Iraq

U.S. soldier in Al Asad, Iraq (June 11, 2007). DOD photo. American soldier on patrol in Iraq.

RECENT ANALYSIS

Jun 25, 2009
Should Torture Be Part of the U.S.'s Counterterrorism Approach?
President Obama decided not to release a new group of detainee abuse photographs because he believes they would inflame our enemies and threaten American troops. Indeed, the shocking photos from Abu Ghraib have served as a powerful recruiting tool for al-Qaeda and have sparked outrage across the world.
Jun 16, 2009
Congressional Add-Ons to Second FY 2009 War Supplemental (H.R. 2346/S. 1054)
As part of their work on the second FY 2009 war supplemental, members of Congress provided nearly $7 billion in “add-ons” or funds not sought by the Pentagon. Much of this additional funding is being included as part of the supplemental because these programs are controversial and might not otherwise be funded through the normal budget process.
Jun 15, 2009
Analysis of Conference Agreement on Second FY 2009 War Supplemental (H.R. 2346/S. 1054)
On June 11, House and Senate conferees approved a $105.9 billion emergency supplemental appropriations bill for the latter part of FY 2009. The bill includes $79.9 billion for the Department of Defense, primarily to fund military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, roughly $4.4 billion more than the amount sought by the administration.
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John Isaacs

CENTER EXPERT

John Isaacs

Executive Director
202-546-0795 ext.2222
jdi AT armscontrolcenter DOT org

Iraq and Afghanistan War Costs Resources

Click here to read "Implementing the President's Plan: An Outline for Action in Iraq"

Before the U.S. invasion in 2003, warnings about an insurgency developing in Iraq after Saddam Hussein's regime fell were ignored by the Bush administration. Lacking training in counterinsurgency operations, U.S. armed forces initially used aggressive offensive tactics employing heavy firepower and ignored the two fundamental principles of counterinsurgency operations: create a secure environment for the civilian population and isolate the insurgents.

This initial lack of planning and strategy, along with an insufficient number of U.S. troops, stoked the insurgency. Tens, and possibly hundreds, of thousands of Iraqi civilian casualties resulted, which in turn produced an irreversible backlash of enmity and revenge toward U.S. troops from the families, friends, and other tribal members of the Iraqi dead and wounded.

As outlined in the 2006 Iraq Study Group report, political stability and reduced violence in Iraq cannot be achieved by military force alone. A strong diplomatic surge is needed. There will be flare-ups of violence no matter how many U.S. troops remain in Iraq. Policymakers need to accept that fact. They also need to accept that diplomatic and economic initiatives can increase the chances for stability and for reducing outbreaks of violence. It is in the interests of all Middle Eastern countries that Iraq not return to violence and civil war. What is needed is a security arrangement acceptable to all Iraq’s neighbors. That means balancing Saudi and other Arab interests with Iranian interests and finding a balance that protects U.S. interests as well.

Given these realities, the United States needs to undertake an all-fronts diplomatic initiative to engage the nations of the region to help stabilize Iraq. This includes addressing the internal tensions between and among the Shia, Sunni, and Kurds, especially at flash points such as Kirkuk. Funding must be found to resettle the five million or more internal and external Iraqi refugees. Saudi Arabia and other Gulf States need to help the Iraqi Sunni population with economic development so the Sunnis can play a strong role in Iraqi politics.

There will never be a Victory in Iraq or “V-I” Day. Americans were not greeted as “liberators” at the war’s beginning, and will not be treated to parades at the war’s end. Division and sectarian conflict hopefully should continue to diminish over time despite periodic flare-ups. A more authoritarian regime may emerge or perhaps one less secular than the United States would prefer.