In March of 2006 it was announced that a bipartisan commission was being created to review the situation in Iraq and make recommendations as to how our country should proceed. On December 6, 2006 that Commission, the Iraq Study Group ("ISG"), released a report, unanimously agreed to by its 5 Republican and 5 Democratic members. The ISG was co-chaired by Former Sec. of State James Baker, III, and Former Congressman Lee Hamilton.
As noted in the ISG Report, the goal of U.S. policy in Iraq is "an Iraq that can 'govern itself, sustain itself, and defend itself.' In our view, this definition entails an Iraq with a broadly representative government that maintains its territorial integrity, is at peace with its neighbors, denies terrorism a sanctuary, and doesn't brutalize its own people."
The report found that "Because events in Iraq have been set in motion by American decisions and actions, the United States has both a national and a moral interest in doing what it can to give Iraqis an opportunity to avert anarchy." The Group also stated that "[b]ecause of the role and responsibility of the United States in Iraq, and the commitments our government has made, the United States has special obligations. Our country must address as best it can Iraq's many problems."
