Publication

This report asks whether the improved security situation in Iraq since the military surge since February 2007 has led in parallel to political achievements and stability. The paper looks at the security situation and assesses the political development, commenting on national dialogue, the different groups' positions and the political climate and alliances. Subsequently, the author addresses the performance of the state institutions and outlines the course of federalism in Iraq's different regions. The paper argues that both the US and the Iraqis have not matched the military escalation with a comparable political acceleration.