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Ambassador Satterfield focused on security, politics, and economy as the three main areas of concern. He said security has improved greatly in recent times among the Iraqi citizens and throughout the provinces.

In 2007 there was a progressive decline in casualties and attacks among citizens and US troops. Satterfield attributed this to three factors, the surge of US forces, additional Iraqi forces, and fragmentation. According to Satterfield, the Operation Anbar Awakening succeeded in removing attacks by Sunni insurgents. The Awakening also limited Al Qaeda forces, although he stressed that Al Qaeda remains a lethal force in Iraq despite current constraints on mobility. Overall, he said the current security gains would remain tenuous unless there is political reconciliation.

Satterfield remained optimistic about Iraq’s economic progress. He said central government has made significant progress in creating a capital budget, identifying local needs, and providing essential public services. Overall, the economic growth in Iraq is contingent on the security of the region, he added, since the country is in great need of foreign investment.

Satterfield appeared less optimistic about the political situation in Iraq. Currently, Iraq is in the process of political change and reconciliation. He considered reconciliation a long-term generational process. However, he suggested that building the foundations for peace should be a present objective. He cited the pensions bill, and the recent debathification bill as successful steps toward stabilizing the Iraqi government. On the other hand, he listed distrust between the parties and the absence of a modern hydrocarbon law as hindering Iraq’s growth.

Satterfield concluded by stressing the importance of a long-term partnership between the US and Iraq, that would provide the next administration with a more stable Iraq by promoting moderates within the country. He also emphasized that Iraq’s neighbors have a crucial role in assisting Iraq in the reconstruction process and criticized their ambiguous attitude toward Iraq. Overall, he described the biggest obstacle as distrust among the parties, but he suggested that with the proper policy implementation the US can promote reconciliation and establish an inclusive government.