Iraq’s—and America’s— Existential Challenge

William Spence Spencer, executive director, Institute for International Law and Human Rights. Original Commentary for Middle East Bulletin.
April 16, 2009

As the Obama Administration begins to move U.S. forces out of Iraq, it should work to revitalize the constitutional review process and use it— among other strategies—to build a functional Iraqi state responsive to the needs of its citizens. It will be much harder for the United States to withdraw if certain state institutions do not exist or function properly. …

The United States, for better or for worse, maintains strong leverage on all of Iraq’s political factions. It still is in a position to be a voice of moderation and compromise, and convince all parties that they need to resolve these matters and that they need to do it now. It should use the tools it has to foster a realistic, practical discussion about how the state will function. …

Iraqis will view direct U.S. involvement in the nuts and bolts of amendments or legislation with suspicion, while other governments and non- governmental organizations are perceived as more honest brokers. Thus, the United States should recognize that this is an Iraqi process, but make robust diplomatic engagement and technical legal assistance a policy priority. …

Such an effort can also be a comparatively easy way to further bring our European allies and other regional governments to engage and be part of a solution. … The United States should also demonstrate direct support for United Nations efforts and a reinforced, revitalized Office of Constitutional Support at the United Nations Assistance Mission to Iraq. Access the full article>>



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In-Depth Coverage

Original Commentaries

08/20/10
Center for American Progress Welcomes Resumption of Direct Talks  —
08/10/10
A View from the Ground  —Darbaz Kosrat Rasul, chair, Rebaz Foundation. Interview with Middle East Bulletin.
08/03/10
U.S.-Turkish Relations  —Ambassador Francis J. Ricciardone, Jr., recently returned deputy ambassador in Afghanistan; former ambassador to Egypt (2005-2008); and deputy chief of mission and charge d'affaires in U.S. embassy in Turkey (1995-1999). Congressional Testimony.

Setting the Record Straight

Eye Still on the Ball

“Adverse developments in Iraq will be (and will look to be) increasingly a function of the Obama Team taking their eye off of the ball and rushing to declare mission accomplished. Yes, in such a scenario the Iraqis should bear most of the blame, but the part that is due to U.S. action or inaction will be Obama's responsibility. And it will matter. Iraq is at the center of a region that every president since Jimmy Carter has identified as vital to our national security. Iraq is next door to, and the playground for mischief from, the most thorny national security challenge the United States faces: a nuclear-weapons-seeking Iranian regime. These inconvenient facts mean that if the Iraqi situation demands more focused and costly U.S. attention, it will likely get it. At that point, what sort of domestic coalition will be available for President Obama's Iraq policy?”
—Peter Feaver, director, Triangle Institute for Security Studies; former director for defense policy and arms control, National Security Council, “Obama’s Iraq Speech: Another Missed Opportunity,” Foreign Policy, August 3, 2010versus
  • “Iraq is a strategically important place in the Middle East, just by its geographic location, by its population, by the influence it's had in the Middle East for a long time. So neighboring countries from around the Middle East have an interest inside of Iraq.

    “But I will tell you that I think Iraqis themselves are nationalistic in nature, and that's why it's important. A strong Iraq will defend itself against interference from outside countries, and I think as we build a strong Iraq and as we continue to build a strong security mechanism and as we continue to help them economically and diplomatically, that will make it less likely of others from the outside being able to interfere.

    “Now, for the vacuum as we see today, again, I remind everyone is that we still have a significant presence here, and we are not going to—we will not allow undue maligned influence on the Iraqi government as they attempt to form their government. What we're trying to do is provide them the space and time for them to do that, and we will continue to do that post 1 September. We'll still have a significant civilian presence, and again, we'll still have 50,000 troops on the ground here to ensure that this government can be formed by the Iraqis. And that all the other nations respect their sovereignty as they go about forming their government.”
    —General Ray Odierno, commander of U.S. forces in Iraq, interview, “This Week” with Christiane Amanpour, August 8, 2010

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