Barack Obama, February 10, 2007 Presidential Campaign Announcement Speech<ref name=announcement />}}Ultimately, it was the Status of Forces Agreement signed by George W. Bush on November 17, 2008 which forced U.S. combat troops to withdraw from Iraq's cities, villages, and localities by June 30, 2009, and from Iraq entirely by December 31, 2011.<ref>(2008, November 17). "[http://graphics8.nytimes.com/packages/pdf/world/20081119_SOFA_FINAL_AGREED_TEXT.pdf Agreement Between the United States of America and the Republic of Iraq On the Withdrawal of United States from Iraq and the Organization of Their Activities during Their Temporary Presence in Iraq]." Article 24. Withdrawal of the United States Forces from Iraq. Hosted by ''[[The New York Times]]''.<br>Office of the Press Secretary (2008, November 27). "[http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2008/11/20081127-1.html Statement by the President on Agreements with Iraq]." ''[[The White House]]''.</ref> Obama privately contacted the Iraq government in an attempt to persuade them to let 10,000 troops stay, but was rejected.<ref>Froomkin, D. (2011, October 26). "[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/26/obama-iraq_n_1032507.html Ending the War in Iraq: How Obama's Own Rhetoric - And George Bush's Pact - Boxed in the President]." ''[[Huffington Post]]''.</ref> Newsweek's Michael Ware accused Obama of a "War Crime" for "''falsely taking credit for finally bringing Iraq to a close—a war actually ended by the Bush administration back in 2008''" and stated, "''The U.S. troops who fought and died in that war, the Iraqis who perished, and the American people deserve far better.''"<ref>Ware, M. (2011, October 24). "[http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2011/10/24/obamas-war-crime-taking-credit-from-bush-adminsitration-for-ending-the-iraq-war.html Obama's War Crime]." ''[[Newsweek]]''. U.S. Politics.</ref> The last of Iraq's combat troops have now been withdrawn because of Bush's Status of Forces Agreement which Obama took credit for.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.cnn.com/2011-12-17/middleeast/world_meast_iraq-troops-leave_1_1st-cavalry-division-camp-adder-troop-movements?_s=PM:MIDDLEEAST|work=[[CNN]]|title=Obama: Last U.S. troops leave Iraq|date=December 17, 2011|language=English}}</ref>
====Guantanamo Bay====
On November 16, 2008, in an interview with Steve Kroft of [[CBS]]'s ''[[60 Minutes]]'' program, Barack Obama promised to close [[Guantanamo Bay Detention Facility]] by [[Executive Order]], "to regain America's [[moral]] stature in the world."<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQXZoM__vU0 60 Minutes: Obama Reiterates Promise To Close Guantanamo Bay]. Youtube.</ref> A press release on January 22, 2009 claimed Obama ordered closing the camp within the year.<ref>[https://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/ClosureOfGuantanamoDetentionFacilities Closure Of Guantanamo Detention Facilities ] [[White House]]</ref> In January 2013 President Obama signed an authorization refusing to allow the transfer of detainees from Guantanamo.<ref>[http://www.democracynow.org/seo/2013/1/8/4_years_after_vow_to_close Years After Vow to Close Gitmo, Why Has Obama Signed NDAA Bill Barring Transfer of Its Prisoners?].</ref> As of the president's second inaugural, the promise to regain America's moral stature remained unfulfilled.
====Iran====