RAND: Iraq

Shortcomings in Planning for Post-Combat Period in Iraq

2008-06-30T03:00:00Z

Efforts to adequately plan for the post-combat period in Iraq were thwarted by overly optimistic views held by top civilian leaders and a belief among military leaders that civilian authorities would be responsible for postwar operations.

U.S. Failed to Monitor and Adapt to Insurgent Trends in Iraq

2008-03-11T03:00:00Z

The inability of the United States to monitor insurgent trends in Iraq and apply new counterinsurgency tactics led many Iraqi civilians to side with sectarian groups, propelling the country to the brink of civil war.

Women and Nation-Building

2008-02-27T03:00:00Z

Women's participation in post-conflict nation-building is an important ingredient in achieving an equitable, peaceful and more prosperous society. Leaders should include women in the earliest economic reconstruction activities.

United States Lacks the Capability to Counter Insurgency in the Muslim World

2008-02-11T03:00:00Z

Iraq and Afghanistan have revealed serious shortfalls in the capabilities of the U.S. to counter insurgency in the Muslim world. Instead of relying predominantly on military occupation, the U.S. must become more able to bolster the ability of threatened states to win the contest for the support of their people.

International Perspectives on Interagency Reform

2008-01-30T03:00:00Z

In testimony presented before the Armed Services Committee, Nora Bensahel discusses the lack of civilian capacity in stability and nation building operations, which has led to an overreliance on military forces.

Make Room for Refugees

2007-12-16T03:00:00Z

Today, tens of thousands of Iraqis are in grave danger, targeted because they have worked with the United States. Many have been murdered. Others have fled their homes because of attacks or threats… Many want to come to America, and we should welcome them, writes Olga Oliker.

U.S. Should Take Advantage of Improved Security in Iraq to Withdraw

2007-12-02T03:00:00Z

Because security in Iraq is improving, the United States now has a chance to achieve the best realistic outcome of its unfortunate invasion and occupation: extricating the bulk of U.S. forces without making things worse, writes David C. Gompert.

International Cooperation Needed to Keep Terrorists from Gaining Advanced Weapons

2007-11-14T03:00:00Z

International cooperation is needed to keep a new generation of advanced conventional weapons from falling into the hands of terrorists. Efforts should focus on making security forces aware of the emerging threats and developing safeguards for the most potent of the weapons.

Army Resource Gaps Can Be Filled by Building Partner Capabilities

2007-11-06T03:00:00Z

Ongoing operations and emerging mission requirements place a heavy burden on U.S. Army resources, resulting in capability gaps that the Army might fill by building appropriate capabilities in allies and partner armies through focused security cooperation.

The Right Way to Withdraw

2007-10-14T03:00:00Z

Had we not invaded Iraq, there are any number of better things we could do to fight terror with the billions the administration plans to spend in Iraq this year. [But w]e're involved too deeply in Iraq and Afghanistan to exit suddenly without fixing our mess, writes James Dobbins.

Regaining Information Superiority Against 21st-Century Insurgents

2007-09-27T03:00:00Z

U.S. counterinsurgency efforts need to exploit information power by connecting with and learning from the population itself to increase the effectiveness of both the indigenous government and the U.S. military and civilian services that support it.

Unofficial Diplomacy Efforts Can Have a Positive Effect Over Long Term

2007-09-19T03:00:00Z

Unofficial diplomatic discussions can play a significant role in shaping attitudes in the Middle East and Asia, but are best used as a long-term strategy without expectations for dramatic policy shifts.

Military Actions Have Stretched U.S. Army Thin

2007-09-18T03:00:00Z

The Iraq debate is focused on whether to legislate the time that soldiers must be at home between overseas deployments. Stretched Thin discusses how to assess the tradeoffs among the number of combat units, the level of Iraq deployments, and the time that soldiers have at home.

The Real Analogy for Iraq

2007-08-24T03:00:00Z

The conflict raging in Iraq has been compared to many earlier wars, but the best historical comparison has been largely overlooked, write John Arquilla and David Ronfeldt in a commentary appearing in United Press International.

A New Tact on Iraq

2007-08-24T03:00:00Z

As the sixth anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the United States approaches, al Qaeda appears to be gaining strength. America remains on alert. As Brian Michael Jenkins states in this commentary for the Washington Post, it's reasonable to wonder whether, how and when this conflict will end.

Are the Sunnis Changing Sides

2007-08-17T03:00:00Z

Sunni insurgents are coming to the view that they cannot successfully resist both the U.S. and the Shiite-dominated government at the same time. Increasing numbers of Sunni fighters in Anbar Province are therefore preparing for a tactical accommodation with the less dangerous enemy, the U.S., writes James Dobbins.

U.S. Military Should Adopt Marketing Strategies to Reach Iraqi, Afghan Civilians

2007-07-17T03:00:00Z

Adopting successful business marketing practices, such as branding and monitoring customer satisfaction, could help the U.S. military get more support from the local populations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Iraqi Refugee Challenge

2007-06-28T04:04:00Z

Better relations with [Iraqi refugee children] and the rest of the Arab world's "youth bulge" should be a high priority for American foreign policy and assistance, writes Kristin Cordell.

A Comparative Evaluation of United Nations Peacekeeping

2007-06-25T04:02:00Z

James Dobbins discusses the performance of the United Nations in peacekeeping missions in testimony presented before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs' Subcommittee on International Organizations, Human Rights, and Oversight.

Fighting Insurgency in Iraq

2004-06-18T03:00:00Z

With Vietnam, El Salvador—and now Iraq—the U.S. has been ineffective in countering insurgencies. In light of this history, a new report details where the U.S. has failed in Iraq and what challenges lie ahead.