Obama Plans Major Speech on Iraq Aug. 31 to Mark Troop Drawdown

Continuing efforts to call attention to the draw-down of U.S. troops in Iraq, the White House on Sunday announced that President Obama will make a major speech addressing the U.S. war in Iraq on Aug. 31. The date marks the deadline set by the president for the exit of all U.S. combat forces from the country -- though 50,000 non-combat troops will remain until the end of 2011 (a deadline set by former President Bush). According to the White House, the remaining forces will "train and advise Iraqi Security Forces; conduct partnered and targeted counterterrorism operations; and protect ongoing U.S. civilian and military efforts."

With an increasingly complicated picture emerging in Afghanistan, the White House has sought to underscore positive progress in Iraq, especially as Democrats head into the midterm elections this November. On Aug. 3, in a speech to the Disabled Veterans of America in Atlanta, the president touted the withdrawal of American forces as "on schedule, as promised." Despite this, the president has been careful not to say the actual words "mission accomplished" -- instead balancing any positive pronouncements with a stern warning that the struggle is not yet over. "There are still those with bombs and bullets who will try to stop Iraq's progress," said the president in his Atlanta speech. "The hard truth is that we have not seen an end to American sacrifice in Iraq."

Obama is expected to be similarly cautious in his remarks next week. In an interview with the New York Times, Denis R. McDonough, chief of staff of the National Security Council, said, "Does anybody believe the violence is going to stop entirely and the opponents to stability and progress in Iraq are going to stand down? No. But we do know that the Iraqi security forces are in a position to take that role on themselves increasingly."

This cautious optimism -- an attempt to rally a dispirited and increasingly skeptical American public -- will no doubt be echoed from all corners of the administration in the coming weeks. On Monday, Vice President Biden is scheduled to discuss Iraq at a speech for the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Indianapolis.

While Aug. 19 saw the actual exit of the last U.S. combat brigade from the country, President Obama made only passing mention of the fact in two fundraising speeches delivered that week. His address at the end of the month is expected to be much higher profile, with aides discussing whether he will meet with returning troops. The president is presently on vacation in Martha's Vineyard, but sources expect details on the speech to be released in the coming days.