Recently I returned from an official trip to Iraq and Afghanistan. I was honored to spend time with men and women from our Armed Forces and listen to their experiences serving overseas during wartime. And after having those conversations, meeting with foreign leaders and visiting our military bases, it is clear to me that sustainable progress has been made in Iraq. In fact, it has set the stage for a significant drawdown of troops in the months to come. But in Afghanistan, on the other hand, we are facing complex challenges and an elusive enemy.
During my time in Iraq I was able to meet with military and foreign leaders to discuss the progress that has been made so far. It's evident that violence is down - due in part to the 600,000 Iraqi security officers who have stepped up to help defend the country. But the upcoming year is critical as waves of provincial, local and national elections will be held in Iraq. These elections will enable Iraqis to democratically elect provincial representatives and national leaders that better reflect their belief systems. And while the situation in Iraq is still fragile and reversible, Americans can be proud of the fine job that our men in women in uniform have so capably done.
Meetings with President Karzai and U.S. Ambassador William Wood in Afghanistan revealed that the situation on the ground is still very fluid. Al Qaeda terrorists use Afghanistan as a staging area and often find safe haven in the northern provinces of Pakistan. Afghanistan's problems are aggravated by the lack of critical infrastructure, tribal rivalries, difficult terrain and the fact that the country has been embroiled in a consistent state of war since the 1970s. But Afghanis appear willing to take action and join local security forces to stand against the enemies that are terrorizing their country. In the coming months our nation's focus will shift to Afghanistan. And I believe we'll see major policy changes from Congress and the administration to reinforce our security presence and increase our troop levels in that part of the world.
But lost in the discussion of these military initiatives is the fact that success in both of these countries is critical to our national security. The current president and the president-elect have made tough choices to increase our forces in Afghanistan and it's evident that more tough choices are needed in the future. In contrast, our success in Iraq is evidence of a job well done. Our military came to Iraq and Afghanistan as liberators, not conquerors, determined to help the local populace build sustainable and functioning democracies. And members of our Armed Forces have paid the price for success and security. Their sacrifice will not be forgotten.
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