Iraq: post-Saddam governance and security: updated September 21, 2007.(CRS Report for Congress)

Summary

Operation Iraqi Freedom overthrew Saddam Hussein's regime, but much of Iraq remains violent because of Sunni Arab resentment and a related insurgency, compounded by Sunni-Shiite sectarian violence and increased violent competition among Shiite groups as well. Mounting U.S. casualties and financial costs--without clear movement toward national political reconciliation among Iraq's major communities--have intensified a debate within the United States over whether to reduce U.S. involvement without completely accomplishing initial U.S. goals.

In order to halt the apparent deterioration in conditions in Iraq in 2006, President Bush announced a new strategy on January 10, 2007 ("New Way Forward") consisting of deployment of an additional 28,500 U.S. forces ("troop surge") to help stabilize Baghdad and to take advantage of growing tribal support in Anbar Province for U.S. policy. The strategy is intended to …