Iraq and America: Addressing the Challenges
| Date | September 19, 2006 and October 10, 2006 |
| Location | Capitol Hill |
In order to contribute to the national conversation on Iraq, the Stimson Center held two events to reach out to key audiences in the media, the Hill and the policy community and share the key findings of Stimson's recent book, Iraq and America: Choices and Consequences.
First Event: September 19, 2006 at the Center for National Policy
Panel 1: 
- Senator Jack Reed (D-RI)
Listen to this panel.
Panel 2:
- Amb. Peter Galbraith, author of The End of Iraq
- Paul Pillar, Georgetown University
- Amb. Robin Raphel, Senior Advisor to Special Inspector General for Iraqi Reconstruction
- Representative Christopher Van Hollen (D-MD)
- Hajim al-Hasani, former Speaker of the Iraqi Parliament
- Moderator: Ellen Laipson, The Henry L. Stimson Center
Second Event: October 10, 2006 on Capitol Hill
Speakers:
- Gordon Adams, Woodrow Wilson Center and former Associate Director at the Office of Management and Budget
- Avis Bohlen, Georgetown University and former Assistant Secretary of State
- Kenneth Katzman, Congressional Research Service
- Laith Kubba, National Endowment for Democracy and former Spokesman of the Iraqi Government
- Dov Zakheim, Booz Allen Hamilton and former Under Secretary of Defense
- Moderator: Ellen Laipson, The Henry L. Stimson Center
Event Summary
On October 10, the Henry L. Stimson Center hosted a panel discussion on Iraq and US policy options on Capitol Hill. The discussion was held in light of the Stimson Center's recent publication of the book, "Iraq and America: Choices and Consequences," which examines some of the consequences of the US engagement in Iraq as well as some of the choices open to American policy-makers. Two of the book's contributing authors, former Associate Director at the Office of Management and Budget, Gordon Adams and former Assistant Secretary of State, Avis Bohlen, participated on the panel as well as former Under Secretary of Defense, Dov Zakheim, former spokesman of the Iraqi Government, Laith Kubba, and Kenneth Katzman of the Congressional Research Service.
Gordon Adams noted that the successes and failures in Iraq over the past three years raise serious questions about how the US government is organized and carries out budgetary planning in post-conflict situations. He suggested that the NSC could potentially serve as the best place for inter-agency dispute resolution as well as coordinate the execution of future operations. Adams also pointed out that supplemental budgeting has proved entirely ineffective while statutory authority between governmental departments and agencies needs to be more clearly laid out with less ambiguity regarding separate responsibilities.
Avis Bohlen discussed the consequences of Iraq for US influence and power. She noted that America's ability to lead has been diminished by incidents such as Abu Graib and Guantanamo which have resulted in exceptionally low US standing in world public opinion. Bohlen also discussed the growing gap between governments and public opinion in Europe. For example, while the British government is closely aligned with US policy, its public opinion polls indicate that only a minority favor a close US-UK relationship.
Dov Zakheim followed with a discussion on international cooperation and some lessons learned from Iraq. He pointed out the difficulty of retaining one's allies while mission objectives are constantly changing. Those who joined the U.S coalition against Saddam Hussein's regime, joined because of concern over Iraqi WMD programs. Yet as this objective has shifted toward the stabilization and democratization of Iraq, allies have lost the will to incur the costs of their continued presence in Iraq. Also, Zakheim noted that while coalitions of the willing have advantages in the short-term, genuine alliances are more enduring in the long term. This is aptly demonstrated by the continued solidarity of NATO in Afghanistan despite the worsening of conditions. Lastly, he discussed the need for greater interoperability between US and coalition forces to prevent the perception of the US as acting alone.
Laith Kubba discussed the top three issues to be examined in any discussion about Iraq. First, he emphasized that simply "more of the same," will not solve the current dilemma in Iraq. Second, he noted that the problems generated by the absence of a real and effective government are severely hindering progress. Third, he suggested examining why US efforts to rebuild Iraq are failing. He pointed out that for every 100 dollars spent, only 4 dollars go to the benefit of Iraqis. Lastly, he emphasized the significance of Sunni disenfranchisement and suggested that now is the time to bring the Sunnis back to the negotiating table and to involve Iraq's neighbors who have a vested interest in its stabilization.
Kenneth Katzman offered a critique of various US mistakes in Iraq as well as some suggestions on how to proceed. He highlighted the miscalculation of some US officials who believed that the Sunnis would ultimately support the invasion. The Sunnis have thus far rejected nearly all US efforts. Also, the utility of the Iraqi security forces needs to be reexamined as they have been thoroughly infiltrated by militia groups. Katzman suggested that the Iraqi governmental structure be entirely revamped to bring together all Iraqi factions and work toward achieving a grand bargain on which to base all future negotiations.
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When: |
Tuesday, October 10, 2006 |
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Where: |
Capitol Hill |