Guiding Principles for U.S. Post-Conflict Policy in Iraq: Independent Working Group Report

Success or failure in Iraq will be determined by whether the region is stable after direct American involvement. If Washington does not clearly define its goals for Iraq and build support for them domestically and with its international allies and partners, future difficulties are bound to quickly overshadow any initial military success. This report presents a three-phased approach that outlines how Iraq can make the transition from its immediate precarious state to a stable, more prosperous future. It also provides a detailed discussion of Iraq's energy capabilities in order to dispel many of the myths currently circulating through policy circles. Without serious planning for "Iraq, the day and decade after, a painful future awaits not only the Iraqi people, but the American interests in the region as well.

Edward P. Djerejian is director of the James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy of Rice University.