06/17/2009
https://www.congress.gov...
"The U.S. military presence in Iraq was a source of recruitment for Iranian-backed extremist groups in Iraq."
"leaving Iraq on the terms dictated by its sovereign government will put to bed the very real perception that the United States invaded the country to transform it into its '51st state.'"
"Iraq's relationship with Iran is exceedingly complex and multifaceted."
"The departure of U.S. forces has been characterized as the end of only the first chapter of what will be an enduring relationship with Iraq for many years to come."