US Vice President Biden: Time to Shift Focus from the Iraq War to the US Economy

After almost 8 years facing fierce resistance, numerous criticisms and civil unrest, the U.S. armed forces will finally leave war-ton Iraq and go home to see back their families and relatives which they haven’t seen in such a long time. President Obama’s declaration to end U.S. combat operations in Iraq was a welcome message not only to the families of those who participated in the war but also to the American public who are already losing their jobs and experiencing difficulties at a time of recession. With so much criticisms on whether or not the Iraqi invasion was reasonable enough and with the rising death toll of American servicemen in Iraq, Pres. Obama was strongly pressured to end the war.

In a major address from the Oval office, Pres. Obama spoke of the U.S. disengagement and the shifting to adviser’s role to Iraq. There will be about 50,000 U.S. troops which will be left in Iraq to train and advise their Iraqi counterparts. He also made mention the sacrifices that U.S. troops have to make in order to serve and protect the nation from external threats. It is interesting to note that despite of Obama’s declaration to end the war in Iraq, there will still be a continued battle in Afghanistan. The U.S. believes that Afghanistan is the most crucial place to disrupt the movement of terrorist groups and ensure U.S. national security.

In a recent interview, U.S. vice president Joe Biden said that he believes that Iraq is now more than capable in taking care of their country and handle their internal and external affairs. He strongly believes in the capability of the Iraqis to form a legitimate government which will effectively govern the whole country. Biden also hinted that it is time for the Obama administration to focus on the internal affairs of the nation such as the economy. We all know that the combat operations in Iraq have cost the American taxpayers billions and billions of dollars. By ending the war, the U.S. is relieved of war and combat expenses. Biden then advised Pres. Obama to turn his focus from Iraq to the economy. With the struggles that the American citizens are facing now, it is just right that the U.S. president will dedicate much of his resources and attention in generating more jobs and saving the economy from peril.

With the pullout of combat troops which once stood at 165,000 during the height of the fighting, fewer than 50,000 American servicemen and women remain. Despite taking an advisers role in Iraq, the remaining troops will still most likely face insurgency attacks in the coming days. A total pullout is still the best solution to this never ending war. There has been enough bloodshed in Iraq and the Obama administration should set their priorities right. Instead of spending billions of dollars into foreign country, why not use it to save and generate jobs which will generate economic growth? In that way, the U.S. economy will be saved and the American dream will continue to live on.