Iraq Weekly Briefing: Reconstruction, Economic and Political Update (SWJ Blog)

Paul Brinkley, Deputy Under Secretary of Defense, and Philip Reeker, US Embassy, Baghdad, join BG Kevin Bergner, Multi-National Force-Iraq spokesman, in an expansion of the normal weekly Iraq update. Bergner starts off with a security update then turns over to Reeker and Brinkley who discuss reconstruction, economic and political efforts underway to assist the government of Iraq. Of note - Brinkley provides a detailed update on Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs). Q&A follows the formal brief.

SWJ PRT Briefing Notes:

- Unique experience in that the civilian and military sides are working so close together and a perfect example is the PRTs

- PRTs are an important focus of the overall mission in Iraq

- PRTs: Small civilian-military units designed to assist local and provincial governments to govern effectively and deliver essential services

- PRTs designed to bolster moderates, promote reconciliation, support counterinsurgency operations, foster development and build the capacity of local government officials to perform their duties

- Emphasis on shaping the political environment rather than building infrastructure

- Brigade Combat Teams (BCTs) and PRTs work together as one team receiving guidance from Amb. Crocker and Gen. Petraeus

- BCT commander has lead for security and movement

- PRT leader has responsibility for political, reconstruction and economic issues

- PRTs are joint coalition efforts. Includes civilian and military members from U.K., Italy and Korea

- PRTs help extend reach of Iraqi government in key provinces and help build the stability necessary for full-turnover to Iraqi control

- Empowers the provincial governments

- Iraqis lead process on project funding and implementation

- PRTs act as a “kick-start” for developmental processes

- PRTs support decentralization of government services

- Five PRT thematic areas of focus: rule of law, infrastructure, economic development, governance, and public diplomacy

- “Short-term solutions to long-term development challenges”

- 25 PRTs to-date: 10 original full-sized teams (30-60 personnel), 5 smaller teams (4-14 personnel) and 10 new embedded teams (up to 8 and adding specialists)