Iraq

Turkey and Iraqi Kurdistan are Strategic Partners

By David Phillips

Turkey’s military strikes against the PKK in northern Iraq were a tactical and political success.  Applying military pressure catalyzed Ankara’s decision to offer Iraqi Kurdistan political and economic rewards in exchange for cooperation against the PKK, a U.S.-listed terrorist organization that Turkey holds responsible for 30,000 deaths since 1984. As a result, Turkey and Iraqi […]

Confidence Building between Turks and Iraqi Kurds

The Obama administration’s “responsible redeployment” from Iraq is made even more urgent by the requirements resulting from worsening conditions in Afghanistan and Pakistan. For redeployment to occur on scale and on schedule, the United States seeks an end-state in Iraq that is stable and at peace with its neighbors. Simmering sectarian violence is inevitable, but […]

Power Transitions in U.S. and Iraq

By David Smith

“Congratulations, Mr. President.”  With those words from US Chief Justice John Roberts, Barack Obama became the 44th President of the United States.  Under the 20th Amendment to the Constitution, this orderly transfer of power happened at 12 noon on January 20 — no sooner and no later. 

France and Germany Suddenly Interested in Iraq

By James Joyner

Western European involvement in Iraq’s economy may be about to undergo radical transformation, Sebastian Abbot reports for AP. Germany’s foreign minister met with top Iraqi leaders in Baghdad on Tuesday in the latest high-level visit by a major Western nation that opposed the 2003 U.S.-led invasion but has promised to help Iraq rebuild now that […]

Britain’s Shameful Iraq Withdrawal?

By Neil Leslie

Britain announced that it could withdraw its 4,100 remaining troops from Iraq by June 2009 if Iraqi elections in January go off peacefully. The withdrawal will mark the end of a six-year campaign, and the conclusion of an unpopular war both at home and abroad. Yet British troops can leave with their heads held high, […]

Transcript: General David McKiernan Speaks at Council’s Commanders Series

By Peter Cassata

Transcript by Federal News Service, Washington, D.C. FREDERICK KEMPE:  Well, General, it looks as though we have a full house for you here. Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.  I’m Fred Kempe, president and CEO of the Atlantic Council, and let me welcome you all to the Atlantic Council and this installment of our commander series, […]

Builders, Diplomats, Guardians, and Warriors

By Derek Reveron

With some fanfare, General David Petraeus transferred command of US forces in Iraq to his deputy General Ray Odierno on September 17. In the last two years, much has been written about Petraeus—the architect of American counterinsurgency strategy and leader of the controversial surge in Iraq. He survived early political attacks in the American media […]

Presidents Come and Go but Strategy Remains

By Derek Reveron

President Bush may be a lame duck but his new national defense strategy will shape policy for years regardless of who wins in November.

Iraq: Time for a Deadline

By Neil Leslie

Al-Anbar, the largest of Iraq’s eighteen provinces, was once thought of as a lost cause. A 2006 US Marine Corps report stated that the situation in the region was deteriorating by the day. The Sunni population of Anbar – dominant under Saddam – was fearful of growing Iranian influence in Baghdad, and increasingly turned to […]