Terrorist Rehabilitation Terrorist

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Terrorist Rehabilitation Terrorist Terrorism / Political Violence Gunaratna Angell “This is a story of an effort to address the very fundamental challenge in this conflict, deradicalization … both in large mass populations, in small cells, in cliques and ultimately into the individual’s own thought process.” —Maj. Gen. Douglas Stone (retired) (from the Foreword) TERRORIST REHABILITATION Because terrorists are made, not born, it is critically important to world peace that detainees and inmates in uenced by violent ideology are deradicalized and rehabilitated back into society. Exploring the challenges in this formidable endeavor, Terrorist Rehabilitation: The U.S. Experience in Iraq demonstrates through the actual experiences of military personnel, defense contractors, and Iraqi nationals that deradicalization and rehabilitation programs can succeed and have the capability to positively impact thousands of would-be terrorists globally if utilized to their full capacity. Custodial and community rehabilitation of terrorists and extremists is a new frontier in the ght against terrorism. This forward-thinking volume: • Highlights the success of a rehabilitation program curriculum in Iraq • Encourages individuals and governments to embrace rehabilitation as the next most logical step in ghting terrorism • Examines the recent history of threat groups in Iraq • Demonstrates where the U.S. went awry in its war effort, and the steps it took to correct the situation • Describes religious, vocational training, education, creative expression, and Tanweer programs introduced to the detainee population • Provides insight into future steps based on lessons learned from current rehabilitation programs It is essential that we shift the focus from solely detainment and imprisonment to addressing the ideological mindset during prolonged incarceration. It is possible to effect an ideological transformation in detainees that qualies them to be reclassied as no longer posing a security threat. This volume demonstrates that with the proper program and encouragement, a detainee’s extremist ideology can be replaced with the principles of moderation, toleration, and coexistence. K12414 ISBN: 978-1-4398-5249-1 90000 www.crcpress.com 9 781439 852491 www.crcpress.com K12414 cvr mech.indd 1 6/1/11 9:28 AM TERRORIST REHABILITATION The U.S. Experience in Iraq TERRORIST REHABILITATION The U.S. Experience in Iraq Ami Angell Rohan Gunaratna CRC Press Taylor & Francis Group 6000 Broken Sound Parkway NW, Suite 300 Boca Raton, FL 33487-2742 © 2012 by Taylor and Francis Group, LLC CRC Press is an imprint of Taylor & Francis Group, an Informa business No claim to original U.S. Government works Printed in the United States of America on acid-free paper 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 International Standard Book Number-13: 978-1-4398-5250-7 (Ebook-PDF) This book contains information obtained from authentic and highly regarded sources. Reasonable efforts have been made to publish reliable data and information, but the author and publisher cannot assume responsibility for the validity of all materials or the consequences of their use. The authors and publishers have attempted to trace the copyright holders of all material reproduced in this publication and apologize to copyright holders if permission to publish in this form has not been obtained. If any copyright material has not been acknowledged please write and let us know so we may rectify in any future reprint. Except as permitted under U.S. Copyright Law, no part of this book may be reprinted, reproduced, transmit- ted, or utilized in any form by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying, microfilming, and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without written permission from the publishers. For permission to photocopy or use material electronically from this work, please access www.copyright. com (http://www.copyright.com/) or contact the Copyright Clearance Center, Inc. (CCC), 222 Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA 01923, 978-750-8400. CCC is a not-for-profit organization that provides licenses and registration for a variety of users. For organizations that have been granted a photocopy license by the CCC, a separate system of payment has been arranged. Trademark Notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or registered trademarks, and are used only for identification and explanation without intent to infringe. Visit the Taylor & Francis Web site at http://www.taylorandfrancis.com and the CRC Press Web site at http://www.crcpress.com Contents Acknowledgments xvii About the Authors xxi Foreword xxiii Introduction xxv Chapter 1 A Recent History of Iraq 1 The Extremist Threat 1 Introduction 1 The Case against Iraq 3 The Context 6 Background 9 Origins and Development of Threat Groups 12 The Threat Landscape 15 Ansar al-Islam fi Kurdistan (Ansar al-Islam) 18 Tanzim Qaedat fi Bilad al-Rafidayn (Al Qaeda in Iraq) 20 U.S. Impact on Threat Groups in Iraq 26 Conclusion 29 Chapter 2 State of Affairs of Detainment and Detainees 31 The Predicament 31 U.S. Detainee Operations 33 Process in Detainee Operations 36 Impact of the Abu Ghraib Abuse 41 Reaction to Abu Ghraib 44 Conclusion 50 © 2012 by Taylor and Francis Group, LLC v vi Contents Chapter 3 Setting the Stage for Terrorist Rehabilitation 53 Detainees (re)Act 53 Inside the Wire 59 Major Theater Internment Facilities (TIFs) in Iraq 64 USCENTCOM 66 General David H. Petraeus 69 Task Force 134 71 Detainee Rehabilitation Program Is Put Forth for Consideration 72 Lt. Gen. Gardner Acts 79 Conclusion 80 Chapter 4 In(To) the Fire 81 Introduction 81 Major General Douglas M. Stone 81 Origination of the TIFRIC Concept 87 Initial Challenges 88 Rehabilitation Pilot Program 91 MNFRC Boards 92 Major General David E. Quantock 96 Conclusion 99 Chapter 5 Part of the Team 103 Prologue 103 OSS Contractors 103 Pilot Program 103 Introduction 104 Sustenance 107 Lodging 108 Medical and Spiritual Services 111 Extracurricular Activities 111 Work Conditions 118 Employed Local Iraqi Nationals 122 Introduction 122 Sustenance 123 © 2012 by Taylor and Francis Group, LLC Contents vii Lodging 124 Medical and Spiritual Services 126 Extracurricular Activities 127 Work Conditions 128 Task Force 134 Military Staff Liaisons 131 Conclusion 133 Chapter 6 Detainee Care and Custody 139 Introduction 139 Background 139 Classification Criteria 141 Housing Placement 143 Caravan 143 Compound 143 K-Span 145 Modular Detainee Housing Unit 146 Special Housing Unit 147 Former Baath Party Regime Members Studios 149 Sunni and Shiite Division 154 Medical Access 156 The Motivation Factor 159 Conclusion 166 Chapter 7 A Method to the Madness 169 Introduction 169 Rehabilitation Unmasked 169 Iraq’s Rehabilitation Programs 175 The Program 177 Counterinsurgency Operations 181 Information Operations 184 Intelligence Gathering 186 Visitation 190 Conclusion 200 © 2012 by Taylor and Francis Group, LLC viii Contents Chapter 8 The Secret Weapon 205 Prologue 205 Introduction 206 Background 207 Iraqi Ministry of Education (MoE) 209 Education Placement 210 Training Program for Local Iraqi Civilian Teachers 213 Training Program for Detainee Teachers for Intracompound Teaching 214 Curriculum 214 Intracompound Schools 215 Formal Schools 217 Computer Training 221 Challenges 224 Conclusion 226 Chapter 9 Religious Enlightenment 229 Introduction 229 Background 230 Growing Pains 233 Four-Day Program 238 Day One 241 Cleric Component 242 Social Worker Component 245 Day Two 248 Cleric Component 248 Social Worker Component 250 Day Three 253 Cleric Component 253 Social Worker Component 258 Day Four 260 Cleric Component 260 Social Worker Component 262 Four-Day Graduation 265 © 2012 by Taylor and Francis Group, LLC Contents ix Conclusion 267 Chapter 10 Teach a Person to Fish 271 Introduction 271 Vocational Skill Training 271 Agriculture 275 Barbershop 278 Carpentry 280 Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning 286 Masonry 289 Sewing 293 Conclusion 297 Chapter 11 Art of War 303 Introduction 303 Prologue 303 Creative Expressions Program (CEP) 305 Week One 308 Week Two 310 Week Three 310 Week Four 310 Bucca Bears and Cropper Camels 313 Arts and Crafts 315 Leaping Forward 317 Lessons Learned 320 The Way Forward 321 Chapter 12 Widening the Scope 331 The Tanweer Concept 331 Phase I: Initial Tanweer 332 Phase II: Sustained Tanweer 334 10-Day Civics Course 334 Train the Trainer Tanweer 335 Phase III: Transition Tanweer 338 Tanweer Transformed 339 © 2012 by Taylor and Francis Group, LLC x Contents 12-Day Tanweer 341 30-Day Tanweer 342 Conclusion 344 Chapter 13 The Future of Extremist Rehabilitation Programs 347 The Context 347 The Background 348 Human Terrain Is Key 349 The Neglected Battlefield 350 Modes of Rehabilitation 351 Religious Rehabilitation 351 Psychological Rehabilitation 354 Social and Family Rehabilitation 354 Education Rehabilitation 355 Vocational Rehabilitation 356 Creative Arts Rehabilitation 357 Recreation Rehabilitation 358 Working Model 358 First Fundamental Aspect 359 Second Fundamental Aspect 359 Third Fundamental Aspect 360 Fourth Fundamental Aspect 360 Fifth Fundamental Aspect 361 Sixth Fundamental Aspect 362 Seventh Fundamental Aspect 362 Eighth Fundamental Aspect 363 Ninth Fundamental Aspect 364 Guiding Principles 364 The Future 365 Toward a Global Regime 366 Conclusion 369 © 2012 by Taylor and Francis Group, LLC Contents xi Chapter 14 Strategy for an Unconquerable Nation 373 Passion 373 The Wrap-Up 374 American Dream 375 Leap of Faith 376 Persistence 380 References 383 Appendix 393 Photographs from
Recommended publications
  • CTC Sentinel Objective
    NOVEMBER 2010 . VOL 3 . ISSUE 11-12 COMBATING TERRORISM CENTER AT WEST POINT CTC Sentinel OBJECTIVE . RELEVANT . RIGOROUS Contents AQAP’s Soft Power Strategy FEATURE ARTICLE 1 AQAP’s Soft Power Strategy in Yemen in Yemen By Barak Barfi By Barak Barfi REPORTS 5 Developing Policy Options for the AQAP Threat in Yemen By Gabriel Koehler-Derrick 9 The Role of Non-Violent Islamists in Europe By Lorenzo Vidino 12 The Evolution of Iran’s Special Groups in Iraq By Michael Knights 16 Fragmentation in the North Caucasus Insurgency By Christopher Swift 19 Assessing the Success of Leadership Targeting By Austin Long 21 Revolution Muslim: Downfall or Respite? By Aaron Y. Zelin 24 Recent Highlights in Terrorist Activity 28 CTC Sentinel Staff & Contacts l-qa`ida in the arabian AQAP has avoided many of the domestic Peninsula (AQAP) is currently battles that weakened other al-Qa`ida the most successful of the affiliates by pursuing a shrewd strategy at three al-Qa`ida affiliates home in Yemen.3 The group has sought to Aoperating in the Arab world.1 Unlike its focus its efforts on its primary enemies— sibling partners, AQAP has neither been the Yemeni and Saudi governments, as plagued by internecine conflicts nor has well as the United States—rather than it clashed with its tribal hosts. It has also distracting itself by combating minor launched two major terrorist attacks domestic adversaries that would only About the CTC Sentinel against the U.S. homeland that were only complicate its grand strategy. Some The Combating Terrorism Center is an foiled by a combination of luck and the analysts have argued that this stems independent educational and research help of foreign intelligence agencies.2 from the lessons the group learned from institution based in the Department of Social al-Qa`ida’s failed campaigns in countries Sciences at the United States Military Academy, such as Saudi Arabia and Iraq.
    [Show full text]
  • Iranian Strategy in Syria
    *SBOJBO4USBUFHZJO4ZSJB #:8JMM'VMUPO KPTFQIIPMMJEBZ 4BN8ZFS BKPJOUSFQPSUCZ"&*ŦT$SJUJDBM5ISFBUT1SPKFDUJ/45*565&'035)&456%:0'8"3 .BZ All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. ©2013 by Institute for the Study of War and AEI’s Critical Threats Project Cover Image: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad, and Hezbollah’s Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah appear together on a poster in Damascus, Syria. Credit: Inter Press Service News Agency Iranian strategy in syria Will Fulton, Joseph Holliday, & Sam wyer May 2013 A joint Report by AEI’s critical threats project & Institute for the Study of War ABOUT US About the Authors Will Fulton is an Analyst and the IRGC Project Team Lead at the Critical Threats Project at the American Enterprise Institute. Joseph Holliday is a Fellow at the Institute for the Study of War. Sam Wyer served as an Iraq Analyst at ISW from September 2012 until February 2013. The authors would like to thank Kim and Fred Kagan, Jessica Lewis, and Aaron Reese for their useful insights throughout the writing and editorial process, and Maggie Rackl for her expert work on formatting and producing this report. We would also like to thank our technology partners Praescient Analytics and Palantir Technologies for providing us with the means and support to do much of the research and analysis used in our work. About the Institute for the Study of War The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) is a non-partisan, non-profit, public policy research organization. ISW advances an informed understanding of military affairs through reliable research, trusted analysis, and innovative education.
    [Show full text]
  • Mcallister Bradley J 201105 P
    REVOLUTIONARY NETWORKS? AN ANALYSIS OF ORGANIZATIONAL DESIGN IN TERRORIST GROUPS by Bradley J. McAllister (Under the Direction of Sherry Lowrance) ABSTRACT This dissertation is simultaneously an exercise in theory testing and theory generation. Firstly, it is an empirical test of the means-oriented netwar theory, which asserts that distributed networks represent superior organizational designs for violent activists than do classic hierarchies. Secondly, this piece uses the ends-oriented theory of revolutionary terror to generate an alternative means-oriented theory of terrorist organization, which emphasizes the need of terrorist groups to centralize their operations. By focusing on the ends of terrorism, this study is able to generate a series of metrics of organizational performance against which the competing theories of organizational design can be measured. The findings show that terrorist groups that decentralize their operations continually lose ground, not only to government counter-terror and counter-insurgent campaigns, but also to rival organizations that are better able to take advantage of their respective operational environments. However, evidence also suggests that groups facing decline due to decentralization can offset their inability to perform complex tasks by emphasizing the material benefits of radical activism. INDEX WORDS: Terrorism, Organized Crime, Counter-Terrorism, Counter-Insurgency, Networks, Netwar, Revolution, al-Qaeda in Iraq, Mahdi Army, Abu Sayyaf, Iraq, Philippines REVOLUTIONARY NETWORK0S? AN ANALYSIS OF ORGANIZATIONAL DESIGN IN TERRORIST GROUPS by BRADLEY J MCALLISTER B.A., Southwestern University, 1999 M.A., The University of Leeds, United Kingdom, 2003 A Dissertation Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of the University of Georgia in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree DOCTOR OF PHILOSPHY ATHENS, GA 2011 2011 Bradley J.
    [Show full text]
  • RRTA 836 (12 September 2012)
    1201934 [2012] RRTA 836 (12 September 2012) DECISION RECORD RRT CASE NUMBER: 1201934 DIAC REFERENCE(S): CLF2011/135787 COUNTRY OF REFERENCE: Iraq TRIBUNAL MEMBER: Vanessa Moss DATE: 12 September 2012 PLACE OF DECISION: Perth DECISION: The Tribunal remits the matter for reconsideration with the direction that the applicant satisfies s.36(2)(a) of the Migration Act. STATEMENT OF DECISION AND REASONS APPLICATION FOR REVIEW 1. This is an application for review of a decision made by a delegate of the Minister for Immigration to refuse to grant the applicant a Protection (Class XA) visa under s.65 of the Migration Act 1958 (the Act). 2. The applicant who claims to be a citizen of Iraq, applied to the Department of Immigration for the visa on [date deleted under s.431(2) of the Migration Act 1958 as this information may identify the applicant] August 2011. 3. The delegate refused to grant the visa [in] January 2012, and the applicant applied to the Tribunal for review of that decision. RELEVANT LAW 4. Under s.65(1) a visa may be granted only if the decision maker is satisfied that the prescribed criteria for the visa have been satisfied. The criteria for a protection visa are set out in s.36 of the Act and Part 866 of Schedule 2 to the Migration Regulations 1994 (the Regulations). An applicant for the visa must meet one of the alternative criteria in s.36(2)(a), (aa), (b), or (c). That is, the applicant is either a person in respect of whom Australia has protection obligations under the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees as amended by the 1967 Protocol relating to the Status of Refugees (together, the Refugees Convention, or the Convention), or on other ‘complementary protection’ grounds, or is a member of the same family unit as a person in respect of whom Australia has protection obligations under s.36(2) and that person holds a protection visa.
    [Show full text]
  • Congressional Record United States Th of America PROCEEDINGS and DEBATES of the 109 CONGRESS, SECOND SESSION
    E PL UR UM IB N U U S Congressional Record United States th of America PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES OF THE 109 CONGRESS, SECOND SESSION Vol. 152 WASHINGTON, WEDNESDAY, JULY 12, 2006 No. 90 House of Representatives The House met at 10 a.m. and was last day’s proceedings and announces United States Code, the Chair, on be- called to order by the Speaker pro tem- to the House his approval thereof. half of the Chairman of the Committee pore (Mr. SIMPSON). Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Jour- on Commerce, Science, and Transpor- f nal stands approved. tation, appoints the following Senators to the Board of Visitors of the United DESIGNATION OF THE SPEAKER f States Merchant Marine Academy: PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE PRO TEMPORE The Senator from Mississippi (Mr. The SPEAKER pro tempore laid be- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Will the LOTT), from the Committee on Com- fore the House the following commu- gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. RYAN) merce, Science, and Transportation. nication from the Speaker: come forward and lead the House in the The Senator from Hawaii (Mr. WASHINGTON, DC, Pledge of Allegiance. INOUYE), from the Committee on Com- July 12, 2006. Mr. RYAN of Wisconsin led the merce, Science, and Transportation. I hereby appoint the Honorable MICHAEL K. Pledge of Allegiance as follows: f SIMPSON to act as Speaker pro tempore on I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the this day. United States of America, and to the Repub- WELCOMING REVEREND MICHAEL J. DENNIS HASTERT, lic for which it stands, one nation under God, JACKSON Speaker of the House of Representatives.
    [Show full text]
  • Egypt 2013 Human Rights Report
    EGYPT 2013 HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Egypt is a republic governed at year’s end by interim President Adly Mansour, appointed by the armed forces on July 3 following the removal of President Mohamed Morsy and his government the same day. The government derives its authority from the July 3 announcement by Minister of Defense Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and the July 8 Constitutional Declaration issued by interim President Mansour. The Constitutional Declaration vested the interim president with legislative authority until a new legislature is elected, which was expected in the first half of 2014. Elections, both parliamentary and presidential, were scheduled to follow a January 2014 referendum on a new draft constitution that was completed on December 6. The authorities at times failed to maintain effective control over the security forces. Security forces committed human rights abuses. After antigovernment protests throughout the spring, which culminated in massive demonstrations against the government in Cairo and other governorates on June 30, President Morsy and his government were ousted, and security forces detained Morsy at an undisclosed location. The military suspended the 2012 constitution, and six weeks of confrontations between security forces and demonstrators opposed to Morsy’s removal followed. On August 14, Ministry of Interior forces supported by military units used lethal force to disperse large Muslim Brotherhood (MB)-organized sit-ins at Rabaa al-Adawiya Square in Cairo and Nahda Square in Giza. According to the Forensic Medicine Authority, 398 persons died during these operations, and a total of 726 protesters were killed nationwide between August 14 and November 13.
    [Show full text]
  • State of the Sunni Insurgency in Iraq: 2006 –
    State of the Sunni Insurgency in Iraq: 2006 – http://www.globalterroralert.com I.) The Al-Qaida Umbrella Network - “The Islamic State of Iraq” II.) Allied Sunni Extremists - Ansar al-Sunnah Army (JAS) - The Islamic Army of Iraq (IAI) - The Mujahideen Army III.) Other Insurgent Groups - 1920 Revolution Brigades - Al-Rashideen Army - Jihad Factions of Iraq - Abu Bakr al-Siddiq Army - Al-Qassas Brigade - Salahuddin al-Ayyubi Brigades - Saraya al-Dawa wal Ribat DECEMBER 29, 2006 THE AL-QAIDA UMBRELLA NETWORK • Al-Qaida’s Committee in Mesopotamia/Mujahideen Shura Council (MSC) Since the formation of the Mujahideen Shura Council (MSC) in January 2006, Al-Qaida has made significant progress towards achieving its goal of dominating the larger ongoing Sunni insurgency in Iraq. This expansion has continued steadily despite the landmark killing of Al-Qaida leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi in June 2006 and other aggressive U.S. military efforts aimed at paralyzing Al-Qaida activity in Iraq. Though the MSC was ostensibly created for the purpose of seamlessly integrating Sunni mujahideen, Al-Qaida still represents the overwhelming force and ideological direction within the MSC. Virtually all of the propaganda and communiqués released by the group bear the unmistakable signature of Al-Qaida’s media wing in Iraq. Initially, only two significant Iraqi militant factions merged with the MSC: the Army of the Victorious Sect (joined January 15, 2006) and the Army of Ahlus Sunnah wal Jamaah (joined January 28, 2006). However, following ten months of relentless sectarian warfare in Iraq, MSC representatives finally made tangible progress in their efforts to convince other major insurgent groups to join alongside them.
    [Show full text]
  • Pen International Writers in Prison Committee Caselist
    PEN INTERNATIONAL WRITERS IN PRISON COMMITTEE CASELIST January-December 2014 PEN International Writers in Prison Committee 50/51 High Holborn London WC1V 6ER United Kingdom Tel: + 44 020 74050338 Fax: + 44 020 74050339 e-mail: [email protected] web site: www.pen-international.org PEN INTERNATIONAL CHARTER The P.E.N. Charter is based on resolutions passed at its International Congresses and may be summarised as follows: P.E.N. affirms that: 1. Literature knows no frontiers and must remain common currency among people in spite of political or international upheavals. 2. In all circumstances, and particularly in time of war, works of art, the patrimony of humanity at large, should be left untouched by national or political passion. 3. Members of P.E.N. should at all times use what influence they have in favour of good understanding and mutual respect between nations; they pledge themselves to do their utmost to dispel race, class and national hatreds, and to champion the ideal of one humanity living in peace in one world. 4. P.E.N. stands for the principle of unhampered transmission of thought within each nation and between all nations, and members pledge themselves to oppose any form of suppression of freedom of expression in the country and community to which they belong, as well as throughout the world wherever this is possible. P.E.N. declares for a free press and opposes arbitrary censorship in time of peace. It believes that the necessary advance of the world towards a more highly organized political and economic order renders a free criticism of governments, administrations and institutions imperative.
    [Show full text]
  • Baghdad Offline
    This document has been produced with the financial assistance of the Heinrich Böll Stiftung Middle East Office. The views expressed herein are those of the author(s) and can therefore in no way be taken to re- flect the official opinion of the Heinrich Böll Stiftung. TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE 6 A LETTER FROM HEAVEN BY JASSIM MOHAMMED In my country you don’t know who your friend is; you don’t know who your enemy is. You walk in the street and you don’t know when you will die or for what reason. This publication is a project by offline:events media PAGES 13 A VIEW FROM WITHIN EDITOR 27, 34 PAINTINGS BY WALEED ARSHAD - TEXT BY DEBORAH AMOS (NPR) Sheryl A. Mendez GRAPHICS AND LAYOUT One reason I won’t go back, is that I have to feel myself as a human being, and I can’t if I have Karim Fael to declare whether I am Shiite or Sunni. PAGE 14 BAGHDAD OFFLINE BY ZIAD TURKEY CONTRIBUTORS AND COLLABORATORS Jassim Mohammed, Ali Bader, Ziad Turkey, Manuela Scebba, Elena Lo We are like this now: tottering voices in the void and there is no land to gather them. Baghdad Nigro is not and will not go back to how it was. A special thanks goes to PAGE 18 UNTIL WHEN... Daylight Magazine and The Crimes of War Project BY riverbendblog.blogspot.com and to Dina Fakoussa, Marianne Gimon, Alessandro d’Ansembourg, Jan Mun and Thomas Sommer-Houdeville for their support We were all refugees - rich or poor.
    [Show full text]
  • U.N. SECURITY COUNCIL Carter Smith
    U.N. SECURITY COUNCIL Carter Smith YMCA 2018 Southeastern High School Model United Nations YMCA Southeastern High School Model UN Dear Delegates, This year’s Staff would like to welcome you to SHSMUN 2018! With the belief in mind that MUN is FUN, we hope that you are as excited as we are for November 17-19. Our primary goal is to ensure that this Conference is the best one yet while maintaining the most authentic experience for you, our esteemed delegates. To accomplish our goal, we are constantly striving to evolve and improve in all the ways we can think of. For you, this means that General Committee procedure will run more smoothly, note passing will be easier, and committee sessions will be as amazing as they have always been, if you put the work in. Hard work is a tradition at SHSMUN, so we hope to inspire you through these topic guides to be as prepared as possible to debate and collaborate on your topics. Most of the research and work of a Model UN delegate should come before the Conference in order to give your skill a chance to shine through in committee. We encourage you to really delve into your topics and country’s positions early on so that your Conference experience can be as fruitful as possible! Whether this is your first year at SHSMUN or your fourth, no matter the committee you decide to participate in, you have the unique opportunity to learn about, understand, and advocate for another country’s position, one that you might not agree with.
    [Show full text]
  • Iraq: Post-Saddam Governance and Security
    Order Code RL31339 CRS Report for Congress Received through the CRS Web Iraq: Post-Saddam Governance and Security Updated November 7, 2006 Kenneth Katzman Specialist in Middle Eastern Affairs Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division Congressional Research Service ˜ The Library of Congress Iraq: Post-Saddam Governance and Security Summary 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 some believe has grown into 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 the wisdom of the invasion and whether to wind down U.S. involvement without completely accomplishing initial U.S. goals. Some senior U.S. military leaders have begun to express less optimism about the security situation in Iraq and they, as well as Bush Administration officials, are expressing some frustration at the unwillingness of the Iraqi government to disband sectarian militias that are committing violence against civilians of rival sects. President Bush indicates that U.S. forces should and will remain in Iraq until the country is able to provide for its own security, saying that, over the longer term, Iraq can still become a model for reform throughout the Middle East and a partner in the global war on terrorism. In several series of speeches since 2005, he asserts that U.S. policy is showing important success, demonstrated by two elections (January and December 2005) that chose an interim and then a full-term parliament and government, a referendum that adopted a permanent constitution (October 15, 2005), progress in building Iraq’s security forces, and economic growth.
    [Show full text]
  • Iraq: Post-Saddam Governance and Security
    Order Code RL31339 Iraq: Post-Saddam Governance and Security Updated January 10, 2008 Kenneth Katzman Specialist in Middle Eastern Affairs Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division Iraq: Post-Saddam Governance and Security Summary Operation Iraqi Freedom overthrew Saddam Hussein’s regime, but much of Iraq became violent because of Sunni Arab resentment and a related insurgency, resulting Sunni-Shiite sectarian violence, competition among Shiite groups, and the failure of Iraq’s government to equitably administer justice or deliver services. U.S. casualties and financial costs — without clear movement toward national political reconciliation among Iraq’s major communities — stimulated debate within the United States over whether the initial goals of the intervention - a stable, democratic Iraq that is a partner in the global war on terrorism – could be achieved, and at what cost. The Administration is claiming relative success in reversing the deterioration in security in 2006, attributing the gains to the “troop surge” strategy announced by President Bush on January 10, 2007 (“New Way Forward”). Some commanders say that violence has now dropped to levels not seen since 2004. The centerpiece of the strategy was the deployment of an additional 28,500 U.S. forces (“troop surge”) to help stabilize Baghdad and to take advantage of growing tribal support for U.S. policy in Anbar Province. However, critics say that the strategy was primarily intended to promote Iraqi government action on a series of key reconciliation initiatives that are viewed as “benchmarks” of political progress. According to congressionally mandated White House reports in July and September 2007, as well as subsequent events, overall national political reconciliation has not progressed substantially, and U.S.
    [Show full text]