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Iraq: U.S. Military Operations

Description: This report discusses US military operations in Iraq. Iraq's chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons programs, together with Iraqi long-range missile development and support for al-Queda terrorism, were the primary justifications put forward for military action.
Date: March 9, 2004
Creator: Bowman, Steve
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Iraq: Oil-for-Food Program, Illicit Trade, and Investigations

Description: The “oil-for-food” program (OFFP) was the centerpiece of a long-standing U.N. Security Council effort to alleviate human suffering in Iraq while maintaining key elements of the 1991 Gulf war-related sanctions regime. In order to ensure that Iraq remained contained and that only humanitarian needs were served by the program, the program imposed controls on Iraqi oil exports and humanitarian imports. All Iraqi oil revenues legally earned under the program were held in a U.N.-controlled escrow acc… more
Date: January 9, 2006
Creator: Katzman, Kenneth & Blanchard, Christopher M.
open access

Iraq: U.S. Military Operations

Description: The major challenges to coalition forces are now quelling a persistent Iraqi resistance movement and training sufficient Iraqi forces to assume responsibility for the nations domestic security. This report discusses military planning and operations in Iraq.
Date: May 9, 2006
Creator: Bowman, Steven
open access

Iraq: Summary of U.S. Casualties

Description: The following casualty data was compiled by the Department of Defense (DOD), as tallied from the agency's press releases. Included are statistics on fatalities during Operation Iraqi Freedom, which began on March 19, 2003, and is ongoing, as well as on the number of fatalities since May 1, 2003, plus statistics on those wounded, but not killed, since March 19, 2003. Statistics may be revised as circumstances are investigated and as all records are processed through the U.S. military's casualty … more
Date: June 9, 2006
Creator: O'Bryant, JoAnne
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Iraq: Post-Saddam Governance and Security

Description: Operation Iraqi Freedom overthrew Saddam Hussein’s regime, but Iraq remains unstable because of Sunni Arab resentment and a related insurgency, compounded by Sunni-Shiite violence that a January 2007 national intelligence estimate says has key elements of a “civil war.” Mounting U.S. casualties and financial costs — without clear signs of security progress — have intensified a debate within the United States over whether to wind down U.S. involvement without completely accomplishing initial U.S… more
Date: February 9, 2007
Creator: Katzman, Kenneth
open access

Iraq: Post-Saddam Governance and Security

Description: This report discusses the current political and social climate of Iraq, specifically in regards to the influence of the U.S. military presence over recent years. This report addresses planned and possible future efforts under the Obama Administration, including the scheduled gradual troops withdrawal. This report also discusses the continued tensions between various Iraqi sociocultural groups.
Date: May 9, 2008
Creator: Katzman, Kenneth
open access

Islam: Sunnis and Shiites

Description: The majority of the world's Muslim population follows the Sunni branch of Islam, and approximately 10%-15% of all Muslims follow the Shiite (Shi'ite, Shi'a, Shia) branch. Shiite populations constitute a majority in Iran, Iraq, Bahrain, and Azerbaijan. Sunnis and Shiites share most basic religious tenets. However, their differences sometimes have been the basis for religious intolerance, political infighting, and sectarian violence. This report includes a historical background of the Sunni-Shiit… more
Date: November 9, 2010
Creator: Blanchard, Christopher M.
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U.S. Military Action Against the Islamic State: Answers to Frequently Asked Legal Questions

Description: This report addresses select legal questions raised by the use of military force against Islamic State (IS). Questions addressed in this report include potential sources (and limitations) of presidential authority to use military force against the Islamic State without congressional authorization; the potential relevance of the 2002 Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq (2002 Iraq AUMF; P.L. 107-243) and the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force (2001 AUMF; P.L. 107-40); t… more
Date: September 9, 2014
Creator: Garcia, Michael John & Elsea, Jennifer K.
open access

The Islamic State and U.S. Policy

Description: This report provides background on the Islamic State organization, discussing its goals, operations, and affiliates, as well as analyzing related U.S. legislative and policy debates.
Date: February 9, 2016
Creator: Blanchard, Christopher M. & Humud, Carla E.
open access

Iraq: Politics and Governance

Description: This report provides background and analysis on the politics of Iraq, including its communities, its governing personalities and factions, security forces and militias, and the government's human rights record.
Date: March 9, 2016
Creator: Katzman, Kenneth & Humud, Carla E.
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