Farewell

Bush Lands in Baghdad

Makes fourth and final nonsurprise surprise visit.

Bush’s eight years in the White House will be remembered for two things: the September 11 attacks and the Iraq war. In a valedictory visit to Iraq, where violence has been down significantly from two years ago, Bush has arrived in Baghdad to say his goodbyes. In the light of Iraq’s frail efforts at democracy, the outgoing president says history must be the final judge of whether his Iraq policy was worthwhile. Robert Gates, the present and future defense secretary, who has just returned from Baghdad, says the American mission in Iraq has reached its “endgame.” But a defense spokesman traveling with Gates said he expected American combat troops to remain in Iraqi cities beyond June.