Claiming no victory, President Barack Obama formally ended the U.S. combat role in Iraq after seven long years, declaring Tuesday night: "It's time to turn the page." Now, he said, the nation's most urgent priority is fixing its own sickly economy. He said the United States "has paid a huge price" to give Iraqis the chance to shape their future.
Obama said the Iraq war had stripped America of money needed for its own prosperity, and he called for an economic commitment at home to rival the grit and purpose of a military campaign.He said that winding down Iraq would allow the United States "to apply the resources necessary to go on offense" in Afghanistan.
"We have met our responsibility," Obama said. "Now it is time to turn the page."
