Border Security: One Step toward Resolving the Conflict in Iraq

One true thing since the terrorist attacks on 9/11 is that the world has changed. Consequently, the US military's ability to adapt is paramount. For instance, in Operation Iraqi Freedom, the US and coalition forces are faced with an unanticipated insurgency unlike any they have faced before. This insurgency is proving to be resilient and difficult to defeat. The purpose of this paper is to employ innovative thinking in an effort to help solve this insurgency dilemma. It will do this by proving that border security is a key component to suppressing the Iraqi insurgency and that border security operations have been hindered by the lack of interagency coordination. As a solution, this paper will propose the formation of a border security interagency working group. This working group would act as the focal point for all border security issues and would have the responsibility of developing a comprehensive border security strategy. Finally, this paper will propose that a border security air component should be a part and under the control of the Iraq Department of Border Enforcement (DBE).