Since 2001, Congress has appropriated about $640 billion for the global war on terrorism, the majority of this for operations in Iraq. In Jan. 2007, the Pres. announced ¿The New Way Forward¿ to stem violence in Iraq and enable the Iraqi gov¿t. to foster national reconciliation. This new strategy established goals and objectives to achieve over 12 to 18 months, or by July 2008. This report discusses progress in meeting key goals in ¿The New Way Forward¿: (1) improve security conditions; (2) develop capable Iraqi security forces and help the Iraqi gov¿t.; (3) enact key legislation; (4) spend capital budgets; and (5) provide essential services. Also discusses U.S. strategies for Iraq. Includes recommendations. Charts and tables.

In Oct. '07, a Munitions Assessment Team (MAT) was assembled to evaluate the control and accountability of Arms, Ammunition, and Explosives in Iraq and Afghanistan. The results of that assessment were published in a classified report. The MAT team reassembled in April and May 2008 to determine the status of corrective actions that were to be implemented in response to that report. This report is divided into five parts: (1) Follow-up Assessment on the Accountability of Arms and Ammunition Provided to the Security Forces of Iraq; (2) Additional Arms, Ammunition, and Explosives Issues; (3) Foreign Military Sales; (4) Logistics Sustainability; and (5) Medical Sustainability. Charts and tables. This is a print on demand report.

Contents: (1) A responsible drawdown in Iraq will need to balance the timetable established in the security agree., military doctrine that calls for the delineation of conditions that must exist before military operations can end, and the wishes of the Iraqi gov¿t. (2) The DoD will need to remove about 140,000 troops by the end of 2011. The redeployment of these forces and the removal of their equipment and material will be a massive and expensive effort. (3) The U.S. will need to consider how to transition from a predominantly military presence to a civilian one as U.S. forces draw down. (4) Iraq will need to develop the capacity to spend its resources, particularly on investment that will further economic dev¿t. and deliver essential services to its people. Illustrations.

Since 2002, the U.S. has worked to develop the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF). The U.S. Dept. of Defense, through its Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan, directs U.S. efforts to develop the Afghan National Army (ANA) and, in conjunction with the Dept. of State, the Afghan National Police (ANP). To follow up on recommendations from a 2005 report on the ANSF, this report analyzed the extent to which U.S. plans for the ANSF contain criteria that was previously recommended. The author also examined progress made and challenges faced in developing the ANA and ANP. Includes recommendations. Charts and tables.

Operation Iraqi Freedom: DOD Assessment of Iraqi Security Forces' Units as Independent Not Clear Because ISF Support Capabilities Are Not Fully Developed