Washington, D.C. -- As Congressional defense committees are briefed on the details of President Obama's plans for the redeployment of U.S. troops in Iraq, I'm relieved that responsibility for these critical policy decisions has returned to the Oval Office.  The Bush Administration was so determined to force a military solution to a political challenge that they increasingly deferred to military leaders for the most important decisions on U.S. foreign policy.  In fact, we witnessed a gradual abrogation of responsibility to theater military commanders. 

Almost every question was deflected: "Our commanders in the field will tell us the best way to proceed," or “I will ask our commanders on the ground.”  While it made political sense for a president with very low public support and even less credibility to put a military face on all decisions about Iraq and Afghanistan, it raised questions about who was setting foreign policy. 

Today, we're engaged in another debate about Iraq and Afghanistan, but this time, it's about how quickly we can bring our troops home.  And, if there were any doubts about who is ultimately responsible for U.S. foreign policy, this President has dispelled them.  There are active discussions with Congress over withdrawal dates and troop numbers, but the basic elements of President Obama's policy reflect the process laid out in 2007 in the Tanner-Abercrombie Iraq Redeployment bill, which passed the House 377-46.  The legislation called for the Pentagon to end U.S. combat missions and begin immediate planning for the redeployment of U.S. forces from Iraq.  It was, of course, opposed by the White House.  President Obama has embraced those concepts, and now he and Congress are working together to end the war in Iraq and determine the best way to proceed in Afghanistan.

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