Where We Live: What's Next For Iraq?

The last US combat troops have left Iraq.  It marks a new stage in a long war – that displaced Saddam Hussein, but also cost thousands of US and Iraqi lives. 

The much discussed “timeline for withdrawl” has – by some accounts – provided incentive for the Iraqi government to train its own military force to provide security.  But, some Iraqis, like Nada Naji – a woman in Baghdad – worry that violence will escalate when US troops are gone.

Of course, the US isn’t completely pulling out of the country.  Some 50 thousand troops will remain – and the state department will play a larger role in training, security and that means US civilians on the ground.

Scott Bates is one of those civilians.  He’s a Connecticut resident – and former Senior Policy advisor for the House Homeland Security committee.  He’s on a democracy assistance program in Northern Iraq – and that’s where we reached him.