Document Created: 24 August 2007
Air & Space Power Journal Fall 2007
Iraqi Security Forces: A Strategy for Success by Anthony H. Cordesman. Praeger Publishers (http://www.praeger.com), 88 Post Road West, Westport, Connecticut 06881-5007, 2005, 440 pages, $49.95 (hardcover).
Readers will most likely approach Iraqi Security Forces in one of two ways. They will either set it aside in disgust after reading the introduction or enthusiastically devour it, soaking up every word—as I did.
Anthony H. Cordesman holds the Arleigh A. Burke Chair in Strategy at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, DC. The author of a wide range of studies on US security, energy, and Middle East policy—as well as more than 20 books—Cordesman has seen his analyses featured prominently in major international media outlets. Iraqi Security Forces, the product of his latest research on US policy and actions in Iraq, hits chords that some readers will find unsettling, causing them to shake their heads in disagreement over the author’s research, findings, and/or recommendations. Others will think that he is stating the obvious. Regardless, one should take to heart Cordesman’s recommendations, located in the final chapter.
I had personal experience with some of the Iraqi security forces programs during my tour at Combined Task Force 7 in Baghdad. During that time, I witnessed opening developments of the Iraqi Civil Defense Corps and the stand-up of the Civilian Police Assistance Training Team. I read with interest Cordesman’s comments, comparing them to my own experiences and finding them accurate. Satisfied that Cordesman had done his legendarily thorough job of research, I eagerly read on.
Iraqi Security Forces walks the reader through events dealing with the breadth of Iraq’s security forces—its armed forces (most specifically the army, but he also touches on the air force and navy), police, and other security forces units as they existed during Saddam’s regime and after his removal. Cordesman’s research begins with the fall of Baghdad and the ensuing chaos as police units collapse, armed resistance turns from full units to a smattering of individuals or groups, and crime and corruption begin to take hold. Summarizing the first 12 months of the US occupation of Iraq, Cordesman criticizes US policies and reports: “The United States not only initially failed to properly assess the growth of terrorism and insurgency during the first year following the fall of Saddam Hussein, but the insurgency also rose and became steadily more effective. . . . While the US training teams and US commanders in the field made steadily better efforts to organize and train Iraqi forces to protect themselves, the United States as a whole concentrated on manpower numbers” (p. 49).
Iraq had more than the insurgency to consider. Crime and corruption had always been a part of Saddam’s regime. After his fall, without an effective and visible police force to rein it in, the criminal element in Iraq grew. In some cases, criminals and insurgents worked together when it proved advantageous to both parties. Creation of a replacement Iraqi police force started in mid-to-late 2003, faltered as it faced this wave in crime, and restarted in earnest with the advent of the Civilian Police Assistance Training Team in early 2004. Cordesman notes that “the creation of effective police forces was never a luxury that could wait on defeating the insurgents. Giving Iraq stability and giving the Iraqi government full legitimacy meant that the Iraqi police had to become as visible as possible” (p. 116).
Although Cordesman’s research constitutes the bulk of the book’s 12 chapters, the final one commands the reader’s attention. I found his recommendations solid and well grounded in his thorough research. He reiterates that the United States and coalition must base their reporting of Iraqi security forces on solid metrics and that the reporting must be credible as well as transparent.
Not everyone will agree with Cordesman’s research and conclusions; in fact, some may take offense. If nothing else, skeptical readers should at least take to heart his recommendations. There is too much in Iraqi Security Forces to ignore. Any reader involved in planning, policy development, information operations, public affairs, or even the execution of future operations similar to Iraqi Freedom must read this book—lest we repeat these mistakes.
Maj Paul Niesen,
USAFScott AFB, Illinois
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