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The New Way
Forward in Iraq
♦ Initial Benchmark Assessment Report
♦ Highlights of the Iraq Strategy Review (PDF)
♦ Fact Sheet: The New Way Forward in Iraq
♦ Background Briefing by Senior Administration Officials
National Strategy for Victory in Iraq
♦ Democracy in Iraq ♦ Rebuilding Iraq ♦ Training Iraqi Security ForcesAsk the White House
Philip ReekerCounselor for Public Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad
August 10, 2007
Amb. David Satterfield
Senior Advisor to the Secretary of State and Coordinator for Iraq
March 22, 2007
November 18, 2005
Brett McGurk
Director for Iraq, National Security Council
January 12, 2007
July 27, 2006
May 22, 2006
April 10, 2006
Peter Rodman
Asst. Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs
June 14, 2006
Robert Ford
Counselor for Political Affairs, U.S. Embassy Baghdad, Iraq
March 30, 2006
Kevin Bergner
Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Iraq
March 20, 2006
Amb. James Jeffrey
Senior Advisor to the Secretary of State and Coordinator for Iraq
March 13, 2006
Frank Ramaizel
Senior Advisor to the Iraqi Ministry of Justice, U.S. Embassy in Baghdad
January 11, 2006
Christopher Reid
Regime Crimes Liaison, U.S. Embassy in Iraq
December 21, 2005
Meghan O'Sullivan
Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Iraq
December 14, 2005
June 28, 2005
Dr. Zalmay Khalilzad
U.S. Ambassador to Iraq
October 26, 2005
Dr. J.D. Crouch
Deputy National Security Advisor
October 6, 2005
Steve Hadley
National Security Advisor
August 12, 2005
Allison Barber
Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense
July 1, 2005
Photo Essays
♦ Iraqi Election Photos ♦ The Road to Freedom ♦ Photos of FreedomRadio
March 20, 2006Dr. J.D. Crouch on Progress in Iraq
December 13, 2005
Mrs. Lynne Cheney Discusses Iraqi Elections
President Bush Discusses Iraq
"I want to say a word to our troops and civilians in Iraq. You've performed with incredible skill under demanding circumstances. The turnaround you have made possible in Iraq is a brilliant achievement in American history. And while this war is difficult, it is not endless. And we expect that, as conditions on the ground continue to improve, they will permit us to continue the policy of return on success. The day will come when Iraq is a capable partner of the United States. The day will come when Iraq is a stable democracy that helps fight our common enemies and promote our common interests in the Middle East. And when that day arrives, you'll come home with pride in your success, and the gratitude of your whole nation."
April 10, 2008
Read the full transcript here
Fact Sheet: Iraqis Take Responsibility for Security in Anbar Province
Once Considered A Province Lost To Al Qaeda, Today Anbar Becomes The 11th Out Of 18 Provinces To Return To Provincial Iraqi Control
On September 1, 2008, Iraqi authorities took the lead in all security operations for Anbar province. From this day forward, the people of Anbar will be in charge of their own security. American troops will leave the major cities and return to bases where they will stand ready to assist their Iraqi counterparts if needed. This achievement in Anbar province is a credit to the courage of our troops and the many brave Iraqis who fought alongside our forces against Al Qaeda.Al Qaeda Has Suffered A Military And Ideological Defeat In Anbar
In the fall of 2006, Anbar was the most violent province in Iraq, and Al Qaeda threatened almost every major population center. As part of the surge, last year President Bush sent 4,000 additional Marines to Anbar to assist local citizens who had already begun to stand up to Al Qaeda. Today, Anbar has been transformed.
- As security has improved, reconciliation is taking place across the province.
Together, local citizens, Iraqi forces, and American troops systematically
dismantled Al Qaeda across the province. In Anbar, the surge provided a security
umbrella and thereby demonstrated American commitment to Iraqis already standing
up to terrorists encouraging expansion of the Anbar Awakening and Sons
of Iraq. Tribal leaders openly cooperate with us and support Iraqi police
recruitment drives. Local citizens who previously shunned contact with Coalition
Forces today openly socialize with them.
- Once a Sunni terrorist stronghold, Anbar has been transformed and reclaimed
by the Iraqi people. This achievement is a credit to the courage of our
troops, the Iraqi Security Forces, and the brave Sunni tribes and civilians
who work alongside them.
- Today, there are 24,000 police on the rolls. The number of police
recruits exceeds the available training slots, and every city and town has
a functioning police force. The Provincial Council took its traditional seat
of power in Ramadi last summer, and today, virtually every city and town in
Anbar has a mayor and a functioning municipal council.
- Economic and social life is returning to normal. Local markets have re-opened and there is a flourishing trade in consumer goods. Provincial Reconstruction Teams are helping local leaders create jobs and economic opportunity.
The Blows We Have Struck Against Al Qaeda In Anbar Have Implications Far Beyond Anbar's Borders
The success we see in Anbar is being replicated in other parts of Iraq from Diyala Province, to Baghdad, to Basra, to Mosul. Iraqi forces from the Anbar province are now deploying in other regions of Iraq to help battle the terrorists and extremists.