I strongly believe that a federal structure based on administrative and geographic lines with strong powers for the federated states will be the best solution for Iraq.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
Leaders of the various Iraqi elements will likely have their own militias, and there will be endless rounds of brinkmanship on the road to post-Islamic State boundaries, governing structures, and distribution of power and resources.
I'm very confident that the solutions that we are developing are going to be effective not only in application in Iraq, but also will be very helpful for potential homeland security situations as well.
There is no question that Iraq is one of the main problems. You'd have to be blind not to see what a magnet and generating force it's become for terrorist groups.
The bottom line is that after we defeat the armed forces of Iraq, that we will want to and need to provide stability throughout that country.
As much as we might look for opportunities to keep Iraq together, we need to be prepared for the reality that it's not going to stay together.
We have to bring stability to Iraq, otherwise we will be faced with a future dilemma of sending our loved ones into harms way to stop a civil war or the rise of a new tyrant born from the instability that we created.
If all goes well, the Iraqis are going to have a country that's going to have a representative government and will be at peace with its neighbors and in the region.
A stable Iraq at peace with its neighbors will remain elusive until we improve both the security and the economic environment in Iraq.
The U.S. must renounce any U.S. interest in constructing permanent U.S. military bases in Iraq.
The national unity government will need to implement a program that brings all Iraqis together, builds a happy future for the people of Iraq, and gets Iraq to stand on its own feet.