United States National Security Council

“ Al-Qaida in Iraq has declared and shown its intentions to establish a caliphate in Iraq and then to expand the caliphate widely. Sowing sectarian violence in Iraq has been and remains the central strategy of al-Qaida in Iraq to reach the goal of creating a caliphate. The Freedom Agenda is advanced by the survival and strengthening of Iraq’s democratic institutions. Winning in Iraq will not end the War on Terror, but it will make success in the War on Terror much easier. Failing in Iraq would make succeeding in the War on Terror vastly more difficult. ”

“ Iran has been cultivating influence in Iraq through all means at its disposal. Iran’s threat involves both lethal action and the burrowing of Iranian actors into Iraqi institutions. Syrian actions, while posing less of a strategic threat to Iraq than Iranian actions, exacerbate the tactical challenge faced by the Iraqi government. Present Situation We have achieved many of our initial objectives in Iraq. Saddam Hussein’s regime is no longer an organized threat to Iraq, its neighbors, or the United States. Iraq is governed by a freely elected government under a permanent constitution. ”

“ The situation in Baghdad determines nationwide trends; its stabilization has been seen as key to a unified Iraq. The Government of Iraq has not yet delivered promised essential services. Limitations on operations have hindered the execution of security plans. Force levels overall in Baghdad have been inadequate to stabilize a city of its size. Iraqi support for the Coalition has declined substantially, in part due to failure of security over the past year. In the absence of security, communities are turning to “self-help.” ”