Connecting the Last Mile: Reconstruction Operations in Iraq

Abstract

US operational experience in Iraq demonstrates that reconstruction activity is critical to counterinsurgency because it delivers tangible benefits to the host population. Coalition forces have faced three major obstacles in reconstruction over the past few years. First was a lack of understanding of the Iraqi Government structure that the coalition sought to replace. This resulted in infrastructure that was not sustained or properly administered once handed over to local authorities, damaging coalition credibility and fuelling insurgent propaganda. Second was a lack of coordination regarding infrastructure projects, ensuring that reconstruction was not properly targeted and/or suffered from duplication. Third, a lack of skilled technical personnel meant that coalition forces experienced difficulty in providing quality control and assurance of reconstruction projects as well as training when it came time to hand infrastructure over to Iraqi authorities.