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a loved one in iraq.what that means, what role donald rumsfeld and that -- not just rumsfeld, if you could talk with this focus on rumsfeld about reonsibility of the man he worked for, president george w. bush? >> well, i -- i tend want to resist judgments about responsibility that i think can be too simple and therefore, let others off the hook. so if somebody asked me straight out, do i think donald rumsfeld was responsible for the death of my son? i would say no. two think george w. bush is responsible? no. at least not specifically. where does responsibility lie? i have come to believe there is a collective responsibility, that we the people not we the people everyone of us, but we the people are implicated in the iraq war. we the people embraced a conception of america's role in the world that really amounted to support for militarized global hegemony. and in response to 9/11, we collectively concurred with the tragically misguided response of the george w. bush administration and said we should emba

s, for many agreed to end its combat mission in iraq. while the end of the year, though, some forces will remain in a training an advisory role, america has had a presence that since invasion back in 2003 with more details. he's ortiz foreign from back. it has been a violent 18 years since the us invaded the country back in march 2003 it with more than 4500 us troops killed and hundreds of thousands of civilians killed. despite done president george w bush's mission, accomplished declaration may $22003.00 that fight, as we now know, would rage on, even after the fall of saddam hussein. by april 2004 america had over a 144000 troops on the ground in iraq, and the numbers would fluctuate over the years as us forces would actually fight a bloody campaign against a rocky insurgency and all kite up. now in august 2010, you had done president obama. he declared an end to the 7 year combat mission in iraq. and after the 1st major draw down, just over 47000 troops remained in the area by 2011. that number then would drop to just a few 100 by 201

not the last 20 or rule in iraq. b as a dealing with not just to be available to continue to train to assist to help and to deal with isis as is as arrived. but we are not going to be brought in here in a combat. but as history has shown with us interventionism focusing on the future and not the past is easier said than done, particularly when it comes to the middle east in iraq. isis, despite being severely weakened, continues to rear its ugly head carrier bombings, and attacks on both security forces and civilians. and both the us and israel continue to view iranian back militias in iraq as a threat to regional stability. so while prison and bite and may be focusing on future wars, passwords in the middle east often come back to haunt the united states for news views. hughes. john hardy. to help us for today's announcement, we are joined by forward putting on official michael miller. michael, thanks for joining me on this. i know you watched the press conference area, which we call a little little lackluster. there

military on the the ground in iraq.ect from the iraqi prime minister's visit to washington next. your shipping manager left to “find themself.” leaving you lost. you need to hire. i need indeed. indeed you do. indeed instant match instantly delivers quality candidates matching your job description. visit indeed.com/hire i brought in ensure max protein, with thirty grams of protein. those who tried me felt more energy in just two weeks! [sighs wearily] here, i'll take that! woo-hoo! ensure max protein. with thirty grams of protein, one gram of sugar, and now with two new flavors! >> jess: when you have auto glass damage... schedule safelite's new drop and go service. just drop off your keys and go enjoy your day. we'll send you text updates and let you know when it's ready. schedule drop and go today. >> singers: ♪ safelite repair, safelite replace. ♪ [beeping] [ringing] ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ you bring your best. we'll block the threats. ♪ cyberprotection for every one. malwarebytes >>> welcome back. a significant meeting at the white

-iraq relationship over much. you will have seen that the iraqi military, which also doesn't really like these militias because they are pretty much out of their control, even though they're paid by the government. they had to issue a statement yesterday that described the u.s. strike as a violation of their sovereignty and so forth. so, we have to be very careful about the very delicate balance of politics there in baghdad. david: let's turn back to afghanistan and, in particular, the focus of our program this morning, which is the situation for the afghan interpreters who risked their own lives to help u.s. forces in afghanistan. you and your longtime diplomatic colleague, ryan crocker, wrote a letter to secretary of state blinken recently, urging him to dramatically accelerate the issuance of visas for these afghani interpreters. how do you think that's going? and what do you think is going to be the cost for us in terms of america's reputation if we can't get those people who risked their lives for us out of t

s. dropping bombs in iraq and syria? well, the, the claim by the, by the defense department was that us troops and your bill were, were attacked by p. m. f forces. they've admitted it and they have, they have a reason why is that they want all foreign forces out of iraq. now the united states is in iraq, unlike serial at the invitation of the iraqi government. but for the prime minister of iraq, it's a very, very touchy subject because he wants to us there on the one hand to train. but on the other hand, he's under extraordinary pressure on the p on the p. s. p m f. the, the she elements there too. because we've now he's, he has sheer, so that make complicates his life even further. now, the way the united states, one about this defensive move, if you can call it that, is inconsistent with hot pursuit or a retaliatory initiative. there's been a number of attacks by the p. m. s on us assets in iraq. but we've only responded maybe to 2 of them. so the question is, why, why are you picking and choosing why just, i mean, why

if you want to talk about iraq, ask me a question about iraq. >> mr. president, mr. president, mr.nt. >> how many troops would you like to see in iraq by the end of this year, and how does the relationship changes considering this is the last strategic tie that you have with iraq and the prime minister? >> this most recent dialogue, you mean? we've been talking a lot. our foreign ministers, our cabinet members have been talking. we're looking forward to seeing an election in october. we're working very hard with the iraqi government to make sure the u.n. and the gcc are -- we have oversight, that these are full and fair elections. i've been in contact with kadhimi. i have -- anyway, i think things are going well. our role in iraq will be as a dealing with not -- it's just to be available to continue to train, to assist, to help, and to deal with isis as it arrives. but we are not going to be in a combat mission. >> thank you guys. >> mr. president, veterans affairs have a mandate -- >> you are such a pain in the neck but i'm going to answer your question because we've known each ot

true, telling the american people that iraq had terrible weapons that iraq didn't actually have. telling the american people that iraq was in cahoots with al-qaeda when they weren't. telling the american people that iraq was poised to invade us or attack us or come after the u.s. in some devastating way that was imminent. none of that was true. but no one was as enthusiastic a promoter as the false pretext for that war, no one. >> no terrorist state poses a greater or more immediate threat to the security of our people and the stability of the world than the regime of saddam hussein and iraq. >> we have what we consider to be credible evidence that al-qaeda leaders sought contacts in iraq that could help them ie quire weapons of mass destruction capabilities. >> do you have hard evidence that they're in iraq? >> oh, there is no question about that al-qaeda have moved through and some have stayed. >> that's not just an assumption, we know that? >> i know that. >> if someone is waiting for a so-called smoking gun, it is certain we will have waited too long. >> what do you make of t

if you want to talk about iraq, ask me a question about iraq. >> can you ask how the relationship changesf iraq -- >> this most recent time you are talking about? >> yes. >> well, the foreign ministers and the cabinet have been talking a lot, and we are looking forward to seeing an election in october. we are working hard with iraqi government to make sure that the u.n. and the gcc that we have oversight with the full and fair elections. i have been in contact with -- at any rate, i think that things are going well, and our role in iraq will be as a dealing with not -- and it is just to be available to continue to train, to assist, to help and to deal with isis as it arrives, but we are not going to be there in a combat mission. >> and can you tell us about the veteran affairs -- >> is veteran affairs -- >> you are a pain in the neck, and this has nothing to do with iraq, and i will answer your question. yes. veteran affairs is going to in fact affair that all docs working in those facilities will have to be vaccinated. >> thank you. thank you. out this way. out this way. >> all right. so

they're in iraq as a threat to regional stability. but here's the thing, andrew, while president biden is focusing now, as he says on the future, looking at other potential wars, namely in the pacific, namely in regards to china, it always does seem that those wars that the u. s. fall in the middle east. always comes back to haunt them. reporting from washington fair in front, zach or t. well, it's close live 2 journals, horn historian, african american studies. thanks for joining a 2nd time in the program today. this move comes less than 3 months before rocks parliamentary elections as pro rating groups, pressing the prominence to get us troops out. do you think the timing of this announcement a significant it certainly significant. well, what i mean is that just a few weeks ago, mister biden announced that all us forces would be removed from afghanistan by september. 11th, 2021. now were told that there will be no longer a combat mission in iraq that the us forces will be used for training. however, i think you should take that asse

me major combat operations and iraq have ended in the battle of iraq. the united states and our allies have prevailed. yeah. i remember that day finding out that the iraq war was finally over. it's just so emotional to see, i've put an end of the violence. i mean, hearing a war and you know is over is a big deal, but to be able to end a war 4 times has just been truly, truly wonderful. we are such a peaceful nation. we were able to stop the war in iraq, 4 times in the same country. no, no one else could do that. no one else could, could even dream to be that peaceful. i can't even think of a country that ended war in iraq once more. so i have 4 times and to think that speech by george bush came barely 13 years after this one by george bush. as commander in chief, i can report to you, our armed forces thought with honor and valor, and as president, i can report to the nation. aggression is defeated, the war is over. god . to bye beat right there. we've been to the warner right 5 times. how we were to book that anyone can edit, wants or twice, but 5 times

there certainly was between afghanistan and iraq and iraq was on the terrorist list.ern of having developed weapons of mass destruction. so there was her these things that affected it. i would say that i think the differences were greater then the similarities but there certainly were similarities. >> how about that case you know about no a lot of people work for lyndon johnson and one thing that often say is something for them is when somebody comes in and i lost my son in vietnam. why did they die. would you say for iraq. >> it is the hardest thing pretty think anybody is in a position of responsibility when a conflict occurs, and you as joyce and i would go to the hospital meet with the wounded whose lives were changed forever, me with the families prayed and me with the families of those who have been killed. we would say to ourselves, we are going in. what is it that we can say or do without them understand the appreciation that we in america have for the sacrifice the individual sacrifices and the sacrifices of families as well. because they sacrifice. and they

are in iraq? >> oh, there is no question al-qaeda have moved through and some have stayed. >> and that's not just in an assumption? we know? that >> i know that. >> if if someone is waiting for a so-called smoking gun, it is certain that we will have waited too long. >> what do you make of the statement made by the iraqi government yesterday, that iraq has no weapons of mass destruction? and it's not developing any? >> they're lying. next. it is not knowable if force will be used. but if it is to be used, it could last six days, six weeks. i doubt six months. >> i doubt six months. who's telling you that a war in iraq might last six months? who sing it will go that long? i'm donald run fourth felt, take it from. we try. sixties don rumsfeld was also a master at unusually specific lies. about the most consequential things. that led to that war that ultimately cost hundreds of thousands of lives. he told abc news, for example, after the invasion, when he was asked how come no weapons of mass destruc

do you regret having gone to iraq? you do not have to go.u put that into perspective for people who have not suffered as much? sen. duckworth: i do not regret going to iraq. it is one of the proudest things i've done. as a soldier, you know, when you are called to serve, you go. it's always about looking out for the best of things and i've always had a right sense of humor -- wry sense of humor. it is army, aviation, dry, being able to laugh at yourself and make the best of it and listen, for me to look back with regret and feel bad about having been in iraq, it would've been a slap in the face for the men who saved me. i will not do that. they gave me the gift of life that day and so i/o them to live the best life i can every single day. david: have you thought of bottling your happiness? you could make a lot of money if you bottled it. sen. duckworth: it's gratefulness. i should've died in the field in iraq. that day is my northstar. those men save my life. they are my northstar. being in the toughest of times, even when i think this is cr

i should have died in that field in iraq.y in iraq is my northstar and those men who saved my life are my northstar. frankly, even in the toughest of times, even when i just think, this is crazy, like january 6 with the insurrection, i get up the next day and i keep going because i think of what they did for me in that field. they did not leave me behind. they kept fighting to get me back to my family. and the least i can do is keep trying. ♪ so... i know you and george were struggling with the possibility of having to move. how's that going? well... we found a way to make bathing safer with a kohler walk-in bath. it has the lowest step-in of any bath. it has handrails, a wide door, and textured surfaces. so it gives you peace of mind. and you would love the heated backrest - and the whirlpool jets - and the bubblemassage. and, it was installed quickly and conveniently by a kohler-certified installer. a kohler- authorized dealer walked us through every step in the process and made us feel completely comfortable in our home. a

tammy: i do not regret going to iraq.s one of the proudest things i have done my life, as a soldier when you're called to serve you go. but it is about looking out for the best of things, and i've always had kind of a right sense of humor and some of that army, aviation, dry, being able to mifid yourself and make the best of it. for me -- laugh at yourself and make the best of it. it would be a slap in the face to the men who saved me and i'm not going to do that. they gave me the gift of life that day and so i them to live the best life that i can every day. david: have you ever thought of bottling your happiness? you can make a lot of money. tammy: it's just gratefulness, i should have died in iraq, they saved my life. frankly, even in time, i think this is crazy, like january 6 with the insurrection. i get up the next day and i keep going because i think of what they did for me in that field, they did not leave me behind, they kept fighting to get me back to my family. the best i can do is keep trying. ♪ >> good mornin

i should have died in that field in iraq.day in iraq is my northstar and those men who saved my life are my northstar. frankly, even in the toughest of times, even when i just think, this is crazy, like january 6 with the insurrection, i get up the next day and i keep going because i think of what they did for me in that field. they did not leave me behind. they kept fighting to get me back to my family. and the least i can do is keep trying. ♪ [ "me and you" by barry louis polisar ] ♪ me and you just singing on the train ♪ ♪ me and you listening to the rain ♪ ♪ me and you we are the same ♪ ♪ me and you have all the fame we need ♪ ♪ indeed, you and me are we ♪ ♪ me and you singing in the park ♪ ♪ me and you, we're waiting for the dark ♪ so many people are overweight now, and asking themselves, "why can't i lose weight?" for most, the reason is insulin resistance, and they don't even know they have it. conventional starvation diets don't address insulin resistance. that's why they don't work. now there's release from golo. it

as of january 20, 212500 us troops remained in iraq. both the u. s. and the rocky government agreed in april to transition to a train and advise mission, meaning some us forces would remain on the ground, as has been the case in the past to help train advise, and equip rocky forces. now the white house reportedly plans to fully end the u. s . as combat mission in the country by the end of the year with president biden saying, the united states needs to quote, fight the battles for the next 20 years. not the last 20 or rule. in iraq, b as a dealing with not just to be available to continue to train to assist to help and to deal with isis as is as right. but we are not going to be brought in here in a competition. but as history has shown with us interventionism focusing on the future and not the past is easier said than done, particularly when it comes to the middle east in iraq. isis, despite being severely weakened, continues to rear its ugly head carrier farming that attacks on both security forces and civilians. and both the us and israel continue

they're receiving political pressures in iraq.anians on the islamic state. we have to make sure that iraq can remain strong. so we shouldn't be setting timelines certainly. i am supportive of keeping the troops there. certainly there's other countries in the middle east that have strong feelings about this as well. jordan has expressed some concerns about pulling american troops out. so i hope we can remain a stabilizing force in iraq and make sure that we don't go through the same situation we're seeing in afghanistan and what we saw in iraq years ago. >> yeah, we're seeing massive civilian casualties in afghanistan. we know the taliban has taken over a large percentage of the districts in afghanistan at this point. i just want to play this sound bite from the prime minister that president biden met with today, prime minister kadhimi. he said he doesn't want foreign trips on iraqi soil. just listen to this sound bide within the frame work of what jennifer reported. he said he has pressure from iranian sympathizers in the governme

that is possible of the influence of iran in the iraq i of the influence of iran in the iraq group status groups in iran and they could be asserting their influence and their pressure on the iraqi government to an extent that might not be at some point in the future acceptable to the united states. at the moment, it seems thatjoe biden, the american president is happy with the situation and continue to support a large way, and the military since, iraq is a very close relationship between the two countries and economic and on health issues as well. and certainly the counterterrorism role that us troops in iraq continue to be important and it seems that will continue. and a reminder that you can find much more about the us role in iraq on our website and what this latest move by washington means for the region. just go to bbc—dot—com—slash—news and follow the links. but first. let's take a look at some of the stories making the headlines in the uk. there's been another fall in the daily number of coronavirus cases in the uk. new infections have more than halved since a recent peak 9 days ag

and that is why around 200-2500 us troops will stay in iraq, but after 18 years of involvement in iraq, it was a very low key way that joe biden made the announcement. our role in iraq will be as a dealing with not just to be available to continue to train to assist to help and to deal with isis. whereas is as right, but we are not going to be brought in here in a competition. and alan, we're also in the final weeks of the u. s. withdrawal from afghanistan that you to happen fully in september. so what does this say really about us priorities? well, if you look at afghan, it's done and you look at the scale back in a right, you also look at the fact that joe biden plans to scale back operations at guantanamo be in cuba. the camp that has been used to all day teen ease, in many cases with a chart for almost 20 years. you can see that he is trying to step back from what many people would consider us with adventures in that region. over the last 20 years, suddenly, joe biden himself sees the middle east, not as the mean threat to the united states. he doesn't believe that terrorism coming

killing dozens of people will get a live update from iraq. ah ha everyone on come out santa maria, this is the world news from al jersey. many more south african feeling anxious and afraid. tonight, south africa as president says, days of losing and violence ignited by the jailing of jacob's zoom. it will only hurt the poor. poor. the cubans, president blaine, the united states for rep protest against the government over food shortages and sore, and frankly the senate to these people to get the heroes. welcome in rome, after winning the european championship final against england. ah, standing in a rock where a fire swept through a corona, virus, isolation ward in the south of the country, killing at least 54 people and injuring dozens of other officials. say it has been brought under control rescue efforts though our continuing and at this stage is unclear exactly what started the fire. now here it is on the map, the mom al hussein hospital in nothing about 350 kilometers, se of the capital baghdad, which is where we'll go now to get an upda

sort of like when you're sent to iraq are you going to ship to iraq or afghanistan?o we figured their other national guard units in the country. starting to show a pattern certain units : followed by other units but we got back it didn't take us long to figure out were getting ready to go back, we going to afghanistan? : : : >> we left griffin to start training to go to afghanistan. >> it is difficult for an active duty unit to reset because i mean, because of the time it takes and the workups and everything, but they are doing it all the time. >> uh-huh. >> i mean, how was it with the -- your unit? >> yeah, well, i mean, that's a very valid point. it takes us longer. it takes us longer because we don't have the luxury of having personnel there every day. the tension was -- you know, i don't think i saw a big change before and in between. obviously there were those who came back and said that's it now, and nobody could blame them. hey man, appreciate it. and then there were those that they just said well, okay, you know, let's do the next thing, and i know when i got

will end its combat mission in iraq by the end of the year.nouncement from president biden today richard engel has more on this. >> reporter: president biden today with iraq's prime minister announced the end of an era, that the combat mission in iraq is over, again. >> our shared fight against isis is critical for the stability of the region, and our counterterrorism cooperation will continue even as we shift to this new phase we're going to be talking about. >> reporter: it's the second time the u.s. has ended combat in iraq after president biden invaded in 2003 to overthrow saddam hussein, claiming he was developing weapon of mass destruction and kicking off a civil war. it took nearly eight years for the u.s. to declare the combat mission complete. >> america's war in iraq will be over. >> reporter: then vice president biden with president obama welcoming back the last troops from iraq. but with u.s. troops outside, iraq collapsed, becoming a safe haven for isis terrorists. so the u.s. went back in. todayt combat administration, iraq 2 is

combat mission in iraq, let's listen into the oval office. >> president biden: iraq has been a vitalces that so many have made it there u.s. and iraq partnership is real and consequential and it's about commitments that expand our corporations on issues like health care, climate, energy. as a matter of fact, i want to tell you that half a million, 500,000 doses of covid vaccine were sent in and they will be here in a couple of weeks. and they will be here quickly. we are also committed to our crisis, and it's critical for a stability of the region and our counterterrorism operation even as we shift to these new phases that we are talking about. we have a lot to talk about, he's been a good friend and i'm anxious to get going. >> on the floor is yours. >> thank you. it's good to be here today with all of our american friends. we have part of that partnership, and how to prove the relation between our two countries. america, they help iraq. and i'd like to thank, and i think you. all the american, and today our relation is stronger and more. we look at our two centers, and -- thank you

forces in iraq.g the combat mission in iraq by the end of the year. let's talk about what this actually means on the ground. senior international correspondent arwa damon joins us and jeremy diamond. jeremy, let's begin with you and what will happen in a matter of hours. this was 18 years after u.s. troops were sent into iraq. the role changes pore those 2200 troops or so but does not mean they're leaving. is that right? >> reporter: that's exactly right. what we're expecting today as president biden meets in the oval office with the iraqi prm is for the two leaders to make an agreement and sign a joint communique, laying out that those 2500 u.s. troops in iraq currently will shift to a strictly training and advisory role by the end of the year. this will be, of course, a significant formal shift in the role of those u.s. troops. for years now, they have not been involved in offensive combat operations, say for some special operations missions, which generally are not publicized. but this is, of cour

remember, that's when george w bush launched the attack on iraq. at that point it was shocking, or it was all about removing saddam hussein from power. you remember the george bush, donald rumsfeld, and other said that saddam hussein had weapons of mass destruction. of course, no weapons of mass destruction, whatever phone you go back to me and 2000 in 3 and george bush declared mission accomplished. but more than 4000 americans have died in that period. a lot more iraqis have died. there is a great deal of instability in the country. and of course, opinion here in the united states was very much split. donald trump decided that he would increase the numbers in iraq to combat the growth of iso. and he was successful in that, on the scale, but the numbers to about 2500. those are going to be the sort of numbers we should expect from the united states going forward, but they will not be combat operations that will be about advising and helping the iraqi military. certainly we had from prime minister could even before he left baghdad. and he said esse

military using targets in iraq, iran and syria.ut recently, you were at the thursday -- the 30,000 foot level. and you say can bite into everything, is it an all or nothing endeavor. your point, in public affairs, can you explain? james: it was a reaction to people who are saying president biden is supporting a policy for the middle class but that means jobs, a sweet spot on immigration, that means keeping americans out of forever wars. i sympathize with that. but that does not mean simply turning our back on what is going on in the world. the problem is, aside from the immediate benefits, the american people since the 1940's have lived in peace and prosperity in a world that, despite what you see on the news, is far more prosperous than it was in 1945. we don't want to go back to that. and this requires the united states to play a modest but critical role as a leader on conflicts and international disputes and to support the , international order. all in all the biden , administration seems to understand that, but the big problem

. >>> news involving american troops in iraq. president biden meeting with iraq's prime minister. what president biden announced. and a reality check tonight about what this means on the ground in iraq. martha raddatz standing by. e americ smmer tossing his gold medal to a teammate in the heartbreak in the water for katie ledecky, losing gold by less than a second. a couple of rare missteps for gymnast simone biles and what she revealed. and the british swimmer winnio n like him who have ever felt alone. james longman in tokyo tonight. >>> back here at home, news tonight involving a deadly standoff involving deputies. one killed, three others wounded. several family members dead. >>> and what was that in the sky over texas? there were reports coming in from several states. >>> and our made in america is back tonight. something old is something new again. >>> good evening and it's great to have you with us as we start a new week together and we begin tonight with the new covid surge across this country fueled by the highly transmissible delta variant. sweeping through the unvaccina

troops will be withdrawn from iraq by the end of the year. but the us military will continue to offer advisory support as well as air power, intelligence and surveillance capacity. my kind of reports from washington d. c. i. 7 be off the math of a recent explosion and a busy bagdad market. some 30 people were killed and dozens more injured in a bomb attack for which i saw claimed responsibility. graphic evidence of the presence security threats in iraq as preparations continue for the withdrawal of all us combat forces. but pentagon officials maintain that us assistance to iraq will continue as well. a military presence that is transitioning from a combat role. busy to an advisory, one, the strategic importance of the relationship between the 2 countries made clear at a meeting between the us secretary of state and the iraqi foreign minister. we are course closes to partners in the fight against basis. and we can take tremendous pride in the work we've done together to defeat isis, and to make sure that it's safe defeated. but i think what to

k, who invaded iraq with us. but the truth, saddam had no weapons of mass destruction, there was no evidence, but there is evidence the us invaded iraq to take its oil. look, we're all of rocks, biggest oil fields are and those areas just like what woeful what said. the north and the south, the u. s. goes in bombs, baghdad, in 2003, that's what military bases and look where they put them. kind of like that plan. they talked about a camp david, will fast forward to today, the number of bases are down, but the important ones left still by those oil fields. so what do we get after 18 years? well, here's the death toll looks like a loss more than again, and look more civilian deaths than all the other numbers. mostly military combined . the u. s. spent over a trillion dollars in taxpayer money lost thousands of lives. and while the us forces get ready to pack up and go home, or the big oil companies just getting started. well, the number of dimensions of this, the 1st one, as you rightly point out, was snatching the

once again in iraq. it has been a violent 18 years since the us invaded the country in march 2003, with more than 4500 us troops killed and hundreds of thousands of civilian debts despite then president george bushes mission accomplished declaration in may, 2003 the fight, as we now know, would re john even after the fall of saddam hussein, by april 2004. america had 144000 troops on the ground in iraq. and the numbers would fluctuate over the years. as us forces would fight a bloody campaign against rocky insurgency and arcada. now the white house reportedly plans to fully end the u. s. as combat mission in the country by the end of the year with president biden saying, the united states needs to quote, fight the battles for the next 20 years. not the last 20 or role in iraq will be as a dealing with not just to be available to continue to train to assist to help and to deal with isis. whereas is as right, but we are not going to be brought in here in a competition. but as history has shown with us inte

not the last 20 or role in iraq. b as a dealing with not just to be available to continue to train to assist to help and to deal with isis whereas is arrived. but we are not going to be brought in here in a competition. but as history has shown with us interventionism focusing on the future and not the past is easier said than done, particularly when it comes to the middle east in iraq. isis, despite being severely weakened, continues to rear its ugly head carrier bombings, and attacks on both security forces and civilians. and both the us and israel continue to view iranian back militias in iraq as a threat to regional stability. so while prison and bite and may be focusing on future wars, passwords in the middle east often come back to haunt the united states. the iraq war came in response to the september 11th attacks. it's a most to saddam hussein america said had time with al qaeda, but in 2018 pentagon study concluded there was no direct link between the 2. what's more, the bush administration, if that time als

america has about 2500 forces to help iraq. this comes as u.s.ops are ending their mission in afghanistan. mr. biden tries to wind down wars launched after the 9/11 attacks. iraq's prime minister was at the white house today. >> be available, train, assist and help. we are not going to be in a combat mission. laura: our correspondent joins us now from the white house. our u.s. troops actually withdrawing from iraq or is this a symbolic announcement? reporter: president writing did not talk about a troop withdrawal, he talked about ending the combat mission. it looked as if this is a redefining of what the americans are doing, defining as a mission to assist and train troops to fight. a fact, graham -- a fact on the ground, that is what they are doing, they don't conduct combat missions. it does seem to be more of a rebranding than a reducing. a former u.s. ambassador called it a game of appearances over substantive change. laura: why the need for this change of appearances? how much of this has to do with the attacks on u.s. forces by iraqi milit

army during an iraq war. a veteran recalls his deployment to iraq following the september terrorist attacks, the day his vehicle was hit by an ied and his road to recovery. this interview is from the veteran's history project and conducted by the atlanta history center's research center. >> i think i had a pretty standard up bringing, born in illinois, you know, did my first few years there, was around family, my grandparents. i had a lot of cousins. the family was pretty tight knit. growing up my mother and father both worked contract jobs, so we moved around quite a bit. i have lived in florida, south carolina, north carolina, texas, wisconsin, so a litting bit of everywhere -- so a little bit of everywhere. i consider myself an american because i have lived so places and experience -- so many places and experienced so many different things. i'm thankful for the opportunity of moving around a lot. those experiences allowed me to relate to people a little bit easier, not that the moving around, making new fr

all over iraq feels attending to deserts because of drought. 45 percent of iraq's arable land is under threat. according to the iraqi committee on agriculture and figures from the ministry of agriculture. this farm is an example of that grim statistic. the water that fed the land has dried up irrigation canals, empty animals, have died. this farmer is in despair and says that climate change could have been managed and he knows exactly who to blame it on me. it will be most of the mismanagement, 100 percent as the problem, the authorities knew the situation here for decades and they know the solution. they have built storage on the d. l. a river and dams on the terrace is no dams built since we had a royal stanley. now the water is finished with the height of demanding and farmers migrating to the city. this is the only source of income for corruption, mismanagement, and war are often blame for most of iraq's problems for the farm. as though climate change has made things worse, the government stop them from growing set and cropped and saying the water must be used for drinking irrigati

so grass is growing and feeding the sheep like other water streams in eastern iraq. henry lake has been drying up since iran has started diverting wood. the river is if lou knew it's a border with a iraq now live in the yellow province is all about drought cannot that were once full of water at all now filled with rubbish. nearby orchards and farm's auto withered, desiccated landscape. about 65 percent of the yellow residents, 3 light on agriculture, many of them have now left dead roots are all the remain valley middle eggs, orange and pomegranates orchard. he says, some of his neighbors have had to take on construction jobs and pay daily land. um, connie had connie only a few farmers managed to dig wells to irrigate the land. we buy underground water for household use and it's still costly because we've lost our farms. the only source of income tankers now provide the water supply for many areas. but in some remote villages, water from wealth is disseminated and sold for drinking. officials say that cannot be sustainable proper law got, but we can't rely on well wa