National Security: Obama on the Record — PICTURES

IRAQ: Obama oversaw the with­drawal of all U.S. forces from the country according to a time line negotiated by his predecessor. But he has failed to stem Iraq’s increasingly authoritarian leanings. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

COUNTERTERRORISM: The president ordered the strike in Pakistan that killed Osama bin Laden. Drone attacks there, in Yemen, and in Somalia have risen sharply since Obama took office and have largely decimated al-Qaida. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

"DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL": Obama managed the repeal of provisions barring openly gay troops from serving in the armed forces. The policy change has proceeded smoothly, partly thanks to support from Adm. Mike Mullen, his first chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

AFGHANISTAN: In shifting from a counter­terrorism strategy to a counter­insurgency campaign, the president tripled the number of U.S. forces in the country. He is now pivoting back to the earlier mission. ((AP Photo/Kevin Lamarque, Pool))