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Iraq's Interior Ministry: The Key to Police Reform

Date: Thursday, June 18, 2009 / Time: 5:30am - 7:30am 

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In 2007, the Los Angeles Times reported that Iraq's interior ministry (MOI) had become a "federation of oligarchs" where various floors were controlled by rival militias and power struggles were resolved by assassinations in the parking lot. Today, the MOI is responsible for nearly 500,000 members of Iraq's security forces, but still struggles despite major US and UK efforts. A panel of experts discussed the current situation in Iraq at a meeting of USIP's Security Sector Reform Working Group.


In 2007, the Los Angeles Times reported that Iraq's interior ministry (MOI) had become a "federation of oligarchs" where various floors were controlled by rival militias and power struggles were resolved by assassinations in the parking lot. Today, the MOI is responsible for nearly 500,000 members of Iraq's security forces, but still struggles despite major US and UK efforts. A panel of experts discussed the reform program's past and prospects.

Speakers

  • Alex Martin
    Director, U.K.'s Iraq Interior Ministry Reform Project
  • Col James Coffman (Ret.)
    Former Military Advisor to the Minister of Interior, Iraq (2007–2009)
  • Matt Sherman
    Former Advisor to the Minister of Interior, Iraq (2003–2006)
  • Michael Gordon
    Chief Military Correspondent, The New York Times
    Jennings Randolph Senior Fellow, U.S. Institute of Peace
  • Robert Perito, Moderator
    Director, Security Sector Reform Working Group, U.S. Institute of Peace

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