• Essential Documents

  

  

  Measuring Stability and Security in Iraq, September 2008

  Published September 2008

  This updated report covers the period of June-August 2008. The executive summary states, "improved this reporting period. Security incidents have remained at levels last seen in
  early 2004 for nearly three consecutive months, while civilian deaths across Iraq have declined to a level 77% lower than the same period in 2007. The surge in Coalition forces, the
  growth of more capable Iraqi Security Forces (ISF), the contributions of the Sons of Iraq
  (SoI), the ability of forces to secure the population, operations against Al Qaeda in Iraq
  (AQI) and other extremist elements, and the increased willingness of the people and the
  Government of Iraq (GoI) to confront extremists are important factors that have
  contributed to the improved security environment. Periodic high-profile car and
  suicide vest bombings have occurred, but the number of these attacks and the resulting
  casualties have decreased dramatically. Moreover, these attacks have not rekindled the
  self-perpetuating cycle of ethno-sectarian violence that plagued Iraq in late 2006 and the
  first half of 2007.

  Coalition forces have drawn down significantly and the number of detainees held by the Coalition has been reduced by over 6,000 people. All five U.S. surge brigade combat
  teams, two Marine battalions, the Marine Expeditionary Unit, an Australian battle group,
  and the Georgian brigade have withdrawn. In addition, the Polish contingent will return home
  in October 2008. The transfers to Provincial Iraqi Control (PIC) of Qadisiyah Province in
  July 2008 and of Anbar Province on September 1, 2008 serve to highlight the security
  achievements during the draw down of Coalition forces."

  Essential Documents are vital primary sources underpinning the foreign policy debate.

  Report
  

  • Measuring Stability and Security in Iraq, September 2008

• Global Economy in Crisis

  
  Analysis: The Rebirth of U.S. Industrial Policy
  
  Will Russia Weather the Storm?
  
  Report: WTO Dispute Settlement
  
  Timeline: How the Crisis Unfolded
  
  More at CFR's Center for Geoeconomic Studies.

  New Book from CFR and the Saban Center at Brookings

  Proposes Middle East Strategy for the Obama Administration

  In Restoring the Balance: A Middle East Strategy for the Next President, experts from the Council on Foreign Relations and the Saban Center at the Brookings Institution propose a new, nonpartisan Middle East strategy drawing on the lessons of past failures to address both the short-term and long-term challenges to U.S. interests.

•  

Copyright 2009 by the Council on Foreign Relations. All Rights Reserved.