U.S. Commanders Cite Progress in Iraqi Police

CSIS provided support to an independent commission appointed by Congress to conduct an assessment of the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF). Chaired by General James Jones, USMC (Ret.), the Independent Commission on the Security Forces of Iraq reported to Congress in September 2007 on the readiness of the Iraqi Security Forces, their capabilities, and how support and training by U.S. forces contributes to the effectiveness of the ISF. Ann Scott Tyson of the WashPost writes an article giving voice to the U.S. military commanders claiming the police can be reformed, despite the commission's recommendations for the National Police to "be disbanded and reorganized under the MOI." It appears the commission's tough appraisal of the National Police gave way to the changes now being described by military commanders as a means to counter previous inefficiencies. The article also touches on U.S. military commanders' defense of the MOI, claiming it has cracked down on corruption in the last year. To learn more about the MOI and its struggles, please read PCR Project's Special Briefing: "Fixing Iraq: Why is Reform of the Ministry of Interior so Hard?" by Andrew Rathmell (Iraqi police officers from the 2nd Battalion, 1st Brigade, 1st National Police Division patrol through the Meshra al Bawi area of Baghdad, Iraq, March 20, 2007, in search of insurgents, illegal weapons caches and other evidence of insurgent activity. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Bronco Suzuki) www.army.mil Photo by Flickr user soldiersmediacenter used under a Creative Commons license.)