Iraqi Security Forces

Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA)

Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA)

As the SOFA negotiations near their deadline, the Iraqi Cabinet is seeking further amendments to the SOFA draft regarding the duration of U.S. troop presence.  For the latest on these complex negotiations, read:

Agence France Presse- US, Iraq will get security pact 'worked out', Rice says

Asia Times - Details of Iraq pact reveal US debacle, by Gareth Porter

Status of Forces Agreement

As the SOFA negotiations near their deadline, the Iraqi Cabinet is seeking further amendments to the SOFA draft regarding the duration of U.S. troop presence.  Responding to this request, U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates stated his reluctance to make any changes to the draft given the time constraints. For the latest on these complex negotiations, read:

New York Times - Mullen Says Iraq Running Out of Time On Forces Accord, by Thom Shanker

Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA)

The Status of Forces Agreement has recently reached a new phase as Iraqi and U.S. negotiators discuss the final details.  However, internal politics and foreign interference continue to put the agreement's future into question.

Security

Recent security developments in Iraq highlight the killing of Al Qaeda in Iraq's second in command as well as ongoing operations against terrorists and insurgents around the country.  For more information on these developments, check out the following stories:

 LA Times - Al Qaeda in Iraq's No. 2 commander is dead, U.S. reports, by Ned Parker and Saif Hameed

A follow up commentary by Marisa Cochrane on the current state of Iranian backed Special Groups activity in Iraq.