The report, entitled National Strategy for Victory in Iraq, was produced by the National Security Council and articulates the broad strategy U.S. President George W. Bush set forth in 2003, providing an update on progress as well as the challenges lying ahead.
It said that the U.S. and the Iraqi people were fighting a ruthless enemy, which is multi-headed, with competing ambitions and differing networks, adding that Iraq was likely to struggle with some level of violence for many years.
The neighbourhood is inhospitable. Iran and Syria have failed to provide support to Iraq’s new government and have in many ways actively undermined it.
As part of the continued challenges in the security sphere, the report said that the U.S. had to neutralise the actions of countries like Syria and Iran, which provide comfort and/or support to terrorists and the enemies of democracy in Iraq.
It also had to refine its understanding of the constantly changing nature of, and relationships between, terrorist groups, other enemy elements, and their networks, the report said, adding that the issue of militias and armed groups that are outside the formal security sector and central government command have to be addressed.
