By Chris Sweigart
Media General News Service
The "Petraeus report" is finally out. So, what does it say and why should you care? Here are 10 questions and answers with context. Media General News Service
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Stumble It!1. What does the Iraq progress report say?
Gen. David Petraeus told a House panel Monday that objectives of the surge "are in large measure being met," but progress is uneven. He said if progress continues he expects to bring troop levels back to "pre-surge" levels by next summer. IED attacks and civilian deaths are down. But, Iraqi politicians have made little or no progress on important issues needed to reduce violence and stability in Iraq.
Ryan Crocker, the American ambassador in Iraq, said "This is a sober assessment but not a disheartening one." He added solutions to Iraqi political problems "will take longer than originally anticipated." While saying there is no guarantee of success, he said reducing U.S. involvement would cause failure.
2. When did the "surge" start and when will it end?
President Bush announced the so-called surge in January as a new strategy for reducing violence and assisting the Iraqi government. He called for 21,000 troops to bolster forces in Baghdad and Anbar province. The first forces tied to the surge arrived in Iraq in February. Eventually, 30,000 combat and support troops deployed for the surge.
It likely will end next spring as the 15-month deployments of the added units ends.
3. How many U.S. troops are in Iraq?
Currently, about 168,000 -- the highest number since the invasion in March 2003. Troop levels are expected to rise to 172,000 soon as replacement units arrive before veteran units depart. About 140,000 troops invaded the country in 2003.
4. How many serve in the Iraqi security forces?
About 152,000 serve in the Iraqi military. The Iraqi police -- national, border and local units -- number about 194,000.
5. What are the benchmarks?
Congress set the 18 separate benchmarks in a spending bill, which President Bush signed. They include a review of the national Iraq constitution, fair distribution of oil revenues, reducing sectarian violence and spending $10 billion on reconstruction projects.
The Petraeus-Crocker testimony Monday included graphs showing decreases in violence and IED attacks in recent weeks and increased cooperation from tribal leaders in some areas. But, political progress has been slow.
There has been little agreement on how well Iraq has scored on the benchmarks.
The Government Accountability Office reported last week that Iraq had met three goals -- establish committees to support the Baghdad security plan, create joint security stations with U.S. troops in Baghdad neighborhoods and ensure the rights of minority political parties in the legislature.
A White House assessment stated Iraq had made satisfactory progress on eight benchmarks, including providing three Iraqi army brigades to help U.S. forces, allocating $10 billion for reconstruction projects and completing a constitutional review.
The GAO and administration agreed that Iraq had failed to approve legislation to divvy up oil revenues, to start de-Baathification and ensuring equal enforcement of laws by Iraqi security forces, among others.
THE BENCHMARKS:
1. Form a constitutional review committee and completing review.
2. De-Baathification legislation.
3. Law to fairly distribute oil revenues to entire country.
4. Enact legislation allowing semi-autonomous regions.
5. Updating election laws and setting date for provincial elections.
6. Pass amnesty legislation.
7. Establish militia disarmament program.
8. Establish committees to support Baghdad security plan.
9. Provide three Iraqi brigades to support Baghdad operations.
10. Give power to Iraqi army commanders to pursue insurgents and militias.
11. Ensure Iraqi security forces enforce laws equally.
12. No safe haven for "outlaws, regardless of sectarian or political affiliation."
13. Reduce sectarian violence and remove militias from local security.
14. Establish joint security stations, manned by U.S. and Iraqis, in Baghdad.
15. Increase number of Iraqi forces able to operate independently.
16. Ensure rights of minority political parties in Iraqi legislature.
17. Spend $10 billion, in Iraqi funds, for reconstruction.
18. No undermining or false accusations against Iraqi security forces.
6. Where did the benchmarks come from?
Most were originally proposed by Iraqi officials in 2006 and 2007, then added to the appropriations bill in May.
7. Who is Gen. David Petraeus?
Arguably, one of the smartest generals in the Army. The 54-year-old general was handpicked to command Multi-National Force-Iraq after he led the rewrite of the Army's insurgency manual and two tours in Iraq. He graduated from West Point and has a doctorate in international relations from Princeton University.
8. Who is Ambassador Ryan Crocker?
The 58-year-old career diplomat is one of the State Department's most experienced Middle East experts. He has served as ambassador to Lebanon, Kuwait, Syria and Pakistan before appointment to the Baghdad position. He speaks Arabic and Farsi.
9. What other reports have been completed recently about Iraq?
Two other progress reports were delivered to Congress last week.
The Government Accountability Office produced a 92-page audit that examined progress toward meeting the benchmarks. The report stated that three benchmarks were fully met, another four were partially completed and 11 were not met.
The Jones Commission, led by retired Marine Corps Gen. James Jones, investigated the readiness of the Iraqi military and police forces. The 152-page report stated the security forces had made "uneven progress." The military is capable of taking over an increasing amount of responsibility from U.S. forces. But, police units are largely ineffective, sectarian or corrupt.
10. What's next?
Tuesday, Petraeus and Crocker appear before senators for another round of questions. President Bush will address the nation later this week with his views and plans.
Expect a debate in Congress, on TV and radio talk shows, the campaign trail, newspaper opinion pages, Internet blogs and around the water cooler. Whether any minds will be changed at the White House, on Capitol Hill or in Peoria is an open question.
E-mail James W. Crawley, national correspondent for Media General News Service, at jcrawley@mediageneral.com.
