Section[ Appendix - The 8 Strategic Pillars
Title[ Pillar 1 - Defeat the Terrorists and Neutralize the Insurgency
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Strategic Pillar One
Defeat the Terrorists and Neutralize the Insurgency
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE: Iraq is not a source of terrorists or terrorist resources, and neither
terrorists, Saddamists, nor rejectionists are able to prevent Iraq's political and economic progress. They
cannot stop the Iraqi government's development of a constitutional representative democracy, the
provision of essential services, a market economy that provides goods, services, and employment for
Iraqis, or the free flow of information and ideas.
Status: Increasingly capable Iraqi security forces are working with Coalition forces to disrupt enemy
operations by preventing the establishment of enemy safe havens in Iraq and by providing enhanced
protection of key infrastructure. They are disrupting enemy movements across borders and are applying
pressure to stop the use of Syrian territory to facilitate terrorist activities in Iraq. As the Iraqi government
establishes its authority, it generates - with international assistance - programs and projects to benefit the
Iraqi people and isolate violent extremists from the population. As security improves, the United States
will work with Iraqi authorities to strengthen provincial governments, especially through the use of
project funding.
The United States is helping Iraq achieve this objective by pursuing the following lines of action:
- Staying on the offensive by aiding the Iraqi government to eliminate enemy safe havens and hunt
down members of terrorist cells and key enemy leaders
- Facilitating the establishment of effective local governance and security elements to ensure post-
conflict stability and security
- Assisting Iraqi authorities to suppress foreign fighter infiltration and denying terrorists freedom
of movement
- Working with the Iraqi government to disrupt enemy financial networks
- Helping the Iraqis to harden, build redundancy, and protect critical infrastructure
"To be sure, the terrorists and insurgents are out to shake our will. But they will not succeed. The Iraqi
people, enabled by the military and civilian members of the coalition, will succeed."
-General George Casey, Commander, US Forces in Iraq, June 2005
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