Policy Watch: What now in Iraq?

Abstract

"The recently released Iraq Study Group report has warned against ""an open-ended commitment to keep large numbers of (U.S.) troops in Iraq."" It calls for the withdrawal of all American combat brigades by early 2008, and for the U.S. mission to ""evolve to one of supporting the Iraqi army, which would take over primary responsibility for combat operations."" The Report further recommends that, ""If the Iraqi government does not make substantial progress toward ... national reconciliation, security, and governance, the United States should reduce its political, military, or economic support for the Iraqi government."" What all this means is that the United States should make one final effort to stabilize Iraq in 2007, but if this does not succeed, it should begin to draw down its involvement there in early 2008 -- ahead of the American elections later that year."