News flash!

Since March 20, 2003, the United States has been involved in a war with Iraq, spanning two presidencies.

With the intent of toppling Saddam Hussein’s regime and to uncover the infamous weapons of mass destruction, the war has not been without controversy.

According to CNN, President Obama announced an end to combat operations on August 31, after seven years and the loss of 4,400 U.S. troops. It was a move that has been in the making since Obama ran for office, when he stated his opposition to the increasingly unpopular war.

With troops out of Iraq, it will give the U.S. more time to focus on the war in Afghanistan, to which Obama has supported. Since he has become president, he has drawn more attention to Afghanistan, including the recent surge of 30,000 troops.

The end of the war in Iraq does not mean that Iraq will be emptied, however. Approximately 50,000 troops still remain in Iraq to aid the Iraqi government in the transition. Though Iraq has come far since Hussein’s rule, it still has a long way to go.

Source: CNN News