NORMAN — President Obama’s 20-minute Oval Office speech Tuesday night had no tone of victory. It recounted U.S. achievements and losses in freeing Iraq from a ruthless dictator.
Mr. Obama said the same intensity that helped the Iraqis determine their own future should now be put to work on the American economy.
Billions spent in Iraq could have been spent at home, he said.
But as one war winds down another ramps up. Combat troops have left Iraq but many of them are likely to end up in Afghanistan.
Oklahoma guardsmen are headed there next summer.
More than 4,400 American lives were lost in the seven-year-long conflict.
The 50,000 remaining troops remain in danger and the country has yet to form a lasting coalition government.
There will be more sacrifices and bloodshed ahead.
Violence has increased in the past few weeks as troops were preparing to leave. The 50,000 remaining troops will remain targets.
A divided Iraq must now build on the progress put forth by American forces and step up to the challenges faced by any democratic government.
