Iraq: Strategies and Post War Relations

1. Iraq: Strategies and Post War Relations Eric Haught, Daniel Vazquez, Brad Shambaugh, Steven Gower

2. Iraq • The Republic of Iraq is a country located in Asia • Lies in both the Syrian Desert and Arabian Desert • Borders Syria, Turkey, Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia • Capital City Located in Baghdad

3. Iraqi History • Iraq features two major rivers in the Middle East • The Tigris and Euphrates • The region between these rivers is notable • Most scholars view this area as the “cradle of civilization • This area was the birthplace of key cultures like the Sumerians, as well important historic inventions

4. Iran-Iraq War • Saddam Hussein rose to power in 1979 • Nearby revolution of AyotollahRuholla Khomeini resulted in the formation of theocracy in Iran. • Iraq’s regime declared war on Iran

5. Gulf War • Following disputes over drilling, Saddam Hussein’s regime invaded Kuwait • UN initiated economic sanctions against Iraq • The USA spearheaded a multinational coalition to repel Iraqi presence in Kuwait

6. Build-up to the Invasion of Iraq • President Bush first spoke about plans for Iraq at the Atlantic Summit in 2003 • A unified nation • Representative form of government • Key resources • Military presence

7. Plans for Possible Reconstruction • The Department of State developed initial reconstruction plans for post-war Iraq • Planning oversight was shifted from the Department of State to the Department of Defense • Lieutenant General Jay M. Garner • There was a disagreement between DOS and DOD about the smoothness of Iraqi regime change

8. Time Line of Iraq War to Post-War MARCH 19, 2003: Bush launches invasion of Iraq JULY 22, 2003: Saddam’s sons, Uday and Qusay, are killed in a U.S. raid in Mosul DECEMBER 14, 2003: Saddam is captured------- Ladies and gentlemen. We got him! JANUARY 17, 2004: 500 U.S. soldiers dead in Iraq since the invasion APRIL 28, 2004: Images of torture at Abu Ghraib are revealed

9. Time Line of Iraq War to Post-War • JANUARY 12, 2005: WMD search in Iraq is declared over • JUNE 8, 2006: Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the leader of al-Qaida in Iraq, is killed during a U.S. air raid • JUNE 15, 2006: Number of U.S. troops killed in Iraq reaches 2,500 • NOVEMBER 5, 2006: Saddam sentenced to death by hanging. ----------- Iraq’s High Tribunal on Sunday found Saddam Hussein guilty of crimes against humanity and sentenced him to hang for the 1982 killing of 148 Shiites in the city of Dujail. • NOVEMBER 8, 2006: Donald Rumsfeld resigns as Secretary of Defense. One day after the midterm elections that turned control of Congress over to the Democrats, Bush announced Rumsfeld would step down and be replaced by former CIA Director Robert Gates. • DECEMBER 30, 2006: Saddam executed by hanging. The execution was conducted just before the Sunni Muslim celebration of Eid al-Adha. “It was a slap in the face to Sunni Arabs.”

10. Time Line of Iraq War to Post-War • APRIL 9, 2007: Tens of thousands of Iraqis gather to protest U.S. presence in Iraq on the fourth anniversary of the fall of Baghdad. Up to one million Iraqi Shias summoned by Moqtada al-Sadr “have gathered in the holy city of Najaf for a mass demonstration calling for US-led troops to leave Iraq.” • JUNE 7, 2007: 3,500: ABC World News host Charles Gibson takes a moment to note “a sad milestone in Iraq,” as the announcement of 6 more U.S. casualties in Iraq, ratcheted the total toll of the war to 3,500 troops who have died in Iraq since the war began. • In late February 2009, newly elected U.S. President Barack Obama announced an 18-month withdrawal window for combat forces, with approximately 50,000 troops remaining in the country "to advise and train Iraqi security forces and to provide intelligence and surveillance." • October 21, 2011, President Obama announced that all U.S. troops and trainers would leave Iraq by the end of the year, bringing the U.S. mission in Iraq to an end. On December 15, 2011, U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta officially declared the Iraq War over, at a flag lowering ceremony in Baghdad.

11. Time Line of Iraq War to Post-War After the War/Withdrawal Major criticisms that arose at the end of the war include: •Total Human casualties/Lack of humanitarianism •Insufficient post-invasion plans •Financial Costs

12. Time Line of Iraq War to Post-War After the War/Withdrawal Lack of Humanitarianism: •Malnutrition rates had risen from 19% to as much as 28% by the first four years after the war began. •About 70% of Iraqis have no way of receiving safe drinking water. •No real number on number of civilian casualties, though estimates put the toll roughly between 66,000-115,000.

13. Troop Withdrawal • February 27, 2009 -President Obama vows end of combat operations by August 31, 2010. • September 1, 2010 -Mission changed from “Operation Iraqi Freedom” to “Operation New Dawn”. • December 18, 2011 -Last troop leaves Iraq

14. Factions Within Iraq • Many factions in Iraq still seek to force their will onto the new Iraqi government and others continue the insurgency. • Impossible to satisfy every group of people. • With the absence of US troops, many fear the civil war will intensify.

15. Ba’ath Party of Iraq • Banned from government, public schools, and universities by Coalition Provisional Authority in June 2003. • Iraq reaffirms ban with the creation of their Constitution in 2005. • In 2008 up to 35 officials of Interior Ministry are arrest for working with the Ba’ath Party. • Still maintains role in the insurgency.

16. al-Qaeda in Iraq • Led by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi (KIA) at its height. Main target during the Marine’s Second Battle of Fallujah. • Large attacks on government buildings since 2009, when US troops started to pull out of major cities. • Accused by GEN Odierno of undermining and sabotaging elections. • Strength is diminishing, 80% of leaders have been killed; uses mass violence to incite sectarian violence

17. Mahdi Army/Promised Day Brigade • Led by Muqtada al-Sadr. • The Mahdi Army battled with coalition forces on a large scale until 2006, since has formed with Promised Day Brigade. • Believed they are receiving support from Iran. • al-Sadr is still largely involved with the government though he holds no official title.

18. President Obama’s Withdrawal and Post-War Relations • “Today, I can report that, as promised, the rest of our troops in Iraq will come home by the end of the year. After nearly nine years, America’s war in Iraq will be over.” -President Barack Obama • October 21, 2011

19. Islamic Army in Iraq(IAI) • Ex-Baathists loyal to Saddam Hussein, formed to fight coalition forces in 2003. • Main goal is to drive out American troops in the form of violence. • Carried out armed conflict against al-Qaeda of Iraq in early 2007. Refused to sign al-Qaeda led Islamic State of Iraq. • Several reports of joining with US forces to combat al-Qaeda. • Opposes Iranian involvement in Iraq. • "There are two occupations in Iraq. Iran on one side through the militias which they control and through direct involvement with the national guard and the intelligence services, that causes the killing and destruction of the Sunnis... And then there is the American occupation which destroys the Iraqi people."

20. Kurds • Located dominantly in northern Iraq. • Continually persecuted under Saddam Hussein’s regime. (Chemical attacks in 1983) • Iraqi Constitution states Iraqi Kurdistan as a federal entity of Iraq. • Fought against the Iraqi government during 2003 invasion. • Reluctant to send troops anywhere outside of Kurdistan.

21. Iranian Involvement • Economic • Iran exports topped $1.8 billion to Iraq in 2006. • Religious • 1/3 of the 2,000 religious scholars Iran has sent to Iraq belong to the Iranian intelligence. • Military • Suspected of providing EFPs and other weapons to insurgency groups in Iraq. • Supports, trains, and finances militia groups inside Iraq. • As many as 30,000 Iranian operatives in Iraq.

22. Key ActorsU.S. President Barack Obama Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki US Military, Navy. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton

23. Why Is It Important? • Proximity to Iran • Money Americans have spent need to lead to success • Learning from our mistakes in make sure out intelligence is 100% correct before invading another country. • Making sure a stable relationship continues post war.