How Iraq has impacted US foreign policy in other areas

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In states invaded Iraq with the shock and awe campaign at the height of the surge in 2007.

There are more than 170000.

US troops there.

And now today.

Only 157.

Remain at the embassy along with a few Marines for security.

But our role in the region is certainly far from over and there are so many different hot spot -- demanding our attention we talk about that nearly daily.

From Egypt to Iran to Syria so many questions -- about just how much the united -- should get involved.

And questions about just how much those decisions are based on the legacies of recent wars like the war in Iraq and -- -- the war in Afghanistan that's still ongoing.

It's also interesting today is as -- -- ten years since the beginning of the Iraq War the president is visiting our strongest Middle East ally.

Israel trying to shore up that strained relationship with the prime minister -- -- CM.

With the President Shimon Peres on the screen all right now the president's approval on his handling of foreign policy.

Is more or -- split 46%.

Approve 48%.

Disapprove.

I -- -- is the anchor special report and covered the Iraq War.

He was in the country eleven times over the last decade here's a sample what he did there.

Here is the main palace the living quarters he was struck in the first 36 hours of this war.

It's in this courtroom that Saddam Hussein could face justice.

You could be in this very chair on trial before the judicial system he controlled and manipulated.

For 35 years members of the new Iraqi Government say they'll likely keep the samples of the former regime like the -- of victory here on these great grounds.

As a reminder of just how brutal Saddam Hussein really lots.

We're so used to seeing him in that DC bureau which is where we're gonna see him in just a moment -- you are spread.

Speculated in a long time long time a few pounds ago well what do you -- suvs is your reflections you know you take a look at some of that video and your time.

I that you spent there tell our viewers a little bit about you know your thoughts on the day like today.

-- you know -- my first time into Iraq was with Defense Secretary Rumsfeld loves having the Pentagon at the time.

Really from 9/11.

On.

And went into Iraq in April the beginning of April for the first time and that first trip -- actually all the press was in.

Convoy NA.

A -- it was kind of like a giant fishbowl it was just -- the last bus going down the middle of Baghdad because there wasn't an insurgency there wasn't really.

Any thing we didn't even have flak jackets on this we -- going through Baghdad that dramatically changed over time as you know.

And it really exploded to the point where.

It was a -- horrible situation especially in 2006.

But when the search was implemented it began to change -- General Petraeus.

They started to see some improvement.

And Iraqis started to take control that the -- sinking now -- is that you have this yesterday.

Series of bombings you know some -- -- he attacks.

65 plus people killed.

And the Iraqis are a little shell shocked according to people on the ground because it's been relatively peaceful for a long time.

-- question about you know why why his attacks are happening now and what is.

You know I had enough that reason walls of the right word Brad at what is the expectation for Iraq.

-- -- war there is it as the big question that lingers very much today the president is in Israel.

We're dealt with the war in Iraq but -- so much is happening in the Middle East that were still very much present there.

How how do you think the experience in Iraq when he talked a policy makers has affected our policy.

Now and will in the feature.

Yeah I think -- -- the real question is can these places stand up for themselves and you just look at what the Iraqi foreign minister said just recently.

He said that we need equipment we -- electric.

Electronic surveillance we need an air force essentially were not able to defend ourselves this is after billions and billions of dollars.

Of US equipment and American training so.

The question is you know how does that work in Afghanistan how do you leave the Afghan forces ready to protect themselves.

And when do you leave a completely.

If they're not ready that's a question and two is our posture in the region whether we stand up for those places like.

Syria you know what President Obama.

Nineteen months ago said president Bashar Al shot -- -- days are numbered.

That's.

About 580.

Days.

Ago when the president started saying his days are numbered so.

The question is what what will US intervention be in places where we say that we're going to go.

-- -- do you see that being tied to directly what happened in Iraq or Afghanistan I was speaking truth.

You know this I was moderating this panel in DC about Afghanistan.

And one of the things that came up in the panel was saying that if anyone was involved in DC with Iraq.

That essentially it was toxic -- no -- wanted an insider conversations are on their teens but Afghanistan for awhile was acceptable.

And that -- was a really interesting observation because certainly a lot of people -- that's an interesting experience.

-- in this war are our veterans included.

And I'm just wondering how those people are integrated into the decisions that are going to affect this country moving forward and whether or not that's being done in the right way.

Yeah I think that's a great question and I think that's you know 30000 foot look at at how we is a country look at war how we look at at intervention.

Why when is it necessary for the US to get involved and I think Iraq and Afghanistan will.

We'll deftly -- player -- decisions.

Four years to come your rights.

It's important to note that a lot of good things happened in Iraq and a lot of people.

In Iraq.

Despite the feeling that they wanted to get America out.

I've now are questioning whether the security situation is better or worse Afghanistan is the same way.

So.

It's a real debate about foreign power and how the US should use.

That's when -- gonna have a special report a -- viewers that this one fact at any given time in the past decade less than 1% of the American population has Serbs in.

Active duty in the military says it's a big question that comes -- to this war -- hearing test and and who has the right to be to be tired of the war.

Brett it's great to see this pieces and -- nice of course had he anchoring special report now it's well mean your own glass all -- a little -- stressed that.

That's thanks to thank you appreciate the time today Gracie can catch Brett at 6 PM eastern time a special report tonight.

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How Iraq has impacted US foreign policy in other areas

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