Introduction
NATO has made an important commitment to Iraq. This commitment has borne fruit; the Iraqi security forces are in the lead securing Iraq and are becoming increasingly more capable and professional. As a result of its contributions, NATO is highly-regarded by the government of Iraq. Government leaders readily recognize the contribution of NATO Training Mission-Iraq's to its security and they have expressed a strong desire to continue this relationship into the future.
This article briefly describes the impact of NTM-I; the role it plays in building professional Iraqi security forces, Institutions and Ministries, and how conditions are set for a long-term relationship between Iraq and the Alliance.
Security Situation
The security situation in Iraq today is improving steadily and the Iraqi security forces are fully in the lead for internal security. Security incidents have dropped to their lowest levels since 2003. In the year since Iraqi security forces took responsibility for security in the cities from U.S. forces, incidents of violence are down over 50 percent, thanks in large part to the developing capabilities and performance of the Iraqi security forces.
Security for the March 2010 National Election was entirely planned, led, and conducted by Iraqi security forces. Election Day was not without incident, but the security environment emboldened approximately 62 percent of eligible Iraqi voters to turn out to chart a new course for their future. The elections were historic for Iraq and unique to the region in that they were fair, transparent, and democratic. While it is taking longer to form a government than desired, the political process is moving forward; disputes are being settled by negotiation—not violence. It is important to note that during the election and this transitional period the Iraqi security forces have not only maintained security but have remained neutral and professional.
In the past few years the focus has been on force generation—getting soldiers into the fight and police on the street. Now that the force is essentially in place the focus is shift toward development of specialized skills and increased professionalism of the Iraqi security forces. NTM-I deserves a measure of credit for making this possible and the security situation gives cause for cautious optimism regarding Iraq's future.
History of NTM-I
The Alliance established NTM-I shortly after the 2004 Istanbul Summit in response to a request from the government of Iraq to provide training, assistance, and equipment to the Iraqi security forces. The goal of NTM-I is to help Iraq develop a democratically led and enduring security sector that addresses the needs of the population.
The mission expanded in October 2007 to cover a niche training requirement to close the gap between military and police operations when the Italian Carabinieri began offering specialized training to the Iraqi Federal Police.
Since inception, 23 NATO member countries and one partner country have contributed directly to the training effort by providing personnel, financial contributions, or equipment donations. Today, the in-country NTM-I footprint is a relatively small tactical force of 177 personnel representing14 member nations at four deployed locations in Iraq. The Mission influences professional institutions of the Iraqi security forces to build enduring, sustainable capabilities, working directly with partners in the Iraqi Ministries of Defense and Interior to build capabilities that provide internal security and build a foundation to defend against external threats.
Support to Iraqi security forces
While the NTM-I charter no longer calls for equipping Iraqi security forces, the influence of the Alliance is applied along three main lines of activity. The first is training and education which includes officer training activities, professional development at the Non-Commissioned Officer Academy, doctrine development as well as the coordination of out-of-country training.
On the Ministry of Defense side, the most significant accomplishment is the professionalization of Army officer training and education. It is important to note that regenerating capacity to educate and train officers started on the ground floor, completely rebuilding these institutions and courses. And, although these Iraqi institutions and courses remain a work in progress, it can be said safely that NATO advisors and mentors are shaping the future leadership of the Iraqi army, at all levels, from the Basic Officer Commissioning Course, to the Joint Staff and Command College, the Iraqi War College, and the Iraqi National Defence College.
Complementing institutional education is the NTM-I role in the development of Iraqi military doctrine. The development of doctrine is essential as the Iraqi security forces become a modern force capable of defending Iraqi sovereignty. An equally important program supporting this line of activity is NATO Out-of-Country Training. In 2010 to date, some 300 Iraqis have attended specialized training abroad in NATO schools. An additional 300 in have attended courses in counter-terrorism at NATO Centres of Excellence in Turkey. This is critical to developing specialised skills in rapidly maturing security forces.
The second line of activity is at Operations Centres in Baghdad where embedded NTM-I advisors mentor personnel at the Prime Minister's Operation Centre, Ministry of Defense Joint Operations Centre, and Ministry of Interior National Operations Centre. The presence of NTM-I advisors had dramatic effect on the performance of national-level command and control during the recent national elections.
The third line of activity directly supports professionalism of the Iraqi Federal Police Forces. Recognized as NATO's flagship program, this Carabinieri-led training has produced a dramatic transformation in the Iraqi Federal Police, formerly the National Police. The change in the last few years has been profound. The federal police are now a highly respected, professional, apolitical security force. More recently Zerevani Forces of the Kurdish Regional Government have been included in Carabinieri training course as part of a plan to integrate them with Federal Police Forces. The goal of integration is to improve security and also reduce Arab-Kurd ethnic tensions which are a key driver of instability in Iraq. The Carabinieri training is a prime example of how NATO training activities contribute to the professionalization of the Iraqi security forces at multiple levels.
In light of the tremendous success of the Carabinieri training, the Minister of Interior is eager to begin a similar program of training for the Border Police and the Oil Police. The proposed Spanish Guardia Civil training program meets a critical Iraq requirement for border security and planning is underway to improve training for the Oil Police.
In short, the NTM-I mission is to build enduring, national, self-sustaining capabilities in the Iraqi security forces. We do this by focusing limited resources on points of strategic influence to achieve maximum effect. NTM-I is a tactical-sized team, supported by very limited resources, that has had strategic impact in Iraq. This is a huge return on a relatively small investment.
Limited Resources Required
NTM-I's accomplishments represent a success for NATO. This success must be attributed, first and foremost, to the support that the Alliance and partner countries have generously provided to NTM-I, both the high quality of personnel serving in Iraq and the foundation built by NATO Trust Funds. While the alliance is no longer in the force generation business—NATO members have provided over €24 million in monetary and €200 million in equipment donations to build the force—the effort in Iraq requires continued support for the mission to continue through 2011. Existing Trust Funds will only support programmed activities until the end of 2010.
For 2011 the Fund faces a significant shortfall and there are no funds for either in-country or out-of-country training. The estimated Trust Fund requirement for 2011 is €5.73 M; a very small contribution compared to the strategic benefit to the Alliance and Iraq. The Trust Fund has three objectives:
· First, continue the current level of Iraqi training as agreed to by NATO and Iraq in the July 26, 2009, Agreement.
· Second, to ensure funding is available for the immediate set up of the proposed Spanish Guardia Civil mission.
· Third, to enhance our out of country training program, to provide more relevant opportunities to Iraqi partners.
If the Fund is not replenished, it will lead to considerably fewer opportunities to assist the Iraqi security institutions. Additionally, failure to resource NTM-I through 2011 would signal unwillingness on NATO's part to fulfil the Agreement signed with Iraq on July 26, 2009, in effect cancelling the accord. The termination of this Agreement could cause long-term harm NATO's interests and image in this vital region.
Post-2011 Iraq-NATO Relationship – Supporting the New Strategic Concept
NATO has successfully fulfilled it commitment, and the contributions of NTM-I have opened new doors for greater cooperation and regional stability. The positive reputation enjoyed by NATO in Iraq, and the region, presents a strategic opportunity. Senior leaders in the government of Iraq have indicated a desire for a long-term relationship with NATO. This is an opportunity the Alliance must seize. The Alliance should start the dialogue now to extend the mandate of current NTM-I charter beyond 2011 and also begin discussions to frame a follow on long-term agreement that links NATO with Iraq well into the future.
The continuing relationship between NATO and Iraq through NTM-I, and its evolution into a Structured Cooperation Framework, is a model of the potential for NATO operations out-of-area under the New Strategic Concept currently being developed by the Alliance. NTM-I is showing how NATO can contribute as a source of specialized assistance as part of a comprehensive civil-military approach to complex problems as it paves the way for developing a strong partnership relationship with a key actor on regional security.
Summary
In conclusion, the Iraqi security forces have benefited greatly from the training and assistance that NATO has provided through NTM-I. Today they are a tremendously more capable and professional force but much work remains.
Continued resourcing of the NATO Trust Fund is essential for the Alliance to "invest in the success” of our efforts in Iraq and to meet its commitment to Iraq. It is also fundamental to a democratically led and enduring security sector that addresses the needs of the population.
Looking forward, NATO has a "once in a lifetime" Strategic Opportunity to build an enduring relationship with a democratic state in a critical region. The Alliance should seize this opportunity and begin a dialogue to build a post-2011 relationship with the government of Iraq.
Lt. Gen. Michael D. Barbero is the commander, NATO Training Mission – Iraq and the deputy commanding general for Advising and Training, United States Forces – Iraq. He is a career infantry officer with over 34 years of commissioned military service.