A new U.S. Army report on the Iraq conflict following the ouster of Saddam Hussein cites a lack of planning and vision by U.S. military and civilian leaders.
The unclassified report written by military historians Donald Wright and Colonel Timothy Reese says too much emphasis was placed on a military triumph, and not enough on detailed planning for the post-war period. It says part of the reason was optimism by the White House and Defense Department on what would happen when Saddam was defeated.
The lengthy report authored by Wright, Reese and the Army's Contemporary Operations Study Team concentrates on the 18 months following President Bush's declaration of the end of major combat in May 2003.
The report also criticizes the invasion's top commander, General Tommy Franks, for his decision to overhaul the Baghdad-based military command, creating a short-staffed headquarters led by an inexperienced general.
Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.
