Includes bibliographical references.

Key security, political, and economic issues -- The uncertain security environment in Iraq -- Arab-Kurdish tensions : political accommodation versus the possibility of conflict and dividing the Iraqi security forces -- The Sunni insurgency and Sunni politics -- The uncertain security and politics of the south -- The role of external powers : Iraqi attitudes toward outside states and companies -- The uncertain politics of the national election and forming a viable government -- The costs and risks of dependence on the petroleum sector -- The broader range of economic challenges and "threats" -- Iraqi reconstruction funding -- Shaping the character of U.S. withdrawal -- The Ministry of Defense and Iraqi military forces -- The Ministry of Interior, Iraqi Police and Internal Security Forces -- U.S. support of Iraqi Security Forces : "the paradigm shift" -- The Iraqi-U.S. strategic framework agreement : U.S. troop withdrawal and the shift to aid and advisory services.