News release: “The Senlis Council [The Senlis Council is an international policy think tank committed to implementing change at all policy levels, by bridging the gap between people and policy in three key areas] has maintained an operational base in the southern provinces of Afghanistan since 2004. Initially aimed at providing a firsthand view of the burgeoning opium trade, this local presence in Kandahar and Helmand has enabled us to develop an expertise in many of the issues associated with poppy cultivation.

A particular area of focus has been the resurgence of the Taliban, the movement’s increasing capacity to disrupt security around the country, and international responses to that threat. As the revitalised Taliban has entrenched itself, so the capacity of NATO forces to prevent the contagion from spreading has been increasingly challenged, and the inability of the international community to respond adequately to that resurgence exposed.

Building upon this foundation, The Senlis Council broadened its examination of other key theatres within the War on Terror, launching a research platform in Somalia – the first outside of Afghanistan – in March 2008.

On the ground research in May 2008 a third conflict zone – Iraq – led to this report, and prompted The Senlis Council to consider an alternative approach to global security issues. In this report we offer a Situation Report (SITREP) on Iraq, as well as the initial findings from a series of interviews conducted in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Somalia, and an examination of what we believe the study of the three conflicts tells us about current global security policy.”

Overview | Executive Summary | Picture Report | Video Report | Download full report, Iraq – Angry Hearts and Angry Minds, June 2008