Operation “New Dawn”

More than seven years after it began, Operation Iraqi Freedom was declared “over” by U.S. President Barack Obama on Tuesday – although it is unclear whether Obama’s “fulfillment” of his promise to end combat operations by August 31 will benefit him politically (or end the war).

“We have met our responsibility,” Obama said in a nationally-televised address from the Oval Office. “Now it is time to turn the page.”

More than 4,400 U.S. soldiers have been killed in Iraq since former president George W. Bush commenced offensive operations there in March of 2003 (under less-than-compelling pretenses, we might add). Meanwhile, the war has cost U.S. taxpayers nearly $1 trillion. And while “combat troops” may have indeed left Iraq, there are still 50,000 American soldiers stationed there – many of whom will be seeing plenty of combat in the months to come.

While Obama was busy “turning the page” in the Oval Office,Vice President Joe Biden was in Baghdad – where he announced the commencement of “Operation New Dawn.”

“It is no secret that this war has divided Americans but they have never shrunk from the united support of the United States military,” Biden said. “Now is the time to put these differences behind us.”

Opposition to the war – which peaked in 2007 – has been less intense in recent years as Americans have begun to focus exclusively on economic concerns.

“Now, as Obama proudly goes before the cameras to boast of delivering on his promise to bring the troops home, does anyone really care?” asks liberal columnist Andy Ostroy. “They’re more worried about their homes, their savings and their jobs. Once again, it’s the economy, stupid! Sorry, prez, but America tuned out of Iraq years ago.”