衡量伊拉克的进展[20070830].pdf

P O L I C Y B R I E FMeasuring Progress In IraqA U G U S T 3 0,2 0 0 7 By Colin Kahl,Fellow,CNAS and Assistant Professor,Georgetown UniversityThe Center for a New American Security(CNAS)is an independent and nonpartisan research institu-tion dedicated to developing strong,pragmatic and principled national security and defense policies that promote and protect American interests and values.CNAS published a major study of U.S.interests and options in Iraq in June 2007.To download the report,visit us online at:http:/as.orgNobody seems to know how to talk about and evaluate“progress”in Iraq,or the lack thereof.The White House,General David Petraeus,most Republicans,and con-servative think tanks talk about modest security gains and the fact that U.S.troops have retaken the tactical momen-tum on the ground.This camp argues for more patience to build on current gains.Others,including most Democrats,a small but growing number of moderate Republicans,and some enlisted soldiers and noncommissioned officers emphasize that security gains have been minimal and,in terms of the Iraqi political met-rics that really count,argue the surge has failed.For this camp,troop draw-downs should begin as soo