Iraq: The Dangers of Drawdown

Monday was the deadliest day for U.S. troops in Iraq in months as an insurgent attack killed five U.S. soldiers stationed in Baghdad. The country is still a dangerous place to be even as the United States prepares to begin the final withdrawal of American troops from the country. “There are people out there who are trying to kill you,” says John Kamin, who was in the Army when he was deployed with the Louisiana National Guard in March, 2010. He says “to me it’s reminiscent of the earlier days in the war.” Kamin is a member and spokesman of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. Joost Hiltermann, Middle East and North Africa Deputy Program Director with the International Crisis Group says that the insurgent groups want to send a message that the United States is leaving in defeat, which increases the danger of pulling out the troops.