Iraq and Afghanistan have been an invaluable training ground for our military in pacifying a well armed populace, and to develop new monitoring technologies such as enhanced UAVs for listening and delivering pinpoint lethal strikes to enemies of the state without trial.
Is it any wonder Obama wants those forces back here now?
A good case could be made to leave a large presence in Iraq until that country can fully defend itself against Iran, but there's no reason to continue a presence in Afghanistan.