Crossroads in Iraq

Abstract

The U.S. is at a crossroads in Iraq and the time has come to implement a long- term plan for the future of U.S. forces operating inside the newly formed democracy. The country of Iraq has stabilized significantly during the last eight months and the U.S. needs to leverage this opportunity to shift to a fresh approach for future utilization of U.S. forces operating inside Iraq. This paper will address complete and partial withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq, and the subsequent potential ramifications of repositioning U.S. personnel and equipment from Iraq by predetermined timelines, or by linking a drawdown to the operating environment within Iraq. This essay will conclude that an extended presence of U.S. forces within Iraq is the best solution for continued stability within Iraq and the Middle East.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 17, 2008
Accession Number
ADA479077

Entities

People

  • Thomas E. Kelly

Organizations

  • United States Army War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Human Systems
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Civil War
  • Contractors
  • Department Of Defense
  • Employment
  • Governments
  • Iraqi-War
  • Logistics
  • Military Personnel
  • Military Science
  • National Governments
  • National Security
  • Personnel Management
  • Quick Reaction Force
  • United States
  • War
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Military and Counterinsurgency Studies.
  • Systems Analysis and Design