Hard Lessons reviews the Iraq reconstruction experience from mid-2002 through the fall of 2008. Like SIGIRs previous lessons learned reports, this study is not an audit. Rather, it arises from our congressional mandate to provide advice and recommendations on policies to promote economy, efficiency, and effectiveness in programs created for Iraqs relief and reconstruction. The report presents a chronological history of the reconstruction program, threading together a number of themes including: the enormous challenges that security problems posed for rebuilding efforts the dramatic and frequently reactive course-changes in reconstruction strategy the turbulence engendered by continual personnel turnover at every level the waste caused by inadequate contracting and program management practices the poor integration of interagency efforts caused by weak unity of command and inconsistent unity of effort. The text of this reportthrough vignette, interview, and factual detailexplicates these themes by, in turn, laying out the blinkered and disjointed prewar planning for postwar Iraq; the CPAs large and ultimately too ambitious expansion of the reconstruction program; the security-driven reprogrammings required by the exploding insurgency; the strongly resourced response of the surge; and the rise of Iraqs role in its own reconstruction. Hard Lessons answers some important questions about the U.S. relief and reconstruction program in Iraq: Did the program meet the goals it set for itself? Was the program grossly burdened by waste and fraud? Why did reconstruction efforts so often fail to meet their mark? The research for Hard Lessons comprised interviews with hundreds of individuals and the review of thousands of documents. SIGIR reached out to virtually every major player in the Iraq reconstruction experience and almost all agreed to be interviewed or provide useful responses. Among others, Secretaries Powell, Rumsfeld, Gates, and Rice; USAID Administrator Natsios and Deputy Administrator Kunder; Deputy Secretaries Wolfowitz, England, Armitage and Negroponte; Under Secretary Feith; Ambassadors Bremer, Khalilzad, Crocker, Jeffrey, Satterfield, Speckhard, Taylor, and Saloom; and Generals Garner, Abizaid, McKiernan, Strock, Eaton, Sanchez, Casey, Petraeus, Odierno, Chiarelli, Dempsey, and McCoy were all interviewed by SIGIR or gave helpful information or advice. We also interviewed Iraqi leaders, including former Prime Ministers Allawi and Jaafari, Deputy Prime Ministers Chalabi and Salih, Ambassador Sumaidaie, Judge Radhi, and Minister Baban. Equally important to the study, SIGIR staff interviewed hundreds of military members, government officials, and civilian contractors who carried out the brick and mortar work of Iraqs relief and reconstruction. The report also draws on the body of SIGIR audits, inspections, and investigations, as well as reports from other investigative bodies.

"Synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.

Brainybooks

East Petersburg, PA, U.S.A.

3-star seller

AbeBooks seller since October 20, 2025

Shipping rates within U.S.A.

Item	5 to 14 business days	3 to 6 business days
First item	£ 2.56	£ 4.03

Delivery times are set by sellers and vary by carrier and location. Orders passing through Customs may face delays and buyers are responsible for any associated duties or fees. Sellers may contact you regarding additional charges to cover any increased costs to ship your items.

Payment methods

CheckPaypal

Store description

We are happy that you found us. Brainybooks is located in the heart of Pennsy;vania Dutch Country. We have been selling books online for twenty-five years.

Specialty

Adult and Children fiction and non-fiction old and new

Seller's business information

Brainybooks

PA, U.S.A.

Contact sellerView this seller's itemsView seller's storefront

Right of withdrawal

If you are a consumer you can withdraw from the contract in accordance with the following. Consumer means any natural person who is acting for purposes which are outside his trade, business, craft or profession.

Information regarding the right of withdrawal

Statutory right to withdraw

You have the right to withdraw from this contract within 14 days without giving any reason.

The withdrawal period will expire after 14 days from the day on which you acquire, or a third party other than the carrier and indicated by you acquires, physical possession of the last good or the last lot or piece.

To exercise the right of withdrawal, electronically fill in and submit a clear statement on our website, under "My Purchases" in "My Account". We will communicate to you an acknowledgement of receipt of such a withdrawal on a durable medium (e.g. by e-mail) without delay.

To meet the withdrawal deadline, it is sufficient for you to send your communication concerning your exercise of the right of withdrawal before the withdrawal period has expired.

Effects of withdrawal

If you withdraw from this contract, we will reimburse to you all payments received from you, including the costs of delivery (except for the supplementary costs arising if you chose a type of delivery other than the least expensive type of standard delivery offered by us).

We may make a deduction from the reimbursement for loss in value of any goods supplied, if the loss is the result of unnecessary handling by you.

We will make the reimbursement without undue delay, and not later than 14 days after the day on which we are informed about your decision to withdraw from this contract.

We will make the reimbursement using the same means of payment as you used for the initial transaction, unless you have expressly agreed otherwise; in any event, you will not incur any fees as a result of such reimbursement.

We may withhold reimbursement until we have received the goods back, or you have supplied evidence of having sent back the goods, whichever is the earliest.

You shall send back the goods or hand them over to Brainybooks, East Petersburg, Pennsylvania, U.S.A., +1 (717) 538-5326, without undue delay and in any event not later than 14 days from the day on which you communicate your withdrawal from this contract to us. The deadline is met if you send back the goods before the period of 14 days has expired. You will have to bear the direct cost of returning the goods. You are only liable for any diminished value of the goods resulting from the handling other than what is necessary to establish the nature, characteristics and functioning of the goods.

Exceptions to the right of withdrawal

The right of withdrawal does not apply to:

The delivery of newspapers, journals or magazines with the exception of subscription contracts; and
The supply of digital content which is not supplied on a tangible medium (e.g. on a CD or DVD) if you accepted when you placed your order that we could start to deliver it, and that you could not withdraw once delivery had started.

Hard Lessons: The Iraq Reconstruction Experience

Item description from seller

Bibliographic details

Synopsis

Brainybooks

Shipping rates within U.S.A.

Payment methods

Store description

Specialty

Seller's business information

Right of withdrawal