reason why they didn't leave u.s. troops behind in iraq is there was not a status of forces agreement that maliki would agree to that would, among other things, free u.s. troops of any liability if iraqi civilians would be killed. bottom line, in afghanistan the president has signaled he's going to leave behind at least 9800 u.s. troops. at least he's trying to leave some u.s. troops behind to lock in some security gains. but think about what the statements we've heard from white house officials. "the washington post" has a blistering you would to have y'all quoting dennis mcdonough, the white house chief of staff, who back in 2011 said iraq's a success. there's been stability on the ground. that is obviously erased. bill: thank you, ed henry life in washington. patti ann has more now. patti ann: what does the pentagon have to say about all of this in fox news national security correspondent jennifer driven els us what -- griffin tells us what the reaction is there. >> reporter: hi, patti ann.