U.S. Policy Options for Iraq

A Reassessment

Olga Oliker, Keith Crane, Audra K. Grant, Terrence K. Kelly, Andrew Rathmell, David Brannan

ResearchPublished Jul 15, 2007

Iraq is the most pressing national security issue facing the United States today. This book evaluates the costs and benefits of five alternative strategies the United States could pursue in Iraq. The authors argue that, as long as the United States remains in Iraq, policy actions must focus on improving the security of Iraq’s population by reducing violence. They offer recommendations for ways in which U.S. political, security, and economic policies in Iraq could be better geared to support this goal, though they emphasize the challenges inherent in this endeavor. Specific recommendations focus on embedding and vetting efforts for both forces and government structures and on targeting economic assistance more effectively. The authors also suggest policies that might be implemented if violence subsides — but that should not be undertaken unless and until it does. The book concludes with a discussion of next steps if the United States decides to withdraw from Iraq, arguing that the United States needs to prepare now to mitigate the effects of failure.

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  • Copyright: RAND Corporation
  • Availability: Available
  • Year: 2007
  • Print Format: Paperback
  • Paperback Pages: 102
  • Paperback Price: $23.00
  • Paperback ISBN/EAN: 978-0-8330-4168-5
  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.7249/MG613
  • Document Number: MG-613-AF

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RAND Style Manual
Oliker, Olga, Keith Crane, Audra K. Grant, Terrence K. Kelly, Andrew Rathmell, and David Brannan, U.S. Policy Options for Iraq: A Reassessment, RAND Corporation, MG-613-AF, 2007. As of October 8, 2024: https://www.rand.org/pubs/monographs/MG613.html
Chicago Manual of Style
Oliker, Olga, Keith Crane, Audra K. Grant, Terrence K. Kelly, Andrew Rathmell, and David Brannan, U.S. Policy Options for Iraq: A Reassessment. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation, 2007. https://www.rand.org/pubs/monographs/MG613.html. Also available in print form.
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