Obama makes surprise visit to Iraq

After departing Turkey, Obama made a surprise visit to Iraq today. From the AP:

Shortly before leaving Turkey, the president held out Iraq as an example of the change he seeks in policies inherited from former President George W. Bush.

"Moving the ship of state takes time," he told a group of students in Istanbul. He noted his long-standing opposition to the war, yet said, "Now that we’re there," the U.S. troop withdrawal has to be done "in a careful enough way that we don’t see a collapse into violence."

It was Obama’s third trip to Iraq, and was expected to be his final stop after an eight-day trip that took him to the G-20 in London, the NATO summit in Strasbourg, Prague, Ankara, and Istanbul.

UPDATE: From Obama’s remarks to U.S. troops after meeting with Gen. Ray Odierno in Baghdad’s Al Faw Palace: "This is going to be a critical period, these next 18 months.  I was just discussing this with your commander, but I think it’s something that all of you know.  It is time for us to transition to the Iraqis.  (Applause.)  They need to take responsibility for their country and for their sovereignty.  (Applause.) And in order for them to do that, they have got to make political accommodations.  They’re going to have to decide that they want to resolve their differences through constitutional means and legal means.  They are going to have to focus on providing government services that encourage confidence among their citizens. All those things they have to do.  We can’t do it for them.  But what we can do is make sure that we are a stalwart partner …

"And so just as we thank you for what you’ve already accomplished, I want to say thank you because you will be critical in terms of us being able to make sure that Iraq is stable, that it is not a safe haven for terrorists, that it is a good neighbor and a good ally, and we can start bringing our folks home. … The last point I want to make is I know how hard it’s been on a lot of you.  You’ve been away from your families, many of you for multiple rotations.  You’ve seen buddies of yours injured and you remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. AUDIENCE:  Ooh-ah.
 
"THE PRESIDENT:  There are probably some people here who have seen children born and have been missing watching them grow up.  There are many of you who have listened to your spouse and the extraordinary sacrifices that they have to make when you’re gone.
 
"And so I want you to know that Michelle and myself are doing everything — (applause) — are doing everything we can to provide additional support for military families.  The federal budget that I have introduced increases support for military families.  We are going to do everything required to make sure that the commitment we make to our veterans is met, and that people don’t have to fight for what they have earned as a consequence of their service.
 
"The main point I want to make is we have not forgotten what you have already done, we are grateful for what you will do, and as long as I am in the White House, you are going to get the support that you need and the thanks that you deserve from a grateful nation."