The Road Map and the Reconstruction of Iraq: Where Does the United States Go from Here?

The United States continues to struggle to stabilize Iraq and the Middle East, despite taxing setbacks in both areas. The Bush administration’s efforts to rebuild Iraq and make peace between Israelis and Palestinians have hit important obstacles, and experts inside and outside of government are debating whether it is time for new approaches.

At this press briefing, a panel of Brookings experts on Iraq, the Middle East, and the United Nations will address the diplomatic and military problems facing the United States and address questions including:

• How is the reconstruction of Iraq proceeding? What should the United States do to improve the pace and scope of reconstruction?
• Following the bombing of UN Baghdad headquarters, what is the future of the UN in Iraq? What steps should be taken to protect aide workers? How important is greater international assistance and in what forms?
• How is the Bush administration’s “road map” for the Middle East faring? What does the demise of the ceasefire mean for U.S. efforts in the region?

Moderator:
James B. Steinberg
Vice President and Director, Foreign Policy Studies Former Deputy National Security Advisor

Panel:

Roberta Cohen
Senior Fellow, Foreign Policy Studies; Senior Adviser to UN Secretary General’s Representative on Internally Displaced Persons

Martin S. Indyk
Senior Fellow, Foreign Policy Studies, and Director, Saban Center for Middle East Policy; Former U.S. Ambassador to Israel

Flynt L. Leverett
Visiting Fellow, Saban Center for Middle East Policy, Brookings; Former Senior Director for the Middle East Initiative, National Security Council

Kenneth M. Pollack
Senior Fellow and Director of Research, Saban Center for Middle East Policy, Brookings; Former Director for Persian Gulf Affairs, National Security Council