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The New Way
Forward in Iraq
♦ Initial Benchmark Assessment Report
♦ Highlights of the Iraq Strategy Review (PDF)
♦ Fact Sheet: The New Way Forward in Iraq
♦ Background Briefing by Senior Administration Officials
National Strategy for Victory in Iraq
♦ Democracy in Iraq ♦ Rebuilding Iraq ♦ Training Iraqi Security ForcesAsk the White House
Philip ReekerCounselor for Public Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad
August 10, 2007
Amb. David Satterfield
Senior Advisor to the Secretary of State and Coordinator for Iraq
March 22, 2007
November 18, 2005
Brett McGurk
Director for Iraq, National Security Council
January 12, 2007
July 27, 2006
May 22, 2006
April 10, 2006
Peter Rodman
Asst. Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs
June 14, 2006
Robert Ford
Counselor for Political Affairs, U.S. Embassy Baghdad, Iraq
March 30, 2006
Kevin Bergner
Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Iraq
March 20, 2006
Amb. James Jeffrey
Senior Advisor to the Secretary of State and Coordinator for Iraq
March 13, 2006
Frank Ramaizel
Senior Advisor to the Iraqi Ministry of Justice, U.S. Embassy in Baghdad
January 11, 2006
Christopher Reid
Regime Crimes Liaison, U.S. Embassy in Iraq
December 21, 2005
Meghan O'Sullivan
Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Iraq
December 14, 2005
June 28, 2005
Dr. Zalmay Khalilzad
U.S. Ambassador to Iraq
October 26, 2005
Dr. J.D. Crouch
Deputy National Security Advisor
October 6, 2005
Steve Hadley
National Security Advisor
August 12, 2005
Allison Barber
Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense
July 1, 2005
Photo Essays
♦ Iraqi Election Photos ♦ The Road to Freedom ♦ Photos of FreedomRadio
March 20, 2006Dr. J.D. Crouch on Progress in Iraq
December 13, 2005
Mrs. Lynne Cheney Discusses Iraqi Elections
President Bush Discusses Iraq
"I want to say a word to our troops and civilians in Iraq. You've performed with incredible skill under demanding circumstances. The turnaround you have made possible in Iraq is a brilliant achievement in American history. And while this war is difficult, it is not endless. And we expect that, as conditions on the ground continue to improve, they will permit us to continue the policy of return on success. The day will come when Iraq is a capable partner of the United States. The day will come when Iraq is a stable democracy that helps fight our common enemies and promote our common interests in the Middle East. And when that day arrives, you'll come home with pride in your success, and the gratitude of your whole nation."
April 10, 2008
Read the full transcript here
Fact Sheet: The Way Forward in Iraq
President Bush Accepts Recommendations To Assess Decreased Troop Presence On The Ground Before Making Additional Reductions To U.S. Forces
On April 10, 2008, President Bush announced that – after detailed discussions with the Secretaries of State and Defense and Joint Chiefs of Staff – he is accepting General David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker's recommendations on the way ahead in Iraq. General Petraeus reported that security conditions have improved enough to withdraw all five surge brigades by the end of July. This is a 25 percent decrease of U.S. combat brigades in Iraq from the year before. General Petraeus has explained that he then will need time to consolidate his forces and assess the reduced U.S. presence on the ground before making measured recommendations on further reductions.
- President Bush has directed Defense Secretary Robert Gates to reduce deployment lengths for all active Army soldiers deploying to the Central Command area of operations from 15 months to 12 months. These changes will be effective for those deploying after August 1. The President will also ensure that our Army units will have at least a year at home for every year in the field. The stress on our force is real, but the Joint Chiefs of Staff report that the all-volunteer force is strong and resilient enough to fight and win the war on terror.
- President Bush calls on Congress to pass a bill that provides our troops the resources they need – without imposing artificial timelines or attempting to tie the hands of our commanders. This bill must also be fiscally responsible, and not exceed the $108 billion request the President sent to Congress months ago. President Bush will veto any bill that does not meet these requirements.
- The costs of war have been high, but during other major conflicts in history, the relative cost has been even higher. Today, our defense budget accounts for just over four percent of our economy, less than our commitment during four decades of the Cold War. During the Truman and Eisenhower Administrations, our defense budget rose as high as 13 percent of our total economy. Even during the Regan Administration, when our economy expanded significantly, the defense budget accounted for about six percent of GDP.
To Assume More Responsibility For The Welfare Of Their People And The Fate Of Their Country, Iraqis Are Stepping Forward On The Security, Economic, Political, And Diplomatic Fronts
Iraq's economy will increasingly move away from American assistance, rely on private investment, and stand on its own. In their recent budget, Iraqis would outspend the United States on reconstruction by more than 10 to one, and American funding for large-scale reconstruction projects is approaching zero. The U.S. share of Iraq's security costs will drop as well, as Iraqis pay for the vast majority of their own Army and Police. Ultimately, we expect Iraq to shoulder the full burden of these costs.
The U.S. will help Iraqis build on the security gains made during the surge. Currently, U.S. Special Forces are launching multiple operations every night to capture or kill al Qaeda's remaining leaders in Iraq. Coalition and Iraqi forces are also stepping up conventional operations against al Qaeda in northern Iraq, where terrorists have concentrated after being largely pushed from central and western Iraq.
- The Iraqi Army and Police are increasingly capable, and leading in the fight to secure their country. As Iraqis assume the primary role in providing security, American forces will increasingly focus on targeted raids against terrorists and extremists, continue training Iraqi forces, and be available to help Iraq's security forces if required. In the period ahead, the U.S. will:
- Continue to train, equip, and support the Iraqi security forces;
- Continue to transfer security responsibilities to them as provinces become ready; and
- Move over time into an overwatch role.
On the political front, Iraq has seen bottom-up progress. Tribes and other groups in the provinces who fought terror are now turning to rebuilding local political structures and taking charge of their own affairs. Progress in the provinces is leading to progress in Baghdad, as Iraqi leaders increasingly act together, share power, and forge compromises on behalf of the nation. Upcoming elections will consolidate this progress and provide a way for Iraqis to settle disputes through the political process instead of through violence. Iraqis plan to hold provincial elections later this year, and these will be followed by national elections in 2009.
Iraq will increase its engagement in the world and the world must increase its engagement with Iraq. A stable, successful, and independent Iraq is in the strategic interests of Arab nations and all who want peace in the Middle East, and we will urge them to increase their support this year.
- President Bush is directing our Nation's senior diplomats to meet with leaders in Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, and Egypt. In each capital, they will brief them on the situation in Iraq and encourage these nations to re-open embassies in Baghdad, and to increase their overall support for Iraq. This engagement effort will be followed by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's trip to the Third Expanded Neighbors Conference in Kuwait City and the second International Compact with Iraq meeting in Stockholm.
Improvements In Security Have Helped Clear The Way For Political And Economic Developments In Iraq
U.S. and Iraqi forces have made significant progress bringing down sectarian violence, restoring basic security to Iraqi communities and driving terrorists out of their safe havens. Neighborhoods once controlled by al Qaeda have been liberated. Sectarian violence is down dramatically, and civilian and military deaths are also down. Cooperation from Iraqis is stronger than ever – they are providing more tips, more Iraqis are joining their security forces, and there is a growing movement against al-Qaeda called the "Sons of Iraq."
Improvements in security have helped clear the way for the political and economic developments. At the local level, businesses are re-opening and provincial councils are meeting. At the national level, there is much work ahead, but the Iraqi government has passed a budget and three major "benchmark" laws. The national government is sharing oil revenues with provinces, and many economic indicators in Iraq – from oil production to inflation – are now pointed in the right direction.
Our National Interests Require Success In Iraq
Success in Iraq would bring us closer to our most important goal – making the American people safer here at home. Success in Iraq would give the U.S. a new partner with a growing economy and a democratic political system in which Sunnis, Shia, and Kurds all work together for the good of their country. It would demonstrate to a watching world that mainstream Arabs reject the ideology of al Qaeda, and mainstream Shia reject the ideology of Iran's radical regime, and deliver a historic blow to the global terrorist movement and a severe setback for Iran.
Failure in Iraq would diminish our Nation's standing, undermine national security, lead to massive humanitarian casualties, and increase the threat of another terrorist attack on our homeland. If we fail in Iraq, al Qaeda would claim a propaganda victory of colossal proportions, and they could gain safe havens in Iraq from which to attack the United States and our friends and allies. Iran would seek to fill the vacuum in Iraq, which would embolden Tehran's radical leaders and fuel their ambitions to dominate the region. The Taliban in Afghanistan and al Qaeda in Pakistan would grow in confidence and boldness.
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