Iraqi security forces are increasingly capable of maintaining the relative calm in Iraq, and U.S. role is shifting toward providing logistical support and training, which is a “tremendous change in the mission” according to Iraq’s Deputy Prime Minister Rafe H. Al-Eissawi.

Dr. al-Eissawi discussed political developments in Iraq since the surge of U.S. forces, economic challenges, and the country’s evolving relationship with the United States.

Key Points:

• There is a clear desire among Iraqi citizens to move toward a political system based on national governance and away from sectarian divisions. This evolving attitude will be reflected more clearly in the next election cycle. 
   
• To ensure that all groups in Iraq feel they have a stake in January 2010 presidential election, Iraq will need to improve its handling of de-Baathification and national reconciliation, while also working to integrate the Awakening councils into the political process.  
   
• Iraq will face economic challenges due to its dependency on declining oil revenues well into 2010. In response, the Iraqi government is creating international investment opportunities in all sectors of its economy.
   
• Iraq wants to build a strategic relationship with the United States that is not based solely on security cooperation, and thus is working with the U.S. on a Strategic Framework Agreement that sets the conditions for cooperation in areas ranging from telecommunications to health care to agriculture development.
   
• Iraq’s efforts to address the refugee crisis so far are not meeting the needs of refugees and displaced persons. It is hoped that further improvement in security will encourage the refugees to return.