Iraq benchmarks: a reality check

The Associated Press

Here are nine key benchmarks among the 18 in the administration's progress report on Iraq, along with an Associated Press reality check:

Political

GOAL: Legislation to restore political, government and military positions to selected members of Saddam Hussein's Baath party.

PROGRESS: Unsatisfactory.

REALITY CHECK: Some draft plans have been discussed in Iraqi parliament, but there's been no action.

GOAL: An oil law to share wealth among Sunnis, Shiites, Kurds and other Iraqi groups.

PROGRESS: Unsatisfactory.

REALITY CHECK: Sunnis and Kurds sharply differ on control of their oil fields.

GOAL: Review the 2005 constitution and recommend amendments to meet Sunni demands.

PROGRESS: Satisfactory.

REALITY CHECK: A review committee has held meetings but asked for more time to finish. Kurds and Shiites want very limited changes.

GOAL: Ensuring rights of minority political parties in parliament.

PROGRESS: Satisfactory.

REALITY CHECK: Progress has stalled as tensions remain very high between Sunni parties and the Shiite-led government. Feuding between Shiite parties also has increased.

Military and security

GOAL: Allowing Iraqi military and police to operate independently and with "evenhanded enforcement."

PROGRESS: Unsatisfactory.

REALITY CHECK: U.S. commanders say Iraqi forces are not at full strength and training is slowed by desertions and equipment shortages. U.S. estimates say Iraq's security forces could be months — even years — away from operating effectively without American reinforcements.

GOAL: Reducing sectarian violence and eliminating militia control of security forces.

PROGRESS: Unsatisfactory, but with some progress.

REALITY CHECK: Militias still influence the Shiite-led security forces. Overall violence declined because of a Baghdad security crackdown in February, but it's climbing again.

GOAL: Provide three trained Iraqi brigades to support operations in Baghdad.

PROGRESS: Satisfactory.

REALITY CHECK: The units are in place, but not at full strength. Kurdish forces show the best capabilities so far. Others lag.

GOAL: Establishing U.S.-Iraq joint security stations in Baghdad neighborhoods to gain better contact with residents.

PROGRESS: Satisfactory.

REALITY CHECK: Most have been set up, but some have come under attack. Questions remain about the effectiveness of the civilian outreach.

GOAL: Laws to begin disarming militias and demanding loyalty to the central government.

PROGRESS: Too early to assess.

REALITY CHECK: Such reforms are extremely difficult and directly challenge cultural and tribal traditions.