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More Americans to Fight in Iraq
President Bush has announced a plan to send 21,500 more A¨merican soldiers to Iraq. He hopes that added troop strength will help keep the peace and improve chances for that country's young democracy.
The increase would bring the total to 153,000 American troops in Iraq. President Bush hopes that sending more soldiers will help keep the peace, especially in the capital of Baghdad. He believes that will make our country safer, too. The President explained his point of view on the NewsHour, saying "If we fail in Iraq, there is a better likelihood that the enemy comes and hurts us here."
Not everyone believes that the president is right. Many in Congress say this is not a good reason to send more troops. Most people are upset that young Americans are dying, including those who support the war. They believe Iraqis, not Americans, should be responsible for providing security and rebuilding their country.
Iraq is a country in the Middle East. It is bordered by Iran and Saudi Arabia. United States soldiers have been there since 2003, when leaders in our government believed that country's president, Saddam Hussein, had weapons that he might use to hurt innocent people. They felt that the Middle East and the rest of the world would be safer if Hussein were defeated. Now, the country has a new government. But after nearly four years of war, hundreds of thousands of Iraqis have died. Over 3,000 American troops have been killed trying to keep the peace. And two Muslim groups in Iraq - the Sunni and the Shia - are fighting each other for control of their country with no end in sight.
I'm Michelle and that's what happened in our world this week.
Now find out where the news is happening by playing this week's Pinpoint game!
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