US withdrawal from Iraq

US President Barack Obama has announced the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq. The left-liberal daily De Volkskrant writes that the move is in compliance with his campaign pledges: "It cannot be denied that the security situation in Iraq has got better, although it is far from stable. Even ex-president George W. Bush had agreed on a withdrawal plan with the Iraqi government. ... Nevertheless this move gives a clear sign, and has major significance for both Iraq and the United States. Because not only must the Americans leave Iraq, Iraq must also let the Americans be. In this way they can psychologically put an end to this war, which had received so much flak. In so doing they will realise that military interventions require a maximum of prudence and extensive international backing."

» full article (external link, Dutch)
More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Security Policy / Crises / War, » U.S., » Middle East

» To the complete press review of Monday, March 2, 2009