] The mood among US policy makers appears to be one of
] digging in grimly for the long haul, while handing over
] as much responsibility for Iraq to the Iraqis themselves,
] however fragile their shoulders might be.
]
] Two recent reports from US think tanks have examined the
] problems and have made recommendations. They do not make
] happy reading.
]
] The more substantial one is from the Center for Strategic
] and International Studies (CSIS).
]
] It concluded: "Two months after the United States
] transferred sovereignty to an Iraqi interim government...
] Iraq remains embroiled in an insurgency, with security
] problems overshadowing other efforts to rebuild Iraq's
] fragile society in the areas of governance and
] participation, economic opportunity, services and
] well-being."
]
] In none of these areas, it concludes, is Iraq moving
] towards what it calls "tipping points" towards
] "self-sustainability and further progress".

BBC NEWS | Middle East | Iraq: Signs of desperation