Iraq Reconstruction: Time for a Plan
Abstract
On September 11 2001, the United States the last super power launched a global war on terrorism. This war on terrorism led the United States to Iraq. Operation DESERT STORM (ODS) was the template adopted and the conditions expected. The clearly defined political objective in ODS included a comprehensive end state and the restoration of the sovereignty of Kuwait. In 1990 the elements of national power were coordinated and applied prior and subsequent to combat operations. However this template had no sequel for the reconstruction or nation building of Iraq. In developing the plan for Operation IRAQI FREEDOM (OIF) assumptions and calculations were made often using the experiences and situations encountered in ODS. The political objective set in OIF was translated by the military as "regime change" with little thought to the implied mission of nation building. It has been made apparent that the plan for Iraq's reconstruction was at best, incomplete. A majority of the United States' leadership, both civilian and military, was ill prepared for post-conflict operations. This Strategic Research Project will recount the prior planning prior to OIF, the assumptions and miscalculations, historical lessons learned but forgotten and the challenges that remain in post- Saddam Hussein Iraq.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 03, 2004
- Accession Number
- ADA423333
Entities
People
- Mark D. Franklin
Organizations
- United States Army War College