The Iraqi government declares June 30th a national public holiday and plans grand festivities to mark the U.S. troops withdrawal in major cities across the nation. While many Iraqis view this as the return of sovereignty, critics are worried about a possible rise of insurgent attacks when the American forces have gone.

We’re bringing you analysis from both sides of viewpoints in the controversy over the U.S. troop withdrawal in 6-year Iraq War.

Iraq’s Alsumaria sattellite TV gives a cautiously optimistic perspective about the withdrawal.

“Iraqis live an amalgam of feelings combining pride on one hand and challenge on the other. The challenge of how to handle the situation in face of a promising secure and prosper future that seems to loom after years of distress and agony.”

But the Guardian’s correspondent in Baghdad points out a major improvement he has seen over years in the situations in Iraq- signaling hope.

“What we’re seeing, though, is something we didn’t see throughout the dark years of 2005 -2007 and that’s the police force, in particular, that the public can trust. In those dark years, we’ve seen a lot of sectarian killings orchestrated by either former members of the police force or people in police uniforms. We’re not seeing that anymore.”

Al Jazeera English brings in a different perspective from a city that will still see the presence of the American troops. The network finds out the reasons for the need from a top U.S. commander…

“… an effort, in large part, he says, to keep many otherwise unemployed people here, roughly 60-80% of the population from joining armed groups fighting to push U.S. troops out. ‘The only way you have to provide for your family is to get paid 50 dollars to throw a hand grenade. That’s what you’re going to do.’”

Finally, a Foreign Policy columnist downplays speculations on the surge of the attacks and explains why people shouldn’t overreact.

“Such surges were expected (and sometimes seen) around every previous major Iraqi milestone… Those attacks feel particularly jarring now [because] the baseline violence is far calmer …, so the uptick is more dramatic.”

Do you think Iraqis should be celebrating now that the American troops are on the way out? Or should they be worried?

World News

U.S. Troops in Iraq: Gone for Good?

June 29, 2009
(2:20)
June 30 marks the day U.S. troops withdraw from Iraqi towns and cities. Newsy.com examines media perspectives on the country's security issues.
   
YOU NEED FLASH TO VIEW THIS VIDEO
TRANSCRIPT

To leave a comment, please log in with Facebook Connect or your Newsy account. Register here to create one.
MOST RECENT|MOST POPULAR|MOST COMMENTED|HIGHEST RATED

University Accused of Being a 'Diploma Mill'
Audit finds Dickinson State University awarded diplomas to more than 500 students, mostly from China.
(1:53)
February 13, 2012
Europeans Take to Streets to Protest ACTA
Hundreds of thousands of Europeans took to the streets over the weekend to protest the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement.
(1:37)
February 13, 2012
Pittsburgh Steelers Cutting Ties with Hines Ward
Steeler black and yellow goes hand-in-hand with WR Hines Ward, but fans may see Ward in another uniform come next season.
(1:59)
February 13, 2012
Air Force to Provide iPads in Cockpits
The United States Air Force is following the lead of the airline industry and transitioning to paperless cockpits using tablet computers.
(1:33)
February 13, 2012
Palin Fires Up CPAC Crowd
Analyst debate how will Sarah Palin's speech impact the GOP race?
(1:46)
February 13, 2012
Media Runs Rampant With Houston Death Speculation
Just after Houston’s death news broke, the media began to speculate on the cause behind it.
(2:08)
February 12, 2012
Obama’s 2013 Budget Invests in Infrastructure, Raises Taxes
The proposed budget sends more money to transportation, cuts from military spending and relies on tax increases for high-income Americans.
(2:23)
February 12, 2012
Al Qaeda Increasingly Involved in Syria
Al Qaeda's leader urged followers to join anti-Assad rebels. U.S. officials claim the organization is already responsible for several bombings.
(1:46)
February 12, 2012
Will 'Lin-Sanity' Last Long?
Undrafted Jeremy Lin might be the next great NBA star, but can he sustain his high level of play?
(2:23)
February 12, 2012
Grammys Preview: What to Expect
From Adele's comeback performance to the always-surprising Kanye West to a last-minute Whitney Houston tribute, find out what to watch for tonight.
(1:58)
February 12, 2012
Sunday Soundbite Analysis 02/12/12
Chief of Staff Jack Lew, speaks about the fragile US economy and Obama’s controversial policy.
(3:10)
February 12, 2012
Whitney Houston Dies at 48
Whitney Houston had won 6 Grammys, 2 Emmys, 16 Billboard Music Awards and 23 Music Awards.
(2:37)
February 12, 2012
Did John Wayne Gacy Have An Accomplice?
New theories from two Chicago attorneys suggest the infamous serial killer did not work alone.
(2:17)
February 12, 2012
Madonna Stalker Recaptured After Escape
Madonna stalker Robert Dewey Hoskins escaped from a mental institution a week ago. On Friday, officers picked up Hoskins on a sidewalk in Long Beach.
(1:21)
February 12, 2012

Newsy