W.H. defends Syria strike: "We learned our lesson" in Iraq

[Igel]

11. "the effort that he did with our military leadership to end that war."

This is a disturbing quote: "And that's why the president undertook the effort that he did with our military leadership to end that war."

The Status of Forces Agreement from before Obama's inauguration called winding down the war and having all troops out by a specific date.

The Iraqis insisted on holding to that agreement. Not Obama. It was the Iraqi government who rejected proposal after proposal. Obama's team argued for having troops on the ground as emergency back-ups and for training/advising.

The only "effort" required for what happened was honoring the agreement signed by his predecessor and have an orderly withdrawal. That effort wasn't optional. Those troops had to be out.

I guess he could have just said, "Abandon all the equipment, files, and just make your way to Istanbul or Kuwait City and catch a commercial flight home."