Garrett.

According to the withdrawal plan set by officials in Washington, 35,000 to 50,000 troops will stay in Iraq to aid the government. Remaining troops will continue to work on counterterrorism operations and protect the Iraqi citizens. They are expected to be home by Dec. 2011.

On Aug. 31, President Obama gave a speech from the Oval Office, declaring the Iraq combat mission over. He asked Americans to "turn the page" on the Iraq war and stated that focus needs to be on restoring the domestic economy. He said that he hopes to begin withdrawing troops from Afghanistan by next summer.