Iraq Study Group
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"The Iraq Study Group Report"
The Way Forward - A New Approach
What is USIP's role in the Iraq Study Group? Read more >>
USIP Event
- Experts Discuss the Iraq Study Group
December 13, 2006
Multimedia
- ISG Report Release Press Conference
Video | December 6, 2006 - James Baker on "This Week with George Stephanopoulos" [External link]
Video | October 8, 2006 - Press Conference
Audio | September 19, 2006
News Releases
- Iraq Study Group Staff Available to Discuss Report
December 14, 2006 - Iraq Study Group Report Downloads Top 1.4 Million
December 14, 2006
- Iraq Study Group Report to be Released on December 6, 2006
November 29, 2006
- Bipartisan Study Group to Assess Situation in Iraq
March 15, 2006
Transcripts
- Transcript of ISG Report Release
December 6, 2006 - Opening Statements of ISG Co-Chairs
December 6, 2006 - President Bush's Remarks
December 6, 2006
The Iraq Study Group made a forward-looking, independent assessment of the current and prospective situation on the ground in Iraq and how it affects the surrounding region as well as U.S. interests.
The study group examined four broad topics:
- the strategic environment in and around Iraq;
- the security of Iraq and key challenges to enhancing security within the country;
- political developments within Iraq following the elections and formation of the new government;
- and the economy and reconstruction.
The effort was undertaken at the urging of several members of Congress with agreement of the White House. A final report was released to Congress, the White House, and the public on December 6, 2006.
USIP's Role with the ISG
USIP was the facilitating organization for the Iraq Study Group (ISG), co-chaired by James A. Baker, III, and Lee H. Hamilton. As such, USIP is the repository for the ISG’s official report, titled The Iraq Study Group Report: The Way Forward - A New Approach, which was downloaded more than 1.5 million times from USIP's Web site in the first two weeks after the launch of the report on December 6, 2006.
USIP facilitated the bipartisan ISG at the urging of Congress. The ISG’s mandate was to conduct a forward-looking, independent assessment of the current and prospective situation on the ground in Iraq, its impact on the surrounding region, and consequences for U.S. interests. Three organizations supported USIP in its work facilitating the ISG: the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), the Center for the Study of the Presidency (CSP), and the James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy at Rice University.
As facilitator, USIP provided scholarly and logistical support to the ISG. It maintained an in-house Iraq expert committee and external Expert Working Groups that provided the ISG with the briefing papers and policy analyses that helped finalize their conclusions. It also coordinated the ISG’s interviews with top U.S. and foreign officials and led the group’s trip to Iraq in the Summer of 2006.
This site contains information about the ISG’s work from its inception in March 2006.
ISG Quick Stats
- Ten public servants—five Democrats, five Republicans—made up the ISG.
- The ISG's budget was $1 million, approved by Congress
- Three organizations joined USIP in facilitating the ISG.
- 44 people served in four Expert Working Groups to advise the ISG.
- The Iraq Study Group spent 4 days in Iraq in August/September.
- There were 9 plenary meetings of the ISG.
- The Iraq Study Group consulted with over 170 people in and outside government as it prepared its report.
- No member of the Iraq Study Group was compensated in any way for his/her work.
Explore Further
- ISG Fact Sheet [Updated: December 20, 2006]
- ISG Members
- ISG's Letter to Congress
- ISG Media Resources
- Iraq Study Group Begins Its Work
April/May 2006 | Peace Watch
Read an article from the latest issue of Peace Watch, USIP's newsletter published five times per year, on the initial meetings of the Iraq Study Group.