Columbia International Affairs Online: Working Papers

CIAO DATE: 02/2014

Shaping Iraq's Security Forces

Anthony H. Cordesman, Sam Khazai, Daniel Dewit

December 2013

Center for Strategic and International Studies

Abstract

This new report provides a comprehensive assessment of the current capabilities of the Iraqi Security Forces, including all branches of the armed forces as well as national police and counterterrorism units. It serves to provide an update to the Burke Chair’s previous report, Withdrawal From Iraq: Assessing the Readiness of Iraqi Security Forces, to include the steps taken to develop Iraqi security capabilities since 2011. It includes all major arms purchases by Iraq from the United States under Foreign Military Sales authority, as well as the limited International Military Engagement and Training programs being conducted with Iraqi personnel. It also assesses the uncertain future of the Iraqi efforts to combat terrorism and insurgency, and the limited options for the United States to try to support those efforts.