Assessment of Planning for Transitioning the Security Assistance Mission in Iraq from Department of Defense to Department of State Authority
Abstract
Our purpose was to determine whether U.S. Government goals, objectives, plans, and guidance were issued and operative for transitioning the Security Assistance Mission in Iraq from the Department of Defense (DoD) to Department of State (DOS) authority; and whether ongoing efforts to provide security assistance to Iraq were adversely impacted by the drawdown. We visited or contacted governmental organizations in the United States and in Iraq that were responsible for providing security assistance to Iraq. We also visited the Office of Military Cooperation in Egypt and the U.S. Military Training Mission in Saudi Arabia. At the time of our assessment, detailed goals, objectives, plans, and guidance had been sufficiently developed and were operative for transitioning security assistance from DoD to DOS authority. However, planning for establishing an enduring Office of Security Cooperation in Iraq received a lower priority to planning for the withdrawal of U.S. forces. The planning for the Office of Security Cooperation succeeded largely due to the singular efforts of an ad hoc cadre of strategic planners operating within United States Forces-Iraq. Despite determining that detailed planning to accomplish transitioning the security assistance function was sufficiently developed and operative, we identified general shortcomings in joint doctrine. Also, an up-to-date U.S. Central Command Theater Security Cooperation Plan as it applied to Iraq could have better informed the planning process.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 25, 2011
- Accession Number
- ADA576468
Entities
People
- Kenneth P. Moorefield
Organizations
- Office of the Inspector General, U.S. Department of Defense