President Obama has announced the 9 year war in Iraq is finally coming to an end. Okay don't get too excited because it is not happening now. No just like the alleged end of the war in Afghanistan, it is going to happen later. All 50 thousand troops will be out of Iraq by the end of the year.
This will be the third announced end to the war in Iraq. George Bush gave his famous "Mission Accomplished" speech in 2003. President Obama said combat operations were over last year. After those two infamous announcements, American men and women continued to fight and die in Iraq. And now the announcement that everyone is coming home by New Year's Day.
Only this time there is reason to believe it will really happen. President Obama is in re-election mode. Re-election, by political definition, is that rare time when promises really do come true.
The only problem is that we are not leaving any men behind for a military base, just a handful at the embassy. The President wanted to keep between 3 - to - 10 thousand at a base, but the Iraqi Parliament would not give them immunity from prosecution. So they are coming home.
I thought keeping a base there was half the point. If we move out, Iran moves in. I believe it is such a big mistake that it will be negotiated and resolved.
And if I am right, there truly will be a big reason to celebrate in Times Square on New Year's Eve. A war is over! One down, one to go.
