Kent State University Political Science Department chairman Steven Hook says President Obama's announcement that all American troops would be out of Iraq by year's end fulfilled a campaign promise. It also showed that the President realizes Americans are more worried about the economy and jobs than foreign policy right now. " I think the main motivation here is to make it clear we're on schedule with this withdrawal from Iraq, and that we really need to turn our attention to problems closer to home," says Hook.

Hook tells AkronNewsNow President Obama didn't please everyone with his announcement. " He would have been criticized if he left troops there, and he may be criticized for not leaving troops there. But this conflict has been going on a long time, and as we well know we have problems here at home to deal with."

Hook says the U.S. is a weaker super power. " The United States is struggling in terms of its own economy, and its ability to project power overseas. We can't do everything. We can't be the world's policeman. For Obama job one is to get out of Iraq and finish the job in Afghanistan," says Hook.