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Oral Histories: Iraq Provincial Reconstruction Teams (2008-2009)

The Oral Histories Project on Stability Operations

Sunday, February 1, 2009

Publication Type: Oral History

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The Iraq PRT program has highlighted the challenges that the U.S. government faces in conducting operations in conflicted environments. The Iraq PRT Project collected insights and lessons learned from government, military, and non-governmental officials. Interviews were conducted by the Association for Diplomatic Studies and Training under a contract with the Institute of Peace.

The Oral Histories Project on Stability Operations collects the full text of interviews with individuals involved in stability operations, to draw lessons learned and address the challenges of post-conflict intervention.

The Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) model was brought to Iraq in November 2005. PRTs are small civilian-military units that assist provincial and local governments in Iraq to govern effectively and deliver essential services. PRTs in Iraq are largely civilian-led and differ in staffing and organization from PRTs in Afghanistan. In 2007, President Bush announced the addition of 10 new PRTs that would be embedded in Brigade Combat Teams to bolster moderates and build capacity of local officials. As of February 2009, there were 28 PRTs operating throughout Iraq, including 10 embedded with military units.

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