A Way Forward

An commenter responding to my post on the 24 troops who died last Saturday asked: “What would be your suggestion?” Fair question. This is my answer.

I’m not suggesting that this is the way forward; it’s a way. But, if I heard this option being discussed I would say that it sounds plausible. It may be fundamentally flawed on several levels. Military strategists or geopolitical experts might look at it and laugh at the naiveté or the glaring omissions. Nonetheless, here it is:

o Establish a 5 – 10 mile wide DMZ inside the Iraqi – Iranian border and inside the Iraqi – Syrian border to prevent incursions into Iraq from within Iran or Syria.

o If requested by Kurdish leaders, establish a 3 – 5 mile wide DMZ inside the Iraqi – Turkish border to prevent incursions into Kurdish territory.

o In Baghdad, establish a 1 – 3 mile DMZ around the Green Zone to provide a secure operational center for the Iraqi government.

o Establish a 1 – 3 mile DMZ along the eastern border of Anbar Province to prevent incursions from that province into other areas in Iraq.

o Commit the coalition troops necessary to clear the above zones of Sunni insurgents and Shia militia and to prevent incursions across the above zones by any form of militant personnel.

o Provide adequate air cover to enforce these zones.

o Except for securing the above zones, pull the coalition troops out of Iraq over a 20-month phased withdrawal, leaving the most secure areas first and the least secure areas last. Move Iraqi security forces in behind the departing troops.

o Position enough well-armed coalition troops in Kuwait to maintain a rapid response force that can reenter a discrete area in Iraq if requested by the Iraqi government under a force mobilization agreement that spells out the scenarios under which such support may be requested. No mobilization would be longer than 60 days without the approval of the president and the House and Senate Armed Services Committees.

o Such military support would be provided only if the Iraqi government has met certain milestones as of specific dates, including: maintaining a functioning coalition government that includes Sunnis and Kurds; an equitable distribution of oil revenue throughout Iraq; rescinding certain de-Baathification laws to allow former Iraqi Baathists to reenter the mainstream; establishing effective employment programs; refusing military or economic aid from Iran, Syria or other countries that support terrorism; taking definitive action to disarm and eliminate Shia militants as well as Sunni insurgents; recruiting and training security forces; reestablishing a military force.

o Maintain air cover over Iraq based on clear rules of engagement.

o Commit to a significant infusion of economic aid over a 10-year period provided that certain milestones for restoring an effective infrastructure are met by specific dates (e.g., water and electricity supply; medical facilities; adequate schools; employment programs; etc.).

That’s my answer, for what it’s worth.