Following President Obama’s recent statements, The Christian Science Monitor asks whether “US military operations in Iraq will come to an end?”  

“Probably not, say senior US military officials. Though US troops were ostensibly sent in to help avoid a humanitarian crisis – bringing to 1,000 the number of US service members in the country – ‘many’ will stay ‘to protect American citizens and facilities,’ Rear Admiral Kirby said. ‘The situation in Iraq remains dangerous, and our efforts there are not over.’”  

“The fact that US troops will be staying in Iraq raises some pointed questions for US policy, and for the Pentagon tasked for carrying it out.”