The Strategic Surge in Iraq: Pretense or Plan for Success?
Abstract
Less than nine months into his first term as President of the United States, George W. Bush was faced with the latest test of U.S. military might after the terrorist attacks in New York City on 11 September 2001. Thus began the prosecution of the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT). After a rapid, successful, multinational coalition military campaign in Afghanistan, President Bush pursued the second leg of the GWOT in Iraq on 19 March 2003. With limited numbers of U.S. and Coalition armed forces, the simultaneous conduct of Phase III and Phase IV operations throughout Iraq would stagnate. By the end of 2006, the security situation was spiraling out of control in the Iraqi capital. It was apparent that an adjustment in operational strategy was necessary. On 10 January 2007, President Bush announced a change of strategy in the prosecution of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) by proposing a surge of U.S. troops to succeed in the decisive ideological struggle of our time. The surge is the beginning of a shift in the strategy to bring security and stability to Iraq.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 05, 2007
- Accession Number
- ADA468961
Entities
People
- Woodrow S. Radcliffe
Organizations
- United States Army War College