Half Full or Half Empty? An Assessment of the Crocker Report on Iraqi Economic Conditions
Abstract
Ambassador Crocker's report to Congress on the progress made by the Iraqi economy is cautiously optimistic--clearly some progress is finally taking place. The encouraging news is that in some areas improved security is "stimulating revival of markets, with the active participation of local communities. War damage is being cleared and buildings repaired, roads and sewers built and commerce energized." On the other hand the Ambassador went on to note that the "Iraqi economy is performing significantly under potential." As for the U.S. economic strategy in Iraq, Ambassador Crocker implicitly acknowledged a shift from the failed top-down, large infrastructure project approach that characterized the initial economic strategy to one focused on local development, and community-based support programs. On the surface, Ambassador Crocker's assessment suggests that the shift in U.S. economic strategy in Iraq is finally on the road to successes after years of accomplishing little in the way of tangible gains in employment and improved standards of living for the vast majority of Iraqi citizens. Is this optimism warranted? Or, are there still serious problems lurking beneath the surface? Are there other forces at work that cast doubt on the sustainability of the country's recent economic successes?
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 2007
- Accession Number
- ADA519820
Entities
People
- Robert E. Looney
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School