Decisionmaking in Operation Iraqi Freedom
Subtitle: the strategic shift of 2007
By: Steven Metz ; John R. Martin, executive editor
Contributors: Martin, John R. (John Robert), 1952-; Army War College (U.S.). Strategic Studies Institute
Series: Operation Iraqi Freedom key decisions monograph series -- v. 2; Operation Iraqi Freedom key decisions monograph series -- v. 2.
Publisher: Strategic Studies Institute, U.S. Army War College
Published: 2010
Place of publication: Carlisle, PA
Language: eng
Number of pages: 78
ISBN-13: 9781584874416
Description: In this second volume of the series, Dr. Metz looks carefully at the 2007 decision to surge forces into Iraq, a choice which is generally considered to have been effective in turning the tide of the war from potential disaster to possible, perhaps probable, strategic success. Although numerous strategic decisions remain to be made as the U.S. military executes its "responsible withdrawal" from Iraq, Dr. Metz has encapsulated much of the entire war in these two monographs, describing both the start and what may eventually be seen as the beginning of the end of the war. In this volume, he provides readers with an explanation of how a decision process that was fundamentally unchanged, with essentially the same people shaping and making the decision, could produce such a different result in 2007. As the current administration tries to replicate the surge in Afghanistan, this monograph shows the perils of attempting to achieve success in one strategic situation by copying actions successfully taken in another, but where different conditions applied.--
Notes: "May 2010."

Includes bibliographical references (p. 64-78).

Also available online in PDF format from Strategic Studies Institute (SSI) web site. Adobe Acrobat Reader required.
Table of contents: title: Introduction; title: The decision. Political and strategic context; title: Decisionmakers; title: The process; title: Decision shapers; title: Decision criteria and dynamics; title: Options considered; title: Analysis; title: Implications; title: Recommendations; title: Conclusion.