Cartoon by Ellen Weiss
On Aug. 31, President Barack Obama announced the end of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In his address from the Oval Office, Obama was clear about what this meant for Americans and Iraqis,
“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,” he said.
Though there are still around 50,000 American troops in Iraq currently, the announcement signified an important day in the history of our country. No matter what view you may have of the Iraq War, it can be assumed that all Americans can rejoice in the thought that by Dec. 11, 2011, as per the agreement made between the U.S. and Iraq, all American troops in the country will be withdrawn.
In simple terms, the military conflict in Iraq started as a search for weapons of mass destruction and ended as a quest to create a stable and just government in the country. Now, nearly seven and a half years after the war began, with nearly 5,000 coalition casualties and over 30,000 wounded, not to mention the thousands if not millions of Iraqi citizens that have been displaced by the war, it can be said that the effort to achieve freedom for the Iraqi people came at no small cost.
It is understandable and remarkably easy to argue for or against the War in Iraq, but what cannot and should not be argued for or against is the importance of our withdrawal from Iraq.
The Bulletin staff feels the plan to end Operation Iraqi Freedom is good for our country if only because it takes American citizens, primarily military personnel, out of harms way.
Theories of just war and the morality behind military conflict have been argued since a human hand carved the first spear. The basic fact is this—the end of military action by Americans in Iraq will save the lives of those who serve our country diligently.
With the Afghan War still waging, and Osama Bin Laden and leaders of Al-Qaeda still at large, issues with healthcare and the economy on the home front, and threats being made against our country daily, it is clear the end of the Iraq War does not solve all or even a majority of the problems we face in today’s world. But if our withdrawal from Iraq is done with success and dignity, there is still a glimmer of hope on the horizon.
It is the hope of The Bulletin staff that Americans everywhere can join together to take consolation in the end of Operation Iraqi Freedom and the beginning of Operation New Dawn. We hope it brings a brighter future.
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