Helping Defeat the Iraqi Insurgency by Sealing Iraq's Borders
Abstract
Since the defeat of Saddam Hussein's Army during Operation Iraqi Freedom, several factors are contributing to the growing insurgency within Iraq. One such factor is the existence of porous borders between Iraq and its neighboring nations, allowing insurgents and materiel to stream across Iraq's national borders, thereby creating political, military, and economic havoc within Iraq. Insurgents externally provided with additional arms, personnel, equipment, and financing can easily reverse any short- or long-term political, military, and economic gains achieved by Coalition forces in Iraq. In fact, Iraq will not stabilize until the Iraqi borders are effectively sealed. Once this is accomplished, the United States and Iraqi governments can apply all available elements of national power to ensure successful democratization and stabilization efforts within Iraq. The problem is determining how to secure the vast Iraqi border. This Strategy Research Project will begin with a historical review of the correlation between successful insurgencies and external support. It will then cover the characteristics and the associated problems with the present Iraqi borders. Finally, this paper will propose a barrier system to seal the Iraqi borders, based on available technologies, and provide recommendations on how and where to implement it.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 2007
- Accession Number
- ADA469610
Entities
People
- Frank E. Skirlo
Organizations
- United States Army War College