Let's Talk: The War in Iraq is Over

On Thursday, the U.S. Military ceremoniously ended the War in Iraq, just shy of nine years after the invasion that saw the demise of Saddam Hussein’s reign. U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta took part in the formal ceremony at Baghdad International airport that included packing up the American Flag and meticulously stowing it into a camouflaged protector as a poignant symbolic gesture in the departure of our troops.

According to reports, the final 4,000 American troops will withdraw by the end of the year; a number that bears a close resemblance to the nearly 4,500 U.S. soldiers that have already lost their lives in the war. Not to mention the tens of thousands of Iraqis who died fighting.

Iraq, however, still faces unrest as the struggle continues to wage between the Shi’ites and Sunni. A tenuous power-sharing government is in place to continue to deal with the insurgency, while the country wades its way through its reliance on the oil industry and seemingly unrest of its citizens.

In light of the withdrawal by the U.S., thousands of Iraqis celebrated by burning U.S. flags, while waving pictures of dead relatives. Others fear what might happen once the U.S. leaves.

What do you think? Was the War in Iraq worth it? Did the U.S. accomplish anything? Or, is the formal withdrawal of troops convenient to political agendas and campaign promises?

Tell us what you think in the comments below.

For a more detailed report on the conflict, click here.