Poll: Was the Iraq War Worth Fighting?

President Obama announced Friday that the last U.S. soldiers will leave Iraq by Dec. 31, ending an almost nine-year American presence that took the lives of more than 4,400 U.S. troops—including one —and tens of thousands of Iraqis.

The United States had previously agreed to exit Iraq by the end of the year and leave 3,000 to 5,000 troops in Iraq as trainers, but after failed negotiations with the Iraqi government, as few as 150 troops will remain in the Middle Eastern country. The current military presence in Iraq stands at just under 40,000.

"As promised, the rest of our troops in Iraq will come home by the end of the year," Obama said. "After nearly nine years, America's war in Iraq will be over."

The Bush administration sent U.S. and coalition troops into Iraq in March 2003, arguing that Iraqi ruler Saddam Hussein was aiding Al Qaeda terrorists and developing weapons of mass destruction. While Iraq was quickly defeated and Saddam Hussein eventually captured and executed, it took another 8 years before the Iraqi government and security forces were strong enough for the U.S. to withdraw. 

Was the invasion of Iraq worthwhile? Vote in our poll or tell us in the comments.