Bipartisan Panel Calls for Major Course Change in Iraq 

Baker/Hamilton Commission Calls Situation in Iraq "Grave and Deteriorating"

On December 6, a bipartisan panel of prominent Americans released a sober assessment of the current situation in Iraq and called for sweeping changes in the U.S. strategy in that country.  In unusually blunt language, the Iraq Study Group report states that the "current U.S. policy is not working, as the level of violence in Iraq is rising and the government is not advancing national reconciliation.  Making no changes in policy would simply delay the day of reckoning at a high cost.  Nearly 100 Americans are dying every month.  The United States is spending $2 billion a week.  Our ability to respond to other international crises is constrained.  A majority of the American people are soured on the war.  This level of expense is not sustainable over an extended period, especially when progress is not being made."

The panel, which was led by former Secretary of State James Baker III and former Democratic Congressman Lee H. Hamilton, proposed 79 recommendations to attempt to salvage the situation in Iraq.  Among its key recommendations, the Iraq Study Group calls for the U.S. to "immediately launch a new diplomatic offensive to build an international consensus for stability in Iraq and the region.  This diplomatic effort should include every country that has an interest in avoiding a chaotic Iraq, including all of Iraq's neighbors....  Given the ability of Iran and Syria to influence events within Iraq and their interest in avoiding chaos in Iraq, the United States should engage them constructively." 

The Study Group also underscored that the "most important questions about Iraq's future are now the responsibilities of the Iraqis.  The United States must adjust its role to encourage the Iraqi people to take control of their own destiny....  The primary mission of U.S. forces in Iraq should evolve to one of supporting the Iraqi army, which would take over primary responsibility for combat operations.  By the first quarter of 2008, subject to unexpected developments in the security situation on the ground, all [U.S.] combat brigades not necessary for force protection could be out of Iraq.  At that time, U.S. combat forces in Iraq could be deployed only in units embedded with Iraqi forces, in rapid-reaction and special operations teams, and in training, equipping, advising, force protection, and search and rescue....  The United States must not make an open-ended commitment to keep large numbers of American troops deployed in Iraq." 

The Study Group sets out specific benchmarks for national reconciliation, security and governance for the government of Iraq to meet and sets dates for doing so.  The report states, "if the Iraqi government demonstrates the political will and makes substantial progress toward the achievement of milestones on national reconciliation, security and governance, the Unites States should make clear its willingness to continue training, assistance, and support for Iraq's security forces and to continue political, military, and economic support.  If the Iraqi government does not make substantial progress...the United States should reduce its political, military, or economic support for the Iraqi government."

To view the Iraq Study Group's report, click here.   

To view the executive summary of the Study Group's recommendations, click here.

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