Political India: Engaging America

From The Hindu

In an important policy speech that marked the end of the United States' combat operations in Iraq, President Barack Obama said that the "U.S. has paid a huge price" in Iraq and that ending the war was not only in Iraq’s interest but the U.S.’ as well.

Mr. Obama said, "Tonight, I am announcing that the American combat mission in Iraq has ended. Operation Iraqi Freedom is over and the Iraqi people now have lead responsibility for the security of their country."

Speaking through a rare televised broadcast from the Oval Office, Mr. Obama emphasised that the end of the combat phase also marked a promise fulfilled by his administration. He said, "This was my pledge to the American people as a candidate for this office."

He said that while the U.S. had by now removed nearly 100,000 U.S. troops from Iraq, a transitional force of 50,000 U.S. troops would remain with the mission of "advising and assisting" especially on targeted counterterrorism missions. Touching on the timeline for total withdrawal, Mr. Obama noted that "all U.S. troops will leave by the end of next year."

Al-Qaeda leadership

President Obama also sought to refocus the spot light on the U.S.’ military engagement in Afghanistan. Referring to the continuing threat of the al-Qaeda leadership, which remained "anchored in the border regions of Afghanistan and Pakistan", Mr. Obama said, "Because of our drawdown in Iraq, we are now able to apply the resources necessary to go on offense."

On the occasion, Mr. Obama recognised the contributions of U.S. armed services in Iraq, noting that at every turn they had served with courage and resolve. “As Commander-in-Chief, I am proud of their service," he said. In particular, he said, the U.S. had sent young men and women to make enormous sacrifices in Iraq, and spent vast resources abroad at a time of tight budgets at home. “Now, it is time to turn the page," he argued.

Concern over economy

In a speech that reflected President Obama’s deep concern with the U.S. economy on the eve of the November Congressional elections, Mr. Obama segued from the end of the war in Iraq to the urgent task of putting "the millions of Americans who have lost their jobs back to work".

Admitting that the trillion dollars the U.S. had spent in war, often financed by borrowing from overseas, had "short-changed investments in our own people and contributed to record deficits", Mr. Obama said the U.S. had for too long put off tough decisions on everything from our manufacturing base and energy policy to education reform.

As a result, too many middle-class families were working harder for less, and the U.S.’ long-term competitiveness was at risk, he said.

Labels: Barack Obama, bilateral ties, combat operations, Iraq, Oval Office, U.S., U.S. economy