Security in Iraq
Security in Iraq: A Framework for Analyzing Emerging Threats as U.S. Forces Leave
David C. Gompert
Terrence K. Kelly
Jessica Watkins
Copyright Date: 2010
Published by: RAND Corporation
Pages: 96
https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.7249/mg911osd
Search for reviews of this book
Book Info
Security in Iraq
Book Description:

U.S. withdrawal could affect Iraq's internal security and stability, which could, in turn, affect U.S. strategic interests and the safety of U.S. troops and civilians in Iraq. U.S. policy-makers need a dynamic analytic framework with which to examine the shifting motivations and capabilities of the actors that affect Iraq's security. Within this framework, the United States should be able to contribute to continued strengthening of the internal security and stability of Iraq even as it withdraws its forces.

eISBN: 978-0-8330-5027-4
Subjects: Political Science, History
You do not have access to this book on JSTOR. Try logging in through your institution for access.
Log in to your personal account or through your institution.
Table of Contents
Export Selected Citations Export to NoodleTools Export to RefWorks Export to EasyBib Export a RIS file (For EndNote, ProCite, Reference Manager, Zotero, Mendeley...) Export a Text file (For BibTex)
Select / Unselect all
  1. Front Matter
    Front Matter (pp. i-ii)
  2. Preface
    Preface (pp. iii-iv)
  3. Table of Contents
    Table of Contents (pp. v-vi)
  4. Figures
    Figures (pp. vii-viii)
  5. Tables
    Tables (pp. ix-x)
  6. Summary
    Summary (pp. xi-xx)
  7. Acknowledgments
    Acknowledgments (pp. xxi-xxii)
  8. Abbreviations
    Abbreviations (pp. xxiii-xxiv)
  9. CHAPTER ONE Introduction
    CHAPTER ONE Introduction (pp. 1-4)

    The most critical question surrounding the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq is Iraq’s internal security and stability. Although the withdrawal plan approved by President Barack Obama is designed to coincide with Iraq’s ability to maintain its own stability and security, the end of U.S. military occupation is a watershed that may alter the strategies of the main Iraqi political actors, each of whom commands enough armed power to be able to shatter Iraq’s domestic peace. Should any of the main opposition groups—frustrated Sunnis, autonomy-minded Kurds, militant Shi’as—turn to force, U.S. interests and personnel could be harmed. For...

  10. CHAPTER TWO Political and Security Conditions of U.S. Withdrawal
    CHAPTER TWO Political and Security Conditions of U.S. Withdrawal (pp. 5-48)

    By every measure, Iraq has become more secure and stable since its paroxysm of violence in 2006–2007. Yet, simply to extrapolate this progress into the future could cause serious mistakes in U.S. assessments, policies, and plans. Take the recent trend of Sunni acceptance of Iraq’s post-Saddam political order, for example: The persistent Sunni grievances and formidable fighting capabilities outside of state control perpetuate a danger of renewed armed struggle triggered by Sunni-extremist terror, government mistreatment, or the departure of U.S. troops from Sunni-Shi’a–contested areas. Iraq remains both complex and fluid: The interaction of political groups still suspicious of...

  11. CHAPTER THREE Future U.S. Security Responsibilities in Iraq
    CHAPTER THREE Future U.S. Security Responsibilities in Iraq (pp. 49-56)

    The ISF are approaching their planned end strength of approximately 650,000 in the Arab part of Iraq, which, to us, seems ample. The numerical balance between Iraqi military forces and police forces seems reasonable. However, the quality of the ISF is very uneven: Some elements, e.g., Iraqi Special Operations Force, are well trained, disciplined, and capable; others, e.g., much of the Facility Protection Service (FPS), are ill trained and ill equipped.

    The ISF consist of the army, air force, and navy (under the MoD) and the IPS, FP, border police, and FPS (under the MoI). The Counterterrorism Bureau (CTB) reports...

  12. Bibliography
    Bibliography (pp. 57-72)
  13. Back Matter
    Back Matter (pp. 73-73)
RAND Corporation logo