The U.S. Government's Divided Approach to Iraq and the Challenges of Establishing a Transitional Government

The latest developments in Iraq reveal a stark division within the U.S. government over the role of Ahmed Chalabi and the Iraqi National Congress, with some officials crediting them with helping to save American soldiers' lives while others accuse them of passing on classified information to Iran. This division highlights the complex and often contradictory nature of U.S. policy in Iraq, where different departments and officials have competing visions for the country's future.

As the State Department takes the lead in shaping Iraq's transitional government, its approach is shaped by a distinct ideological orientation and historical perspective that prioritizes authoritarianism over democracy. This has led to conflicts with the Pentagon and other parts of the U.S. government, including President George W. Bush's goal of establishing a democratic government in Iraq.

Key Takeaways:

• The U.S. government's division over the role of Ahmed Chalabi and the Iraqi National Congress reflects deep-seated differences in approach and vision for Iraq's future.
• The State Department has an ideological orientation that prioritizes authoritarianism and has historically opposed the idea of democracy in Iraq, dating back to the 1990s.
• The State Department has consistently sought to discredit and undermine Saddam's opponents, including Mr. Chalabi, and opposed initiatives to recruit a force of exiled Iraqis to fight alongside American troops.
• The State Department's plan for a caucus system would have allowed it to micromanage the outcome of Iraq's transition, sparking concerns among Shiites that they would be cheated out of their political due.
• Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani's call for elections was a key turning point in the transition process, but the choice of Lakhdar Brahimi as the UN envoy has sparked concerns that he is more aligned with the interests of Sunni Arab governments than the Iraqis themselves.
• The corruption and inefficiency of the Oil-for-Food program, which enriched Saddam and his regime, highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability in post-Saddam Iraq.
• The U.S. government's promise of Iraqi sovereignty by July has been contradicted by the plan to maintain foreign advisers in each Iraqi ministry, sparking opposition from Mr. Chalabi and others.

Statistics:

• Up to $10 billion was skimmed off the UN-supervised Oil-for-Food program, enriching Saddam, his regime, and many others.
• The 9/11 attacks led to a shift in the U.S. government's stance on Iraq, with President Bush and his advisors believing that Baghdad was involved.
• The State Department has opposed measures to recruit a force of exiled Iraqis to fight alongside American troops.
• The U.S. military has been responsible for fighting the Iraq war, while the State Department has taken the lead in shaping the country's transition.

Sources:

• Laurie Mylroie, adviser to Bill Clinton on Iraq during the 1992 presidential campaign, is author of Bush vs. the Beltway: How the CIA and the State Department Tried to Stop the War on Terrorism.
• Washington Post
• New York Times
• Wall Street Journal