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Transparency Good, Accountability Better
Matt Shugert, ICAR M.S. Student
Posted: 02/13/08

From Matt Shugert, Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution, George Mason University

I applaud Defense Secretary Robert Gates’s openness and transparency in providing the “price tag” for our continued involvement in Iraq to the Senate Armed Services Committee (“$170B more for Iraq war,” Feb. 6). Although he argues that the figure isn’t precise, it’s a good first step that one day may lead to the current administration announcing in detail how the U.S. will work toward decreasing the brutal violence in Iraq, and begin the pulling down of our troop strength in Iraq.

I do wonder, however, after five years of war, shouldn’t we be well beyond this point of estimating our cost for the Iraq occupation?

Shouldn’t we know what the money will be spent on, as we’re in the midst of an almost certain recession? Especially, as noted in reports presented by the inspector general for Iraq to Congress, several billion dollars in Iraq funding is not appropriately reported on by accepted accounting standards?

Don’t get me wrong, this responsibility isn’t just on the shoulders of the Republican administration; the Democrats do hold the majority in congress and chair this committee.

Washington

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ICAR News Network Transparency Good, Accountability Better Matt Shugert, ICAR M.S. Student Posted: 02/13/08 From Matt Shugert, Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution, George Mason University I applaud Defense Secretary Robert Gates’s openness and transparency in providing the “price tag” for our continued involvement in Iraq to the Senate Armed Services Committee (“$170B more for Iraq war,” Feb. 6). Although he argues that the figure isn’t precise, it’s a good first step that one day may lead to the current administration announcing in detail how the U.S. will work toward decreasing the brutal violence in Iraq, and begin the pulling down of our troop strength in Iraq. I do wonder, however, after five years of war, shouldn’t we be well beyond this point of estimating our cost for the Iraq occupation? Shouldn’t we know what the money will be spent on, as we’re in the midst of an almost certain recession? Especially, as noted in reports presented by the inspector general for Iraq to Congress, several billion dollars in Iraq funding is not appropriately reported on by accepted accounting standards? Don’t get me wrong, this responsibility isn’t just on the shoulders of the Republican administration; the Democrats do hold the majority in congress and chair this committee. Washington News Network Homepage / Armenia / 2008 Elections / Afghanistan / Diplomacy/ Egypt / Environment / Global Peace Index / Health / Immigration / Iraq / Iran / Islam / Kosovo / Nuclear Proliferation / Pakistan / Palestine-Israel / Russia / Somalia / South America / Turkey /		About ICAR Student Information Prospective Students Faculty and Staff Alumni Career Services Academic Programs Library ICAR In The News Events Technology Resources ICAR Publications Point Of View Center Center for World Religions, Diplomacy & Conflict Resolution