Iraq: Post-Saddam Governance and Security
Abstract
Operation Iraqi Freedom succeeded in overthrowing Saddarn Hussein, but Iraq remains unstable because of Sunni Arab resenfl%ent and a related insurgency, compounded by burgeoning sectarian violence. According to its November 30,2005, %%Strategy for Victory," the Bush Administration indicates that U.S. forces will remain in Iraq until the country is able to provide for its own security and does not serve as a host for radical Islamic terrorists. President Bush has said he believes that, over the longer ten%, Iraq will become a model for relon% throughout the Middle East and a partner in the global war on teuonsm. However, mounting U.S. casualties and financial costs without clear signs of security progress have intensified a debate within the United States over the wisdom ofthe invasion and whether to wind down U.S. involvement without completely accomphshing U.S. goals. President Bush, particularly after a visit to Baghdad on June 13, 2006, has asserted that U.S. policy in Iraq is showing important successes, demonstrated by two elections (January and December 2005) that chose an intenm and then a full- ten% pafliament and goverm%ent, a referendm% that adopted a pen%anent constitution (October 15,2005), progress in building Iraq's security forces, and economic growth. While continuing to build, equip, and train Iraqi security units, the Administration has been working to include more Sunni Arabs in the power structure, particularly the security institutions; Sunnis were dominant during the regime of Saddam Hussein but now feel marginalized by the newly dominant Shiite Arabs and Kurds. The Administration believes that it has largely healed a rift with some European countries over the decision to invade Iraq, and it points to NATO and other nations' contributions of training for Iraqi security forces and goverm%ent personnel.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 05, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA474668
Entities
People
- Kenneth Katzman
Organizations
- Library of Congress