Jane Arraf

The last combat brigadee left Iraq, yesterday, marking the end of the active combat phase of Operation Iraqi Freedom. 50,000 troops still remain, but are tasked to non-combat operations. The Obama administration has pledged to withdraw all troops from Iraq by October 2011, at which point security operations are to be transferred to Iraqi forces. In a statement, President Barack Obama called this a "milestone in the Iraq war," and State Department Spokesman P.J. Crowley labeled it "an historic moment."

But is it premature – yet again – to say, "mission accomplished?"

The last U.S. combat troops left Iraq early this morning. 50,000 non-combat forces will remain. What else will we leave behind, and what is the continuing legacy of the war? We're joined by Christian Science Monitor correspondent Jane Arraf. That and this morning's headlines.

A suicide bomber struck a crowd of 300 people this morning in Baghdad.  Jane Arraf, a reporter for the Christian Science Monitor was at the scene. She says that a young man with explosives strapped to his legs blew himself up in the crowd of people who had gathered to apply for coveted jobs with the army. Araf says that it seemed like security was lacking.

Saad al Mutalibi, an Iraqi government spokesperson also responds to the attack. He maintains that his country will be more secure without U.S. forces, and that the attaack is not linked to the withdrawal of troops.

At the beginning of his presidency, President Obama pledged to cease combat operations in Iraq by August 31st, 2010. As we near that deadline, Obama seems on track to keep his promise. By the end of this month, combat operations will cease, and only 50,000 support troops will remain in Iraq. By the end of 2011, the president says, they will all come home. 

 

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