Observations from COIN Survey TeamObservations from COIN Survey TeamKirkuk ProvinceKirkuk Province

October 2009October 2009

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ISF Development & ISF Development & PartnershipPartnership

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• Unit assigned city of Kirkuk January 2009Unit assigned city of Kirkuk January 2009• Kirkuk had been in “police primacy” for a year or moreKirkuk had been in “police primacy” for a year or more• The police were effectiveThe police were effective• Security agreement in effectSecurity agreement in effect• Would have been easy to minimize partnership and development actionsWould have been easy to minimize partnership and development actions• Instead, unit aggressively pursued partnership opportunitiesInstead, unit aggressively pursued partnership opportunities• Commander focused batteries on systems & ISF units rather than landCommander focused batteries on systems & ISF units rather than land• Battalion sought out all security elements, began partnership Battalion sought out all security elements, began partnership

relationshipsrelationships• Battalion brought together different GOI entitiesBattalion brought together different GOI entitiesThe small number of units we have are not oriented toward land with geographic The small number of units we have are not oriented toward land with geographic boundaries, but rather toward systems. Partnership drives their organization for boundaries, but rather toward systems. Partnership drives their organization for combat. “We found that if we create boundaries it also creates walls.” --S3 combat. “We found that if we create boundaries it also creates walls.” --S3 “Instead of man on man we went zone. We must look at a total security “Instead of man on man we went zone. We must look at a total security approach.”--CDRapproach.”--CDR

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ISF Development & Partnership:ISF Development & Partnership:Conclusions Conclusions

1.1. There is work to be done virtually anywhere in Iraq—even when an area There is work to be done virtually anywhere in Iraq—even when an area may appear “good enough.”may appear “good enough.”

2.2. Key is establishing contact with all operators and intelligence Key is establishing contact with all operators and intelligence organizations in the area, then making an assessment.organizations in the area, then making an assessment.

3.3. Focusing on units and systems may be more appropriate than using Focusing on units and systems may be more appropriate than using geographical boundaries.geographical boundaries.

4.4. Connecting intelligence organizations with each other and with the IP end Connecting intelligence organizations with each other and with the IP end users is important.users is important.

5.5. Fusing Kurdish intelligence with GOI intelligence—in some fashion—is Fusing Kurdish intelligence with GOI intelligence—in some fashion—is challenging but important.challenging but important.

6.6. Troop to task issues, though they are daunting and cannot be eliminated, Troop to task issues, though they are daunting and cannot be eliminated, can be mitigated.can be mitigated.

7.7. A functioning legal system is essential, and there are things which US A functioning legal system is essential, and there are things which US forces can do to promote it.forces can do to promote it.

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Elections and GovernanceElections and Governance

• Only province outside KRG which did not hold Only province outside KRG which did not hold provincial elections in 2009provincial elections in 2009• Delay in passage of election law was directly Delay in passage of election law was directly

linked to the status of Kirkuklinked to the status of Kirkuk• CERP spending has grown enormously with the CERP spending has grown enormously with the

current Brigadecurrent Brigade• Brigade assists in some PRT-led initiativesBrigade assists in some PRT-led initiatives• Brigade has assigned 2 CPTs as LNOs to PRT with Brigade has assigned 2 CPTs as LNOs to PRT with

specific LOEsspecific LOEs

• PRT Leader may draft an “intent” statement to pass to Brigade (similar to PRT Leader may draft an “intent” statement to pass to Brigade (similar to OPORD commander’s intent)OPORD commander’s intent)• PRT unique because UNAMI and Ambassador Hill’s Special Advisor on PRT unique because UNAMI and Ambassador Hill’s Special Advisor on

Northern Iraq co-locatedNorthern Iraq co-located• Kurd/Arab tensions obviously a big challengeKurd/Arab tensions obviously a big challenge

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Economic DevelopmentEconomic Development

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• Economic development a challenge due to Economic development a challenge due to uncertain statusuncertain status

• DG of wells wants water trucks; goes through DG of wells wants water trucks; goes through BrigadeBrigade

• Concern over the status of MOAs if Kirkuk is Concern over the status of MOAs if Kirkuk is annexed to KRGannexed to KRG

• Similar issues to rest of Iraq in dismantling Similar issues to rest of Iraq in dismantling the socialist mindsetthe socialist mindset

• PRT focusing on larger scale projects to PRT focusing on larger scale projects to reduce future O&M costsreduce future O&M costs

• Need to have stronger understanding of why Need to have stronger understanding of why PC does not fund certain projectsPC does not fund certain projects

• Members of Brigade wished to get more Members of Brigade wished to get more information on USAID initiatives in provinceinformation on USAID initiatives in province

• Possibly need to work through legitimate GOI Possibly need to work through legitimate GOI officials on projectsofficials on projects

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