The Iraqi Security Forces: The Challenge of Sectarian and Ethnic Influences

Abstract

The Bush Administration has deemed the creation of an effective Iraqi fighting force that is representative of Iraqi society at large as key to stabilizing Iraq and expediting the eventual withdrawal of U.S. forces. However, there is concern that sectarian killings, terrorism, and insurgency are undermining U.S. efforts to create a unified Iraqi military that can prevent internal violence from metastasizing into a larger civil war among Sunnis, Shiites, and Kurds. According to the December 2006 Iraq Study Group Report, Significant questions remain about the ethnic composition and loyalties of some Iraqi units specifically, whether they will carry out missions on behalf of national goals instead of a sectarian agenda. The 110th Congress may address issues concerning the reforming of Iraq's security forces.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 18, 2007
Accession Number
ADA468575

Entities

People

  • Jeremy M. Sharp

Organizations

  • Library of Congress

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Autonomy
  • Human Systems
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Chemical Weapons
  • Civil War
  • Congress
  • Contingency Operations (Military)
  • Governments
  • Military Operations
  • Military Training
  • National Governments
  • New York
  • Police
  • Sectarian Violence
  • Security
  • Societies
  • Training
  • United States
  • War
  • Warfare

Fields of Study

  • Sociology

Readers

  • Maritime Combat Support and Expeditionary Logistics.
  • Political Violence and Terrorism Studies.