PRESIDENTIAL 'BLISS' - President Barack Obama shakes hands with soldiers on Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas, Aug, 31, 2010. Obama visited the base to thank all troops for contributions that led to the official end of combat operations in Iraq. White House photo by Lawrence JacksonWinding Down The Iraq War, And Avoiding Civil War -- Irena L. Sargsyan, L.A. Times
Most Americans seem ready to consign the Iraq war to history. They've watched tank convoys leave Baghdad, and they've heard the president underscore his campaign promise to draw down U.S. forces, leaving roughly 50,000 in the country as of Aug. 31. Moreover, Iraq and the U.S. have agreed that the remaining U.S. troops will be gone by December 2011. But history suggests that unless the U.S. is willing and able to remain committed to Iraq's security and prosperity — and Iraqis know it — the country is at risk of spiraling back into civil war.
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Commentaries, Opinions, And Editorials
Analysts: U.S. will be a factor for years as Iraq remains turbulent -- CNN
Obama’s Mideast Reset, and Iran’s Role In It -- Wall Street Journal
Analysis: US hopes for Iraq collided with reality -- AP
Political Wisdom: A Change in Iraq -- Wall Street Journal
Iraqis need promises of post-war commitments from the U.S. -- Washington Post editorial
What Have We Learned From Iraq? -- KT McFarland, FOX News
Mission accomplished in Iraq? -- Peter Bergen, CNN
Was the war in Iraq worth it? -- CNN opinion
Iraq needs U.S. engagement, and a slower clock -- Ryan Crocker, Washington Post
Iraq after U.S. combat forces withdraw -- Howard P. McKeon, L.A. Times
Obama’s Iraq Challenge -- Michael Hirsh, Newsweek
Winding down the Iraq war, and avoiding civil war -- Irena L. Sargsyan, L.A. Times
The Ambiguity of War's End -- Eugene Robinson, Real Clear World
So, Who Won the War in Iraq? Iran -- Mohamad Bazzi, Real Clear World/Global Post
Obama: ‘I Do Not Want to Screw This Up’ -- Max Boot, Commentary Magazine
Rethinking American Options on Iran -- George Friedman, Real Clear World/Stratfor
Beneath Iraq, Afghan, Israel Policy: Iran, Iran, Iran -- Gerald F. Seib, Wall Street Journal
Another Way in Afghanistan: Overcoming the Current Flawed Strategy -- John Ubaldi, Small Wars Journal
The Surge and Afghanistan -- John McCain, Wall Street Journal
The Afghanistan Policy Review Begins Sooner Than You Think -- Marc Ambinder, the Atlantic
Time stands still in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict -- Richard Cohen, Washington Post
At least they're talking -- L.A. Times editorial