President Makes Surprise Visit to Iraq

Given security concerns, the visits of the President are often clouded in secrecy.

BAGHDAD (Catholic Online) - Upon concluding his European visit in Turkey, President Obama made an unannounced, "secret" visit to Iraq Tuesday.

This unannounced visit is similar to such visits taken by his predecessor in office.

Given security concerns, the visits of the President are often clouded in secrecy.

At the final stop in Turkey, the President addressed a group of Muslim students in Istanbul addressing his concerns over the proper removal of troops from Iraq in a manner which would not lead to a "collapse into violence."

During the Presidential Campaign, then candidate Obama was presented as having opposed the initial incursion into Iraq.

However, since assuming office, his approach to the process of ending American involvement has not actually differed from the strategy set forth by his former rival on the campaign trail, Senator John McCain.

This is the President's third trip to Iraq but only his first since assuming office.

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