COSTELLO: On the morning of December 18th, 2011, the last U.S. troops crossed over into Kuwait from Iraq effectively ending our country's on-the-ground military involvement in Iraq. Many held Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki's government would usher in an era of reconciliation and people working together regardless of their ethnic background. But as we see, the violence is continuing to escalate. It is clear to some that two years later, things are getting worse in Iraq. CNN's Michael Holmes has covered the region extensively traveling to Iraq 14 times. He is in Baghdad today. Hi, Michael.</s>HOLMES: Hi, carol. Yes, that's right. I was there that day that the U.S. forces crossed over from Iraq into Kuwait ending America's war in that country. It certainly didn't end the war for Iraqis. Nouri Al- Maliki as you said, he was voted in promising inclusion, power sharing, keeping everyone in the fold. It hasn't happened that way. Today, we also spoke with the first prime minister after Saddam Hussein. A secular politician who was very popular here. He had harsh words for Nouri Al-Maliki, called him authoritarian, said he is leading a one-man band and completely isolating Sunnis. He wasn't all that complimentary of the United States. They say their support for him has been without enough. I don't know. Sort of suspicion about his motives, they say that the U.S. needs to apply more pressure. Have a listen.
Critics Slam Government Headed By Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki