President Barack Obama says after nearly a decade of war, “the American combat mission in Iraq has ended.” In an Oval Office speech, he declared that the Iraqi people “now have lead responsibility for the security of their country.” And Obama praised the “courage and resolve” of U.S. troops.

The President spent part of his televised speech talking about the economy. He calls it “our most urgent task,” saying that for too long we’ve put off tough decisions on manufacturing, energy, and education reform. Obama says war spending has shortchanged other investments.