Is the security situation in Iraq improving?

According to US General David H. Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq who has been nominated to head American forces in the Middle East, the security situation in Iraq has improved significantly since September 2007, even though the progress that has been made since spring is “fragile and reversible”. In other words, the surge is showing effect. French Minister of Foreign Affairs Bernard Kouchner during his visit to Bagdah on 1 June expressed the feeling “ that things are better as statistics show a drop in security incidents.` Is this assessment shared by the EU institutions? How should the EU’s involvement in Iraq develop and what can we expect from the French presidency? Finally, what will change under the new US administration (McCain or Obama) and (how) are the US presidential election already influencing the US policy in Iraq?

Speakers:
- Ilana Bet-El, academic, author and policy adviser, Brussels
- Karin Gatt-Rutter, European Commission, DG External Relations, unit F2, Iraq Desk
- Ivana Vuco, independent consultant, formerly deputy head of human  rights office with the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI)
- William H. Wiley, Director (Rule of Law), Tsamota Ltd, International Law Advisor, Iraqi High Tribunal (2006-2008)

Moderator:
Claude Weinber, Director EU Regional Office Heinrich Böll Foundation Brussels