Obama Exit Plan
Obama Exit Plan Announced: February 26, 2009
“I will promise you this, that if we have not gotten our troops out by the time I am President, it is the first thing I will do. I will get our troops home. We will bring an end to this war. You can take that to the bank.” -Barack Obama Campaign Promise, October 27, 2007
Two years later, 44th President Barack Obama fulfilled his campaign promise by setting the date for withdrawal of the US army forces in Iraq. Obama explained that the United States has not created a perfect situation in Iraq however the army has made it’s realistic goals and have to move out of the country; out of war. Acknowledging that he pledged (during his campaign) that troops would leave Iraq would come home within 16 months of his inauguration as President, he assured that creating a timetable that steadily released troops from Iraq would appease the worries of Americans who thought that soldiers should stay in unstable Iraq for the safety of America.
Obama officially announced the end of the war at the Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Obama’s timetable including the detail that he would leave the date and troop departure in the hands of the military leaders. But, Obama set targets of having approximately 90,000 troops out of Iraq by the end of August 2010, leaving a transitional force of about 50,000 troops in Iraq for support and extra protection. The end of August 2010 marks 7 ½ years in Iraq which is why Obama created a new mission to train and advise Iraqi security forces, protect diplomats and civilians, and continue the counterterrorism fight against al-Qaeda with the remaining US troops in Iraq. By the end of 2011, the remaining troops are expected to withdraw from the mandated US-Iraq Status of Forces Agreement signed in 2008 by President Bush. Iraq elections set in late December of 2007 left the US military leaders wanting to maintain a strong presence in Iraq to ensure a favorable transition of responsibility to the Iraq government.
Not only did Obama speak about the withdrawal of troops, but also commended Iraqi people and government for the resilience and unison the country showed throughout the war. However, Obama cautioned that Iraq needs to stay strong to protect the country from violent tactics in resolving conflict. Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki assured that Iraq had no fears about US troops departing and the tricky transition of power in government.
Obviously, Obama’s Exit Plan was a historically remarkable event in the Iraq war because America was given what it had hoped- the end of the war. Barack Obama also helped himself as a president by keeping his promise and giving power to military leaders in the withdrawal of troops. This also gave the opportunity to support Iraq and begin to build an alliance (slowly) with Iraqi government officials. Finally, Obama’s timetable approach to the end of the war was unique because it relieved all American’s worries of releasing troops too early or too late by having a slow and steady withdrawal of troops.
“I will promise you this, that if we have not gotten our troops out by the time I am President, it is the first thing I will do. I will get our troops home. We will bring an end to this war. You can take that to the bank.” -Barack Obama Campaign Promise, October 27, 2007
Two years later, 44th President Barack Obama fulfilled his campaign promise by setting the date for withdrawal of the US army forces in Iraq. Obama explained that the United States has not created a perfect situation in Iraq however the army has made it’s realistic goals and have to move out of the country; out of war. Acknowledging that he pledged (during his campaign) that troops would leave Iraq would come home within 16 months of his inauguration as President, he assured that creating a timetable that steadily released troops from Iraq would appease the worries of Americans who thought that soldiers should stay in unstable Iraq for the safety of America.
Obama officially announced the end of the war at the Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Obama’s timetable including the detail that he would leave the date and troop departure in the hands of the military leaders. But, Obama set targets of having approximately 90,000 troops out of Iraq by the end of August 2010, leaving a transitional force of about 50,000 troops in Iraq for support and extra protection. The end of August 2010 marks 7 ½ years in Iraq which is why Obama created a new mission to train and advise Iraqi security forces, protect diplomats and civilians, and continue the counterterrorism fight against al-Qaeda with the remaining US troops in Iraq. By the end of 2011, the remaining troops are expected to withdraw from the mandated US-Iraq Status of Forces Agreement signed in 2008 by President Bush. Iraq elections set in late December of 2007 left the US military leaders wanting to maintain a strong presence in Iraq to ensure a favorable transition of responsibility to the Iraq government.
Not only did Obama speak about the withdrawal of troops, but also commended Iraqi people and government for the resilience and unison the country showed throughout the war. However, Obama cautioned that Iraq needs to stay strong to protect the country from violent tactics in resolving conflict. Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki assured that Iraq had no fears about US troops departing and the tricky transition of power in government.
Obviously, Obama’s Exit Plan was a historically remarkable event in the Iraq war because America was given what it had hoped- the end of the war. Barack Obama also helped himself as a president by keeping his promise and giving power to military leaders in the withdrawal of troops. This also gave the opportunity to support Iraq and begin to build an alliance (slowly) with Iraqi government officials. Finally, Obama’s timetable approach to the end of the war was unique because it relieved all American’s worries of releasing troops too early or too late by having a slow and steady withdrawal of troops.