Report from Iraq - November 2008

Editor's Note: As with earlier reports on his trips to Iraq, Kuwait, and Afghanistan, also published in American Diplomacy, General Barry R. McCaffrey's report on his 31 October to 6 November visit to Iraq and Kuwait begins with a long list of sources, evidence of his impressive access to key military and civilian personnel. Despite expressions of deep regret for the early military, political, and diplomatic mistakes of U.S. Iraq policy and concern for management of the shift of U.S. forces from Iraq to Afghanistan, this report is far more upbeat than the others regarding the likelihood that the United States will achieve its principal objectives in Iraq: departure of U.S. ground combat forces within thirty-six months; establishment of a working government supported by adequate security forces; and little risk of a civil or regional war.--Contrib. Ed. MEMORANDUM FOR: Colonel Michael Meese