Paul Rieckhoff says he once was fooled into thinking the Iraq war was over . More than 4,400 American families are forever shattered , having lost a son or a daughter or a mother or a brother . The former U.S. ambassador to Germany said in an interview with German public broadcaster ARD that he had been duped by a group of Iraqi soldiers who told him they were from the U.S.-led coalition and wanted Whatever happens after U.S. troops leave Iraq , the war will continue for America . He says it could cost up to $ 1 trillion to care for the Iraq , Afghanistan veterans .
Paul Rieckhoff says he once was fooled into thinking the Iraq war was over . The former U.S. ambassador to Germany said in an interview with German public broadcaster ARD that he had been duped by a group of Iraqi soldiers who told him they were from the U.S.-led coalition and wanted Whatever happens after U.S. troops leave Iraq , the war will continue for America . He says it could cost up to $ 1 trillion to care for the Iraq , Afghanistan veterans .