Iraq and Afghanistan: Security, Economic, and Governance Challenges to Rebuilding Efforts Should Be Addressed in U.S. Strategies
Abstract
From fiscal year 2001 through July 2008, Congress provided more than $808 billion to the Department of Defense (DoD) for the Global War on Terrorism, including military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Moreover, since fiscal year 2003, about $49 billion has been provided to U.S. agencies for reconstruction and stabilization in Iraq and $32 billion for similar efforts in Afghanistan since fiscal year 2002. In February 2009, President Obama announced a new U.S. strategy for Iraq and plans to develop a new comprehensive strategy for Afghanistan. This statement is based on GAO's extensive body of work -- more than 150 products since 2003 -- examining U.S. efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Since 2003, GAO has made recommendations to DoD, the Department of State, the U.S. Agency for International Development, and other agencies to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of U.S. efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan. In particular, GAO has recommended that the U.S. government develop detailed and updated strategies and operational plans to guide these efforts. The agencies have efforts under way to implement some of these recommendations.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 25, 2009
- Accession Number
- ADA495709
Entities
People
- Ann Borseth
- Burns Chamberlain
- Carole Coffey
- Jacquelyn Williams-bridgers
- Jeffrey Baldwin-bott
- Johana Ayers
- Joseph Carney
- Kathryn Bernet
- Margaret Best
- Monica Brym
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office