Iraq Weekly Briefing: Reconstruction, Economic and Political Update
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)
– Numbers do not include military movement and support personnel
– Looking at adding additional teams as necessary / requested
Selected PRT Background Links:
Provincial Reconstruction Teams – Department of State Fact Sheet
Expanded Provincial Reconstruction Teams Speed the Transition to Self-Reliance – White House Fact Sheet
Provincial Reconstruction Teams – Wikipedia
Initial Benchmark Assessment Report – White House
Reconstruction in Iraq: The Uncertain Way Ahead – Center for Strategic and International Studies
Provincial Reconstruction Teams in Iraq – United States Institute of Peace
Military Must Fill Iraq Civilian Jobs – Washington Post
Pentagon to Fill Iraq Reconstruction Jobs Temporarily – New York Times
Negroponte Advises New Diplomats to Seek Challenging Posts – New York Times
Iraq Rebuilding Short on Qualified Civilians – Washington Post
Iraq- PRTs Help Iraqis with Rule of Law and Connecting With Central Government – Civil-Military Relations Blog
Stabilization and Reconstruction in Afghanistan: Are PRTs a Model or a Muddle? – Parameters
The U.S. Experience with Provincial Reconstruction Teams in Afghanistan: Lessons Identified – United States Institute of Peace
Provincial Reconstruction Teams: Military Relations with International and Nongovernmental Organizations in Afghanistan – United States Institute of Peace
Post-Conflict Reconstruction Project – PCR Project Blog
Interagency Transformation, Education & AAR – National Defense University
Agency for International Development – Department of State
Office of Reconstruction and Stabilization – Department of State
Humanitarian Information Unit – Department of State
SWJ Reference Library Interagency Page
Current PRT Job Opportunities – Department of State
Current PRT Job Opportunities – Department of Defense
