The End of the Iraq War?

President Obama declared publicly that he plans to withdraw most U.S. troops from Iraq by the end of August 2010. That's less than a year from now.

The plan includes a force of between 35,000 to 50,000 troops that will remain in Iraq. They would be withdrawn gradually until all U.S. forces are out of Iraq by December 31, 2011—the deadline set under an agreement the Bush administration signed with the Iraqi government last year.

"Let me say this as plainly as I can: By August 31, 2010, our combat mission in Iraq will end," Obama said in a recent speech at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. "By any measure, this has already been a long war," Obama said. It is time to "bring our troops home with the honor they have earned."

During this period, additional American troops will be killed or injured but without the glory of "Mission Accomplished."

Read "Costs of occupation" in the Global Implications section of the Iraq report.

Then answer this essential question for critical thinking: Why might grief caused by the deaths of U.S. soldiers in Iraq be felt more widely than the grief that has been felt in previous wars?

Read through the Overview of the Iraq report.

Then write a short speech intended to comfort grieving U.S. military families that you could deliver next Memorial Day.