Iraq Can't Spend Its Own Money

The money is Iraqi. The workers are Iraqi. But on the smattering of reconstruction projects across the country -- including military bases, schools, water and power infrastructure and roads -- management is still mostly American. It's further evidence of the failure, four years into the occupation, to stand up competent, professional Iraqi mid-level leadership.

U.S. Navy Captain Joe Hedges is the Assistant Chief Of Staff of the coalition training command's Engineering Directorate. He oversees $1.5 billion in Iraqi funds on behalf of the Ministries of Defense and Interior, i.e. the army and the cops.

“We take Iraqi money and apply it through our acquisitions and oversight processes in order build and support useable facilities,” he says, adding that his troops are currently managing a dozen different projects. “Everything from bases, to new barracks schools, airfields and even a hospital.”

The ultimate goal, Hedges says, is "not to do this for them, but to help them start doing it themselves." To that end, Hedge's team convenes U.S.-Iraqi working groups, brings Iraqi engineers along on site visits and incorporates Iraqi ideas in project designs. One example: sinks are now reinforced to support Iraqi troops who use them to wash their feet.

“Every day, we see the Iraqis get a little bit stronger, better and more organized. They're building capacity in the ministries. Eventually they’ll be self-sufficient."

Sure, but WHEN?
Danger Room