Introduction
and key findings ........................................................................................
470
Objectives
and preparation ...........................................................................................
471
Overview of
the post-conflict period ..............................................................................
472
Occupation ....................................................................................................................
473
Looting in
Basra ......................................................................................................
473
Looting in
Baghdad .................................................................................................
474
UK
influence on post-invasion strategy ..................................................................
475
Resolution
1483 ...............................................................................................
475
UK
influence on the Coalition Provisional Authority .........................................
476
A decline
in security ................................................................................................
479
The turning
point .....................................................................................................
484
Transition ......................................................................................................................
485
UK
influence on US strategy post-CPA ...................................................................
485
Planning
for withdrawal ...........................................................................................
485
The impact
of Afghanistan ......................................................................................
487
Iraqiisation ..............................................................................................................
489
Preparation
for withdrawal ............................................................................................
491
A major
divergence in strategy ...............................................................................
491
A possible
civil war ..................................................................................................
492
Force Level
Review ................................................................................................
495
The
beginning of the end ........................................................................................
498
Did the UK
achieve its strategic objectives in Iraq? ......................................................
499
Issues in
the UK system ...............................................................................................
501
Strategy-making ......................................................................................................
501
Optimism
bias .........................................................................................................
502
Lessons .........................................................................................................................
503
469