United States

This section contains information and documents relating to the United States Government and its ongoing involvement in Iraq

US Embassy, Baghdad
Executive Branch
- Department of Defense (Pentagon)
  - Quarterly reports fro the Pentagon on progress in Iraq
    Reports to Congress are submitted pursuant to the section entitled “Measuring Stability and Security in Iraq” of House Conference Report 109-72 accompanying H.R. 1268, Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, and Tsunami Relief, 2005, Public Law 109-13
  - National Security Council Victory Plan for Iraq
  - Other releases from DOD- inc. list of contractors, Iraq reports on soldier health etc.
  - Central Command (CENTCOM, Doha, Qatar)
    - Multi-National Force Iraq - "Operation Iraqi Freedom"
      Website of US commanded, UN legitimated, counter-insurgency force in Iraq.
      
      "In partnership with the Iraqi Government, MNF-I conducts full-spectrum counter-insurgency operations to isolate and neutralize former regime extremists and foreign terrorists, and organizes, trains, and equips Iraqi security forces in order to create a security environment that permits the completion of the UNSCR 1546 process on schedule."
    - Multi-National Security Transition Command
      "The MNSTC-I mission is to assist the Iraqi Government in the development, organization, training, equipping, and sustainment of Iraqi Security Forces capable of defeating terrorism and providing a stable environment in which representative government, individual freedom, the rule of law, and free market economy can evolve and which, in time, will contribute to regional security in the Gulf Region."
    - US Central Command Casualty Reports
  - US National Guard
    - US National Guard - Press releases, fact sheets and testimony
- Department Of State
  - Iraq Weekly Status Report
    A valuable, if slanted, compilation of quantitative data, produced weekly by the US State Department. Grouped into the categories of security, democratisation, service provision, economy, law, international engagement, and strategic communications.
  - Transcript of US State Department briefing on budget support (28 Feb 2006)
    Briefing given by James F. Jeffrey, Senior Advisor to the Secretary and Coordinator for Iraq, on Assistance to Iraq in the FY 2006 Supplemental Budget and FY 2007 Budget Request.
  - Question from Matthew Taylor (18 Sept 2003)
  - Department Of State Fact Sheets on Iraq
  - State Department Section 2207 Reports
    State Department produced quarterly reports on the use of Iraq Relief and Reconstruction Funds.
  - US-Iraqpolicy email list
    Email list carrying statements, press conferences and news on Iraq from the US State Department, as well as from the Pentagon, the White House, and other parts of the government. Anyone can subscribe, and the list is publicly archived.
  - Section 1227 Reports
    These quarterly reports describe US military, diplomatic, political, and economic activities in Iraq. They take their name from the law which requires the State Department to produce them - Section 1227 (c) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006. This law also dictates in detail the topics which must be covered.
    
    Reports are available for:
  - United States Mission to the United Nations
    - Statements on Iraq and archive
  - USAID (Agency for International Development)
    The USAID website (in English and Arabic) includes detailed information on progress towards humanitarian and infrastructure development
    - 'A year in Iraq' (Apr 2004)
      Slick 28-page guide to USAID activities in Iraq between April 2003 and April 2004. A mixture of photos, human interest reports, summaries of successful projects, and some useful information.
    - Weekly updates on USAID achievements
- White House
  - 'National Strategy for Victory in Iraq' (30 Nov 2005)
    This "document articulates the broad strategy the President set forth in 2003 and provides an update on our progress as well as the challenges remaining". There also is a pdf version of the document
  - National Security Council
    - National Security Council- News Releases and Speeches
    - National Security Council Victory Plan for Iraq
  - Office of Management and the Budget
- Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
- Department of Commerce
  - Business guide for Iraq
    Aimed at US corporations, this guide lists existing and future opportunities for trading in Iraq. Includes information on company law, and on contracts funded by the US and Iraqi governments.
  - Iraq investment and reconstruction task force (IIRTF)
    Section of the US Department of Commerce, which "assists companies pursuing reconstruction and other business opportunities in Iraq"
- Department of the Judiciary
- Department of the Treasury
  - Department of the Treasury - old sanctions regime details
- The Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction
  (formerly the Coalition Provisional Authority Office of the Inspector General). In charge of auditing and overseeing US reconstruction work, in particular "focused on providing value to the Administration, the Congress, and the American people".
  - Latest SIGIR Audit Reports (29 Oct 2006)
    Latest auditing of Report various programs in Iraq, including in October the Provincial Reconstruction Team, Weapons Provided by the U.S. Department of Defense Using the Iraq Relief and Reconstruction Fund, Iraqi Security Forces: Review of Plans to Implement Logistics Capabilities , Management of the Iraqi Interim Government Fund andand Interim Audit Report on Inappropriate Use of Proprietary Data Markings by the Logistics Civil Augmentation Program (LOGCAP) Contractor, as well as a Review of Administrative Task Orders for Iraq Reconstruction Contracts.
    
    A New York Times summary of the latter can be found here
  - Latest SIGIR Testimonies (28 Sept 2006)
    Testimonies to the United States House Committee on Government Reform Oversight Hearing on Iraq Reconstruction and the Senate Committee on Homeland Security on reconstruction contracting in Iraq, a review of reconstruction in Iraq to the House Committee on International Relations and a testimony to the United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations on Iraq Stabilization and Reconstruction. Also included is a reconstruction fact sheet.
    
    In particular, notes the striking fall in the perfomance of Iraqi utilities since the pre-war period, despite massive US investment, with virtually all indicators being lower than before the fall of Saddam. A summary can be found in the New York Times, while more information can be found in the SIGIR section.
  - January SIGIR Audit Reports (26 Jan 2006)
    On the 26th January, the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction released a report entitled The Challenges Faced in Carrying Out Iraq Relief and Reconstruction Fund Projects. Just prior to this, on the 23rd January, four others were released, including reports on the Rapid Regional Response Programs in South-Central Iraq, the transfer of IRRF funded assests to the Iraqi government, the managemnet of the Commaders Response Program, and the Mansuria Electrical Reconstuction Project
    
    The report on the IRRF projects looks at the scope and effect of the 'reconstruction gap' - the difference between the number of projects that the US originally proposed to build, and the total built. Findings included that only 49 out of a proposed 136 projects in the water and sanitation. The main explanation was a massive increase in security costs (a reallocation of $5.6bn from the original $18.4bn). A summary can be found in the New York Times
    
    The investigation into the management by the CPA of the Rapid Regional Response Programs, total value about $88million, discovers a massive amount of overcharging, manipulation to avoid review, unauthorised payments, and a severe lack of appropriate acounting and documentation. The report recommends that money wasted through over-payments should be recovered. It also containst stories of millions of reconstruction dollars stuffed casually into footlockers and filing cabinets, an American soldier in the Philippines who gambled away cash belonging to Iraq, and three Iraqis who plunged to their deaths in a rebuilt hospital elevator that had been improperly certified as safe. Moreover, it reports that there were no detailed, overt preparations for the reconstruction of Iraq in the run-up to the 2003 invasion "to avoid the impression that the US government had already decided on [military] intervention". A brief review can be found in the New York Times
    
    The report on the asset transfers looks at the transfer of the projects funded by the Iraq Relief and Reconstruction Fund, and managed by the US (namely the Gulf Region Division (GRD) or the US Army Corps of Engineers and the Project Contracting Office (PCO)), to the Iraqi government in 2006-2007. Notes that while procedures for transfer on a local level are fairly well set out, there is a lack of central policy and procedure for transferral of information to the central Iraqi ministires. The report also puts a figure on the 'reconstruction gap'
    
    The Commanders Response Program used $718million for militrary commanders to respond to local urgent humanitarian and reconstruction requirements. The audit found a lack of co-ordination, and errors in the monitoring of how funds were spent. The Mansuria Electrical Reconstruction Project reportlooked into an abadoned project to build a power station by USAID and IRRF, with a total estimated cost of about $70million.
  - Management of Iraq Relief and Reconstruction Funding Programs: Cost-to-Complete Estimate Reporting (24 Oct 2005)
    Report looking at whether IRRF programs are providing comprehensive cost-to-complete estimates, essential for sustainability. Finds that there have been a number of failings and accurate estimates do not currently exist.
  - Managing Sustainment for Iraq Relief and Reconstruction Fund Projects (24 Oct 2005)
    Report looking at the capacity of the Iraqi government to continue IRRF projects after US funding/management expires. Worryingly concludes "there is a growing recognition that the Iraqi Government is not yet prepared to take over the near- or long-term management or funding of the infrastructure developed through IRRF projects.... the amounts budgeted by the Iraqi government do not appear to be sufficient to ensure the near- and long-term sustainment of completed reconstruction projects".
Legislative Branch
- Iraq Study Group report (06 Dec 2006)
  The report of the commission, chaired by James Baker and Lee Hamilton, established to recommend changes to US policy in Iraq. Among its 79 recommendations were:
  - A "New Diplomatic Offensive", to build support for US policy in Iraq
  - An "International Support Group" involving Syria, Iran and other regional powers in the stabilisation of Iraq.
  - Renewed efforts for an Israeli-Palestinian peace process
  - Future support for the Iraqi government to be dependent on its performance, provinding an incentive for the government to succeed
  - Clarification that the US does not seek permanent bases in Iraq, or control of the country's oil
  - A constitutional review, considering oil-sharing and the federal structure of Iraq
  - More US soldiers attached to the Iraqi military as trainers and advisers
  - Transfer of the national and border police away from the Ministry of the Interior
- Bills about Iraq
  Listing of bills concerning Iraq from the US Senate and House of Representatives. An rss feed is also available.
- House of Representatives
  - House Committee on Armed Services
  - House Committee on Government Reform
    This commitee has consucted four hearings on 'contracting and the rebuilding of Iraq', on October 8, 2003, March 11, 2004, June 15, 2004, and July 22, 2004
  - House Committee on International Relations
  - House Judiciary Committee
  - House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence
    - House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Documents
- Senate
  - Senate Armed Services Committee
  - Senate Budget Committee
  - Senate Committee on Foreign Relations
    Frequently conducts hearings on issues related to Iraq
    - Accelerating economic progress in Iraq (20 July 2005)
      Senate hearing, considering four questions:
      1. Should the Coalition shift more economic resources from Baghdad to the provinces?
      2. Should they increase resources and emphasis on creating jobs?
      3. Should they devote more effort to preventing corruption and sabotage in the oil industry?
      4. Should they create a reliable set of indicators for economic progress?
      Witnesses were Keith Crane (RAND), Fareed Mohamedi (PFC Energy), and Frederick D. Barton (CSIS)
      
      Crane suggests that the focus should be on the central ministries (since at this time the Iraq government's mechanisms for working in the provinces are weak and unproven), and that poverty is a problem over unemployment, sincly many of the large unemployment figures are exagerated. Reckons the time for high profile large projects has passed. States the largest form of corruption is the theft of fuel by government officials. Strongly recommends a transparent periodic liberalization of the price of gasoline, and that the gathering and processing of statistics should be done through the Iraqi ministries, not by the coalition directly. Mohamedi notes problems with electriciity supplies being regionalised to support the assertion that assistance should be done at a national, not regional, level - similarly for control of oil production and revenue. Suggests sabotage is a bigger problem than corruption for the oil sector in the short term, though not in the long term. Barton advocates a move away from the ineffective ministries, microfinance over work programs, and cash transfers to replace the food distribution program.
    - Advancing Iraqi political development (Senate committee hearing) (19 July 2005)
      This committee hearing considered four questions.
      1. Should deadlines for drafting an Iraqi constitution be treated rigidly or flexibly?
      2. Is there a need for a public education campaign to stimulate interest in the constitution and the insurgency
      3. Should the US take steps to forestall a sunni-shi'a conflict?
      4. How can the coalition cultivate new leaders in Iraq, and encourage them to use politics rather than violence?
      Witnesses were Phebe Marr (US institute of peace), Noah Feldman (New York University), and Judy van Rest (IRI)
    - Improving security in Iraq (Senate committee hearing) (18 July 2005)
      This hearing considered four questions:
      1. Should the coalition revise its current counterinsurgency strategy?
      2. Could the US press its allies to provide more manpower?
      3. Should the US reprioritize the training schedule of Iraqi forces?
      4. Should the President change the force structure of the US presence in Iraq?
      Witnesses were Ken Pollack (Brookings), Barry McCaffrey, and Anthony Cordesman (CSIS)
    - Strategies for reshaping US policy in Iraq and the Middle East (Senate committee hearing) (01 Feb 2005)
      Discussion in this hearing focussed on Anthony Cordesman's paper "Playing the Course. Witnesses were Anthony Cordesman (CSIS), Gregory Newbold (Potomac Institute), and Peter Khalil (Brookings)
    - Accelerating US assistance to Iraq (Senate committee hearing) (15 Sept 2004)
      Witnesses were Ronald L. Schlicher and Joseph W. Bowab, both from the Department of State.
    - Iraq - Post Transition (22 July 2004)
      A review of US activities in Iraq since the transfer of sovereignty. Witnesses were Ronald L Schlicher (State department) and David Gompert (National Defense University)
    - Iraq transition - the way ahead (II) (19 May 2004)
      Hearing into US plans for the transfer of power in June 2005. Witnesses were Anthony Cordesman (CSIS), Joseph Hoar (Centcom), Phebe Marr (National Defense University/US Institute for Peace), and Larry Diamond (Stanford)
    - Iraq's transition - the way ahead (I) (18 May 2004)
      Hearing into US plans for the transfer of power in June 2005. Witnesses were Paul Wolfowitz, speaking in public, and Richard Armitage and Walter Sharp in closed session.
    - The Iraq transition: obstacles and opportunities (22 Apr 2004)
      This session heard witnesses from within the US Government. The website holds the statements from Andrew Natsios (USAID) and Marc Grossman (State)
    - Iraq transition - civil war or civil society? (21 Apr 2004)
      This hearing considered the plans for a transfer of sovereignty in Iraq; the Status of Forces agreement; and the role of the UN. Witnesses were Ken Pollack (Brookings), George Joulwan, Michael Sheehan (NYPD), Michael O'Hanlon (Brookings), and Ahmed Hashim (Naval War College)
    - Iraq transition - civil war or civil society? (20 Apr 2004)
      Witnesses were James Schlesinger, Samuel Berger, Richard Perle, Toby Dodge, and Juan Cole
    - Review of the UN Oil for Food programme (Senate committee hearing) (07 Apr 2004)
      Witnesses were John Negroponte, Patrick Kennedy, Robin Raphel, Kim Holmes, Joseph Christoff and Michael Thibault
  - Senate Judiciary Committee
    - 2003 Report on Iraq
    - Mentions of Iraq in witness testimony
  - Senate Select Committee on Intelligence
- Congressional Budget Office
  - Cost Analyses of Operations in Iraq and Afghanistan
    "CBO's studies of the long-term implications of current defense plans also contain estimates of the costs of military operations and other activities associated with the global war on terrorism, as do alternative budget scenarios in Chapter 1 of CBO's The Budget and Economic Outlook: Fiscal Years 2007 to 2016."
- Congressional Research Services Publications
  - CRS report on cost of war, prepared for US Congress (Oct 2005)
    This report published by the Congressional Research Service (CRS) concluded that $251 billion had been assigned to spending on the Iraq War. The research uses Congressional appropriations and Department of Defense (DOD) DFAS monthly obligations reports. The report claims that due to the anticipated nature of the war, the DOD transferred money from peacetime funds and also from funds appropriated for Afghanistan or general war. Transferral of monies from peacetime funds is permitted under certain circumstances as outlined in appropriations legislation.
    
    [As of Oct 2005] The US's National Priorities Project "Cost of War" information and counter is now based upon this latest estimate of congressional appropriations totalling $251billion by 31 March 2006.
- Government Accountability Office
  - GAO report on key 'benchmarks' for Iraqi government Sep 2007 (04 Sept 2007)
    Public Law 110-28 contains 18 benchmarks for the Government of Iraq to meet by 1 September 2007. As of 30 August 2007, the GAO assessed that the Iraqi government met 3, partially met 4, and did not meet 11 of its 18 benchmarks.
    
    Benchmarks met:
    - the rights of minority political parties in Iraq's legislature are protected.
    - Iraq's government has established various committees in support of the Baghdad security plan
    - almost all of the planned Joint Security Stations in Baghdad have been established
    Benchmarks partially met:
    - Enacting and implementing legislation on procedures to form semi-autonomous regions (law passed but not yet implemented)
    - Providing three trained and ready brigades to support Baghdad operations.
    - eliminating safe havens for "outlaws"
    - Equitable allocation and spending of $10 billion in Iraqi revenues for reconstruction projects and essential services
  - Overview of GAO Findings and Methodology on Iraq (18 Jan 2007)
    This brief document summarises a number of key GAO reports on Iraq since 2003. Also interestingly states that the GAO plans to establish a presence in Iraq from March 2007 (subject to Congress granting them the money).
  - GAO Testimony: Stabilisation, Reconstruction and Financing Challenges (08 Feb 2006)
    "Iraq will likely need more than the $56 billion that the World Bank, United Nations, and CPA estimated it would require for reconstruction and stabilization efforts from 2004 to 2007."
    
    "However, it is unclear how Iraq will finance these additional requirements....Iraq's ability to financially contribute to its own rebuilding and stabilization efforts will depend on the new government's efforts to increase revenues obtained from crude oil exports, reduce energy and food subsidies, control government operating expenses, provide for a growing security force, and repay $84 billion in external debt and war reparations." Summary is here
  - US GAO Testimony: 'Rebuilding Iraq: Enhancing Security, Measuring Program Results And Mantaining Infrastructure Are Necessary to Make Significant and Sustainable Progress' (18 Oct 2005)
    Report by the US Government Accountability Office investigating US progress in rebuilding Iraq. Notes the difficulting in maintaining infrastructure projects, and the difficulty of measuring progress. Recommends that Iraq will probably need signifcantly more than the $56bn estimated previously by the World Bank, due to unforseen looting, sabotage and lower than expected oil revenues. Finds that data collected is incomplete, citing for example that the Department of State reports on number of water projects completed, but not on the condition of the water supply to Iraqi people. A summary can be found here.
  - Rebuilding Iraq (28 June 2004)
    Substantial report to Congress, covering funds allocated and progress achieved in four main areas of resources, security, governance and essential services, along with commentary on oversight issues.
  - GAO documents on Iraq
    Listing of all Iraq-related documents produced by the General Accounting Office
Semi-official and Non-Governmental Collections of Government Documents
- Council on Foreign Relations
  - Saddam's Delusions: The View from the Inside (from Foreign Affairs, May/June 2006)
    A special, double-length article from the upcoming May/June issue of Foreign Affairs, presenting key excerpts from the recently declassified book-length report of the USJFCOM Iraqi Perspectives Project. The USJFCOM Iraqi Perspectives Project (United States Joint Forces Command) report is based on Iraq Government documents (semi-official).
    
    See also Per's IAG Blog entry .
- National Security Archive
  Collects Freedom of Information Act requests.