In a recent NPR interview, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld spoke of trends in Iraq and suggested that the security situation may be beginning to quiet down somewhat since the transfer of sovereignty in late June. Using Brookings’ Iraq Index as a guide, Michael O’Hanlon commented on Secretary Rumsfeld’s statement on NPR’s morning edition on July 20, suggesting that while there may be some hopeful signs in Iraq, on the whole the secretary’s comments are probably premature.

International Affairs
Taking stock of the ongoing war in Israel and Gaza
Commentary
Is Iraq ‘Calming Down’?
Michael E. O’Hanlon
Michael E. O’Hanlon
Director of Research
- Foreign Policy,
Director
- Strobe Talbott Center for Security, Strategy, and Technology,
Co-Director
- Africa Security Initiative,
Senior Fellow
- Foreign Policy, Strobe Talbott Center for Security, Strategy, and Technology,
Philip H. Knight Chair in Defense and Strategy
@MichaelEOHanlon
July 20, 2004