This conference, presented by the Presidential Recordings Program at the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia, brings together leading scholars and journalists to explore the political and geopolitical considerations affecting the withdrawal of U.S. troops from an unpopular war. It will start with a detailed focus on Vietnam, then turn to Iraq for a reasoned approach to the historical parallels, and highlight the challenges of prosecuting and ending a war in the face of mounting criticism at home and abroad. Topics will include the role of presidential decision making; the executive-legislative struggle over policy; the military rationale of troop withdrawal; the domestic political context of these pressures; the impact of the media and public opinion; the historical legacy of the withdrawal experience; the projected and actual process of troop withdrawal; and the impact of withdrawal on host governments.

The Miller Center welcomes all U. Va. alumni returning for Reunions Weekend (www.alumni.virginia.edu/reunions) June 5–8 and invites them to attend any conference sessions of interest.

The program will be webcast and archived at http://www.millercenter.org.