Heritage Foundation Leadership for America

The debate over the war in Iraq has increasingly divided Americans. The purpose of this website is to help forge a national consensus on the continued need for patient American assistance to help the Iraqi people build a broad-based democratic government that will be an ally in the war against terrorism. This website is a clearinghouse for accessing information on U.S. Iraq policy from the publications, commentary, and events archive of The Heritage Foundation, as well as links to a wide variety of other sources of information on Iraq.

Commentary | Events |
All Heritage Research on Middle East issues

HERITAGE PUBLICATIONS ON IRAQ

2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003

2008

Just War and Endgame Objectives in Iraq
By Joseph Capizzi, Ph.D. and Kim R. Holmes, Ph.D.
May 12, 2008 (Heritage Lecture #1081)
The just war theory connects the use of military force to politics, reminding statesmen that war and politics serve the same goals—namely, justice, order, and peace. Every activity within war must be scrutinized for its capacity to create a more just reorganization of power. Robust analysis should attend not only to questions about whether war is justified, but also to broader political questions about the dynamics that lead to war and strategies for achieving peace.

Lessons Learned from the Basra Fighting for the Iraq Hearings
By James Phillips
April 7, 2008 (WebMemo #1887)
Congress tomorrow will begin a second round of hearings on Iraq featuring General David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker. A major topic is likely to be the recent round of fighting in Basra, Iraq's second-largest city, and its implications for U.S. policy.

The Battle for Basra: Britain Should Launch a Troop Surge in Iraq
By Nile Gardiner, Ph.D.
April 1, 2008 (WebMemo #1876)
Walking away from a front line of the war against terrorism would significantly increase the terrorist threat to the West.

Iraq: Pause in Troop Drawdown Makes Sense
By James Jay Carafano, Ph.D. and James Phillips
March 28, 2008 (WebMemo #1871)
In recent days there has been an uptick of fighting in Iraq. Shiite militia groups have battled with government security forces in Basra, and the fighting has spilled over into Baghdad and other cities. In contrast to the spiraling violence two years ago, when Iranian-backed extremists and al-Qaeda terrorists tried to goad the country toward a sectarian civil war, this round of fighting reflects the deep divisions among various factions within the Shiite community.

Iraq Five Years On:
The Coalition Is Winning the War Against Al-Qaeda
By Nile Gardiner, Ph.D.
March 18, 2008 (WebMemo #1860)
The U.S. and its allies must make a long-term military commitment to defeating the al-Qaeda threat in Iraq.

The Surge in Iraq: One Year Later
By Lt. Gen. Raymond T. Odierno
March 13  2008 (Heritage Lecture #1068)
The 2007 Iraq surge allowed Coalition and Iraqi forces to hold the hard-earned ground that was wrested from the enemy, while continuing to pursue terrorists as they struggle to regroup elsewhere. Iraqi leaders must now make deliberate choices to secure lasting strategic gains through reconciliation and political progress.

Questions on Iraq for the Petraeus-Crocker Hearings
By James Phillips
March 13, 2008 (WebMemo #1850)
When General David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker testify before Congress, Members should focus on key questions that will help Americans develop an informed opinion about the situation in Iraq.

Principles for Stability Operations and State-Building
By James Jay Carafano, Ph.D.
March 13, 2008 (Heritage Lecture #1067)
In order to be successful in a post-conflict setting there must be a sound doctrine based on principles of process, principles of purpose, and principles of peace.

President Bush on the State of the Middle East
By James Phillips  
January 31, 2008 (WebMemo #1790)  
President George Bush's final State of the Union speech focused heavily on the Middle East, as had all of his previous State of the Union speeches, with the exception of his first, which took place before the wrenching terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.  Almost one-quarter of the latest speech was devoted to Iraq, the single most important foreign policy legacy of his Administration.

The President’s Middle East Trip: An Opportunity to Promote Security, Freedom, and Peace
By James Phillips
January 9, 2008 (WebMemo #1770)
President George W. Bush should remind Middle Eastern leaders about the common challenge they face from Islamic extremists—many of whom receive extensive support from Iran—and that such extremists threaten progress toward greater freedom, peace, and security in the Middle East. He should give reassurances that they can count on the U.S. as a reliable ally and press them for greater cooperation to contain Iran and combat the Islamic radicals whom Iran exploits to destabilize Iraq, Lebanon, the Palestinian territories, Afghanistan, and other countries in the region.

2007

Combating Insurgencies: Past, Present, and Future
By The Honorable Thaddeus McCotter
November 30, 2007 (Heritage Lecture #1053)
Iraq is a central front in the War on Terrorism. The Bush Administration is trying to replicate the Cold War containment strate­gy of Harry Truman combined with the rollback doc­trine of Ronald Reagan in the Middle East. In Iraq it is essential to build stability from the bottom up.

Proposed Timetables for U.S. Withdrawal
Would Sabotage Reconciliation in Iraq
By James Phillips
September 21, 2007 (WebMemo #1632)
With mounting evidence showing that the Bush Administration's surge policy has made significant military progress, the congressional debate has shifted to focus on the need for political progress toward national reconciliation in Iraq. Many opponents of the surge continue to argue that the way to force Iraqis to compromise is to rapidly withdraw U.S. troops. But such a policy is likely to have the reverse effect. A premature reduction in troops would squander hard-won gains in security, take the lid off sectarian violence, strengthen the hand of Sunni and Shia hard-liners at the expense of moderates, and set back efforts at national reconciliation. The United States must maintain enough troops in Iraq to help Iraq's young government to establish the security conditions necessary to forge a durable power-sharing agreement.

"Cut and Run Lite":
Congressional Iraq Proposal Puts Troops at Risk
By James Jay Carafano, Ph.D.
September 16, 2007 (WebMemo #1618)
This week, the Senate will resume debate on the fiscal year 2008 defense authorization bill. It will consider an amendment by Senator Jim Webb (D–VA) to prohibit the deployment of any soldiers, sailors, airmen, or Marines to Iraq or Afghanistan unless they have spent as much or more time at home than deployed overseas. The amendment also prohibits the deployment of any unit or member of a Reserve component (including the National Guard) that has been deployed at any time within the last three years. The goal of this legislation is to limit the options available to Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, thereby tying Pentagon planners’ hands and forcing a de facto drawdown of U.S. force levels in Iraq. This legislation would undermine how America fights wars while limiting the flexibility necessary for the Secretary of Defense to effectively oversee military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Senate should continue to reject the cut-and-run approach.

Bush on Iraq: U.S. Troops "Return on Success"
By James Phillips
September 14, 2007 (WebMemo #1616)
President Bush delivered a short but effective speech last night that reviewed the military progress made in Iraq, explained why this progress now allows the beginning of a drawdown of U.S. troops, and reminded Americans of what is at stake in Iraq. He announced that 5,700 of the 21,500 combat troops participating in the "surge" would be home for Christmas, several months before they were scheduled to return. U.S. troops, he stressed, would "return on success" according to the situation in Iraq, not on timetables arbitrarily determined by Washington politicians.

After the Petraeus/Crocker Hearings: Four Issues for Congress
By Kirk A. Johnson, Ph.D.
September 11, 2007 (WebMemo #1610)
Now that General David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker have made their long-awaited statements to Congress, what should policymakers and the public take away from the hearings? There are four issues that warrant close attention: the success of the surge, political progress at the national and local levels, the devastating consequences of premature withdrawal, and Iran's efforts to destabilize Iraq.

Understanding Violence and Civilian Casualty
Rates in Iraq An Insider's View
By Kirk A. Johnson, Ph.D.
September 10, 2007 (WebMemo #1605)
When General David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker testify before Congress this week, much of the discussion will focus on population security. Civilian casualty rates, in particular, are a very important measure of success in Iraq. Though some critics of U.S. Iraq strategy focus on rates of sectarian violence, broader measures present a better picture of the situation in Iraq. These broader measures show that the "surge" has been a success in reducing civilian casualties and improving overall security in Iraq.

Making Progress: What to Expect from General
Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker's Report on Iraq
By Kirk A. Johnson, Ph.D.
September 07, 2007 (WebMemo #1602)
Recent reports from Iraq provide great insight into some of the major issues and conclusions likely to be raised next week by General Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker.

Advancing Freedom in Iraq
By Steven Groves
July 30, 2007 (Backgrounder #2056)
Helping Iraq to become a secure and stable nation in the heart of the Middle East is in the national inter­est of the United States. Iraq's best chance for long-term stability is to develop democratic institutions that will protect the basic civil, political, and human liberties and rights of the Iraqi people.

The War in Iraq: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
By James Phillips
July 24, 2007 (WebMemo #1565)
There are many misconceptions about the war that distort the current debate over U.S. Iraq policy. Although those seeking to score political points often try to reduce the war to simple slogans and either–or strategic propositions, the situation on the ground is complex and not adequately described by debate talking points or campaign rhetoric. The war in Iraq is now a major front in the global war to combat al-Qaeda and is critical to the outcome of U.S. efforts to contain Iran. At the same time, Iraq is the site of a bloody insurgency that threatens to explode into a full-blown civil war. The U.S. has much at stake in this conflict, and a pullout now would bring grave consequences: massive sectarian violence, a humanitarian disaster, and the creation of a failed state that would serve as a springboard for radical Islamic forces to destabilize neighboring states and launch terrorist attacks against a wide variety of targets, possibly including some inside the United States. As part of an effort to promote an informed discussion about the war in Iraq and the consequences of losing that war, this paper addresses many of the most common misconceptions about the situation in Iraq.

The Levin–Reed Amendment on Iraq: Cut in the U.N. and Run
By James Jay Carafano, Ph.D., and James Phillips
June 17, 2007 (WebMemo #1558)
Senators Carl Levin (D–MI) and Jack Reed (D–RI) drafted an amendment, since introduced by themselves and other senators as S.A. 2087 to the defense authorization bill, that would require the Bush Administration to begin redeploying U.S. forces from Iraq within 120 days; restrict the role of any remaining forces to force protection, counterterrorism, training, and logistical support operations by April 2008; and turn over the big issues in Iraq to a U.N.-authorized mediator.

Senate Effort to Impose Iraq Study Group Recommendations: Unrealistic, Unwise, and Unnecessary
by James Phillips
June 13, 2007 (WebMemo #1555)
Senator Ken Salazar (D–CO), Senator Lamar Alexander (R–TN), and a growing list of other Senators are co-sponsoring an amendment to the defense authorization bill that calls for the implementation of the recommendations of last year’s Iraq Study Group (ISG) report.

Deployment-Length Amendment Is First Step Toward "Cut and Run" In Iraq
by James Jay Carafano, Ph.D.
June 10, 2007 (WebMemo #1544)
Legislating combat deployment schedules would limit the Commander in Chief's flexibility during war and would be the first step toward cutting and running from Iraq.

Great Britain and the International Coalition in Iraq
By Nile Gardiner, Ph.D.
June 6, 2007 (Heritage Lecture #1028)
The war in Iraq is not only America's war: It is Britain's too. An early withdrawal of British or American troops would have catastrophic implications for the future of the country and would be seen by many Iraqis as a betrayal of trust.

Bush Administration Scores Victory on Iraq Vote
by Helle C. Dale and James Phillips
May 25, 2007 (WebMemo #1474)
Congress has finally carried out its obligation to fund the American troops on the frontlines of the global war against terrorism.

Iraq Benchmarks Should be Realistic Goals, Not a Means To Surrender
by James Phillips
May 18, 2007 (WebMemo #1461)
Congress continues to wrestle with the Bush Administration over overdue emergency funding for the war in Iraq, with opponents of the Administration’s surge strategy seeking to transform proposed benchmarks for measuring progress in Iraq into mechanisms for forcing the withdrawal of U.S. troops. Rigid benchmarks would become an excuse for pulling U.S. troops out of Iraq, rather than a means to help Iraqis build a stable and secure country. If Congress insists on inserting rigid, binding benchmarks linked to U.S. troop levels into legislation funding the war effort, President Bush should veto the bill. No President can afford to accept congressional usurpation of his constitutional authority as commander in chief of the armed forces, a precedent that would hamstring the U.S. war effort not only in Iraq, but also in possible future wars. Tying benchmarks to a reduction of U.S. aid to the Iraqi government is also a bad idea but may be a necessary concession for the Administration due to the political mood in Congress.

Fighting Al-Qaeda in Iraq
by James Phillips
May 4, 2007 (WebMemo #1443)
According to unconfirmed news reports, the commander of al-Qaeda operations in Iraq, Abu Ayyub al-Masri, was killed earlier this week in a clash with Sunni Arab tribesmen north of Baghdad. While these reports may prove to be false--the Iraqi Interior Ministry had mistakenly claimed that Masri was killed in February--the news this time comes not from the Iraqi government but from Sunni Arab tribes that had formerly cooperated with the terrorist group. The estrangement of al-Qaeda in Iraq from its erstwhile allies is a hopeful sign for U.S. Iraq policy. Yet many opponents of the Bush Administration's policy in Iraq are unlikely to recognize it as such, in part because they mistakenly see the war in Iraq as a distraction from the war on terrorism.

Post-Veto War Supplemental Must Eliminate Pork and Support Troops
by Ernest Istook, Nicola Moore, Baker Spring, and Allison Acosta Fraser
May 2, 2007 (WebMemo #1440)
President George W. Bush was right to veto the war supplemental funding bill. In his second veto since taking office, the President rejected a bill that contained an unconstitutional usurpation of presidential authority as commander in chief and, by adding billions of dollars in pork and pet programs, made a mockery of the new Congress's pledges to return to fiscal discipline.

After the Veto: Next Steps for Congress on the War Funding Bill
by James Jay Carafano Ph.D.
April 30, 2007 (WebMemo #1437)
Further delay by Congress will harm U.S. interests, undermine the training and readiness of the armed forces, and jeopardize the lives of the young soldiers who have been deployed to Iraq.

Iran's Hostile Policies in Iraq
by James Phillips
April 30, 2007 (Backgrounder #2030)
To counter Iran’s increasingly aggressive role in Iraq, the United States should disrupt Iran’s subversive network and raise the risks of its proxy war in Iraq; pressure Iraqi Shiite and Kurdish political parties to distance themselves from Tehran if they want continued U.S. support; and privately warn Tehran that continued efforts to subvert Iraq will have negative consequences.

Congress's Call for Iraq Withdrawal Undermines the U.S.-British Alliance
by Nile Gardiner, Ph.D.
April 27, 2007 (WebMemo #1435)
Congress is sending a clear signal of defeat to America's enemies in Iraq and across the world, which undercuts the United State's closest ally, Great Britain, which is committed to retain troops in Iraq until 2012.

President Must Veto Unconstitutional, Irresponsible War Funding Legislation
by Edwin Feulner
April 12, 2007 (WebMemo #1422)
After two months of delay, Congress may soon send President George W. Bush an emergency spending bill that would supply needed funds to U.S. soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan, but the bills already passed by the House and Senate—which have yet to be reconciled into final form—are unacceptable. The bills would tie the President's hands in conducting the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, a blatantly unconstitutional usurpation of the President's constitutional authority as commander in chief. At the same time, Congress's legislation is weighted down with billions of dollars in pork-barrel spending. Congress owes the American people and U.S. troops a clean emergency spending bill that does not violate the Constitution or make funding for body armor contingent on money for citrus growers. If Congress's legislation falls short, the President must veto it.

Delayed Emergency Appropriations Put U.S. Forces at Risk
by Mackenzie Eaglen
March 27, 2007 (WebMemo #1410)
Secretary of Defense Robert Gates recently described the severe budget dilemmas that the military—particularly the Army and Marine Corps—will face if Congress does not provide emergency funding soon. Funds are needed to pay for ongoing combat operations and immediate expenses, such as repairing and upgrading equipment like armored Humvees, training soldiers and Marines preparing to deploy, and providing re-enlistment bonuses. Further delay by Congress will have serious real-world consequences for U.S. military operations and U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Senate Rejects Iraq Withdrawal While House Continues on a Dangerous Course
by James Phillips
March 16, 2007 (WebMemo #1399)
Yesterday the Senate narrowly rejected a resolution proposed by Majority Leader Harry Reid that would have restricted President Bush';s ability to wage war in Iraq and imposed a deadline of March 31, 2008, for the withdrawal of U.S. troops. The chamber subsequently passed, in an 82 to 16 vote, a resolution sponsored by Senator Judd Gregg (R-;NH) that affirmed Congress';s strong support for troops deployed in the field and rejected a reduction or cut off of funding for them. Taken together, these votes were a significant victory for the Bush Administration in its intensifying struggle with the Democrat-controlled Congress over U.S. Iraq policy. But the House of Representatives, which has a stronger Democratic majority than the Senate, next week will consider a supplemental appropriation bill that would attach dangerous conditions to war funding and restrict the President';s constitutional powers as commander in chief.

The Iraq Conference: Iran and Syria’s Engagement Brings Unrealistic Hopes and Diplomatic Risks
by James Phillips
March 2, 2007 (WebMemo #1380)
The upcoming international conference on Iraq has raised unrealistic expectations about the prospects of gaining the cooperation of Iran and Syria, the world's leading state sponsors of terrorism, in stabilizing Iraq. Both countries have strong reasons to continue their efforts to undermine the peace and security of their beleaguered neighbor. Both want to inflict a stinging defeat on the United States and drive Western forces out of Iraq, as they did in Lebanon in the 1980s. Little is likely to be gained by including them in the multilateral negotiations, and much could be lost. Tehran and Damascus will seek to use the Iraq talks to deflect international pressure to curb their support for terrorism and subversion of Lebanon and to rein in Iran's nuclear program. The United States must not trade concessions to Iran and Syria in exchange for promises that those counties are unlikely to keep.

Congress's Unprincipled Proposals on Iraq Could Put Lives and Nation at Risk
by James Jay Carafano, Ph.D.
February 26, 2007 (WebMemo #1371)
Congress must not take battlefield decisions away from commanders or undermine the commander-in-chief's capacity to defend the nation...

House Iraq Vote Spells Trouble Ahead for War Effort
by James Phillips
February 17, 2007 (WebMemo #1364)
The House's nonbinding resolution against the Bush Administration's new strategy for Iraq is only the first skirmish in what is likely to be a bitter struggle over the future of U.S. policy in Iraq. Democrats in the House engineered a 246 to 182 vote by crafting a resolution that enabled House members to take a cost-free symbolic stand against President Bush's "new way forward" without taking responsibility for proposing a coherent alternative policy. This resolution, a rare rebuke to the nation's commander in chief in a time of war, is the first step in what will be a protracted campaign to hamstring President Bush's Middle East policy and undermine his constitutional authority as commander in chief. At stake is not only the fate of Iraq but also the outcome of the war against terrorism and of U.S. efforts to contain Iran, as well as the ability of future American presidents to fight and win wars.

The Senate's Iraq Irresolution
by James Phillips
February 9, 2007 (WebMemo #1353)
The compromise resolution on the war in Iraq negotiated by Senator John Warner and Senator Carl Levin (S. Con. Res. 7) is not a sign of resolve but of disarray, disunity, and political posturing. The resolution is designed to attract support for its criticism of the Bush Administration's "New Way Forward" in Iraq without requiring the Senate to actually take responsibility for outlining a serious alternative policy for resolving the very difficult situation there. In part, this is because the Senate is too divided to agree on a common policy beyond lowest-common-denominator criticism. Unfortunately, the Warner–Levin resolution is likely to accomplish little except to send a dangerous signal of foreign policy drift and weakness that will discourage America's friends, encourage its adversaries, and undermine Iraqi efforts to build a broad-based government capable of defending the Iraqi people from insurgents and sectarian militias.

Congress's Iraq Resolutions: Without Resolve or Constitutional Purpose
by Todd Gaziano, Steven Groves, and Brian Walsh
February 6, 2007 (WebMemo #1347)
Congress may soon consider one or more non-binding resolutions expressing its "disagreement" with President Bush's plan to augment American forces in Iraq by 21,500 troops. Such resolutions condemning the Commander in Chief's considered strategy to achieve victory and promote peace and stability in Iraq may play well on the campaign trail, but they are an abuse of Congress's authority and an unreasonable interference with the President's exclusive constitutional authority to make strategic military decisions during wartime.

Memo to Congress on Iraq: Don't Legislate Defeat Again!
By Helle C. Dale
February 5, 2007 (WebMemo #1338)
As with the Vietnam War, the Iraq War could be won or lost on the home front if Congress persists in passing resolutions undercutting or limiting the President's ability to conduct the war.

The President's New Military Strategy in Iraq
by Mackenzie Eaglen and James Phillips
January 31, 2007 (WebMemo #1333)
The President's revised strategy in Iraq is comprised of three central prongs: military, political, and economic. Many are asking what is different about the military mission in Iraq after the President announced an additional 21,000 U.S. soldiers and Marines were needed in Baghdad. This new strategy is a move away from what Senator McCain has labeled the "whack-a-mole" approach that placed a high priority on killing or capturing insurgents through search and destroy missions. Instead, the new mission will focus on protecting civilians from insurgent attacks, terrorist bombs, and sectarian militias and standing up Iraqi forces. It is an "oil stain" strategy that envisions the gradual expansion of secure areas, which should undercut the appeal of sectarian militias and build support for the government. This strategy, while risky, presents the best chance for moving forward in Iraq and should be given the chance to prove its mettle.

State of the Union 2007: A New Way Forward in Iraq
by James A. Phillips
January 23, 2007 (WebMemo #1322)
The war in Iraq is an integral part of the broader war against terrorism.

Stop the Broadcasts of Al-Qaeda's TV Propaganda
by James A. Phillips and William Schirano
January 16, 2007 (WebMemo #1312)
The United States has, for some time, found itself a step behind radical terrorist groups in information warfare. Now comes the troubling news that an Iraqi group affiliated with al-Qaeda has taken another step forward with its own 24-hour television station, al-Zawraa. The U.S. should attempt to halt satellite distribution of this network and refocus its public diplomacy efforts in the Middle East.

President Bush's New Way Forward in Iraq
by James A. Phillips
January 11, 2007 (WebMemo #1304)
Last night, President Bush laid out his Administration's plans for a revised U.S. Iraq policy that combines stepped-up U.S. and Iraqi military efforts with increased Iraqi attempts to reach a national reconciliation, an enhanced and decentralized U.S. economic aid effort to reward political moderation and create jobs, and regional diplomacy to line up greater international support for Iraq's beleaguered government. The plan's success will depend on the ability of Iraq's young government to deliver on its promises to achieve a lasting national reconciliation to undermine the Sunni-dominated insurgency and break the momentum toward an accelerating civil war. President Bush believes that Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's government is up to the task. This is a calculated gamble, but it is far more likely to advance U.S. interests than the policy advocated by most of its detractors, an immediate withdrawal, which would lead to inevitable catastrophe.

2006

Iraq Study Group is Wrong to Link Iraq to Israel
by James Phillips
December 19, 2006 (WebMemo #1290)
Although the Iraq Study Group (ISG) report has been dubbed "the revenge of the realists," it makes a highly unrealistic connection between building peace in Baghdad and building peace in Jerusalem.

The Iraq Study Group Report: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
by James A. Phillips and James Jay Carafano
December 6, 2006 (WebMemo #1278)
The ISG report does clarify some of the ugly dilemmas intrinsic to Iraq and will provide a useful reference point for the ongoing policy debate on Iraq. Its recommendations comprise a sensible and realistic way forward in Iraq, with one major exception: Drawing Syria and Iran into efforts to stabilize Iraq would accomplish little at great expense or even backfire, undermining stability. The ISG’s broad approach of reducing U.S. forces’ combat role while increasing their role training Iraqi troops and police would put U.S. resources where they can do the most good as Iraq’s government tackles the difficult political issues behind the country’s current violence. Conversely, as the ISG finds, an abrupt withdrawal of U.S. forces would lead to strategic, moral, and humanitarian disaster.

A Message for Maliki: Bush Must Make Clear Iraq's Responsibilities by James A. Phillips
November 28, 2006 (WebMemo #1264)
Tomorrow President Bush meets Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki for a two-day summit to discuss security in Iraq and other issues. Both Bush and Maliki are under pressure to craft a joint policy that will restore momentum to efforts to build a stable and democratic Iraq.

Britain Must Not Retreat From Iraq by Nile Gardiner, Ph.D.
November 14, 2006 (WebMemo #1254)
While Blair is right to reject a pullout from Iraq, his efforts to engage Iran and Syria are a major mistake.

Saddam Hussein Adjudged Serial Mass Murder by James Phillips
November 7, 2006 (WebMemo #1247)
Bringing Saddam and his henchmen to justice is a welcome milestone on Iraq’s grueling path from dictatorship to democracy. Without resolving Saddam’s fate, national reconciliation would be a difficult proposition for Iraq’s Shia Arabs and Kurds, long persecuted by Saddam’s Sunni-dominated regime.

Stupid Soldiers: Central to the Left's Worldview by Tim Kane
November 3, 2006 (WebMemo #1244)
The average American enlistee is more educated—not less—than the average young civilian. Wartime recruits also come from wealthier neighborhoods than their civilian counterparts, on average.

The Dangerous Consequences of Cutting and Running in Iraq by James Jay Carafano, Ph.D., and James Phillips,
October 5, 2006 (Executive Memorandum #1012)
A precipitous withdrawal of U.S. support would have disastrous results for Iraq, its neighbors, and U.S. national interests.

NIE Confirms that the Outcome of the Iraq War is Critical to the War on Terrorism by Peter Brookes and James Phillips, September 27, 2006 (WebMemo #1226)
After critics of the Bush Administration’s Iraq policy seized upon selective leaks from an April 2006 National Intelligence Estimate (NIE), “Trends in Global Terrorism: Implications for the United States,” President Bush ordered the declassification of key judgments from that report to refute the misleading portrayal of it.

Iraq Is a Strategic Battleground in the War Against Terrorism by James Phillips WebMemo #1210, September 11, 2006
Some who argue for an immediate pullout from Iraq call the war in Iraq a distraction from the broader war on terrorism. This argument ignores the fact that al-Qaeda has taken root in Iraq and massacres Iraqi civilians, government forces, and coalition forces on a daily basis. As President Bush recently noted, Osama bin Laden recognizes the importance of Iraq, where, he proclaimed, the “third world war is raging.” Abandoning the Iraqi government before it is able to provide for its own security would leave Iraq, its neighbors, and the United States more vulnerable to al-Qaeda and other terrorist groups. Whatever the disagreements over the relationship between al-Qaeda and Saddam Hussein’s regime are, Iraq today is a strategically vital front in the war on terrorism.

U.S. Military Policy in Iraq: "Cut and Run" a Disaster for the U.S. and the Middle East by James Jay Carafano, Ph.D., and James Phillips September 08, 2006 (WebMemo #1207)
Abandoning the cause of freedom and democracy in Iraq would hurt Iraqis and Americans for decades to come

What is Needed for Reconciliation in Iraq by James Phillips
Web Memo #1139, June 28, 2006
The U.S. government must closely monitor Iraq’s reconciliation process to ensure that the sacrifices made by U.S. servicemen in Iraq are not dishonored by ill-considered attempts to appease those they battled to bring freedom to Iraq.

Civil Society in Iraq at Work Amid the War by Dr. Ali Abdul Ameer Allawi
June 16, 2006 (Heritage Lecture #946)
Age-old structures of civil society that smoothed the edges between Arab and Kurd, Shiite and Sunni were damaged by the long Saddam Hussein dictatorship.

The Death of Zarqawi: A Major Victory in the War on Terrorism by Nile Gardiner Ph.D.
WebMemo #1118 June 8, 2006
The elimination of one of the world’s most brutal, barbaric terrorists will be a huge blow to al-Qaeda and its murderous cohorts who have been operating a vicious campaign of intimidation and destruction across large swathes of central Iraq for the past three years.

Getting Zarqawi: One Win in Long War by James Jay Carafano, Ph.D.
WebMemo #1116 June 8, 2006
Zarqawi’s death will not bring an end to the violence in Iraq, but it does demonstrate the resolve of the United States and its allies in the global war on terrorism. This war can be won with determination, persistence, and a strategy that frustrates the terrorists’ mission to intimidate free peoples and slaughter innocents with impunity.

Pulling Iraq Back from the Edge of Civil War
by James Phillips
February 24, 2006 (WebMemo #999)
The sectarian violence following the bombing of the Shiite shrine in Samarra has pushed Iraq to the brink of civil war and dealt a major setback to U.S. efforts to build a stable democracy-just as it was intended to do.

State of the Union 2006: Iraq and the War on Terrorism
by James Phillips
February 1, 2006 (WebMemo #982)
The President made clear that he has a strategy for victory in Iraq, not an exit strategy: “We are in this fight to win, and we are winning.”

Iraq and the War on Terrorism
by the Honorable Richard B. Cheney
January 6, 2006 (Heritage Lecture #918)
Some in Washington downplay the ongoing threat to our country, but the enemy that struck on 9/11 is still lethal and trying to hit us again. America has been protected not by luck but by sensible policy decisions, by decisive action at home and abroad, and by round-the-clock efforts on the part of people in law enforcement, intelligence, the military, and homeland security.

2005

After the Elections: The Road to Political Stability in Iraq
by James Phillips
December 16, 2005 (WebMemo #945)
Iraqi voters went to the polls Thursday to elect a new government that will lead Iraq for the next four years.

Time for Coordinated Communications in Iraq
by Stephen Johnson
December 15, 2005 (WebMemo #943)
The selective use of information to defeat adversaries is as old as warfare itself. Whether or not information warfare is properly deployed depends on if it effectively targets enemy communications, remains undetected, and spares non-combatants from ill effects.

International Support for Iraqi Democracy
by The Honorable Condoleezza Rice
December 14, 2005 (WebMemo #938)
I have come to Heritage today on the cusp of an historic event. Two days from now, the Iraqi people will go to the polls for the third time since January.

Dispelling Myths About Iraq
by James Phillips
December 12, 2005 (Backgrounder #1904)
This paper seeks to contribute to the public debate over Iraq by refuting some of the major myths that have distorted the public’s understanding of U.S. policy regarding Iraq.

Dispelling the Myths About Iraq by James Phillips
December 2, 2005 (WebMemo #932)
You've heard the pundits and the politicians. Now read the facts.

Zarqawi's Amman Bombings: Jordan's 9/11 by James Phillips
November 18, 2005 (WebMemo #919)
By killing dozens of fellow Muslims, Zarqawi may have changed the course of the war on terrorism.

Iraq Votes on a Malleable Constitution by James Phillips
October 14, 2005 (WebMemo #883)
The referendum is an opportunity to build national unity. Approval would signal that Iraqis have passed another milestone on the road to stable democracy.

Al-Qaeda Agonistes by Kim R. Holmes, Ph.D.
October 13, 2005 (WebMemo #882)
The end of Zarqawi as a political force in Iraq?

Bush Speech Clarifies the War Against Terrorism by James Phillips
October 7, 2005 (WebMemo #878)
The target is "Islamic radicalism," rather than the more generic "terrorism."

Lawrence of Arabia and the Perils of State Building by John Hulsman, Ph.D.
October 6, 2005 (Heritage Lecture #900)
The experience of T. E. Lawrence in the early 20th century teaches that state building should always be approached from the bottom up, never from ...

The New Iraqi Constitution by David B. Rivkin, Jr., and Lee A. Casey
September 16, 2005 (Backgrounder #1879)
The proposed Iraqi constitution deserves American support. There is every reason to believe that Iraq’s new federal government will be able to defend against interference ...

Make or Break for the Iraqi Constitution by John Hulsman, Ph.D., and Nile Gardiner, Ph.D.
August 23, 2005 (WebMemo #822)
The U.S. needs to push on one issue--federalism.

Firm and Patient Realism Needed in Iraq by James Phillips
June 23, 2005 (WebMemo #770)
A politically driven pullout now would be a disaster.

Slow But Steady Progress in Iraq by James Phillips
April 15, 2005 (WebMemo #725)
Pessimists have been repeatedly wrong about the prospects for postwar political progress in Iraq.

The State of the Union: A Focus on the Middle East by James A. Phillips and James Jay Carafano, Ph.D.
February 3, 2005 (WebMemo #651)
A consistent approach to foreign policy.

Stabilizing Iraq After the Elections by James Phillips
January 28, 2005 (Executive Memorandum #957)
To undermine the Iraqi insurgency and build stability in Iraq, the Bush Administration should encourage Iraqis to construct a federal system to facilitate power sharing ...

The Volcker Oil-for-Food Investigation: Is There a Conflict of Interest? by Nile Gardiner, Ph.D.
January 19, 2005 (WebMemo #641)
Paul Volcker and the U.N.'s chief cheerleaders.

The Oil-for-Food Audits: A Damning Indictment of U.N. Operations in Iraq by Nile Gardiner, Ph.D.
January 12, 2005 (WebMemo #638)
Fifty-five damning audits.

2004

The U.N.'s Fallujah Folly by Nile Gardiner, Ph.D.
November 8, 2004 (WebMemo #605)
Fallujah highlights Kofi Annan's lack of moral clarity.

The British Iraq Troop Redeployment: Why It Is Necessary by Nile Gardiner, Ph.D.
October 26, 2004 (WebMemo #595)
Is Britain 'sucked further into the mire?' Hardly.

The Battle for Fallujah is Crucial for Iraq’s Future by James Phillips
October 15, 2004 (WebMemo #588)
The Iraq government, with U.S. forces, must confront insurgents in Fallujah.

The Real News in the Duelfer Report by Helle Dale
October 7, 2004 (WebMemo #583)
Saddam didn't have WMDs. That's not the real news from the Duelfer Report.

The Volcker Oil-for-Food Commission: Is It Credible? by Nile Gardiner, Ph.D., and James Phillips
September 20, 2004 (WebMemo #569)
What little is known of the Commission's staff and operations is not encouraging.

Kofi Annan's Iraq Blunder by James Phillips and Nile Gardiner, Ph.D.
September 17, 2004 (WebMemo #567)
Kofi Annan's jibe undercuts efforts to stabilize postwar Iraq that have been endorsed by the Security Council.

Post-Conflict Operations from Europe to Iraq by James Jay Carafano, Ph.D.
July 13, 2004 (Heritage Lecture #844)
The U.S. military and its allies were poorly prepared to undertake post-conflict operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. If the U.S. and its allies wish to ...

Building a Stable Iraq After the June 30 Transition by James Phillips
June 25, 2004 (Backgrounder #1771)
Insurgent violence is likely to intensify in the run-up to the American presidential election and the Iraqi national elections. The U.S. should rapidly build up, ...

The United States Must Stand Firm at the UN Over Iraq by Nile Gardiner, Ph.D., and James Phillips
June 4, 2004 (WebMemo #516)
A revised Security Council resolution may not pass muster with those on the Council whose interests differ from the United States’ and Britain’s. No matter ...

Iraqi Prisoner Crisis: Correcting America's Communications Failure by Stephen Johnson & Helle Dale
June 2, 2004 (Executive Memorandum #935)
To address the Abu Ghraib incidents, the Administration should put military public affairs officers fully in the command loop in Iraq and show the world ...

Abu Ghraib: Shameful Action Calls for Strong Response by James Jay Carafano, Ph.D.
May 10, 2004 (WebMemo #501)
The guilty should be exposed and punished. The Administration and the Congress must also root out the leadership and systemic failures that allowed this horror ...

Investigate the United Nations Oil-for-Food Fraud by Nile Gardiner, Ph.D., and James Phillips
April 21, 2004 (Backgrounder #1748)
The abuse of the Oil-for-Food program was the result of a staggering management failure by the United Nations and has raised troubling questions about the ...

Iraq: One Year Later by James Phillips
March 24, 2004 (Heritage Lecture #825)
One year after the onset of the war in Iraq, the United States, its allies, and the Iraqi people are better off, and the ouster ...

Iraq: One Year Later by James Phillips
March 22, 2004 (WebMemo #453)
The United States is better off than it was before the war. Moreover, our allies are better off and the Iraqi people are certainly better ...

Models and Policies for Oil Production, Revenue Collection, and Public Expenditure: Lessons in Iraq by Ariel Cohen, Ph.D.
March 4, 2004 (Backgrounder #1730)
Both the developed and developing worlds need a steady supply of oil, but abuses and misallocations of oil revenues often lead to social and political ...

Executive Summary: Models and Policies for Oil Production, Revenue Collection, and Public Expenditure: Lessons in Iraq by Ariel Cohen, Ph.D.
March 4, 2004 (Backgrounder #1730)
Both the developed and developing worlds need a steady supply of oil, but abuses and misallocations of oil revenues often lead to social and political ...

The U.N. Oil-for-Food Scam: Time for Hearings by Nile Gardiner, Ph.D., and James Phillips
March 1, 2004 (WebMemo #438)
In effect the oil-for-food program was little more than "an open bazaar of payoffs, favoritism and kickbacks." The seriousness of these charges warrants investigation by ...

Thoughts on Iraq and the War on Terrorism by William J. Bennett
February 3, 2004 (Heritage Lecture #819)
On the issue that matters most (America’s survival, the civilized world’s survival, the spread of democracy, and the war against terrorism), President Bush is right ...

A Limited Role for the United Nations in Post-War Iraq by Dr. Nile Gardiner and James Phillips
January 22, 2004 (WebMemo #402)
An effective job by the U.N. in assisting with the electoral process in Iraq will help to restore its reputation on the international stage.

2003

Saddam Captured: Now Follow the Money by James Phillips
December 16, 2003 (WebMemo #386)
Saddam’s capture already has produced leads that have triggered more arrests and the further unraveling of his network of supporters.

Saddam Hussein’s Trial by Paul Rosenzweig
December 15, 2003 (WebMemo #384)
Saddam Hussein has been captured. How will he, and other members of his regime, be brought to justice? The United States could defer to a ...

Recommendations for the Madrid Donor Conference On Iraqi Reconstruction by Nile Gardiner Ph.D.
October 22, 2003 (WebMemo #356)
The Madrid Conference will be an excellent opportunity for the U.S. to show leadership on the international stage, and convince skeptical nations that a successful ...

Meeting the Challenge of the War on Terrorism by The Honorable Richard B. Cheney
October 17, 2003 (Heritage Lecture #802)
In the post-9/11 era, certain risks are unacceptable. On every front in the war on terror, the United States has cooperated with friends and allies, ...

Q&A on Supplemental Funding for Iraq Reconstruction by Carrie Satterlee
October 15, 2003 (WebMemo #348)
If Congress delays or slashes the funds committed to Iraqi reconstruction, it will jeopardize Iraq’s fragile political reform process. And while $87 billion is a ...

Remarks by the Vice President to the Heritage Foundation by The Heritage Foundation
October 10, 2003 (Heritage Lecture )
Transcript and photos of Dick Cheney's speech at The Heritage Foundation, October 10, 2003, on continuing terrorist threats to the United States.

To Build a Stable Iraq, Empower Iraqis, Not the U.N. by James Phillips
October 7, 2003 (Backgrounder #1695)
The Bush Administration must be careful not to jeopardize the long-term prospects of a stable Iraq in a rush to obtain marginal increases of international ...

Restarting the Flow: Restoring Iraqi Oil Production by Ariel Cohen, Ph.D.
October 1, 2003 (Backgrounder #1693)
Without Iraqi oil, the U.S. taxpayer will have to foot the bill for the occupation and reconstruction of Iraq, U.S. consumers will pay higher prices ...

Bolster Freedom, Not Dependence, in Iraq by James Phillips and Marc A. Miles, Ph.D.
September 19, 2003 (Executive Memorandum #900)
While the people of Iraq have been liberated from Saddam Hussein’s political repression, they continue to be hamstrung by the economic repression he imposed. The ...

After Iraq: Learning the War's Lessons by James Jay Carafano, Ph.D.
July 3, 2003 (Backgrounder #1664)
Americans can be justifiably proud of the U.S. military’s performance during the war in Iraq, but victory is little more than a page in the ...

Women and the Transition to Democracy: Iraq, Afghanistan, and Beyond by The Honorable Paula J. Dobriansky
June 20, 2003 (Heritage Lecture #793)
The women of Iraq have a critical role to play in the future revival of their society. They bring skills and knowledge that will be ...

For a New Alliance by Alain Madelin
May 16, 2003 (Heritage Lecture #788)
Franceshould side with the United States to liberate the Iraqi people from the tyrannical regime of Saddam Hussein. France should not side with Saddam ...

Democracy, Federalism, and Realism in Postwar Iraq by James A. Phillips
May 2, 2003 (Executive Memorandum #873)
To accomplish its postwar goals, the United States will have to overcome the resistance of hostile Iraqi political forces, referee the deadly factional struggles of ...

Forgive the Iraqi Debt by Dr. Nile Gardiner, and Marc Miles, Ph.D.
April 30, 2003 (Executive Memorandum #871)
Forgiving these debts would constitute both an historic contribution to the economic development of post-Saddam Iraq and a major gesture of support for the Iraqi ...

War Crimes Trials by Paul Rosenzweig
April 22, 2003 (WebMemo #266)
Thousands more as-yet-unidentified Iraqis will doubtless also be pursued for their role in the brutal Saddam state. Once captured, how should they be brought to ...

Blueprint for Freedom: Limiting the Role of the United Nations in Post-War Iraq by Nile Gardiner, Ph.D., and David B. Rivkin, Jr., Esq.
April 21, 2003 (Backgrounder #1646)
The U.N. is slowly dying as a force on the world stage and will go the way of the League of Nations unless it is ...

Operation Iraqi Freedom: Military Objectives Met by Baker Spring
April 18, 2003 (WebMemo #261)
At the outset of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld set eight mission objectives for the operation. Accounting for the fact that military ...

Saddam Hussein's Violations of the Geneva Convention by Carrie Satterlee
April 17, 2003 (WebMemo #260)
The United States and coalition allies have agreed to work with the new Iraqi government to develop the legal framework to bring the members of ...

Fighting a Just War in Iraq by Joseph Loconte
April 8, 2003 (WebMemo #251)
The contrast between the conduct of the U.S.-led military and that of Saddam Hussein could not be more stark. It has been widely reported that ...

Deter Iranian and Syrian Meddling In Postwar Iraq by James Phillips
April 4, 2003 (WebMemo #249)
While American troops relentlessly grind down the military power of Saddam Hussein’s dictatorship, a new and more unconventional threat is emerging to American troops in ...

Limit the Role of the United Nations In Post-War Iraq by Dr. Nile Gardiner
April 1, 2003 (WebMemo #246)
Limit the Role of the United Nations In Post-War Iraq

Keep the War in Perspective by James Phillips
March 28, 2003 (WebMemo #242)
While some in the media have become impatient for a final victory, it is important for Americans to remain realistic about the pace of the ...

The Bush-Blair Summit: Iraq, the U.N., and the Future of Europe by Dr. Nile Gardiner and John C. Hulsman, Ph. D.
March 26, 2003 (WebMemo #239)
In its place, Washington and London must call for a flexible Europe, united by a common heritage and culture, but which maintains the principle of ...

Informe: La campaña para desarmar a Saddam Hussein by The Heritage Foundation
March 25, 2003 (WebMemo #235)
Informe: La campaña para desarmar a Saddam Hussein

Achieving Economic Reform and Growth in Iraq by Ariel Cohen, Ph.D. and Gerald P. O'Driscoll, Jr., Ph.D.
March 25, 2003 (WebMemo #236)
The Bush Administration should help Iraqi opposition leaders to develop an economic reform package for their country.

Saddam's Strategy: Holding Baghdad Hostage by James A. Phillips
March 21, 2003 (WebMemo #232)
American forces can converge on Baghdad, the sooner Iraqi morale will collapse, and the faster Saddam’s few remaining loyalists will desert his cause. 

Opening Days of Gulf War II Demonstrates Need to Accelerate Army Transformation by Jack Spencer
March 21, 2003 (WebMemo #233)
In the era of modern warfare, where timelines are extremely short, strategic agility cannot be undervalued thus demonstrating a need to accelerate Army transformation.

"Coalition of the Willing" Already Larger than the 1991 Gulf War coalition by Paolo Pasicolan and Carrie Satterlee
March 19, 2003 (WebMemo #225)
Only one day after Bush's ultimatum for Saddam Hussein to leave Iraq, a growing number of countries have decided to join a "coalition of the ...

Why Preemption is Necessary by Jack Spencer
March 19, 2003 (WebMemo #226)
In situations where the evidence demonstrates overwhelmingly that behavioral trends, capability, and motives all point to imminent threat, it may be necessary for the President ...

The Case Against Iraq by Jack Spencer
March 19, 2003 (WebMemo #227)
Outlines the lessons learned through the September 11 attacks, which clearly shows why Saddam poses a threat that must be dealt with immediately.

The Anglo-U.S. Special Relationship and the Coalition of the Willing by Dr. Nile Gardiner
March 19, 2003 (WebMemo #228)
The world’s two most powerful nations remain united in their determination to deal with the twin global threats of state-sponsored terrorism and the production of ...

Three War Aims by Baker Spring and Jack Spencer
March 19, 2003 (WebMemo #229)
Breifly discusses three war aim in which the Bush Administration should conduct this military operation to end Saddam Hussein's brutal and menacing regime in Iraq. ...

President Bush's Clarion Call For War With Iraq by James Phillips
March 18, 2003 (WebMemo #224)
Brief overview of Bush's speech that set the stage for the disarming and liberation of Iraq.

Forging a Durable Post-War Political Settlement in Iraq by John C. Hulsman, Ph.D. and James Phillips
March 7, 2003 (Backgrounder #1632)
The United States should help the Iraqi people establish a new federal system of governance that provides representation for all the people of Iraq and ...

The Road to Economic Prosperity for a Post-Saddam Iraq by Dr. Ariel Cohen, and Gerald P. O'Driscoll, Jr., Ph.D.
March 5, 2003 (Backgrounder #1633)
Iraq’s return to global markets would allow for a more abundant and stable energy supply, a higher cash flow for the Iraqi people, and numerous ...

Facts on Who Benefits From Keeping Saddam Hussein In Power by Carrie Satterlee
February 28, 2003 (WebMemo #217)
List of how France, Germany, Russia, China, and the United States benefit from Iraq.

Don't Let Iraq Get Away With It by James Phillips
February 14, 2003 (WebMemo #209)
Don't Let Irag Get Away With It

Challenge the U.N. to Hold Firm on Iraq by James A. Phillips
February 12, 2003 (Executive Memorandum #859)
Challenge the U.N. to Hold Firm on Iraq

Powell’s U.N. Speech: A Powerful Indictment of Iraq by James A. Phillips
February 5, 2003 (WebMemo #203)
The United States cannot afford to be diverted from its urgent goal of disarming Iraq by shortsighted efforts to prolong a stillborn inspection process that ...

Disarming Iraq & More: State of the Union Response by Helle Dale
January 28, 2003 (WebMemo #197)
In the State of the Union address, the Bush Administation builds its case against Iraq in a manner that has not been done before.

Stay the Course on Disarming Iraq by James A. Phillips
January 23, 2003 (Executive Memorandum #851)
Washington should maintain President Bush’s zero tolerance for Iraqi cheating and stiffen the spine of the Security Council and U.N. inspectors in looking at the ...