The War in Iraq

In this video, Lt. Col. Timothy Whalen provides an hour-long interview from Baghdad on March 7, 2008 with editors of the newspaper discussing a wide range of topics on the war in Iraq. He talks about the downward trend in violence and the impact of the Surge; the focus on capacity building while securing the population.

On Operation Thank You, where the “great people at home keep us going,” he lauded the unbelievable outpouring of generosity from Westfield, Cranford, Scotch Plains – the area and via St. Helens Catholic Church). He said the support has a tremendous impact on the young soldiers that are committed to selfless service.

Col. Whalen discusses the meaning of Exit Strategy and timing; the human tragedy for the people of Iraq; What the American public can do to help; the people and the culture of Iraq; the Presidential debates on the war and the impact on soldier morale; What the result would be if U.S. troops were pulled out too soon; How he and others cope with being away from home and how their your families cope.

He describes the Iraqi people's hopes for the future of their country.