As U.S. Combat Troop Depart: What is the Outlook for Iraq?

The last U.S. combat brigade left late last week, and Operation Iraqi Freedom is being transformed into a support role called Operation New Dawn. The new mission primarily involves training for the Iraq National Army, and America is taking a back seat. However, the war is not over and just last week the Islamic State of Iraq, an al-Qaeda front group, asserted responsibility for a suicide bombing that killed more than 50 Iraqi army applicants. The top U.S. military commander in Iraq, Gen. Ray Odierno, will give up his post next week, and a new U.S. ambassador arrived last week. Now, as the United States formally concludes its combat role on Aug. 31, it is time to ask: What will happen to Iraq?