WAND response to President Obama’s announcement of complete drawdown of U.S. troops from Iraq

From WAND executive director Susan Shaer, co-chair of Win Without War.

In a welcome announcement today, the President announced that all U.S. troops will be returning home from Iraq by the end of the year as scheduled. This news is a welcome development after widely reported efforts by the Pentagon to keep over 10,000 troops in Iraq indefinitely.

WAND took a stand early to oppose the war on Iraq. In that capacity, I went on to help found Win Without War. Many of us do not stop to thank people, nor to celebrate victories, no matter how flawed with pain they may be. This is one time when we can applaud the end of this war. For so many who worked so hard to end this war, and to those who were in the war, we need to smile, stand up and cheer.

In a statement released today, WWW said: We were originally formed in opposition to the run up to the war in Iraq, and while it is heartening that after nearly 9 years, the war in Iraq will finally be over, it is sadly too late for the nearly 4,500 Americans who lost their lives, the over 32,000 Americans who were injured, and the untold number of Iraqis who died as a result of this tragic war.

Below is Win Without War's statement, released earlier today with my quote at the end.

Thank you all for your hard work and your dedication over the years in opposition to the Iraq War. While there is much work still to be done in promoting a more progressive US foreign policy, everyone should take a moment to enjoy today's news that after nearly 9 long years, the Iraq War is finally over!

All the best,

Susan Shaer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

President Obama Announces All U.S. Troops in Iraq Finally Coming Home

The President’s announcement today that all U.S. troops in Iraq will return home by the end of the year is a major step in the right direction for our nation. As the President said, “After nearly nine years, America’s war in Iraq will be over.”

“Today is a great day for America and a moment of celebration that this long ordeal is finally over,” remarked Win Without War Co-Chair David Cortright. “We thank President Obama for fulfilling his campaign pledge to end this war and bring home American troops. This decision reflects the will of the American people who helped elect the President in 2008 to end the war in Iraq.”

Unfortunately, today’s announcement comes far too late for the nearly 4,500 killed and over 32,000 wounded Americans and an untold number of Iraqis who lost their lives during the war.

While the President’s announcement is an important step towards ending American conflict in Iraq, the President failed to address significant concerns over the unprecedented growth of private military contractors in Iraq or the role of America’s intelligence community’s increasingly lethal arsenal. Until the Administration addresses these serious questions, the ultimate role of U.S. force in Iraq will continue to be unclear, despite the departure of U.S. military personnel.

As our troops return home from Iraq, we must also remember the nearly 90,000 troops who continue to risk their lives in Afghanistan. While the President reiterated his plans for a gradual drawdown of U.S. troops, how many more lives will be lost before we finally see the President step to the podium and announce that all of our brave men and women in uniform are finally coming home from Afghanistan?

Susan Shaer, Co-Chair of Win Without War, commented, “This is a good news-bad news story. I feel relief that’s it’s over, and pain for the lost years, lives, and money. The sorrow for the families both here and in Iraq is irrepressible. Now we must push on to end the war in Afghanistan and get a realistic policy for how this country handles conflicts abroad.”