Global Issues: The War in Iraq
"Lessons Learned from Iraq: Where Do We Go from Here?" was the focus of the second annual Global Issues Forum held at the University of Wisconsin-Marathon County on November 16, 2006. Panelists for the forum included: Colonel Tom Greenwood, Commandant of the Marine Corps Staff College; Army Civil Affairs expert Colonel Chris Holshek; and Dr. Pauline Baker, President for the Fund for Peace. The goal of the forum was to present, for the public, an "insider's" view of the situation in Iraq from those who have worked intimately on the issue. Panelists strove to build an understanding about the kind of “transformational” missions the U.S. has sought to build internationally since the end of the Cold War. They argued that civil-military operations that attempt to bridge peace and conflict (like those conducted earlier in Somalia, Bosnia, Kosovo, and Afghanistan) are likely to continue in the future, but they are also likely to fall short in their efficacy. A question and answer session that followed the panel invited the audience to consider what Americans might do to provide more useful help as Iraq attempts to moves forward. As with all WIPPS-sponsored forums, the dialogue and discussion were meant to provide the best aspects of public scholarship as an alternative to politically charged debate.
Baker Report-Global Issues Forum 2006 (PDF)
Download the Lessons Learned Poster.PDF
The Global Issues Forum is co-sponsored by the University of Wisconsin-Marathon County, the Hermening Financial Group, and the Clay Norrbom family.