View source for Iraq Study Group

{{distinguish|Iraq Survey Group}}
[[Image:ISG report cover.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Cover of the report]]
The '''Iraq Study Group''' ('''ISG'''), also known as the '''Baker-Hamilton Commission''', was a ten-person [[bipartisan]] panel appointed on March 15, 2006, by the [[United States Congress]], that was charged with assessing the situation in [[Iraq]] and the US-led [[Iraq War]] and making policy recommendations.<ref>{{cite web|title=Conclusion First, Debate Afterwards|url=http://www.tws-net.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/012/850ulqxz.asp|publisher=The Weekly Standard|date=2006-10-30|last=Rubin|first=Michael|access-date=November 14, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929000425/http://www.tws-net.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/012/850ulqxz.asp|archive-date=2007-09-29|url-status=dead}}</ref> The panel was led by former [[United States Secretary of State|Secretary of State]] [[James Baker]] and former Democratic congressman from [[Indiana]] [[Lee H. Hamilton]] and was first proposed by Virginia [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] Representative [[Frank Wolf (politician)|Frank Wolf]].<ref name="Abramowitz Ricks 2006">{{cite web | last1=Abramowitz | first1=Michael | last2=Ricks | first2=Thomas E. | title=Panel May Have Few Good Options to Offer | website=Washington Post | date=2006-11-12 | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/11/AR2006111100996.html | access-date=2018-02-23 | archive-date=2017-08-27 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170827165652/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/11/AR2006111100996.html | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="CNN">Barrett, Ted. "[http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/03/15/iraq.study/ Congress forms panel to study Iraq war] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161107122826/http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/03/15/iraq.study/ |date=November 7, 2016 }}", ''CNN.com'', March 15, 2006. Retrieved October 11, 2006.</ref>

The Iraq Study Group was facilitated by the [[United States Institute of Peace]], which released the [[Iraq Study Group Report|Iraq Study Group's final report]] on their website on December 6, 2006.<ref name=citehomepage>{{cite web| url=https://www.usip.org/publications/2006/12/iraq-study-group-report| work=U.S. Institute of Peace| title=The Iraq Study Group| access-date=2021-02-22| archive-date=2021-03-02| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302193823/https://www.usip.org/publications/2006/12/iraq-study-group-report| url-status=dead}}</ref> The report described the situation in Iraq as "grave and deteriorating" and was the culmination of interviews with 170 people, a trip to Iraq, and seven months of research and [[policy analysis]].<ref name="United States Institute of Peace 2009">{{cite web | title=Iraq Study Group | website=United States Institute of Peace | date=2009-03-17 | url=https://www.usip.org/publications/2009/03/iraq-study-group | access-date=2018-02-23 | archive-date=2017-03-10 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170310041921/https://www.usip.org/publications/2009/03/iraq-study-group | url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Members==
[[Image:U.S. President George W. Bush with Lee Hamilton, left, and former Secretary of State James Baker in the Cabinet Room, Dec. 6. 2006.jpg|thumb|300px| [[Lee H. Hamilton]] (left) and [[James Baker]] (right) presented the Iraq Study Group Report to [[George W. Bush]] on December 6, 2006.]]
The ISG was led by co-chairs [[James Baker]], a former Secretary of State (Republican), and [[Lee H. Hamilton]], a former U.S. Representative (Democrat).

===Republicans===
In addition to Baker, the panel's Republican members were:
*[[Sandra Day O'Connor]], former [[Supreme Court Justice]]
*[[Lawrence Eagleburger]], former [[United States Secretary of State|Secretary of State]]
*[[Edwin Meese III]], former US [[United States Attorney General|Attorney General]]
*[[Alan K. Simpson]], former [[United States Senate|U.S. Senator]] from [[Wyoming]]

===Democrats===
In addition to Hamilton, the panel's Democratic members were:

*[[Vernon Jordan, Jr.]], business executive
*[[Leon Panetta]], former [[White House Chief of Staff]]
*[[William J. Perry]], former [[US Secretary of Defense]]
*[[Charles S. Robb]], former Governor and [[U.S. Senator]] from [[Virginia]]

===Former members===
Two of the panel's original members (both Republicans) resigned before the group's final report was released:
*[[Rudy Giuliani]], former [[Mayor of New York City]], resigned on May 24. He had missed most of the group's meetings, and in his resignation letter, he cited "previous time commitments" as his reason for resigning. (During the first month of meetings of the panel, Giuliani had received $1.7 million for giving 20 speeches to various groups.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/war_stories/2007/06/the_man_who_knows_too_little.html|title=The Man Who Knows Too Little|last=Kaplan|first=Fred|date=2007-06-21|newspaper=Slate|language=en-US|issn=1091-2339|access-date=2016-04-15|archive-date=2016-04-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160427204329/http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/war_stories/2007/06/the_man_who_knows_too_little.html|url-status=live}}</ref>) When the group's report came out in December 2006, Giuliani gave a different reason—that he did not think it was right for an active presidential candidate to take part in such an "apolitical" panel.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2007/06/20/giuliani-quit-iraq-panel-for-politics/|title=Giuliani quit Iraq panel for politics|date=2007-06-20|website=Chicago Tribune|publisher=Newsday|access-date=2016-04-15|archive-date=2016-04-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160424144156/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2007-06-20/news/0706190915_1_iraq-study-group-rudolph-giuliani-stark-choice|url-status=live}}</ref> He was replaced by Edwin Meese.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.usip.org/publications/edwin-meese-replaces-rudolph-giuliani-iraq-study-group|title=Edwin Meese Replaces Rudolph Giuliani on Iraq Study Group|date=2006-05-31|publisher=United States Institute of Peace|access-date=2016-04-15|archive-date=2016-05-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160530101411/http://www.usip.org/publications/edwin-meese-replaces-rudolph-giuliani-iraq-study-group|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*[[Robert Gates]], former [[U.S. Secretary of Defense]] and former [[Director of Central Intelligence]], resigned from the panel after he was nominated for Secretary of Defense on November 8. He was replaced by Lawrence Eagleburger.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.usip.org/publications/former-us-secretary-state-lawrence-s-eagleburger-replaces-robert-gates-iraq-study-group|title=Former U.S. Secretary of State Lawrence S. Eagleburger Replaces Robert Gates on Iraq Study Group|date=2006-11-10|publisher=United States Institute of Peace|access-date=2016-04-15|archive-date=2016-05-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160513235441/http://www.usip.org/publications/former-us-secretary-state-lawrence-s-eagleburger-replaces-robert-gates-iraq-study-group|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Funding and support==
The panel's work was facilitated by the [[United States Institute of Peace|U.S. Institute of Peace]] and supported by the [[Center for Strategic and International Studies]] (CSIS), the [[Center for the Study of the Presidency]] (CSP), and the [[James Baker Institute|James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy]].  It was expected to receive a US$1.3 million appropriation from Congress.<ref name="CNN"/>

==Activities==

===Domestic===
The ISG met members of the U.S. national security team, along with President Bush, on November 13.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nysun.com/national/bush-meets-with-praises-iraq-panel/43421/|title=Bush Meets With, Praises Iraq Panel|last=Feller|first=Ben|date=2006-11-13|website=The New York Sun|publisher=Associated Press|access-date=2016-04-15|archive-date=2021-03-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302224555/https://www.nysun.com/national/bush-meets-with-praises-iraq-panel/43421/|url-status=live}}</ref> Before this announcement it was reported that Baker was in regular contact with the White House, especially with National Security Advisor [[Stephen Hadley]] and President Bush.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/09/world/middleeast/09baker.html|title=G.O.P.'s Baker Hints Iraq Plan Needs Change|last=Sanger|first=David E.|date=2006-10-09|newspaper=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=2016-04-15|archive-date=2018-11-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181106132815/https://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/09/world/middleeast/09baker.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

===International===
On 11 November 2006, it was announced that [[United Kingdom|UK]] [[Prime Minister]] [[Tony Blair]], who has supported President Bush in the Iraq war, was to give evidence to the ISG. A [[Downing Street]] spokesman said that Blair would give his submissions via video link on 14 November. It was believed at the time that the UK Prime Minister would outline his ideas on Iraq in a major foreign policy speech on Monday, 13 November.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/6140298.stm|title=Blair in Iraq talks with US panel|date=2006-11-11|newspaper=BBC|access-date=2016-04-15|archive-date=2016-04-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160428155246/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/6140298.stm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/blair-to-give-evidence-to-iraq-study-group|title=Blair to Give Evidence to Iraq Study Group|date=2006-11-11|website=Fox News|publisher=Associated Press|language=en-US|access-date=2016-04-15|archive-date=2016-04-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160424141900/http://www.foxnews.com/story/2006/11/11/blair-to-give-evidence-to-iraq-study-group.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Internal arguments==
<!-- Unsourced image removed: [[Image:BAKERHAMILTONSENATE.jpg|thumb|300px|left|Former Secretary of State [[James Baker]] and former Indiana Congressman [[Lee H. Hamilton]] testify before the [[United States Senate Committee on Armed Services|Senate Armed Services Committee]]. Baker and Hamilton faced tough questions from panel members and harsh criticism from Sen. [[John McCain]] (R-AZ) regarding their military advice, Sen. [[Susan Collins]] (R-ME) and Sen. [[Joe Lieberman]] (D-CT) regarding the group's recommendations for starting dialogue with [[Iran]].]] -->

According to a report in late November 2006 in ''[[Newsday]]'', internal strife, the assassination of a [[Pierre Amine Gemayel|cabinet minister]] in [[Lebanon]], and opposition from [[George W. Bush|President Bush]] to the group recommending negotiations with [[Iran]] and [[Syria]] was challenging the commission's intent to issue a consensus report. An [[Iraq]] expert told the newspaper that there "has been a lot of fighting" among the expert advisers to the group, mainly between [[American conservatism|conservatives]] and [[American liberalism|liberals]].<ref>Timothy M. Phelps, [http://www.newsday.com/news/local/longisland/ny-wobakr1123,0,4860192.story?coll=ny-top-headlines "Nothing but woes for Baker group"], ''Newsday'', November 22, 2006 {{Dead link|date=April 2016}}</ref>

==Recommendations==
{{main article|Iraq Study Group Report}}
Although the final report was not released until December 6, 2006, media reports ahead of that date described some possible recommendations by the panel.  Among them were the beginning of a phased withdrawal of US combat forces from Iraq and direct US dialogue with [[Syria]] and [[Iran]] over Iraq and the [[Middle East]]. The Iraq Study Group also found that the Pentagon has underreported significantly the extent of the violence in Iraq and that officials have obtained little information regarding the source of these attacks. The group further described the situation in [[Afghanistan]] as so disastrous that they may need to divert troops from Iraq in order to help stabilize the country. After these reports began surfacing, co-chair James Baker warned that the group should not be expected to produce a "magic bullet" to resolve the Iraqi conflict.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.rferl.org/content/article/1072097.html|title=Baker Says No 'Magic Bullet' For Iraq Problems|date=2006-10-18|publisher=Reuters|newspaper=RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty|language=en|access-date=2016-04-15|archive-date=2016-06-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160610095120/http://www.rferl.org/content/article/1072097.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

According to a report in late November, the Iraq Study Group had "strongly urged" a large pull back of American troops in [[Iraq]]. The [[Iraq Study Group Report|final report]] released on December 6, 2006 included 79 recommendations and was 160 pages in length.

By March 2007, the ISG report had been downloaded more than 1.5 million times, according to the US Institute for Peace website.   The Report is readily available for direct reading.  Some (of many) results include:  assessing stability as 'elusive' and the situation as "deteriorating", that all of Iraq's neighbors (including Iran and Syria) must be included in an external diplomatic effort to stabilize Iraq, that worldwide commitments limit the U.S. from greatly increasing troop strength in Iraq, and that U.S attention on Iraq diverted resources from Afghanistan (an imbalance which the Report says the U.S. should restore to prevent Taliban and Al-Queada resurgence). There are many more recommendations.<ref>"[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6212106.stm Report 'urges Iraq policy shift'] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161107170907/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6212106.stm |date=November 7, 2016 }}", ''BBC News'', December 6, 2006. Retrieved December 6, 2006.</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6212106.stm|title=Report 'urges Iraq policy shift'|date=2006-12-06|newspaper=BBC|access-date=2016-04-15|archive-date=2016-11-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161107170907/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6212106.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>

Among these, one significant recommendation was the suggestion that there should be a substantially increased transfer of power to the 'new ruling elite' in Iraq. This, according to Toby Dodge, was recommended 'in the hope that they could succeed where the US government and military ha[d] so far failed', and with the notion that it would in turn enable a more imminent withdrawal of some US forces from Iraq (as mentioned), with one effect of decreasing the number of US soldiers being killed or injured.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Dodge|first=Toby|date=2007-03-01|title=The Causes of US Failure in Iraq|journal=Survival|volume=49|issue=1|pages=85–106|doi=10.1080/00396330701254545|s2cid=154335082|issn=0039-6338}}</ref>

==Views about the report==
At a news conference with the British Prime Minister [[Tony Blair]] in Washington on December 6, 2006 President [[George W. Bush]] commented on the Iraq Study Group's report and admitted for the first time that a "new approach" is needed in Iraq, that the situation in Iraq is "bad" and that the task ahead was "daunting".<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6217834.stm|title=Bush ponders next Iraq move|last=Reynolds|first=Paul|date=2006-12-07|newspaper=BBC|access-date=2016-04-15|archive-date=2016-04-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160428163111/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6217834.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> President Bush said he would not accept every recommendation by the ISG panel but promised that he would take the report seriously. President Bush waited for three other studies from [[the Pentagon]], the [[United States Department of State|U.S. State Department]] and the [[United States National Security Council|National Security Council]] before charting the new course on Iraq.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/politics/cracks-appear-between-bush-and-blair-over-need-for-talks-with-iran-and-syria-427586.html|title=Cracks appear between Bush and Blair over need for talks with Iran and|last=Cornwell|first=Rupert|date=2006-12-07|website=The Independent|language=en-GB|access-date=2016-04-15|archive-date=2016-04-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160427152437/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/politics/cracks-appear-between-bush-and-blair-over-need-for-talks-with-iran-and-syria-427586.html|url-status=live}}</ref> On US foreign policy, President Bush warned that he would only talk to Iran if it suspended uranium enrichment and bring Syria on board if it stops funding the opposition in Lebanon, extends support to the Lebanese government of Prime Minister [[Fouad Siniora]] and provides economic help to Iraq.<ref>[http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/articlenews.aspx?type=topNews&storyID=2006-12-07T231141Z_01_L0766252_RTRUKOC_0_UK-IRAQ.xml President Bush vows new approach on Iraq]{{dead link|date=July 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} </ref>

[[Frederick Kagan]], scholar at the [[American Enterprise Institute]] (AEI) along with General [[Jack Keane]], U.S. Army (retired) introduced the idea for a troop [[Iraq War troop surge of 2007|surge]] in Iraq at a 14 December 2006 event at AEI and again at a 5 January 2007 event attended by Senators [[John McCain]] and [[Joseph Lieberman]].  The report "Choosing Victory: A Plan for Success in Iraq" was released at the latter conference.  While the ISG report was ostensibly the driving force for a policy change in Iraq, the AEI report outlined the actual policy adopted by the Bush Administration.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.aei.org/publication/choosing-victory-a-plan-for-success-in-iraq/|title=Choosing Victory: A Plan for Success in Iraq|last=Kagan|first=Frederick W.|date=2007-01-05|website=AEI|language=en-US|access-date=2016-04-15|archive-date=2016-04-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160426075322/http://www.aei.org/publication/choosing-victory-a-plan-for-success-in-iraq/|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Antonia Juhasz]] noted the study's focus on Iraqi [[Petroleum|oil]] in the opening chapter and in Recommendation 63 and concluded that the Iraq Study Group would extend the [[Iraq War]] until American [[oil companies]] have guaranteed legal access to all of Iraq's [[oil field]]s.<ref name=Juhasz2>{{cite web
|title=It's still about oil in Iraq
|url=http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oe-juhasz8dec08,0,4717508.story?coll=la-opinion-rightrail
|first=Antonia
|last=Juhasz
|work=Los Angeles Times
|date=2006-12-08
|access-date=2007-05-07
|archive-date=2011-12-23
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111223035412/http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oe-juhasz8dec08,0,4717508.story?coll=la-opinion-rightrail
|url-status=live
}}</ref>

[[President of Iraq|Iraqi President]] [[Jalal Talabani]] called the group's conclusions "very dangerous" to Iraq's sovereignty and constitution. "As a whole, I reject this report," Talabani said.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/12/10/iraq.main/index.html|title=Iraq president rejects Baker-Hamilton report|date=2006-12-11|website=CNN|access-date=2016-04-15|archive-date=2016-03-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303173427/http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/12/10/iraq.main/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

The International Crisis Group, who produced their own report on the Iraq Study Group's findings and the situation in Iraq more broadly following the ISG report, argued that the study represented a belated and necessary shift in the American political elite's thinking on US policy in Iraq. As such, they suggested it should be welcomed.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.crisisgroup.org/en/regions/middle-east-north-africa/iraq-iran-gulf/iraq/060-after-baker-hamilton-what-to-do-in-iraq.aspx|title=After Baker-Hamilton: What to Do in Iraq|date=2006-12-19|website=International Crisis Group|access-date=2016-04-15|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160423142601/http://www.crisisgroup.org/en/regions/middle-east-north-africa/iraq-iran-gulf/iraq/060-after-baker-hamilton-what-to-do-in-iraq.aspx|archive-date=2016-04-23}}</ref> The report's apparent recognition of many of the failures of the US-led invasion, especially in security terms, and its recommendation of a changed approach to American foreign policy in the Middle East generally, also received support from significant sections of the academic community in the US who had increasingly grown more critical of the nature of American involvement in Iraq (albeit from varying perspectives) as the situation in the country appeared to be deteriorating further.<ref>For example, see T. Dodge, 'The Causes of US Failure in Iraq', ''Survival'' (Vol. 49, no. 1, Spring 2007), pp.86/106.</ref>

Support from the [[International Crisis Group]] (ICG) came, in particular, for most of the Iraq Study Group's major recommendations mentioned above, and also for its further conclusions that a re-engagement with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, a 'reintegration' of former [[Baath Party]] members, and efforts to allow a more inclusive political process in Iraq, were all necessary steps towards addressing the country's - and the region's - problems. However, the praise from the ICG was qualified. Its report argued that the study failed to match its conclusions with sufficiently radical proposals for bringing about fundamental policy change. For example, the ICG criticised the Iraq Study Group for not having stressed the centrality of multi-lateralism in processes attempting to address the situation in Iraq. In terms of building regional co-operation, which it views as vital to the long-term resolution of the conflict, the ICG also advocated 'altered strategic goals' on the part of the US, 'renouncing in particular ambitions to forcibly remodel the Middle East'.<ref name=":0" />

==See also==
* [[Iraq oil law (2007)]]

==References==
{{wikisource|Iraq Study Group Report}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20090601191410/http://www.usip.org/isg/iraq_study_group_report/report/1206/iraq_study_group_report.pdf The Iraq Study Group Report] full text (PDF)
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{wikinews|Bush reacts to the Iraq Study Report}}

* {{Gutenberg author|id=31505}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20090615040856/http://www.usip.org/isg '''Iraq Study Group'''], archived by the [[Wayback Machine]]

*[https://web.archive.org/web/20090615040856/http://www.usip.org/isg/iraq_study_group_report/report/1206/index.html Iraq Study Group Report - downloadable PDF available]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20130122085832/http://www.aei.org/papers/foreign-and-defense-policy/regional/middle-east-and-north-africa/choosing-victory-a-plan-for-success-in-iraq-paper/ Choosing Victory-A Plan for Success in Iraq, Phase I AEI Report - downloadable PDF]
*[https://www.amazon.com/dp/1599862395 Iraq Study Group Report at Amazon]
*[http://www.futureofthebook.org/iraqreport/ Annotated web edition of the ISG Report] - published by ''Lapham's Quarterly'' and the Institute for the Future of the Book
*[http://www.csis.org/iraqstudygroup Center for Strategic and International Studies] - Iraq Study Group at CSIS, including a slightly different version of the report.
*[http://vivisimo.com/iraqstudy Vivisimo's clustered search of the report, by paragraphs]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20061114224219/http://www.usip.org/isg/isg_meetings.pdf List of people interviewed by the ISG.]
*[http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/1128/p01s04-usfp.html How Iraq panel went from obscure to high profile] from [[The Christian Science Monitor]]

===Declassified documents===
* Office of the Secretary of Defense FOIA Service Center, [http://www.dod.mil/pubs/foi/International_security_affairs/iraq_study_group/ Iraq Study Group] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130712231839/http://www.dod.mil/pubs/foi/International_security_affairs/iraq_study_group/ |date=2013-07-12 }} documents

{{ISG}}

[[Category:Iraq War]]
[[Category:Reports of the United States government]]
[[Category:Legislative branch of the United States government]]
[[Category:2006 in American politics]]
[[Category:United States national commissions]]