**GAO-08-837**                      Published: Jun 23, 2008. Publicly Released: Jun 23, 2008.                  

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## Highlights

Since 2001, Congress has appropriated about $640 billion for the global war on terrorism, the majority of this for operations in Iraq. In January 2007, the President announced The New Way Forward to stem violence in Iraq and enable the Iraqi government to foster national reconciliation. This new strategy established goals and objectives to achieve over 12 to 18 months, or by July 2008. GAO discusses progress in meeting key goals in The New Way Forward: (1) improve security conditions; (2) develop capable Iraqi security forces; and help the Iraqi government (3) enact key legislation, (4) spend capital budgets, and (5) provide essential services. GAO also discusses U.S. strategies for Iraq. GAO reviewed documents and interviewed officials from U.S. agencies, the United Nations, and the Iraqi government. GAO also had staff stationed in Baghdad. Since May 2003, GAO has issued over 130 Iraq-related audits, which provided baseline information for this assessment. GAO prepared this report under the Comptroller General's authority.

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## Topics

International Affairs

Budget activitiesBudget functionsFederal aid to foreign countriesForeign economic assistanceForeign governmentsForeign military assistanceForeign military trainingForeign policiesInternational relationsIraq War and reconstructionLaw enforcementMilitary forcesMilitary operationsMilitary trainingPolice trainingStrategic forcesStrategic planningPolicies and proceduresProgram goals or objectives