Ep 47. President Obama: All U.S. Troops Out of Iraq by End of 2011
- October 21, 2011
President Obama: All U.S. Troops Out of Iraq by End of 2011 is the 47th episode of the first season of ABC News Specials. The episode explores President Barack Obama's decision to withdraw all U.S. troops from Iraq by the end of 2011, fulfilling a key campaign promise and ending a long and controversial war.
The episode features interviews with top U.S. officials, including then-Vice President Joe Biden, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, as well as military leaders and experts on the conflict. ABC News correspondents report from Baghdad and Washington, D.C., providing insights into the political and military challenges of the withdrawal.
The episode covers the background of the Iraq War, including the reasons for U.S. involvement and the subsequent occupation of the country. It discusses the difficulties of the conflict, including the challenges of nation-building, the rise of sectarian violence and terrorism, and the toll on American troops and their families.
The episode also examines Obama's 2008 campaign promise to end the war, which he called a "dumb" and "disastrous" decision by his predecessor, President George W. Bush. Obama campaigned on a platform of bringing U.S. troops home and refocusing on the war in Afghanistan.
The episode explores the challenges of fulfilling this promise, including negotiating a withdrawal with the Iraqi government, addressing concerns about security and stability in the country, and managing the political fallout at home. It also looks at the role of the U.S. military during the transition period, including training Iraqi troops and conducting targeted counter-terrorism operations.
President Obama: All U.S. Troops Out of Iraq by End of 2011 provides a comprehensive look at a pivotal moment in U.S. foreign policy, as well as a candid examination of the political and military realities of the Iraq War. The episode offers a nuanced and insightful analysis of a complex and controversial issue, using interviews, archival footage, and on-the-ground reporting to provide a balanced and informative perspective.