Iraq: Post-Saddam Governance and Security
Abstract
As it left office, the Bush Administration claimed it was handing off to President Obama a security environment in Iraq that is vastly improved over that which prevailed during 2005-2007. It attributes that turnaround to the troop surge announced by President Bush on January 10, 2007 ( New Way Forward ). Recent Defense Department reports assess that overall violence is down at least 65% from late 2007 levels, to levels not seen since 2004. A major issue is that President Obama has indicated that stabilizing Afghanistan should be a higher priority for the United States than Iraq and has reportedly indicated to U.S. commanders that the U.S. presence in Iraq needs to begin shrinking. However, some U.S. commanders say that the progress in Iraq is fragile and could be jeopardized by a too rapid draw-down and are reportedly recommending gradual reductions in U.S. forces and continued building of Iraq s security forces. A slow draw down would allow time for further political progress to produce a unified, democratic Iraq that can govern and defend itself and is an ally in the war on terror. A U.S.-Iraq status of forces agreement (SOFA), ratified by Iraq s parliament on November 27, 2008, mandates a U.S. withdrawal by the end of 2011, although President Obama has said a residual presence of U.S. forces might be needed beyond that time.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 05, 2009
- Accession Number
- ADA493887
Entities
People
- Kenneth Katzman
Organizations
- Library of Congress