Where next in Iraq?
September 15, 2007| By Colin Gowan
While Gen. David Petraeus’ surge strategy in Iraq has been successful overall, much remains to be done to improve the political climate in the country, a panel of experts said Thursday at The Heritage Foundation.
Violence has decreased throughout Iraq since the beginning of the surge in January, said Heritage expert Kirk Johnson, who served more than a year as a statistical analyst at the U.S. embassy in Iraq.
Iraqis and Americans share frustration at the slow progress of political reform, he continued, a process hampered by Iran’s attempts to destabilize the region and incite sectarian violence. But he cautioned that a hasty withdrawal could complicate the problem and exacerbate current difficulties.
Johnson outlined many of these points in his new paper on Gen. Petraeus’ testimony.
Holding firm in Iraq is vital, argued Frederick Kagan of the American Enterprise Institute. It’s in America’s interests to prevent Al Qaeda and Iran from gaining control of the country. In addition, by remaining in Iraq we can allow its people to establishing a stable and secure government.
In order to succeed, American officials need to collaborate with the Iraqi government and local agencies after the surge, explained Michèle Flournoy, president of the Center for a New American Security. They also need to develop a long-term perspective to address Iraq’s stability
But should the current methods prove inadequate to secure the country, said Brookings Institution scholar Michael O’Hanlon, we should be prepared to try new strategies.
Colin Gowan is an intern at The Heritage Foundation.
