Iraq : Forward, Backward or Nowhere?

The United States seeks an Iraq that is sovereign, stable, and self-reliant; an Iraqi Government that is just, representative, and accountable; neither a safe haven for, nor sponsor of, terrorism; integrated into the global economy; and a long-term partner contributing to regional peace and security.

The United States is pursuing this goal along political, security, economic, diplomatic, and rule of law lines of operation.

In 2009, the war in Iraq appears to be winding down, as security gains made since the height of the insurgency in 2006 and 2007 continue to be sustained, and as Iraqis increasingly seek management of their own affairs.

A new U.S.-Iraqi Security Agreement that went into effect on January 1, which confirmed the Iraqi's responsibility for their own security, introduced a new era in Operation Iraqi Freedom, and in U.S.-Iraqi bilateral relations.

This book measures the stability and security in Iraq today, and looks at the strategies, approaches, results and "winding down" of military involvement of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

This book consists of public documents which have been located, gathered, combined, reformatted, and enhanced with a subject index, selectively edited and bound to provide easy access.