i don't see any lessening of american influence as far as iraq is concerned and america to the invasion has long since become a point of deep contention among politicians and the public and even president obama has gone so far as to call it the conflict has become a major aid on the us treasury with the price tag said to be up to three trillion dollars and in the epoch of the arab spring and the rise of islamism in the middle east the geopolitical stakes of staying too have become too high for now the iraqi government has promised its people that by two thousand and seventeen the country would become one of the wealthiest oil producers in the world and the political system with power sharing does seem to have more legitimacy leaving a gleam of optimism so the world and especially the u.s. are now only left to hope that these fragile signs of democracy would take hold even if their military force well let's talk about milestones i'm afraid if i go to you first in london mr obama said this week now we knew this day would come we've known that for some time but still there's something prof

and finally we're partnering for regional security, for just as iraq has pledged not to interfere in er nations must not interfere in iraq. the drawdown in iraq has allowed us to refocus our resources, achieve progress in afghanistan, put al qaeda on the path to defeat and to better prepare for the full range of challenges that lie ahead. so make no mistake, our strong presence in the middle east endures and the united states will never waver in defense of our allies, our partners or our interests. this is the shared vision that prime minister maliki and i reaffirm today. an equal partnership, a broad relationship that advances the security, the prosperity and the aspirations of both our people. mr. prime minister, you've said it yourself. building a strong and durable relationship between our two countries is vital. i could not agree more. this is a historic moment. a war is ending. a new day is upon us and let us never forget those who gave us this chance. the untold number of iraqis who have given their lives. more than 1 million americans, military and civilian, who have served in

administration of set the deadlines themselves and as i mentioned in the case of iraq it's basically the shuffling of the back i mean you give it another name you change it around call them what you like but as far as of understand is concerned perhaps a similar kind of started you may be followed where you may be able to withdraw u.s. may be able to withdraw troops from afghanistan but leave a very strong component behind perhaps in the form of civilian advisors military advisers and training teams except who may not be taking part in combat. role but they can certainly act as an advisory role to the new afghan army as in many develops but many cases i think that's a little. let's see because i don't think it's going to be a decision is going to be taken so quickly and the united states has spent so much money in iraq three trillion dollars what do you think the americans can gain from . everything that happened there i've always believed anybody who lived in iraq as i have lived in iraq that. nobody goes there for tourism it's a complete. a country which is hot it's fifty degrees ce

everything that happened there i've always believed anybody who lived in iraq as i have lived in iraq that. nobody goes there for tourism it's a complete. a country which is hot it's fifty degrees centigrade most of the time flies the best. there's nothing to see except plain does what are you there for you there for you and obviously otherwise why would anybody spend a trillion dollars to go lose about forty five thousand casualties two thousand what for and the reason is the oil in iraq is going to. and second it's a very high quality very high grade you don't need to find very much to some for content is very low and just below the surface costs a dollar to take it out of a dollar and a half to three there's oil out. there for anybody who has access to this oil. can be. a game changer as far as the politics of oil is concerned and i think that's precisely why the americans are there and how do you think the united states pulling out of afghanistan is going to affect india well obviously it's in our neighborhood founder stan is in the neighborhood of course it makes a difference bec

future as well, the future of the region. joining us now is iraq'surity adviser. he's in baghdad. what are your thoughts today, you're watching these images on your tv screen i presume right now. what is going through your mind as you watch this? >> well, the answer i have to say that a big, big thank you to the united states of america for bringing down saddam hussein, overthrowing that horrible brutal regime just under nine years ago. what happened after bringing down saddam hussein was a lot of collateral damages on the iraqi side. and i think this is a jubilant moment. and we feel in iraq that we own the country now. we regain our country. we have now our sovereignty and independence completely. and we -- the sense of belonging is now sky high to iraq. and we believe that we are on the right track. >> hey, arwa, excuse me, hala. >> just one question to mr. rubbaie. you say you're on the right track but there's so much concern about just what's going on today in baghdad with the iraqiya faction, walking out of parliament, the worry here that the p

military operations in iraq, with american soldiers. on wednesday, as the president welcomed home some of the most recent troops to arrive home, he reflected on the pull-out. >> today i've come to speak to you about the end of the war in iraq. over the last few months, the final work of leaving iraq has been done. dozens of bases with american names that house thousands of american troops have been closed down or turned over to the iraqis. thousands of tons of equipment have been packed up and shipped out. tomorrow the colors of united states forces iraq, the colors you fought under, will be formally cased in a ceremony in baghdad. then they'll begin their journey across an ocean back home. >> all of the american troops with the exception of a small contingent of noncombat soldiers plan to be out of iraq by the end of this month. but they're not all coming straight home. a lot of them are going to be heading to kuwait, and that's where we find martin savidge. martin, give us an idea of the logistical operation here and the weight that iraq is playing? >

finally, we're partnering for regional security for just as iraq has pledged not to interfere in other in iraq. iraq's sovereignty must be respected. meanwhile, there should be no doubt the drawdown in iraq has allowed us to refocus our resources, achieve progress in afghanistan, put al qaeda on the path to defeat, and to better prepare for the full range of challenges that lie ahead. so make no mistake, our strong presence in the middle east endures and the united states will never waver in defense of our allies, our partners or our interests. this is the shared vision that prime minister maliki and i re-affirmed today. an equal partnership, a broad relationship that advances the security, the prosperity and the aspirations of both our people. mr. prime minister, you've said it yourself. building a strong and durable relationship between our two countries is vital and could i not agree more. so this is an historic moment, a war is ending, a new day is upon us, and let us never forget those who gave us this chance. the untold number of iraqis who have given their lives. more than 1 mil

full fledged civil war it's going to be extremely difficult because if you see the communities of iraq as they existed most of the military in pre us invasion iraq was sunni dominated most of the officers were sunni. the shirts were basically foot soldiers they had no basic military training as such and therefore because it was a similar government they were able to keep them in check it was basically by false alarms that people were kept were to call in check and of course the strong arm methods of every ruler who has been there whether it was or even earlier most of them were using very tough methods to keep. the population in check no whether the new government that is the shiite led government will be able to equally dick strong on message to control be what they called situation is a bit doubtful because frankly i don't think they have the experience to be able to run a country like iraq i foresee sectarian violence perhaps may not be of the scale that it is no but may have little more than what is presently going on and you mentioned the united states troops going to crawl way out h

as two thousand and eleven draws to an end and historical chapter for iraq and the us is finishing as well the occupation is over six feet deep i'm glad that the americans are leaving who are still concerned because after the troops leave who do not know what will happen next meanwhile despite all the efforts by the us there is doubt that anything significant has been accomplished in implementing a new form of democratic government but i think that's why they're not. on. the old system is it. and they split the hope in. think that this thing would be more done from said down syndrome that's for generations iraq has been plagued by sectarian violence now moving forward there is concern whether different parties can agree to work together for the benefit of the country the problem of the with the u.s. forces but i know. for sure that the from the top to pick. up now the problem the fight to securing that border to come. one of the problems here in iraq is that the infrastructure it was already crumbling but as the conflict progressed it was all but destroyed now the people living here s

that rivals any country inside of the gulf region i think that iraq now is a safe and secure environment it's not a safe and secure is as it should be or it will be but it's progressing very well the american occupation of iraq saw the fall of the badness regime the capture and execution of deposed leader saddam hussein and the implementation of a democratic government but now nearly nine years later is the country better off a little. but the u.s. troop invasion of iraq in two thousand and three and the grief mistake he committed made the situation here worse there are so many mistakes committed by the u.s. military leadership especially in managing civilian aspects here this had a negative effect because i said but in fact many here say it was the american mismanagement of iraq and that led to the rise of sectarian violence in the country all people if you ask who brings the threat of us to iraq. he said us a. whole ring of damage to the infrastructure of iraq he said usa so i think. we are and america must cooperate in order to. this. culture the hate. between two peoples the timeline for u.s. troop withdrawal was se

today a warning for iraq's powerful neighborhood, iran. >> we are partnering for regional security, as iraq has pledged not to interfere with other nations, and other nations must not interfere with iraq. their sovereignty must be respected. >> and the president said that this must be acknowledged. and that we should not allow others to interfere. president obama has kept promise in iraq, and the troops are nearly all home, about 6,000 remain and will be leaving soon. and with a mass remaining behind in iraq, with aid and training programs galore. but otherwise americans are leaving behind this fragile area. and just weeks ago there was action in a nearby city. will this provide by others that bequeathed in trainers. america wants an oil rich ally and iran wants help in the middle east. does iraq stop others meddling in their affairs, and what has iran got in mind? perhaps a power game over iraq's future starts now. >> and you are watching news day on the bbc, live from london. still to come, spanish scandal, the king's son-in-law faces charges. >> and we will look at how a city has changed

iraq war veteran. and michael o'brien who worked as a contractor in iraq and here's what they had to say and a little bit of our discussion you know are you surprised that iran is not at the top of the list because i want is fifty four percent of iraqis say iran abetted them benefited the most. ok well yeah i mean and then i missed that point you know this is shouldn't be surprised at all i mean the the shia in the south have totally you know hand over fist had partnered with the iranians and prime minister maliki he and macdowell solder as well as the iranian special operations forces should pat themselves on the back because they hoodwinked would winked the united states and this is this situation and it wasn't obama that did it this was an agreement that the bush administration screwed up again so now i'm not i'm not surprised by this and it's it's it is just a sad sad tragedy and i think it's a thank god that the things over with though we can say that much michael you're sitting here nodding your head that in that jake said that that sort of resonated with you agreeing with everything jake said and

they went to fort bragg as iraq wind down. thewe have more on president and first lady's tribute to the troops. soldiers applauded the president and first lady, the president returned the compliment. a gratefulbehalf of nation -- proud to finally say these two words -- and i know welcomemilies agree -- home. welcome home. welcome home. [applause] >> the mission in iraq is over, he wants the country to remember their sacrifice. over 4000 troops lost their lives and 30,000 were injured. of afghanistan and iraq. view, and of afghanistan, we have broken taliban. f the saferists will have no haven and osama bin laden will face ofain walked the this earth. >> soldiers were preparing to watched the address. they felt their work was worth it. feel pretty good. much you can do, we helped as much as we could. are going to keep finding ways to serve all of you as well as you have served us. >> our combat troops are to return home by christmas. but some americans will remain in advisory positions. the president has promised the u.s. will

this is an important one, obviously, as we're within the last final works of u.s. troops being in iraqiously be answering some questions, along with the prime minister as well. so when we hear from them, see them, we're going bring you those comments live, also move on to arlington national cemetary after that where there will be a wreath laying for the nearly 4500 american troops that have died in that war. so we'll keep you posted down in d.c. as news warrants. >>> we have this other fox news alert in d.c., the house is convening right now, taking up the battle over extending the payroll tax cuts and time is certainly running out, right john? john: absolutely. we've got until the end of the year before they expire, it could affect the paychecks of millions of americans. jenna: we're glad you're with us, i'm jenna lee. john: i'm john robert in for jon scott. welcome to a brand new hour of "happening now". republicans say they will support the tax cut extension if it's tied to a oil pipeline from canada. republicans must be encouraged by the fact that some democrats, senator joe manchi

just as iraq has pledged not to interfere in other nations, other nations must not interfere with iraq. iraq's sovereignty must be respected. >> he said america shot an equal relationship with iraq. the prime minister acknowledged american concern over iraq. we will not allow others to interfere, he said. president obama has kept a promise on iraq. america's military involvement is at an ent. the troops are nearly all home. about 6,000 remain there, and they will be leaving soon. a massive u.s. embassy remains behind in baghdad, and we should expect engagement that we won't necessarily hear about. and there will be aid and training programs galore. otherwise, america is leaving behind this fragile democracy while terrorism still lurks. a week ago a bombing killed and injured scores of pill grips here. with the u.n. and iraqi forces copy? much rides on whatever professionalism and tabblingtal ability given them by the americans. as it begins a new chapter, it remains the object of strategic competition between the united states and iran. america wants a democratic, oil-rich gulf ally, a

. >> just as iraq has pledged not to interfere with other nations, other nations must not interfere inraq. iraq's sovereignty must be respected. >> the prime minister acknowledged american concerns of iran. >> we will not allow iran to interfere. >> president obama has kept a promise on iraq. america's military involvement is at an end. the troops are nearly all home. about 6000 remain there, but they will be leaving soon. the massive u.s. embassy remains in baghdad. we should expect a lot of engagement that we will not necessarily hear about. and on the aid and training programs galore. otherwise, the americans are leaving behind this fragile fractious democracy where terrorism still lurks. just a week ago, a vicious sectarian bombing killed and injured scores of shia pilgrims. will the new iraqi armed forces coca? much now rise on whenever professionalism and whenever taxability is bequeath them by their american trainers. and iraq free of foreign troops begins a new chapter. america wanted democratic, oil- rich ally. iran wants a malleable friend. this iraq's fractious leadership po

security contractor formerly known as blackwater banned from iraq over allegations of killing civilians now plans to cash in on the country's uncertain future with a comeback under another rebranded name. the birthplace of libya's rebellion hits boiling point again as tens of thousands in benghazi protest against their new government and the secrecy surrounding its policies. russian convoy carrying humanitarian aid to cause of us has been stuck at the border for over twenty four hours after being stopped by the police in a move that moscow says is a clear sign of the e.u. exceeding its authority in the region top stories this hour. international news and comment live from moscow twenty four hours a day this is. u.s. troops prepare to leave iraq thousands of contractors a moving in to make a buck in the country devastated by war and one of them is the world's most infamous mercenary companies formerly known as blackwater the firm was once banned from iraq over allegations of indiscriminate shooting at civilians but now it's trying to wash away the bloody taint by rebranding itself for a

. >> he says the interest of iraq, as it is necessary, interest of united states of america, this makes us feel that we will succeed. >> reporter: the u.s. combat mission ended last year, president obama sped up full withdrawal after iraq would not agree on terms to keep a 13458er force -- smaller force. the iraq war started march 2003 shock and awe bombing campaign gave way to a 3 week invasion and later, the capture of saddam hussein. president bush's 2003 speech saying the war was over proved premature >> major combat operations in iraq have ended. >> reporter: as the search for weapons of mass destruction came up empty, u.s. troops found themselves in an iraqi civil war. to meet the insurgency they launched a 30,000 troop surge. violence ceased as insurgents became part of iraq's new government. the u.s. is turning over militariry bases to iraqi forces. >> we are up holding the security agreement and leaving on time. >> reporter: meanwhile at arlington national cemetery, [ horn ] >> reporter: the president and prime minister monday honored the true cost of war, nearly 45,000 america