President says All U.S. Combat Troops to Leave Iraq by End of Year

President Obama declared an end to the Iraq war earlier today announcing that all U.S. troops would be withdrawn from the country by the years end.

Obama's statement put an end to speculation over whether the U.S. would maintain a force in Iraq beyond the end of the year. According to the Detroit Free Press, he never spoke about the tense and ultimately fruitless negotiations with Iraq over whether to keep troops there as a training force and a hedge against meddling from Iran or other outside forces.

Instead, Obama spoke of the promise he made for a self-reliant Iraq and a focus on building up the economy here at home.