"Over seven years before, American troops and coalition partners fought their way across similar highways. This time no shots were fired, just a convoy of brave Americans making their way home," said Obama in a speech from the Oval Office.

It was a historic day as American troops withdraw from Iraq. Obama said the Iraqi people now have the lead responsibility for the security of their country.

"Iraq certainly wants to have the country given back to them. They've expressed the desire to have the U.S. withdraw. But you make a good point, of whether or not they're actually ready. I think this advice and assist role is going to bare that out," said Dr. Jose Villalobos.

Villalobos is an assistant political science professor from UTEP who specializes in studying presidential power and politics. Villalobos explains that many up to 50,000 troops will stay as long as the end of next year to help train the country's forces and operate counterterrorism missions. But critics say Iraq is not ready to stand on it's own and a civil war could be looming. So, there's no telling how long American troops will stay in Iraq. But Villalobos said, just like in other countries, American troops will always have a presence there.

"Most analyst hope that the U.S. will have a growing positive relationship with Iraq and there will always be some amount of troops there. Hopefully in a sort of cooperative fashion," said Villalobos.

Obama is sending more troops to Afghanistan, the home base of the Sept. 11 al-Qaida terrorists.

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