Learning from Iraq Counterinsurgency in American Strategy

Research Summary

q       Stemming from the change in American strategy against transnational jihadism, the author draws certain strategic lessons about counterinsurgency arising from the Iraqi conflict.

q       Though the American policymakers did not expect to involve in a protracted counterinsurgency campaign in Iraq during the removal of Saddam from power, it has now become the seminal conflict of the current era and even appears to serve as a paradigm for future strategic decisions.

q       The US efforts to replace regimes, which support terrorism eventually turned as a complex war involving sectarian militias, Iraqi and American security forces, foreign jihadists, and Sunni Arab insurgents.

q       The conflict started placing a great stress on the army and it was too late when US wanted to refine its strategy.

q       The post operation conditions in Iraq proved that though the United States is adept at counterinsurgency support in a limited role, it has to learn further to develop and implement a comprehensive counterinsurgency strategy for a partner state.

q       Commenting on the counterinsurgency camp by the US military force, the author opines that initially, it was nothing more than attrition where the main focus was to eliminate insurgents rather than altering perceptions, beliefs, and expectations.

q       Analyzing the outcome of such an approach, it becomes highly essential on the part of US government to develop and implement a different strategy in securing enduring results in the larger interest of Iraq.

q       The main question in enforcing a suitable strategy for reconstruction in the region is whether the military can be weaned from its conventional approach through education and leadership.

q       In the absence of such probability, the development and management of America's counterinsurgency campaigns must be ceded to other organizations.

q       Raising a concern over where Iraq can proceed to go from this point forward, the author supports the administrative model suggested by Ambassador Dennis Ross for achieving endearing political stability in the region.

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