Transition to Civilian-Led Operations in Iraq
“Transition to Civilian-Led Operations in Iraq: This Time It’s for Real”
By Laura Hall
Budget Insight
August 12, 2010
The continuing reports on the difficulties of the transition from military to civilian responsibilities in Iraq expose several key issues that remain unaddressed. Others will write on the political situation, regional power struggles, the overall strategy, the risks of leaving (and of staying). The management challenges, however, are less understood and appreciated.
While operations transitioned from the Coalition Provisional Authority to the U.S. Embassy in June 2004, the real transition will come when combat troops are brought home. The transition to a “normal” Embassy presence and civilian leadership and responsibility presents challenges that bear not only on management, but can in turn affect our overall policy. A few of these are particularly notable because they raise larger, more fundamental questions that apply beyond Iraq.
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