America's Last Chance in Iraq

The US cannot impose its will on Iraq. It is dealing with a sovereign government. America does, however, retain immense influence because of the role its military forces still play, its role as a major aid donor, and the potential value of its advisory services and help in dealing with outside powers. This  gives  the US one last opportunity to help Iraq achieve some degree of security and stability.

The attached report examines US options and makes detailed suggestions for changing or improving the current US strategy and US military and civil programs. It highlights the fact that the most important US task is to reinforce its efforts to push Iraq's leaders toward political conciliation and compromise.

The proposed strategy examines alternatives for strengthening US efforts to achieve this conciliation, but also discusses ways to reshape the role of US forces, restructure the development of Iraqi security forces, and improve the US aid process.

It recommends that the Bush Administration lay out an unambiguous, detailed, and public plan for US efforts to achieve conciliation, build up Iraqi forces, withdraw US forces, and provide long-term aid to Iraq in improving its governance and in economic development.  The Bush Administration must replace the present policy debate between staying the course versus precipitous withdrawal with a new focus on realism, and show that its practice will be good as good as its intentions