Photo Diary: Obama in Baghdad

President Obama just arrived back in Washington a short time ago. He landed at Andrews Air Force Base at about 2:30 in the morning and helicoptered to the White House a few minutes later. This was one of those days where your Gaggler feels sort of overwhelmed by what she’s seen. About 24 hours ago, we started off the day trailing the president in Turkey, as he walked through one of the most historic mosques in the world. Then we went to Baghdad, where Obama spent four hours on the ground meeting with troops and Iraqi leaders in an old palace compound built by Saddam Hussein. Twelve hours later, your Gaggler was in Washington, passing the dome of the U.S. Capitol building on her way home. Wow. After the jump, more photos from the trip to Iraq.

On the tarmac, Obama was greeted by Gen. Ray Odierno, the top commander in Iraq.

Here's the motorcade. Obama rode in an SUV like this, with some sort of antenna that was hooked to a tire mounted on the roof.

The drive to Camp Victory

Al Faw Palace, built by Saddam Hussein to mark the Iraq's re-taking of the Al Faw peninsula during the Iran/Iraq war.

The palace was huge with immaculate stone and marble work. At the entrance, it appeared likely as it did the day it was completed. But then, you turned the corner and saw a sign of war: sandbags in the windows.

Upon arrival, Obama met with Odierno and other military officials in a massive bedroom that has been converted into an office.

Here's Obama speaking to the troops.

Afterward, Obama went to a palace across the lake from Al Faw where Gen. Odierno now lives and met with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki and President Jalal Talibani, seen here. About an hour later, Obama boarded a darkened Air Force One and headed back to Washington.