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Iraq

Iraq Inheritance

After nearly a decade at war, American troops have departed Iraq. But Iraq still matters to vital U.S. national interests. The security environment is much improved, but Iraq continues to be beset by terrorist violence, sectarian tension and political infighting. CNAS research focuses on policy options for promoting enduring stability in Iraq and a long-term U.S.-Iraq strategic partnership.

 

 

Related Content

  • Iraq in Hindsight: Views on the U.S. Withdrawal
    Iraq in Hindsight: Views on the U.S. Withdrawal
    Author(s): Emma Sky
    Type of Publication: Commentary
    Date: 12/14/2012

    In Iraq in Hindsight: Views on the U.S. Withdrawal, Emma Sky offers a pointed critique of U.S. policy over the last decade, arguing that valuable lessons can be learned from the country's "American era" now that U.S. forces have withdrawn. A senior fellow at the Jackson Institute at Yale and a political advisor in Iraq to General Raymond Odierno from 2007 to 2010, Sky examines these lessons learned and urges U.S. policymakers to set realistic goals for future intervention. 

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  • Revitalizing the Partnership: The United States and Iraq a Year after Withdrawal
    Revitalizing the Partnership: The United States and Iraq a Year after Withdrawal
    Type of Publication: Policy Brief
    Date: 12/14/2012

    As the United States marks the 10th anniversary of the invasion of Iraq, in Revitalizing the Partnership: The United States and Iraq A Year After Withdrawal, Senior Fellow Nora Bensahel  and former CNAS Visiting Fellow Melissa Dalton offer a way forward.

     

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  • Strategic Adaptation: Toward a New U.S. Strategy in the Middle East
    Strategic Adaptation: Toward a New U.S. Strategy in the Middle East
    Type of Publication: Report
    Date: 06/06/2012

    In Strategic Adaptation: Toward a New U.S. Strategy in the Middle East, authors Dr. Bruce W. Jentleson, Dr. Andrew M. Exum, Melissa G. Dalton and J. Dana Stuster chart the fundamentals of a revised strategy for U.S. Middle East policy, starting with a reevaluation of U.S. interests and an assessment of the evolving strategic context. The approach they propose is one of “strategic adaptation” to meet immediate challenges while simultaneously responding to regional trends that will affect the region – and U.S. engagement – for decades to come.

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  • colin kahl, cnas, hfac, iraq, military cooperation
    Halting the Descent: U.S. Policy Toward a Deteriorating Situation in Iraq
    Type of Publication: Congressional Testimony
    Date: 03/21/2012

    On March 21st, Dr. Colin H. Kahl, CNAS Senior Fellow, testified before the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee. He discussed the security and political environment in the aftermath of the U.S. military withdrawal from Iraq, Iranian influence in Iraq and the prospects for continued U.S.-Iraq security cooperation.

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  • Hard Choices: Responsible Defense in an Age of Austerity
    Hard Choices: Responsible Defense in an Age of Austerity
    Type of Publication: Report
    Date: 10/03/2011

    Hard Choices: Responsible Defense in an Age of Austerity, a report authored by CNAS experts LTG David W. Barno, USA (Ret.), Dr. Nora Bensahel and Travis Sharp, outlines four budget cut scenarios and evaluates possible trade-offs among force structure, end strength, procurement and overhead.

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  • Kaplan 9/11 Decade Commentary
    The 9/11 Decade
    Author(s): Robert Kaplan
    Type of Publication: Commentary
    Date: 09/06/2011

    With the 9/11 decade drawing to a close, CNAS Senior Fellow Robert Kaplan writes that the U.S. is entering a militarily multipolar world.

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  • Counterstrike
    Counterstrike: The Untold Story Of America's Secret Campaign Against Al Qaeda
    Author(s):
    Type of Publication: Book
    Date: 08/03/2011

    In Counterstrike, a Henry Holt and Company book, former CNAS Writers in Residence, Eric Schmitt and Thom Shanker of The New York Times, tell the story of how a group of analysts within the military, at spy agencies, and in law enforcement has fashioned an innovative and effective new strategy to fight terrorism, unbeknownst to most Americans and in sharp contrast to the cowboy slogans that characterized the U.S. government's public posture.

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  • Fontaine Testimony
    Preserving Progress: Transitioning Authority And Implementing The Strategic Framework Agreement
    Author(s): Richard Fontaine
    Type of Publication: Congressional Testimony
    Date: 06/23/2011

    Senior Advisor and Senior Fellow Richard Fontaine testified before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs Subcomittee on the Middle East and South Asia on June 23, 2011.  Fontaine testifed to the importance of the Unites States' strategic interests in Iraq.  The testimony included points on the stability of the future of Iraq and how that will impact U.S. strategic interests in the Middle East.

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  • Pressure: Coercive Economic Statecraft and U.S. National Security
    Pressure: Coercive Economic Statecraft and U.S. National Security
    Type of Publication: Report
    Date: 01/31/2011

    In recent years, the world has witnessed the power of the global economy to impact states' behavior and interactions within the international community. This report examines the capacity of the United States to use counter-threat finance by examining three cases - North Korea, Serbia and Iraq - to glean lessons learned for the future.

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  • America's Duty: The Imperative of a New Approach to Warrior and Veteran Care
    America's Duty: The Imperative of a New Approach to Warrior and Veteran Care
    Author(s): Nancy Berglass
    Type of Publication: Policy Brief
    Date: 11/10/2010

    America’s failure to prepare for and adequately address the impact of war upon service members and veterans is one of the most significant challenges of the post-September 11 era. In America’s Duty: The Imperative of a New Approach to Warrior and Veteran Care, Nancy Berglass, CNAS Non-Resident Senior Fellow and Director of the Iraq Afghanistan Deployment Impact Fund, argues that the strength and viability of an all-volunteer force is undermined when the health and well-being of its members are not being adequately addressed by the U.S. government.

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  • Defense analyst discusses counterinsurgency
    Type: News Item
    Source: NBC WAVY.com

    May 17, 2013 — Non-Resident Senior Fellow, Dr. John Nagl discusses with NBC affilitate WAVY.com the importance of U.S. armed forces adapting to counterinsurgency methods as a response to terrorists’ guerrilla warfare tactics.

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  • U.S. Strategy after the Arab Uprisings: Toward Progressive Engagement
    Type: News Item
    Source: The Washington Quarterly

    May 7, 2013 — In their article, "U.S. Strategy after the Arab Uprisings: Towards Progressive Engagement" published in The Washington Quarterly, Senior Fellow Dr. Colin Kahl and Non Resident Senior Fellow Dr. Marc Lynch examine the regional role of the United States after the Arab uprisings. 


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  • The Pentagon Cries Wolf on Sequestration Pains
    Type: News Item
    Source: The Fiscal Times

    May 3, 2013 — With sequestration moving forward, Research Associate Jacob Stokes discusses with The Fiscal Times Pentagon plans to reduce force size, urging the military to eliminate redundancies while establishing "reversibility" -- the ability to scale reduced ground forces back up quickly.

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  • McCain: On foreign policy, I may have more in common with Obama than with some in own party
    Type: News Item
    Source: Foreign Policy

    April 19, 2013 — Dana Stuster of The Cable reports on Senator John McCain's speech to the Center for New American Security on internationalism.   

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  • The Appeal of the Courts
    Type: News Item
    Source: Foreign Policy

    March 25, 2013 — Senior Fellow and Director of the Military, Veterans and Society Program Phillip Carter advocates for a bigger recognition of the important role the U.S. court system can play in nation's counterterrorism strategy in Foreign Policy.

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  • Syrian Opposition in Political Shambles- Kerry Stops in Afghanistan after Iraq-Are Super carriers Obsolete? F-35 Critic Blasts Bogdan-Making Moves New House Appropriations Director
    Type: News Item
    Source: Politico

    March 25, 2013 — Captain Henry Hendrix's recent report on the evolving role of supercarriers, "At What Cost a Carrier?"  is contrasted against other Capitol Hill perspectives by Politico's Austin Wright and Tim Mak. 

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  • General Expects Marine Corps to Shrink Due to Sequester
    Type: News Item
    Source: The Wall Street Journal

    March 22, 2013 — Senior Advisor and Senior Fellow, Lt. General David Barno (ret.) notes returning the military services to their pre 9/11 size would not hinder efficiency and save money in the long run, on Wall Street Journal.

     

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  • Iraq Took Much Needed Attention from Afghanistan
    Type: News Item
    Source: US News and World Report

    March 20, 2013 — In his recent article, Research Associate Jacob Stokes provides an analysis of the United States' military blunder in Iraq.

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  • What America Learned in Iraq
    Type: News Item
    Source: The New York Times

    March 19, 2013 — In his recent Op-Ed in the New York Times, Non-Resident Senior Fellow, Dr. John A. Nagl writes about the lessons learned in Iraq and the ultimate need for the United States to move forward and build a better future.

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  • Wanted: Ph.Ds Who Can Win A Bar Fight
    Type: News Item
    Source: Foreign Policy

    March 8, 2013 — Foreign Policy features an excerpt from Visiting Fellow Major Fernando Lujan's recent report Light Footprints: The Future of American Military Intervention.

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  • Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, USA
    National Security Leaders' Forum with General Raymond T. Odiernio, USA
    April 5, 2013 - 12:00pm - 1:30pm
    The Willard InterContinental Hotel
    Washington, District of Columbia

    The Center for a New American Security (CNAS) hosted a discussion featuring current Army Chief of Staff General Raymond Odierno on Friday, April 5, 2013. GEN Odierno discussed how the Army is restructuring itself to meet today's security environment while facing the challenges associated with budget cuts and drawdown from two overseas wars.

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    Perspectives on the President’s Fiscal Year 2013 Budget Request for the U.S. Department of Defense
    March 6, 2012 - 10:00am - 12:00pm
    608 Dirksen Senate Office Building
    Washington, District of Columbia

    CNAS Senior Advisor and Senior Fellow LTG David Barno, USA (Ret.) testifies before the Senate Budget Committee in an open hearing on President Obama's FY 2013 budget request for the U.S. Department of Defense.

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  • colin kahl, center for a new american security, cnas, iran, wmd, israel
    The Iranian Nuclear Dilemma: Risk of an Iraq Sequel?
    February 21, 2012 - 10:45am - 12:00pm
    Rayburn House Office Building
    Washington, District of Columbia

    On February 21, CNAS Senior Fellow Colin Kahl participated in a panel discussion hosted by the National Iranian American Council on the status of the Iranian nuclear program. Dr. Kahl indicated that there are a number of differences between the current situation in Iran and the lead-up to the war in Iraq, and addressed the possibility of an Israeli airstrike on Iranian facilities.

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  • Dr. Kemal Kerkuki, Speaker of the Kurdistan Parliament
    Roundtable Discussion with Dr. Kemal Kerkuki, Speaker of the Kurdistan Parliament
    September 20, 2011 - 4:00pm - 5:00pm
    Center for a New American Security
    Washington, District of Columbia

    On September 20, the Center for a New American Security hosted a roundtable discussion with Dr. Kemal Kerkuki and a number of his colleagues on critical issues in the U.S.-Iraqi relationship, along with the Kurdistan regional government’s relationship with the wider world.

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  • Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic
    Roundtable Discussion with NATO Assistant Secretary General for Public Diplomacy Ambassador Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic
    September 16, 2011 - 2:30pm - 3:30pm
    Center for a New American Security
    Washington, District of Columbia

    On September 16, the Center for a New American Security hosted a roundtable discussion with NATO Assistant Secretary General for Public Diplomacy Ambassador Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic on the key themes that will shape NATO's spring 2012 summit.

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  • Counterstrike
    Counterstrike: The Untold Story Of America's Secret Campaign Against Al Qaeda
    September 8, 2011 - 5:30pm - 8:00pm
    The Willard InterContinental Hotel's Grand Ball Room
    Washington, District of Columbia

    The Center for a New American Security (CNAS) cordially invites you to the inaugural book release party for COUNTERSTRIKE: The Untold Story of America’s Secret Campaign Against al Qaeda by acclaimed New York Times national security reporters and former CNAS Writers in Residence Eric Schmitt and Thom Shanker.

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  • MG Buchanan, CNAS, Iraq, security agreement, Operation New Dawn
    MG Jeffrey Buchanan, USA Discussion on Operation New Dawn: Bridge to an Enduring Partnership
    August 18, 2011 - 11:00am - 12:00pm
    Center for a New American Security
    Washington, District of Columbia

    In light of the impending end of the United States Forces–Iraq mission this December, Major General Jeffrey Buchanan, USA, Director of Strategic Effects for United States Forces-Iraq, visited CNAS to speak about the evolving role of the United States in Iraq and the challenges and opportunities for the future of U.S.-Iraq relations amidst a changed Middle East.

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  • Secretary Panetta
    Challenges for the New U.S. Secretary of Defense
    August 4, 2011 - 7:45am - 9:15am
    The Willard InterContinental Hotel
    Washington, District of Columbia

    On August 4, CNAS President John A. Nagl, Senior Advisor and Senior Fellow LTG David Barno, USA (Ret.), and Deputy Director of Studies and Senior Fellow Dr. Nora Bensahel led a roundtable discussion over breakfast addressing the challenges faced by the new U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta. 

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  • CNAS Fifth Annual Conference - June 2, 2011
    CNAS Fifth Annual Conference, "Risk and Reward: American Security in an Age of Uncertainty"
    June 2, 2011 - 9:00am - 7:30pm
    The Willard InterContinental Hotel
    Washington, District of Columbia

    The Center for a New American Security's (CNAS) fifth annual conference took place in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, June 2, 2011. Download the conference program, watch the videos and read the transcripts online.

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  • General Amos
    National Security Leaders Forum with General James F. Amos
    May 24, 2011 - 6:00pm - 8:30pm
    Willard InterContinental Hotel
    Washington, District of Columbia

    On May 24, 2011, CNAS hosted the Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps General James F. Amos for a discussion among senior national security experts about the future of the Corps amidst a changing global strategic environment, and offered an assessment of the security situation in Afghanistan and continued challenges in the region.

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  • Middle East, CNAS Annual Conference
    Audio: U.S. Strategy in the Middle East After the Arab Spring
    Date: 06/13/2012
    Media: Audio

    Listen to the audio recording of the "U.S. Strategy in the Middle East After the Arab Spring" panel at the CNAS 2012 Annual Conference.

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  • Middle East, CNAS Annual Conference
    Transcript: U.S. Strategy in the Middle East After the Arab Spring
    Date: 06/13/2012
    Media: Transcript

    Read the transcript of the "U.S. Strategy in the Middle East After the Arab Spring" panel at the CNAS 2012 Annual Conference.

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  • Middle East, CNAS Annual Conference
    Video: U.S. Strategy in the Middle East After the Arab Spring
    Date: 06/13/2012
    Media: Video

    Watch the video of the "U.S. Strategy in the Middle East After the Arab Spring" panel at the CNAS 2012 Annual Conference.

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  • iraq, war, colin kahl, center for a new american security, tvo, steve paikin
    The Agenda with Steve Paikin: Colin Kahl: Ending the Iraq War
    Date: 01/13/2012
    Media: Video

    CNAS Senior Fellow Colin Kahl is interviewed by Steve Paikin on TVO's The Agenda over the logistics of ending the war in Iraq. 

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  • Iraq, U.S. military, Iraq War, middle east
    How Iraq, Afghanistan Have Changed The Military
    Date: 12/26/2011
    Media: Audio

    CNAS President John Nagl talks about the impact of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan on the U.S. military with National Public Radio.

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  • Iraq, U.S. military, Iraq War, middle east
    Five Big Moments In The Iraq War
    Date: 12/17/2011
    Media: Audio

    CNAS Senior Fellow Tom Ricks talks with National Public Radio about the most influential turning points of the Iraq War.

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  • Iraq, U.S. military, Iraq War, middle east
    An Uncertain Future for Iraq As U.S. Leaves
    Date: 12/16/2011
    Media: Video

    CNAS President John Nagl talks with Reuters about the future of Iraq following the withdrawal of all American troops.

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  • Command Post, Iraq
    Command Post: "Is the Change the U.S. Brought to Iraq Likely to Last?"
    Date: 11/22/2011
    Media: Video

    U.S. forces will be out of Iraq by the end of next month, after a nearly nine-year stay. Just how permanent are the changes the U.S. military and diplomatic corps have tried to bring to a post-Saddam Hussein nation? John Nagl, of the Center for a New American Security, and I discuss the likelihood of a lasting success in Iraq with Michael O'Hanlon, a military expert at the Brookings Institution, and Lawrence Korb, a Reagan-era Pentagon official now at the Center for American Progress.

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  • Command Post, Iraq
    Command Post: "What Will Iraq Be Like in 2012?"
    Date: 11/15/2011
    Media: Video

    Thousands of U.S. troops are now heading home from Iraq every week. By New Year's Eve, the 45,000 who were there on Oct. 21 when President Obama announced their final pullout, will be down to zero. So what does Iraq's near-term future look like once all the U.S. troops have come home? The Obama Administration has said it had no choice but to pull out of Iraq by year's end after the Iraqi parliament made it clear it would not grant U.S. troops immunity from Iraqi law for any alleged wrongdoing. Was that a reason -- or an excuse -- to come home? John Nagl, of the Center for a New American Security, and I debate the pluses and minuses of the pullout plan with Lawrence Korb, a Reagan-era Pentagon official now at the Center for American Progress, and Michael O'Hanlon, a military expert at the Brookings Institution.

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  • Military Suicides
    Date: 11/11/2011
    Media: Video

    On C-SPAN's Washington Journal, CNAS Senior Fellow and Director of the Joining Forces Initiative Margaret Harrell talks about military suicides and the availability of mental health programs for veterans.

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  • Shawn Brimley
    Shawn Brimley
    Vice President and Director of Studies

    Shawn Brimley is Vice President and Director of Studies at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS) where he oversees the center’s research and serves on the executive leadership team. Mr.

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  • Michele Flournoy
    The Honorable Michèle Flournoy
    Co-Chair of the Board of Directors, Center for a New American Security

    Michèle Flournoy is Co-Chair of  the Board of Directors of the Center for a New American Security (CNAS) and a senior adviser at the Boston Consulting Group.  She  served as the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy from February 2009 to February 2012.  She was the principal adviser to the Secretary of Defense in the formulation of national security and defense policy, oversight of military plans and operations, and in National Security Council deliberations.

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  • John Nagl
    Dr. John A. Nagl
    Non-Resident Senior Fellow

    Dr. John Nagl is a Non-Resident Senior Fellow at the Center for a New American Security and the Minerva Research Fellow at the U.S. Naval Academy as part of the Department of Defense Minerva Initiative program.  He was previously the President of CNAS. He is also a member of the Defense Policy Board, a Visiting Professor in the War Studies Department at Kings College of London, a life member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the Veterans of Foreign Wars and a member of the International Institute of Strategic Studies.  Dr.

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