Thirteen months of post-war failures in Iraq reached a crescendo today with the assassination of the president of the Iraqi Governing Council, Izzadine Salim – the second and most senior member of the council to be assassinated. With the transfer of sovereignty to Iraqis quickly approaching, the administration needs to develop a coherent strategy for security and reconstruction immediately.

• The June 30 transfer of authority is more and more likely to leave Iraq unstable and vulnerable to civil war. Questions about Iraq's future increase by the day. Today's assassination comes on top of the widening Abu Ghraib prison scandal and the ongoing violence in southern Iraq and rebellion from Moqtada Sadr's personal militia. The problems continue to grow and it is increasingly likely that the Bush administration will leave Iraq in a chaotic and unstable position after June 30.
• The administration must unequivocally state its intentions to provide security in Iraq. Recent comments from Colin Powell and Paul Bremer that the U.S. would withdraw troops if asked to by the new Iraqi government do not back up President Bush's promise to stay the course in Iraq. The U.S. simply can not back out of its obligation to stabilize the country it upended more than one year ago and must work with the new government to ensure a secure Iraq.
• The Bush administration needs to present a coherent strategy for Iraqi security and transition now. The administration's failure to present any viable plan for Iraq speaks volumes about its indifference and mismanagement. More troops and international legitimacy are clearly needed to bring security and stability to Iraq. The U.N. should fully oversee the political transition and NATO should take over security needs. An independent trust fund for reconstruction should be immediately created to provide consistent and designated support for the rebuilding of the country.

Click here to read the full recommendations for ensuring security and winning the peace in Iraq from the Center for American Progress.

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