The National Stragegy for Victory in Iraq

I found the National Security Council's strategy for the war in Iraq. Here's my summary; click on the link for the full document.

Stages to victory:
Short term-Make sure Iraq continues to make good progress in "fighting terrorists, meeting political milestones, building democratic institutions," and building up security forces.

Medium term-Iraq should be in control of its own security and dealing with terrorists. It should have a "fully constitutional government in place, and on its way to achieving its economic potential."

Longer term-Iraq should be peaceful, stable, and secure; "well integrated into the international community, and a full partner in the global war on terrorism."

Victory in Iraq is of big interest to the U.S.
"Iraq is the central front in the global war on terror." If we fail, Iraq will become a "safe haven from which terrorists could plan attacks against America." If we succeed, the terrorists will be extremely crippled. Whatever happens with the terrorists will have a huge, lasting impact on American security. If we back out now, the Middle East will never trust America, and the resulting chaos (due to us not carrying through with our promises of democracy and human rights) will also endanger American security.

Here's what we'll do:
We'll help the Iraqis build their country with a "constitutional, representative government that respects civil rights and has security forces sufficient to maintain domestic order and keep Iraq from becoming a safe haven for terrorists." In order to do so, we have a "strategy along three broad tracks, which together incorporate the efforts of the Iraqi government, the Coalition, cooperative countries in the region, the international community, and the United Nations."

Political track

• Isolate enemies to protect the government by "countering false propaganda and demonstrating to all Iraqis that they have a stake in a democratic Iraq"
• Encourage everyone to participate in governemnt
• "Build stable, pluralistic, and effective national institutions that can protect the interests of all Iraqis, and facilitate Iraq’s full integration into the international community"

Security track

• "Clear areas of enemy control by remaining on the offensive, killing and capturing enemy fighters and denying them safe-haven"
• Ensuring that areas not under enemy control remain under the control of the Iraqi government ("with an adequate Iraqi security force presence")
• "Build Iraqi Security Forces and the capacity of local institutions to deliver services, advance the rule of law, and nurture civil society."

Economic track

• "Restore Iraq’s infrastructure to meet increasing demand and the needs of a growing economy"
• "Reform Iraq’s economy... so that it can be self-sustaining in the future"
• Make sure Iraq is capable of maintaining its infrastructure and of improving the general welfare of all Iraqis.
  

Progress so far
As "the political process has moved forward, terrorists have become more isolated, leading to more intelligence on security threats from Iraqi citizens, which has led to better security in previously violent areas, a more stable infrastructure, the prospect of economic progress, and expanding political participation. Much has been accomplished in Iraq, including the removal of Saddam’s tyranny, negotiation of an interim constitution, restoration of full sovereignty, holding of free national elections, formation of an elected government, drafting of a permanent constitution, ratification of that constitution, introduction of a sound currency, gradual restoration of neglected infrastructure, the ongoing training and equipping of Iraqi security forces, and the increasing capability of those forces to take on the terrorists and secure their nation."

Rome wasn't built in a day
"Iraq is overcoming decades of a vicious tyranny, where governmental authority stemmed solely from fear, terror, and brutality. It is not realistic to expect a fully functioning democracy, able to defeat its enemies and peacefully reconcile generational grievances, to be in place less than three years after Saddam was finally removed from power." Defeating terrorism and ensuring that it cannot threaten Iraq’s democratic gains once we leave requires persistent effort across many fronts."

Conditions for victory

No timeline: "No war has ever been won on a timetable and neither will this one."

"We expect, but cannot guarantee, that our force posture will change over the next year, as the political process advances and Iraqi security forces grow and gain experience."

"While our military presence may become less visible, it will remain lethal and decisive, able to confront the enemy wherever it may organize."

"Our mission in Iraq is to win the war. Our troops will return home when that mission is complete."

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Word of the Day: Bivouac