iraq. third commanding general of the commanding forces of iraq. command sergeant major of the united statesq. >> james spider marks is a retired major general in the u.s. army. he ended his 30-year military career as the top intelligence officer for coalition land forces during the 2003 invasion in iraq and joins us now to tell us a little bit about what we're seeing. the casing of the colors. you know, if there's something that is achieved today, it is when american troops went in, so many said, general marks, they'll never leave, they'll take the oil. this is the day when that is proved wrong. >> you know, jim, we need to take great pride in what we're seeing right now. this is not the end. this is truly the end of the beginning. we established a relationship with iraq, iraq and united states established a new relationship when we entered iraq in march of 2003. and we are now transitioning. this is really a period of looking forward in anticipation. and there should be great optimism. there really is, i don't want to make too much of this. united states has made some mistakes in iraq. but

he will be joined by the vice president for the return of the united states forces iraq scholar. the last u.s. combat troops rolled out of iraq into neighboring kuwait at daybreak on sunday after nearly nine years of war. >>mark: we are back in two minutes as the kron4 news continues. here is a live look from sfo on this tuesday morning, a big blizzard in new mexico. >>mark: the opening bell on wall street on this tuesday morning. we're getting a rebound expected. dow futures are of 100 assorted points. we have housing starts with a big jump. with that, a little more optimism on the housing market. hopefully the slide will stop today. we will watch numbers throughout the morning. >>darya: we are looking at the current temperatures and snow nationwide. we are looking at pretty much clear skies for most of the day. it is clear and calm. >>james: it is still cold outside. in >>jackie: it sounds like you're hoping that i run into fall. i am looking at the third street bridge in downtown napa. it is a beautiful morning in the very cold and clear. i am right next to the napa river but s

they will be receiving a flag with the united states forces iraq colors. it was lowered in a staff in baghdad just last week. the last combat troops left iraq on sundaying ending nearly nine years of war. >>> the body of north korean dictator kim jong-il is now laid out at a memorial palace in pyongyang. among those who visited the body during a solemn ceremony today, kim jong-un his youngest known son and successor. there's varied speculation about how kim jong-un, a man in his 20s, will rule the communist nation. most world leaders are taking a wait-and-see attitude. >> we both share a common interest in a peaceful and stable transition in north korea as well as in ensuring regional peace and stability. >> kim jong-il died of a massive heart attack over the weekend after ruling north korea since his father's death in 1994, the country is in an 11-day period of official mourning leading up to a state funeral next week. >>> kind of foggy coming in. did you see anything? >> i only had a three-minute drive thank goodness. [ laughter ] i heard it was rough. >>

iraq. now moving forward, the commanding general of the united states force in iraq, the command sergeant, the command sergeant. >> as we watch the procession itself, just worth reminding us that there were nearly 170,000 u.s. personnel in iraq. they were stationed at 500 bases across the country. that just gives you a reminder of the extent, the scale of the american involvement in the country itself, and what we have whittled down to, particularly in the last two to three years, is just over 4,000 american soldiers still on iraqi soil in various capacities. that number going down by the day, as it will continue to do so through to the end of the year. >> ladies and gentlemen, ambassador james jeffrey. >> mr. minister, american and iraqi colleagues and friends, it is my honor today to welcome you, mr. secretary, once again here to iraq, to participate in this ceremony, ending u.s. f.i. in doing so,' look back at the sacrifices made by so many americans and so many iraqis, but we also look forward to an iraq that is sovereign, secure and self-reliant, an iraq with whom the united states go

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. over the last three years, nearly 150,000 u.s. troops have left iraq. and over the next few days, a small group of american soldiers will begin the final march out of that country. some of them are on their way back to fort bragg. general helmut said they know that the last tactical road march out of iraq will be a symbol and they're going to be a part of history. as your commander-in-chief, i can tell you that it will indeed be a part of history. those last american troops will move south on desert sands. and then they will cross the border out of iraq with their heads held high. one of the most extraordinary chapters in the history of the american military will come to an end. iraq's future will be in the hands of its people. america's war in iraq will be over. [ cheers ] >> now we knew this day would come. we've known it for some time. still there is something profound about the end of a war that

vice president joe biden at joint base andrews in maryland to observe the return of the united states forces iraq colors. that's the flag that soldiers lowered from staph in baghdad last week. the last u.s. combat troops rolled out over the weekend end ended our nine years of war. wendell goler is on the lawn this afternoon. the troops are actually home i guess a couple weeks earlier than we thought they were going to be home, wendell. >> you are right, shepard. once it became clear that the iraqis weren't going to allow them to stay into next year a few thousand to stay into next year by extending their immunity from prosecution, the obama administration decided there was no need to wait to new year's eve and get the troops home for christmas which the servicemen and women certainly appreciated. the president greeted the returning military leadership, the generals as their plane landed at joint base andrews the home of air force one. the last commander of u.s. forces in iraq general lloyd austin said the troops had accomplished their mission and remembered those who didn't come home. >> to the f

and the united states forces in iraq, they are long gone. i can see those waiting to have the kids come out and clear their guns and head on to camp virginia and head home. >> remembe the returning gi's. they need jobs and families need assistance and get them in the college and vocational train remember what they have sacrificed for all of us and thank you for sticking with us for the long and winding road. >> and an honor to observe it myself, too. that's it from the border with iraq and kuwait and historic morning in this region. back to you. >> greg and bringing us the last u.s. troops crossing over in kuwait. president obama met with the prime minister al malaki met with him in washington and he vows to give birth to an independent free and sovereign iraq. the president making a special trip to fort brag north carolina on wednesday and he thanked u.s. troops for returning home in iraq and helping them to create a independent state. >> panetta officially shut down the war . speaking before 200 troops. panetta told them lives lost were no

underwear and is facing life in prison. >>> i'm like to report the safe return of the colors of united states forces iraqates of america. >> and just days after the last u.s. convoy left iraq, the military flag which flew over baghdad has returned to u.s. soil. president obama and vice president biden attended the ceremony today marking the formal conclusion of a mission ahead of the end of the year deadline for withdrawal. >>> the republican presidential candidates are narrowing their focus as the first contest gets closer. speculation growing about ron paul's chances of winning the iowa caucuses two weeks from today. we're going to hear from the state's republican governor. and one of the most controlled countries in the world loses control as north koreans see the body of their dead leader, kim jong-il. ♪ sen♪ co-signed her credit card - "buy books, not beer!" ♪ ♪ut the second at she shut the door ♪ ♪ girl started blowing up their credit score ♪ ♪ she bought a pizza party for the whole dorm floor ♪ ♪ hundred pounds of makeup at the makeup store ♪ ♪ and a ticket down to spring break in mexico ♪ ♪ but h

iraq. >> to return the colors from the united states forces and iraq to the rightful place of the united > the return of the colors at a ceremony outside of washington yesterday. army general lloyd austin returned the united states forces iraq command flag, which once flew over baghdad. president obama and vice president joe biden joined military officials for the traditional homecoming. it is the formal conclusion of the nine-year war in iraq >>> meantime, some people are still questioning the decision about the full withdrawal of troops. on "the situation room" yesterday, senator john mccain said an american presence is needed in iraq. >> it's ironic that the president and vice president are taking victory laps while the government in iraq unravels more rapidly than i thought, but i thought would unravel and simply because we did not maintain a residuals for of some 20,000 troops which we should have, which the obama administration would never agree a specific number, and now the president's re-election campaign is already putting out propaganda saying, promises kept. it's really a low

to see how the interagency is supposed to work, come to iraq and see how it works now between the united states embassy and the united states forces in iraq. that is one lesson we learned. number two i have learned that the united states military is absolutely phenomenal. i scratch my head every day to find out where we get the people who volunteer for our military. their talent has no bounds really beyond the and emission, any time, with a positive attitude. and then number three, think we have learned about the culture of this country. early on, you think we thought the only way to do things was the way we did it in america but we found out that wasn't the case. we need to enable the processes and procedures in some cases of iraq and not have them templated on an american citizen -- system. so those are three things i would say i take away from this and what we have learned. >> hi general. it is courtney kube from nbc news. one quick question about your opening statement monies that the u.s. military has driven more than 60 million miles. just to be clear you mean within the last 18 months or is that in the most recent increase

the return of the united states forces iraq colors, the flag that flew over baghdad. pictures here now of the flag's arrival. the army general who oversaw the troop withdrawal is also on that plane. it's being met by president obama and vice president biden at andrews air force base. we'll have a live report from chris lawrence later this hour. >>> with time running out on a deal, house democrats and republicans are fighting over a payroll tax cut could soon hit home for many of us. your family's finances, republicans don't like a senate passed two-month extension. they want a conversation committee to work out a year-long deal. it's causing all kinds of gridlock. >> most americans love this time of year, it's christmas time where we celebrate the birth of christ and spend time with our family and friends and at church. and i sent a quick message to my wife last night, honey, i may be here awhile. stay in the fight, americans need you. >> i love christmas too, but when the gentleman on the other side of the aisle suggests that somehow they are going to stay around her

the attack is part of a increase in violence just days after a united states forces left iraq. in the crisis between the prime minister and vice president. >> war veteran was ptsd could benefit from something give tone women during child birth. researchers tested dozens of troops returning from iraq and afghanistan. they gave some of them an injection that is supposed to calm down agitation. those getting the injections are doing better than those who got placebos. they are still trying to find out the side effects and how everyone treatment would be needed. >> carbon monoxide can be deadly. winter is especially dangerous as homeowners fire up the furnaces. it's now the law in california contract that every home have a detector. one lucky woman who almost lost her life. >> down. >> reporter: when nikki came home for college she stayed in her parent's guest house. >> i knew it would be cold and asked to turn on the wall heater. . >> reporter: the wall heater was clogged leaves. her mom found her. >> i went to herbed and i just asked her again and shook her, nikki and there was n

of iraq well it's the height of imperial arrogance the united states has no right to station its troops in a country that doesn't want them furthermore the united states wanted to keep military forces in iraq but the iraqi government refused to grant those troops immunity extraterritoriality immune from iraqi laws and so the pentagon as it did here as it always does when it fails to get immunity for its soldiers took them out but let's not forget that there are sixteen thousand staff members in the new state department embassy in downtown baghdad a compound larger than all other compounds in american diplomatic history it's the size of ninety four football fields as one and a half square miles half of those sixteen thousand staff people will be armed guards in other words a private army of mercenaries and contractors so the united states really hasn't left not with a force that big in downtown baghdad a country that's relatively small well today we saw the deadliest day in iraq in a long time and this is charlie after it the u.s. pulled out most of their troops is this a preview of things to come well you see the movie government is already at war against different sunni political

tomorrow, the colors of united states forces iraq, the colors you fought under, will be formally cased in a ceremony in baghdad. and then they will begin their journey across the notion that home. -- across the ocean back home. over last three years, nearly 150,000 u.s. troops have left iraq. and over the next few days, a small group of american soldiers will begin the final march out of that country. some of them are on their way back to fort bragg. as general helmick said, they know that the less technical marched out of iraq will be a symbol and they will be a part of history. as your commander in chief, i can tell you that it will indeed be part of history. those last american troops will move south on desert sands. then they will cross the border out of iraq with their heads held high. one of the most extraordinary chapters in the history of the american military will come to an end. the's future will be in hands of its people. america's war in iraq will be over. we knew this day would come. we have known it for some time. still, there is something profound about the end of a war

know, richard, there is something like 700,000 security forces, iraqi security forces, that the united states and citizens in iraq hope are prepared to provide security for the people. what do we know about the state of which a pretty large fighting force, a security force there, how well prepared are they for what's about to happen now as these colors are cased and sent back to the united states? >> the iraqi security forces are actually in pretty good shape. the iraqi army is quite well trained. i've seen iraqi soldiers. they look almost like u.s. soldiers these days with their equipment, with their weapons. they still need more air power. the iraqi police force, less well trained and well equipped, but also far better than it was before and far better than it was under saddam. the problem however, is the political system in this country. there are many political parties, some of them are quite extreme. to give you an example, muqtada el sadr, his group alone, has the largest single block in parliament, a radical anti-american cleric, with a militia group. the political system here is the one that's probably go

tomorrow, the colors of united states forces iraq, the colors you fought under, will be formally cased in a ceremony in baghdad. and then they will begin their journey across the notion that -- across an ocean back home. over last three years, nearly 150,000 u.s. troops have left iraq. and over the next few days, a small group of american soldiers will begin the final march out of that country. some of them are on their way back to fort bragg. as general helmick said, they know that the less technical -- the last tactical road marched out of iraq will be a symbol and they will be a part of history. as your commander in chief, i can tell you that it will indeed be part of history. those last american troops will move south on desert sands. then they will cross the border out of iraq with their heads held high. one of the most extraordinary chapters in the history of the american military will come to an end. iraq's future will be in the hands of its people. america's war in iraq will be over. we knew this day would come. we have known it for some time. still, there is something profound

iraq. this is a momentous day for the united states' participation in the region. basically the u.s. presence in iraq is now over except for a residual force all u.s. troops, all u.s. hardware being pulled out as of today. that is to meet an agreement struck between the united states and iraq that stipulated that all u.s. forces had to be out by the end of this year. they pushed it up a little sooner just to make sure the folks got home for chas which it looks like -- for christmas which it looks like will happen. it was a careful journey by the last convoy because the security is major concern still even in the waning days of our own participation in this war. militants in the southern part of iraq had openly declared that they would very happily target americans as they leave. so we saw aircraft overhead and a lot of security on the ground and according to military officials it went without a hitch. no incidents to speak of. these convoys full of first cavalry division soldiers and then headed from the position where we are right now south into kuwait to camp, virginia. that is where they settle down a little bit. they get processed and

prime minister, we discussed how the united states could help iraq train and equip its forces, not byan troops there or with u.s. bases in iraq. those days are over but rather the kind of training and assistance we offer to other countries. given the challenges we face together in a rapidly changing region, we also agree to establish a new formal channel of communication between our national security advisers. and finally we're partnering for regional security, for just as iraq has pledged not to interfere in other nations, other 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

united states there meeting with iraqi president nuri al maliki, discuss i discussing all of the things going on with the united states government and iraq as we move toward that day when the united states forces are removed from that country. the president saying the u.s. relationship with iraq is going to be very similar to the relationship of the united states with other countries that the united states shares an interest in. >>> hello, everybody. i'm joe johns in today for randi kaye. it's 1:00 on the east coast. >>> straight to other news. mention holiday this week in congress and you won't see many jolly faces. that's because time is running out to pass an extension of a payroll tax holiday that's benefited everybody who draws a paycheck all year long. top republicans are promising a deal will get done and they're trying again tomorrow in the house. both parties agree on one thing. they'd really like to wrap things up by friday and start their holiday recess. >>> tonight is the deadline reportedly set by syria for anti-government protesters in the city of hom to get back in line or else. an opposition group called the free syrian army fears a massacre if residents fail to turn in their w

after nearly nine years our war in iraq and this month we're here to mark the end of this war we discussed how the united states could help iraq train and equip its forces not by stationing american troops there or with u.s. bases in iraq those days are over so there's a stork moment a war's ending a new day is upon us. now let's not forget that president obama is relishing in this moment because he gets a pretend like he's fulfilling a campaign promise to bring the war in iraq to an end a war that he opposed to send the recall done while he was campaigning and all of that work to his advantage thanks to a bitter public mood after eight years of the bush administration and its policies however we all know this isn't really the way that he planned it let's not forget that all spring and summer of this year we heard one official after another including both the former and the current secretary of defense saying that if iraq wants it the troops will stay and in fact it was the u.s. that wanted war was doing all the pressuring behind the scenes but ultimately it broke down over negotiations over legal immunity for the u.s. troops so they kind of told us to

we ever forget the sacrifices of the more than 1 million men and women, of the united states armed forces, who served in iraq, and the sacrifices of their families. >>> now though negotiations continue between the u.s. and iraq on future relationship one thing is clear remaining 8,000 troops in iraq are expected to be home before end of the month reporting live stacy cohen back to you. >> thank you very much. >> if you want congress to extend the payroll tax cut you are not alone 6 of 10 people surveyed in a new poll want it renewed nearly all americans seem to be fed up with the mitt call scene as aiynsley earheart tells us this comes as lawmakers work to avoid a possible government shut down. >> we work very hard, we are close to an agreement on every single issue, and i just hope that we can work this out and get our bill passed. >> while they have different views, both democrats and republicans are working to avoid a partial government shut down temporary bill keeping agencies open expires saturday >> we all work together to bring this thing to a proper conclusion. >> if we have a reasonable agreement, w

forces leave, president obama and his iraq counter part are hammering out important details. >> we discussed how the united states could help iraq train and equip its forces. >> tonight, bringing our soldiers home. this american teenager says militants linked to al qaeda held him captive for months in the mountains. tonight, how he says he outwitnessed the terrorists and made his escape. a grandmother accused of opening fire at her own son-in-law. [gunshots] >> 'ow, 'ow. i can't believe did you that. >> the story she told cops was a little bit different. >> 911. >> somebody just shot at me. >> did granny have the gun? first from fox this monday night, the battle for new hampshire. the former house speaker newt gingrich and the former governor mitt romney in the granite state today and it got going. americans will vote there next month in first in the nation primary. governor romney leads in that state. new polls show new hampshire is more the exception than the rule. for example, in iowa a could be in for a long fight here. >> i hope to get the nomination and get it early. i would like to get it reagan didn't suc

global be participating in a ceremony at andrews air force base in maryland marking the return of the united states air forces and soldiers from iraq as well as the end of the nine year war. these are like the pictures into the newsroom of the president and vice president. >>darya: here is a live look at the approach to the bay bridge which looks fine. philippe kofu few fancy in the lower of life and falstaff fact, there are some areas in the midwest getting hit by sanofi if for ibm's >> this is a fresh look at temperatures. we have made progress in places like napa. definitely out on a warming trend, especially as we head into the afternoon. we are seeing a lot of sunshine around the bay area. forties' for the most part. we're off to a mild start. defense fog still in the central valley's but none of this sixth since to interfere with our forecast. by 11 a and we will continue to see a warming trend. the light lives in the cases said temperatures in the '50s. as the demands closer to the afternoon highs, by 2:00 p.m., if physicists use the green in places like santa rosa and if petaluma. will actually have some low 60s. i will bre

forces pull out of iraq former iraqi foreign minister tariq aziz was captured by united states forces in 2003 he later testified at the war crimes trial for saddam hussein to reach disease was sentenced to death by the iraqi high tribunal last year for his role in eliminating religious parties during saddam's regime aziz's lawyer said that if the execution is carried out it will lead to more conflict among iraqi factions >>a man and a police exchanged gunfire aboard a train heading to chicago leaving the man dead and an officer wounded and have been dead and amtrak station in dallas yesterday afternoon police said three officers in the skies were inspecting the train when the passenger pulled out a gun and shot at them one of the officers returned fire and killed him the officer were shot in hand another passenger were shot in the shoulder bolts are being treated at a hospital for non-life threatening injuries witnesses say that it appeared the shooting was over a disagreement over a seat. >>a radioactive material has been found in baby formula made in japan official said that the fin

. >> a quiet ceremony near the capitol today mark the end of the united states war in iraq. at andrews air forcene of the last groups j)0%?;lhgi back to home soil. %?;lhgi the last american commander in iraq said congratulations to the service members on what he called a remarkable achievement. >> together with our coalition partners and core of dedicated civilians they removed a brutal dictator and gave the people their freedom. >> about 4500 gave their lives and more than 30,000 were wounded during the nine year war in iraq. $a]íp=killed. >>> the 8)r8gw÷federal r>xflwls nearly 830 options that serve the homeless here in california. the state will get $235 million out of a $1.5 billion fund being given out nationwide by the department of housing urban development. the money will give temporary and transitional housing to homeless people. it'll pay for services such as job training, health care, child abuse, counseling and treatment. >> loto fever sweeping the bay area. a big jackpot up for grabs. a lot of people hope to cash in. >> how much? >> thank you. >> i bought a ticket down the street a

iraq. the united states prepares to withdraw all remaining fighting forces. president obama is keeping a pledge to end the almost nine year long war by the end of this month. >>> the last american soldiers will cross the border out of iraq with honor and with their heads held high. >>> at a joint news conference the president and prime minister praised the relationship between the two countries and promised continued cooperation on security equipping the iraqi military and fighting terrorism. >>> some united states officials are concerned iran will step up on iraq. president obama is confident that won't be a problem. >>> i have absolutely no doubt these decisions are being made based on what prime minister believes is best for iraq. not based on considerations of what iran would like to see. >> on the battlefield united states forces are taking part in what one military officer called the biggest logistical operation since world war ii. they are handing over bases and moving equipment across to kuwait. >> reporter: the white house also announced today it is

force base marking the end of the iraq war. >> i would like to report the safe return of the colors to the united states war in iraq, directly place the united states of america. >> present. >> present. >> halt. >> present. ♪ ♪ >> please be seated. >> that was president obama receiving the flag from the u.s. joint forces base in baghdad, officially concluding the war in iraq. it is -- >> the end of war? >> well, ceremoniaceremonially, how you end it. it is a good reminder of what is at stake here and the heights and the depths of holding the office of president and talk about who may occupy 1600 pennsylvania avenue next in 2012. we were talking earlier before that about republicans who were vying for that seat in the evil office and how much their own humanity matters and humanity of their spouses, character is at this. meghan, i know that you thought, you were saying you thought that the spouse is an intricate part of communicate that message. >> i do. no disrespect to your column. i do think behold the power of a woman standing next to a man. from my personal experience, the fact that my mother was a second wife was a big i

but the united states will be there to stand by the iraqi people as they navigate those challenges to build a stronger and more prosperous nation. >> the u.s. forces iraq flag was lowered, marking the end of american involvement in the war. as that flag came down, a political war over iraq broke out here in the united states. the attack on the obama administration actually began yesterday, a furious john mccain took the senate floor to lecture the president for ending the $800 billion war and not leaving residual u.s. forces behind in iraq. >> it is clear that this decision of a complete pullout of the united states troops from iraq was dictated by politics and not our national security interests. i believe that history will judge this president's leadership with a scorn and disdain that it deserves. >> mccain kept up that chant this morning on the "today" show immediately after defense secretary panetta spoke in baghdad. >> i'm also very concerned because in the words of general keen, one of the architects of the surge, we won the war and now we risk losing peace. we risk losing everything we gain. i think it's a great risk and i think it's unnecessar

force in iraq. two-thirds of house democrats voted against that authorization for the use of force, but it did pass easily. and in 2003, the united states invaded iraq. now, 8 1/2 years later, u.s. troops are finally all coming home. joe biden became a crusading opponent of the iraq war from his powerful position as chairman of the senate foreign relations committee. hillary clinton barely missed becoming the democratic nominee for president in 2008. her vote for the war did not help her in that race. she eventually would become secretary of state hillary clinton in the administration of president barack obama and vice president joe biden. the promise that they would bring the war in iraq to a responsible end. in a speech this past october, we learned from president obama what that ending would look like. >> over the next two months, our troops in iraq, tens of thousands of them, will pack up their gear and board convoys for the journey home. the last american soldier will cross the border out of iraq with their heads held high, proud of their success and knowing that the american people stand united in our support for our troops. that