The point papers or policy memo is divided into four sections - Problem, Strategic Interests, Means, and Possible Outcomes. The means section is further divided into subsections consisting of actions to be taken in the first month, first six months and one year and beyond time frames.
This is my summary of the student's summaries:
IRAQ
Problem: After a stunning military victory over the army of Saddam Hussein, the US found itself caught in an insurgency within a civil war. We have reduced violence in Iraq over the last 18 months through the addition of more troops to the occupying force, but we are losing the war still.
Strategic Interests: Making sure Iraq doesn't become an Iranian client state, or a failed state that offers terrorists a safe haven. Restoring international prestige by ensuring a smooth transition to a fully independent Iraq. Meeting humanitarian needs by restoring Iraqi infrastructure.
I am a little surprised that no mention of helping protecting vital energy resources isn't mentioned as a strategic interest here.
Means:
First Month:
Military Assessment Immediately invite General Petraeus, Amb. Crocker, etc. to the White House for an assessment of the situation in Iraq.
Regional Summit: Immediately convene a summit consisting of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Kuwait, Turkey, Iran, and Syria as well as whatever (few) coalition partners are still participating in Iraq.
By including Iran we hope to show that attempts to make Iraq into an Iranian client state will not be tolerated, and to show disapproval for the way Iran is dealing with the rest of the world in regards to it's nuclear program and rhetoric towards Israel.
By including Turkey the problems between the Turks and the Kurds can be resolved.
There isn't anything specifically wrong with these steps, but they are presented as if they are brand new suggestions. This same idea of Regional Summits appeared in the Iraq Study Group report and in fact regional summits have been ongoing for awhile, Iran has even participated in a couple.
First 6 Months:
Engage the International Community: The international community hates us and our actions in Iraq, therefore we should tell them to put up or shut up. The president should go to the UN and demand peacekeepers. The UN and NATO should be given a mandate to operate in Iraq. UN member states should be hit up for money to help with rebuilding Iraqi infrastructure.
Address the Iraqi Parliment: Show how much we care.
Again there is nothing inherently wrong with the idea of more international cooperation in Iraq. What people seem to ignore is a) We can't just hand NATO or the UN a mandate to come in and establish peace and order in Iraq. They have to agree to the responsibility. So far in large part they have refused. I guess the students feel that there will be such a wave of good feeling towards
1 year and beyond:
Withdraw US forces: We are losing, therefore we should withdraw. To keep from looking like defeatists and to allow America to maintain some prestige we should establish a set of easily met benchmarks and spread the withdrawal of the next 4 years. The idea of another surge is a political non-starter given that
Open up the Green Zone: This will make us look less like an imperial power. Move the US Embassy out of Saddam's palace.
Rebuild Iraqi Infrastructure: Show how much we care by making sure everyone has running water and electricity, a standard that wasn't met under Saddam by the way. Rebuild the oil industry infrastructure to help stabilize the economy.
I actually agree with the embassy idea. I always thought it was a bad idea to locate in the Republican Palace to begin with. The troop withdrawal scheme here especially pisses me off, in that it completely ignores the incredible progress that has been made in the last 18 months. Otherwise there is nothing new here; well except for the idea of rebuilding Iraqi infrastructure, this is a really good idea, I man up to now America has been content to have Iraqi's sitting in the dark dying of cholera and typhoid from polluted wells. Damn us!
Possible Outcomes: Only bad. There is a very slight chance that by raping Iraq's natural resources we may be able to provide the facade of democracy, stability and a market economy, but this is an Arab nation so lets get real.
President Bush well and truly screwed us here. About the best we can hope for is that a regional war won't start. This is why we need increased international involvement, that way if Iraq does fail the US can shift blame to the international community.
Yes they really did advocate shifting blame to the international community, "If Iraq becomes a failure, the United States can also abdicate itself of some of the blame by engaging in a more international approach."
Personally given the political developments, like al-Maliki taking on the Shia militias and the return of the Sunni coalition to the government, as well as the major reduction in violence, I would like to see us planning a little more for victory and a little less for defeat. That seems the best way to extricate ourselves, not trying to find a way to blame other people.
Rebranding America
Radio Free Moronosphere
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