When Lance Corporal Christopher S. Thompson re-entered the U.S., he considered himself happy to be home. After spending nearly seven months serving in Iraq, his outlook on life had changed completely.

“We were trained from boot to believe it was going to be WWIII. What it actually turned out to be was the complete opposite of what had been ingrained in our skulls from day one. You have to realize that it was kind of a let down.” Thompson said.

Since the Iraq war started five years ago, the U.S. has lost over 4,000 soldiers. Thompson added that his superiors told his platoon they were the most successful deployment to date, accomplishing most of their objectives and not losing a single soldier.

When asked about whether continuing the war is a good idea, Thompson added that he thought that it was a good idea. He said that the Iraqi people were greedy at times, and that living with a dictator changed the way that they acted towards any acts of kindness. Basically, he said, whoever had the biggest toys won the hearts of the scared citizens.

“Going to war is like fighting a bully or a kid at school. Some fights are one-hitter quitters you hit him, he hits the floor. But some times you get a kid who’s little but he’s strong or you fight someone who knows what they’re doing and it’s gonna take a little more to beat them.”

The Iraq war has remained one of controversy, especially in this year’s presidential election. Between the race for the Democratic party and the Republican nominee, Iraq is a key issue that remains one of the most controversial.

For democratic nominees Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, their strategy lies in getting the troops home. Their focus lies in withdrawing the troops from the country while at the same time making sure that they come home safely.

According to Senator Clinton’s website:

“Our message to the president is clear. It is time to begin ending this war -- not next year, not next month -- but today.”

Senator Obama added his own thoughts during an event in Iowa in September of last year.

“Too many took the President at his word instead of reading the intelligence for themselves. Congress gave the President the authority to go to war. Our only opportunity to stop the war was lost.” Obama said.

For republican nominee John McCain, his strategy heads the opposite direction. He believes that by sending more forces into Iraq, that they can strengthen their fragile new government.

“A greater military commitment now is necessary if we are to achieve long-term success in Iraq.” McCain’s website said.

Both sides seem rather committed to the issue, while each has taken one end of the spectrum. Either way, only time will tell what the Iraqi people’s future is. For now, their country’s backdrop is filled full of military forces against the desert sunset.