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Dr. Dave Weighs In On U.S. Troops Leaving Iraq

DENVER (CBS4) - Dr. Dave Hnida is CBS4's Medical Editor. He also knows firsthand what it's like to be on the ground in Iraq. Hnida enlisted in the Army after 9/11 and served several tours of duty as a combat surgeon.

On Friday, President Obama said all American troops will be pulled out of Iraq by the end of the year.
Hnida discussed his reaction to the decision on CBS4 News at 6 on Friday.

"I think you first have to look at it as any danger to American troops as Americans pull out because one of the biggest concerns is will there be one last attack there. I know that the military is making preparations just in case.

"On the other hand, you have to say well, what's going to happen after the American troops wind up leaving. Will there be a resurgence of war there? I think one thing that you need to consider is, we probably don't know the answer to that concerning the fact that the main factions in Iraq have been fighting since the year 432 A.D. So I think it's kind of impossible to say what will happen.

"The other wild card in this whole thing is what about Iran? Iran certainly a big player in that area of the world and there is concern with us leaving Iraq whether or not Iran will have a bigger footprint and influence."

Watch the entire interview with Dr. Dave below.

A book written by Hnida about his time in Iraq was honored by a Colorado arts group as one of the best books of the year. "Paradise General: Riding the Surge at a Combat Hospital in Iraq" was chosen as a Colorado Book Award winner in the Creative Nonfiction category.

LINK: Paradise General Facebook Page

LINK: Colorado Book Awards

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