Iraq: Post-Saddam Governance and Security
Abstract
The Obama Administration is facing a security environment in Iraq vastly improved over that which prevailed during 2005-2007, although still not completely peaceful or without potential to deteriorate significantly. The "turnaround" has been widely attributed to the "troop surge" announced by President Bush on January 10, 2007 ("New Way Forward"). Recent Defense Department reports assess that overall frequency of violence is down to levels not seen since 2003, yet insurgents are still able to conduct high profile attacks in several major cities. These attacks have not caused a modification of the February 27, 2009, announcement by President Obama that all U.S. combat brigades would be withdrawn by August 31, 2010, leaving a residual presence of 35,000 - 50,000 U.S. trainers, advisers, and mentors, with these to be withdrawn by the end of 2011. This drawdown is in line with a U.S.-Iraq "Security Agreement," ratified by Iraq's parliament on November 27, 2008.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 08, 2009
- Accession Number
- ADA501335
Entities
People
- Kenneth Katzman
Organizations
- Library of Congress