Obama Iraq Visit

Barack Obama arrived in Iraq on July 21, 2008. The visit is part of a tour of the Middle East and Europe that began on July 19, 2008.¹ Obama'a first stop was Afghanistan where he met with Hamid Karzai on July 20, 2008.² In Iraq, Obama is expected to meet with General David Petraeus and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.³

Fast Facts

1. Arrived in Iraq on July 21, 2008³
2. Commanders expected to confirm his plan is possible⁴
3. However, Military leaders will likely warn Obama of concerns for security⁴
4. Accompanied by Jack Reed and Chuck Hagel²
5. Trip called a "classified Congressional Delegation"²
6. Taxpayer funded²

Quotes

"We are worried that he might win the presidency and pull out (American) forces because chaos would prevail in Iraq and militias would return."—Mohammed Abbas⁵, Iraqi school teacher

"The U.S. presence in Iraq is useful now, but if the security situation gets better, I think it's not necessary to keep all these big numbers of soldiers here."—Khasru Koraan⁶, Deputy governor of Mosul

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