Iraq Analysis

The following is a link to Analysis: 2006 Make-Or-Break Year in Iraq.

"(Special Inspector General Stuart) Bowen said it will take far more U.S. support before the Iraqi government can take control over billions of dollars in reconstruction projects, including problem-plagued oil and electricity improvements."


http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060214/ap_on_go_pr_wh/us_iraq_analysis_2

In Their Own Words: Reading the Iraqi Insurgency

The following is a link to the following:

INTERNATIONAL CRISIS GROUP - NEW REPORT

In Their Own Words: Reading the Iraqi Insurgency


The U.S. and its allies seem to know little about the enemies they are fighting in Iraq, despite volumes of information on insurgent web sites, chat rooms, magazines and videos, which are a large part of their communication with each other and their constituents. Analysis of this undervalued communication suggests armed insurgency groups are less divided between nationalists and foreign jihadis than commonly reported, and are increasingly coordinated, confident and information-savvy. The better the U.S. understands their message and why it resonates, the better it will understand how to win hearts and minds. Coalition forces should take what the opposition says seriously, rather than dismiss it as propaganda, and adjust political strategy accordingly. An anti-insurgency approach based squarely on reducing the insurgents’ perceived legitimacy – rather than, as at present, on military destruction and dislocation – is likelier to succeed.

http://www.crisisgroup.org/home/index.cfm?l=1&id=3953

A very interesting look at the Insurgents in Iraq.

Iraq Children's Mental Health

IRAQ: Children's mental health affected by insecurity, say specialists

BAGHDAD, 7 February (IRIN) - The Association of Psychologists of Iraq (API) has released a report stating that the US-led invasion and occupation of the country have greatly affected the psychological development of many Iraqi children.

"Children in Iraq are seriously suffering psychologically with all the insecurity, especially with the fear of kidnapping and explosions," said API spokesman Maruan Abdullah. "In some cases, they're found to be suffering extreme stress."

More than 1,000 children were interviewed countrywide over the past four months for the study, the findings of which were released on 5 February.

According to Abdullah, the survey was undertaken after a noticeable increase in the number of children seeking psychological counselling, many of whom were found to have learning difficulties. "It was incredible how strong the results were," said Abdullah. "The only things they have on their minds are guns, bullets, death and a fear of the US occupation."

Of the children examined, 92 percent were found to have learning impediments, largely attributable to the current climate of fear and insecurity. "The fear of kidnapping has been the main reason for learning deficiencies, especially among children whose parents are government
employees or high-ranking professionals like doctors and teachers," Abdullah noted.

"About 50 of them are in a critical state of fear that could cause mental retardation if it goes untreated," he added. The API further found that inaccurate perceptions of psychological services served to compound the problem."Many Iraqis believe that psychologists treat crazy people," Abdullah said. "For this reason, they don't bring their children in for treatment."

Last July, the Iraqi Red Crescent Society (IRCS) developed a programme to help children suffering from the trauma of war. The project was frozen a couple months later, however, due to a shortage of funding. "Previous studies of children confirmed such psychological effects,"
said IRCS spokeswoman Ferdous al-Abadi. "But, unfortunately, we couldn't continue with studies due to a lack of money and the need to give preference to displacement emergencies."

The API has urged the international community to help establish centres specialised in child psychology and programmes devoted to mental health.

Iraqi Police

The following link is to an AP article titled "General: Corruption Hobbling Iraqi Police." The author discusses and interview with General George Casey who believes the current Iraqi police force is "hobbled by incompetence, corruption, sectarian and low morale." In the upcoming year, the military will focus on improving this area to ensure that a civil authority exists in a form in which Iraqi citizens can rely. The Gunners worked closely with the Iraqi Police (IP) and struggled with these same issues during our year in Iraq.

During our last weeks in Baghdad the IPs were notorious for arresting Iraqi Civil Defense Corps (ICDC), new Iraqi Army, soldiers to show who was in charge. They also attempted to loot both the Palace and Martyrs Monument only to be run off by American Forces. Creating an honest force is critical to the success of the new Iraqi Government.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060208/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_casey