WASHINGTON–The long awaited verdict of the Iraq Study Group has finally been announced to the public on Wednesday, December 6th. The group is a panel composed of Republicans and Democrats alike. Chartered by Congress with the goal in mind to give criticism and an overall judgment upon the situation in Iraq, as well as its respective components, the group has finally come to a consensus. The study group’s final assessment was this: if the situation in Iraq continues to be handled as it has been thus far, a complete catastrophe is sure to follow.

Among the main changes of military policies that President Bush is encouraged to pursue, the withdrawal of American troops by early 2008, looms as one of the most dominant. Reforms also go on to advocate the peace and cooperation between Iraq’s neighboring countries. As of late, the Iraq Study Group speculates that Shiite-Sunni clashes could spread. More violence could penetrate into Iraq if the relationships between the other countries are not handled properly.

With all of these reforms being seen as necessary to prevent escalated tension, the situation in Iraq can be labeled as a dire one. It once again brings forth the initial doubt that multiple Americans had when Bush first began his campaign in Iraq. The underlying incertitude that had come with Bush’s promotion of his “War on Terrorism” came into full fruition upon the publication of the Iraq Study Group’s reviews and judgments. The “War on Terrorism” seems more of a misnomer. Critically, it seems to be a “War of American Self-Interest”. Bush’s reasons for being in Iraq have continuously been put under the public eye for examination. In the end, they come up as less than noble.

Critics claim that the American government is stationed in Iraq largely for its oil reserves. Though the campaign in Iraq has created some positives, the American public has to wonder: with all of the reforms that the Iraq Study Group has deemed necessary, is the war really a cause worth enduring? Former Secretary of Defense, Donald Rumsfeld, had previously criticized the situation in Iraq in a memo. He claimed that it needed to be altered greatly, with the consequence of failure being inevitable otherwise.

In the end, the American public is left to anticipate and observe what decisions shall unfold from within the confines of the White House. Whether the advice of the study group, which has apparently done their homework thoroughly, will be listened to or not, is the choice hovering over the President now. Such a decision could determine the fate of Iraq, a country in which America arguably has no valid jurisdiction in.