Operation Iraqi Freedom: Strategies, Approaches, Results, and Issues for Congress
Abstract
Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) was launched on March 20, 2003. The immediate goal, as stated by the Bush Administration, was to remove the regime, including destroying its ability to use weapons of mass destruction or to make them available to terrorists. The broad, longer-term objective included helping Iraqis build a new Iraq that is prosperous and free. 1 In October 2002, Congress had authorized the President to use force against Iraq, to defend the national security of the United States against the continuing threat posed by Iraq, and to enforce all relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions regarding Iraq. 2 Over time, the focus of OIF has shifted from regime removal to the more open ended mission of helping an emerging new Iraqi leadership improve security, establish a system of governance, and foster economic development. With that shift in focus, the character of the war has evolved from major combat operations to a multifaceted counter-insurgency and reconstruction effort. The next major marker in the development of U.S. Iraq strategy and practice is likely to be the update reports to the Congress from U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker and Commanding General of the Multi-National Force-Iraq (MNF-I) General David Petraeus, expected in early April 2008. A second major marker is the expected signing of a security framework agreement between the governments of the United States and Iraq, due by July 31, 2008, and aimed at delineating the parameters for the presence of U.S. personnel in Iraq after December 31, 2008. The most important short-term OIF issue for the Congress concerns the next steps after the surge the military strategies and approaches to be adopted in Iraq after U.S. forces draw down to the pre-surge level.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 22, 2008
- Accession Number
- ADA477703
Entities
People
- Catherine M. Dale
Organizations
- Library of Congress