CURRICULUM VITAE
Richard R. (Rick) Brennan Jr., Ph.D.
The RAND Corporation w 1200 S Hayes St. w Arlington, VA 22202
703-413-1100, x5411 w 480-363-0944 (mobile) w brennan@rand.org
PROFILE
Senior Political Scientist at the RAND Corporation who earned his Ph.D. in International
Relations from UCLA. He is a career U.S. Army light infantry officer and defense strategist with
high-level Department of Defense policy making and research experience on issues related to U.S.
policy and strategy in the Near East with a particular focus on Iran, Iraq, Syria, Saudi Arabia, and
the Gulf States; Latin America and the Caribbean Basin; Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation
New Dawn; conflict resolution, war termination and crisis bargaining; stability and support
operations; joint and multinational military operations; special operations; military transformation;
and, homeland security/defense. From 2006 through 2011 Dr. Brennan volunteered to deploy in
the the role of a senior executive in Baghdad where he provided on-site strategic and policy
analysis and confidential advice to the senior military commanders in Iraq to include the J3, J5,
Chief of Staff, and Commanding General. Dr. Brennan received RAND’s Silver Merit Award
recognizing its top researchers in 2007 and 2009.
CIVILIAN EDUCATION
Ph.D. Political Science, University of California, Los Angeles, 1999
♦ Major Fields of Study: International Relations and Comparative Politics
♦ Minor Field of Study: Quantitative Methodology
♦ Dissertation: The Concept of “Type C” Coercive Diplomacy: US Policy towards
Nicaragua during the Reagan Administration, 1981-1988
M.A. Political Science, University of California at Los Angeles, 1989
B.S.
Criminal Justice, summa cum laude, Arizona State University, 1979
PROFESSIONAL MLITARY EDUCATION
♦ Defense Strategy Course, U.S. Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, PA, 1993
♦ U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, KS, 1992
♦ Military Personnel Officer’s Course, Fort Ben Harrison, IN, 1983
♦ Infantry Officers Advanced Course, Fort Benning, GA, 1983
♦ U.S. Army Ranger School, Fort Benning, GA 1980
♦ Infantry Officers Basic Course, Fort Benning, GA, 1979
Richard R. Brennan, Jr., Page 2
PROFESSIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
2001-Present SENIOR POLITICAL SCIENTIST, RAND Corporation, 1200 S. Hayes Street,
Arlington, Virginia 22202-5050.
♦ Principal Investigator and senior analyst for a series of research projects designed to
develop strategic and policy options, recommendations, and lessons-learned from
Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation New Dawn to advance enduring U.S. interests in Iraq
and throughout the Levant. Current research includes: (1) lead a million dollar study
designed to create a historical record and develop lessons learned from the planning
efforts, processes, procedures, and actions established by the United States Forces – Iraq
(USF-I) and Embassy Baghdad to transition tasks, programs, projects and relationships
that were owned, performed or managed by any USF-I entity to the either the GoI,
Embassy, OSC-I or CENTCOM; (2) provide analytical support to the Office of Security
Cooperation – Iraq (OSC-I) to facilitate the development of useable options for enhanced
security cooperation activities necessary to build partner capacity of the Iraqi Security
Forces (ISF) during the next three years to ensure it is capable of performing internal
security and external defense missions that support both Iraqi and U.S. objectives (pending
receipt of funding); and, (3) provide analytical support to USCENTCOM to assist in
developing useable military options to advance U.S. interests in Iraq and throughout the
Levant.
♦ From September 2006 through December 2011 provided direct analytical support to the
U.S. military in Iraq as an embedded senior analyst serving in Baghdad. The following
are highlights of that five year deployment:
o Served as the Senior Strategic and Policy Advisor to the Director of Operations (J3) of
USF-I from September 2008 until present. While serving in this Senior Level
Professional (SL/SP) position, provides independent and objective analysis and
confidential advice to senior military commanders to include the J3, J5, Chief of Staff,
and the Commanding General (CG). Provide subject matter expertise on issues relating
political, military, economic and diplomatic issues associated with Iran, Syria, Turkey,
Shia extremist groups, al Qaeda in Iraq, Sunni insurgents, and regional politics likely
to affect the long-term security partnership with Iraq. Serves as a member of joint
planning efforts involving strategic communication, information operations, Special
Technical Operations (STO), military deception and special operations designed to
counter and defeat violent extremists in Iraq. Principal author of several sensitive
“White Papers” that were prepared for the MNF-I/USF-I Commanding General and
were subsequently forwarded by them to the CENTCOM Commander, CJCS,
Secretary of Defense and the National Security Staff. Manage and conduct special
projects at the direction of the J3 and Chief of Staff.
o Served as the Director of a “Virtual Initiatives Group” that provides independent and
objective analysis to the J3, J5 and Chief of Staff on important time sensitive issues
that would benefit from RAND reach-back support to USF-I. This analytical support
resulted in the publication of fourteen papers that are categorized on page 10 of this
vitae.
Richard R. Brennan, Jr., Page 3
o From March through September 2010 served as the Director of the MNF-I Checkmate
Team and provided weekly briefings to the CG on sensitive issues relating Iraqi
government formation, Iranian influence, drivers of instability in Iraq, national power
sharing, and opportunities and challenges associated with national reconciliation. The
CHECKMATE Team was composed of five colonels representing the J2, J3, J5, J9
and FSEC who provided independent analysis to the CG. The subject of the briefings
were chosen by the CG are were designed to help him prioritize the actions he should
take in the following week as well as identify issues that might be raised to the
CENTCOM Commander, Secretary of Defense or the White House for assistance
and/or resolution.
o From August 2008 through September 2009 served as a member of the Joint
Interagency Task Force-Iraq and was responsible for bringing an interdisciplinary
approach to addressing the complex security issues confronting Iraq between 2008 and
2009. Served as primary author of the Balancing Iranian Influence strategy contained
in the 2008 and 2009 Joint Campaign Plan. Was a key contributor to the Joint
Planning Team responsible for developing operational plans to counter malign Iranian
influence and reduce the ability of Iranian backed militias such as Kata'ib Hezbollah
(KH), Asaib Ahl al-Haq (AAH), and Jaish al-Mahdi (JAM) Special Groups from
conducting violence within Iraq.
o Deployed analyst working within the 1st Cavalry Division in Baghdad from October
2006 and continuing until December 2007. Principle duties included conducting
research and analysis associated with counter-IED operations; Iranian support of
militia groups operating within Iraq; and, conducting broader analysis associated with
potential policy and strategy changes that would best facilitate progress towards
conflict resolution and war termination in Iraq. For his efforts the 1st Cavalry Division
inducted him into the Order of the Golden Spur for service with that unit in combat.
♦ Principal Investigator and senior analyst for a series of research projects designed to
develop policy options and recommendations relating to the DoD role in both natural and
man-made disasters. This research has resulted in the development of new ways to
manage the risks associated with emerging threats. Current and recent research explored:
(1) the roles and missions of the US armed forces in homeland security and homeland
defense; (2) processes and procedures necessary to integrate military and civilian
resources to counter chemical, biological and nuclear attacks on the U.S. homeland; (3)
Army installation preparedness for CBRNE attacks; and (4) the development of the first
homeland defense strategy for the Department of Defense.
♦ Principal Investigator for a series of projects supporting the United States Army Special
Operations Command and the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special
Operations and Low Intensity Conflict. These projects were designed to identify the
future threats that might be posed by insurgent and terrorist organizations, and determine
how such threats might be mitigated through the employment of unconventional warfare,
direct action, and foreign internal defense.
♦ Senior Analyst responsible for conducting research and analysis supporting the Arroyo
Center's effort to prepare a definitive report of the lessons learned from OPERATION
IRAQI FREEDOM, to include the principal investigator for Special Forces Operations in
Richard R. Brennan, Jr., Page 4
Iraq, Phase IV Stability and Support Operations, Border Security, and operations of the 1st
Cavalry Division in Baghdad.
♦ Senior Analyst responsible for conducting research and analysis supporting the Arroyo
Center’s effort to examine changes to the personnel system that the Army should consider
in light of the war in Iraq, Global War on terrorism, and desired transformation goals.
1995-2001 PROGRAM DIRECTOR AND SENIOR ANALYST, Strategic Assessment Center,
Science Applications International Corporation, 1710 Goodridge Drive, MS T1-13-4,
McLean Virginia 22102.
♦ Program Director responsible for supervising Dominating Maneuver--a multi-year
research project designed to explore Army specific issues relating to the transformation of
the Army that was co-sponsored by the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, United
States Army and the Office of the Secretary of Defense (Net Assessment).
♦ Game Director for the Joint Strategic Review (JSR) 99 wargame series, sponsored by J5
(Strategy), that examined issues relating to how potential future adversaries could use
asymmetric approaches to delay, deter, degrade or defeat U.S. forces in the year 2005 and
beyond in an effort to make necessary organizational and doctrinal changes to be prepared
for emerging and future threats.
♦ Conducted studies and analyses that focused on the growing threat from international
terrorism, and new ways that the U.S. can conduct counterterrorism and emergency
response operations in the event of an attack with a weapon of mass destruction.
♦ Conducted two groundbreaking studies for the Office of the Secretary of Defense (Net
Assessment) that examined how potential adversaries could successfully use information
warfare to defeat the U.S. Armed Forces.
♦ Deputy Director for the Army Technology Seminar Game, conducted in support of the
Assistant Secretary of the Army for Research, Development and Acquisition (SARDA),
designed to help the senior Army leadership decide how to allocate Research and
Development dollars in an effort to move towards the Army After Next.
♦ Principal Investigator for a study sponsored by the Office of the Secretary of Defense (Net
Assessment) that examined issues related to organizational change and transformation.
♦ Conducted research and analysis for the Office of the Secretary of Defense (Strategy and
Requirements) that examined the conditions under which it is useful to conduct weapons
control, disarmament, and demobilization during the conduct of peace operations.
♦ Principal Investigator for a series of workshops and wargames designed to examine joint
strategic deployability as it relates to the emerging Revolution in Military Affairs (RMA)
for the Office of the Secretary of Defense (Net Assessment).
1993-1995 DEFENSE POLICY ANALYST, Office of the Secretary of Defense, Strategy and
Requirements (Peacekeeping and Peace Enforcement Policy), Washington, D.C.
♦ Developed analyses, provided recommendations to senior Defense officials, and
represented the Office of the Secretary of Defense during interagency deliberations
Richard R. Brennan, Jr., Page 5
throughout the development of Presidential Decision Directive 25 (Reforming Multilateral
Peace Operations).
♦ Conducted analyses and developed recommendations for inclusion in both the Defense
Planning Guidance (DPG) and the Contingency Planning Guidance (CPG).
♦ Developed analyses, provided recommendations to senior Defense officials, and
represented the Office of the Secretary of Defense during interagency working group
meetings relating to U.S. support of multinational peace operations in Bosnia, Haiti,
Liberia, Rwanda and Somalia.
♦ Served as the Chairman of a Department of Defense task force that developed policy
recommendations on how to enhance DoD’s ability to conduct and/or support multilateral
peace operations through changes in training, doctrine, force structure and procurement.
1992-1993 STRATEGIC ANALYST, Headquarters, Department of the Army, Strategic Plans
and Policy Division, Headquarters, Department of the Army, Washington, D.C.
♦ Developed, presented, and defended the Army position on the Unified Command Plan
(UCP) and the Joint Strategic Capabilities Plan (JSCAP) while serving as the "Trusted
Agent" for the Chief of Staff of the United States Army during sensitive discussions
concerning the roles and missions of the U.S. armed forces.
♦ Conducted analyses and briefed the Army Chief of Staff on the implications of U.S.
military involvement in both Somalia and Bosnia in preparation for meetings with
President Bush.
♦ Drafted major sections of the National Security Strategy Document, U.S. Policy on
Peacekeeping (NSDD-74), National Counter-drug Strategy, and the National Military
Strategy.
♦ Provided Army staff guidance and direction for all external research projects conducted in
support of the Strategic Plans and Policy Division.
1989-1992 ASSISTANT PROFESSOR of International Relations, Department of Social
Sciences, United States Military Academy, West Point, New York.
♦ Developed, organized and taught upper division classes in comparative politics and
international relations to include: Introduction to International Relations, U.S. Foreign
Policy, National Security Studies and The Role of the Military in Politics.
♦ Organized and directed a major conference on U.S. foreign policy while serving as the
Executive Secretary for the “42nd Annual Student Conference on U.S. Affairs” (SCUSA).
♦ Interacted with professors from other colleges and universities around the country,
presented papers at national conferences, and served as a panel moderator for the Annual
Meeting of the American Political Science Association.
1979-1989 VARIOUS MID-LEVEL COMMAND AND STAFF POSITIONS in tactical units
within the U.S. Army to include:
Richard R. Brennan, Jr., Page 6
♦ Battalion Operations Officer (S3) and Rifle Company Commander with the 3rd Battalion,
9th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division (Light).
♦ Assistant G1 (Plans) and Chief of Officer Management, 7th Infantry Division (Light).
♦ Battalion Personnel Officer (S1), Battalion S3 (Air), Rifle Company Executive Officer,
and Rifle Platoon Leader with the 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry, 101st Airborne Division
(Air Assault)
RESEARCH INTERESTS
♦ Defense planning, modernization, military transformation, force structure & manpower
♦ Conflict resolution, war termination, coercive diplomacy, and crisis bargaining
♦ Strategy and policy issues relating to East Asia and the Levant; with a particular emphasis
on Iraq, Iran, Syria and the Gulf States
♦ Terrorist activities supported by Iran, the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps-Qods Force
(IRGC-QF), and Iranian surrogate militias operating in Iraq and throughout the Levant
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
♦ Association of the United States Army
♦ American Political Science Association
♦ Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society, Arizona State University, 1977
FELLOWSHIPS
♦ U.S. Army ROTC Top 5% Fellowship, 1979
♦ Fellow, Seminar XXI, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1993
AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
♦ Military: Defense Superior Service Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Army
Meritorious Service Medal (3 Awards), Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement
Medal, Expert Infantryman's Badge, Airborne Wings, Air Assault Badge, Pathfinder
Badge, and Ranger Tab.
♦ Civilian: RAND Silver Merit Award for Excellence, 2007 and 2009
SECURITY CLEARANCE AND SPECIAL ACCESS
♦ Top Secret/SCI (SI/TK/G/HCS)
♦ Special Technical Operations (STO)
Richard R. Brennan, Jr., Page 7
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
REPORTS AND MONOGRAPHS
Steve Rader, Richard R. Brennan, Jr., et al. (1995). "Arms Control in Peace Operations: A
Framework for Analysis." Research Paper prepared for the Office of the Secretary of Defense
(Peacekeeping and Peace Enforcement Policy).
Richard R. Brennan, Jr. and R. Evan Ellis (1996). "Information Warfare in Multilateral Peace
Operations: A Case Study of Somalia." Research Paper prepared for the Office of the
Secretary of Defense (Net Assessment).
Richard R. Brennan, Jr., R. Evan Ellis, and Cecil B. Bailey (1997). "Information Warfare and
Non-State Actors: A Case Study of the Cali Cartel." Research Paper prepared for the Office
of the Secretary of Defense (Net Assessment).
Richard R. Brennan, Jr. and Blake Furrer (1998). Dominating Maneuver Synthesis Report
(FY98). A Research Paper prepared for the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations,
Headquarters, Department of the Army.
Richard R. Brennan, Jr. (1999). The Concept of “Type C” Coercive Diplomacy: US Policy
towards Nicaragua during the Reagan Administration, 1981-1988. A dissertation submitted
in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Philosophy in Political
Science, University of California, Los Angeles.
Rick Brennan. Protecting the Homeland: Insights from Army Wargames. RAND, MR-1490-A,
January 2002.
Richard Brennan, K. Scott McMahon, David Kassing, David E. Mosher, Lynn E. Davis, Jeremy
Shapiro, John Hollywood and Michael Lostumbo. Estimating Army Homeland Security
Requirements: A Historical Perspective. RAND, MG-152-A, November 2003.
Richard Brennan. “Defending the Homeland,” in Arroyo Center Annual Report 2001. RAND,
AR-2062-A, January 2002.
Richard Brennan, “U.S. Army Finds its Role at Home Up for Grabs,” in RAND Review, Summer
2002.
Lynn Davis, David E. Mosher, Richard Brennan, K. Scott McMahon, Michael D. Greenberg,
Charles Yost. Army Forces for Homeland Security. RAND, MG-221-A, July 2004.
Lynn Davis, David E. Mosher, Richard R. Brennan, Jr., , Michael D. Greenberg, Charles Yost,
Scott McMahon. An Army Strategy for Homeland Security. RAND, RB-9069-A, 2004.
Peter Schirmer, Henry A. Leonard, James C. Crowley, Nancy E. Blacker, Richard R. Brennan, Jr.,
J. Michael Polich, Jerry Sollinger, and Daniel M. Varda, Leader Development in Army Units:
Views from the Field. RAND, MG-648-A, 2008
Richard R. Brennan, Jr., Page 8
Nora Bensahel, Olga Oliker, Keith Crane, Richard R. Brennan, Jr., Heather S. Gregg, Thomas
Sullivan, and Andrew Rathmel, After Saddam: Prewar Planning and the Occupation of Iraq.
RAND, MG-642-A, 2008.
Richard R. Brennan, Jr, Charles Ries, Larry Hanauer, Ben Connable, Terrence K. Kelly, Michael
J. McNerney, Stephanie Young, Jason H. Campbell and K. Scott McMahon. Ending the U.S.
War in Iraq: The Final Transition, Operational Maneuver and Disestablishment of United
States Forces-Iraq (USF-I). RAND, RR-232-USFI, November 2013.
Richard R. Brennan, Jr., et al., Smooth Transitions? Lessons Learned from Transferring U.S.
Military Responsibilities to Civilian Authorities in Iraq. RB-9749-USFI (2013)
PRESENTATIONS
Richard R. Brennan, Jr., 1991. "Force and Diplomacy: US Policy towards Nicaragua during the
Reagan Administration." Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Political
Science Association, Washington D.C.,
Richard R. Brennan, Jr. 1994. “The Evolving Role of the United States Military in Multilateral
Peace Operations.” Canadian Institute for International Studies, Ottawa, Canada.
Sarah Sewall and Rick Brennan. 1993. “American Values, Ethnic Conflict and the Peacekeeping
and Peace Enforcement Mission.” U.S. Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, PA.
Sarah B. Sewall and Richard R. Brennan, Jr. 1993. “The United Nations and the Peace
Enforcement Mission.” National Defense University, Washington, D.C.
Richard R. Brennan, Jr. 1994. “The Changing Nature of UN Peacekeeping.” U.S. Navy War
College, Newport News, RI.
Rick Brennan and Nora Bensahel. 2005. “Shifting Phase Lines: Planning for the Transition from
Combat to Post-Combat Operations in Iraq,” a Paper presented at the 2005 Annual Meeting of
the International Studies Association, Honolulu, HI.
Rick Brennan and Douglas Ollivant. 2006. “Revolving the Conflict in Iraq: An Alternative
Peacemaking Strategy.” The RAND Corporation, Arlington, VA.
Richard R. Brennan, Jr. 2007. “The Actionable Hot Spot Model: Battlefield Utilization.” Joint
Improvised Explosive Device Defense Organization (JIEDDO), Arlington, VA.
Rick Brennan. 2008. “Conflict Resolution in Iraq: A Bridge Too Far?” The Student Conference
on International Peace and Security, University of California, Irvine; Irvine, CA.
Rick Brennan. 2008. “U.S. National Security and the Caribbean Basin.” Naval Academy Foreign
Affairs Conference (NAFAC), United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD.
Rick Brennan. 2010. “The Iraq Operating Environment: 2011-2015.” The RAND Corporation,
Arlington, VA.
EDITORIALS
Rick Brennan, “Iran’s Covert War in Iraq,” The Washington Times, March 16, 2007.
STUDIES AND PRESENTATIONS NOT AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC
Bruce Pirnie, John Gordon IV, Richard R. Brennan, Jr., Forest E Morgan, Alexander C. Hou, and
Charles W. Yost, Operation IRAQI FREEDOM: Volume II, Defeating Saddam, RAND MG643/2-A, 2004. This volume is not available to the general public, and covers major combat
operations in Iraq.
Nora Bensahel, Olga Oliker, Keith Crane, Richard R. Brennan, Jr., Heather S. Gregg, Thomas
Sullivan, and Andrew Rathmel, Operation IRAQI FREEDOM: Volume IV, Prewar Planning
and the Occupation of Iraq, RAND MG-643/4-A, 2004. This volume is not available to the
general public, and covers prewar planning for the postwar situation and postwar military and
reconstruction activities.
Rick Brennan. January 2009. “Malign Iranian Activities in Iraq.” A paper provided to the senior
leadership of the Multinational Forces-Iraq (MNF-I) that provides an independent and
objective analysis of the full range of Iranian support of criminal activities in Iraq designed to
intimidate, bribe, or conduct other unlawful activities in an effort to garner enduring political
and economic influence in Iraq.
Rick Brennan. October 2009. “Iranian Development of Improvised Rocket Assisted Munitions
(IRAMs) and U.S. Countermeasures.” A paper provided to the senior leadership of the
Multinational Forces-Iraq (MNF-I) that provides an independent and objective analysis
Iranian development of IRAMs and provision of these weapons to Katib Hezbollah to attack
U.S. Forces; and potential actions that the United States could take to deter future employment
of these weapons.
Rick Brennan. October 2010. “The Iraq Operating Environment: 2011-2015.” An independent and
objective analysis provided to the senior leadership of the United States Forces-Iraq (USF-I),
Baghdad, Iraq that uses trend analysis to describe the most likely political, economic,
diplomatic and security situation in Iraq from 2011 through 2015; an provides strategic and
policy recommendations that best advance U.S. interests. This briefing was used as the basis
for briefing given by the USF-I Commander to the CJCS and the Secretary of Defense.
Rick Brennan. May 2011. “Counter Malign Iranian Influence and Broader Issues.” A paper
provided to the senior leadership of the United States Forces-Iraq (USF-I) that provides an
independent and objective analysis of the current political and security situation in Iraq and
the region. This paper was subsequently provided to the CENTCOM Commander, the CJCS,
the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy and the Secretary of Defense.
Richard R. Brennan, Jr., Page 10
Rick Brennan. June 2011. “Preventing High Profile Rocket Attacks by Iranian Backed Militias.”
An operational and intelligence (O&I) paper provided to the senior leadership of the United
States Forces-Iraq (USF-I) that details the threat posed by new and more deadly variants of
Improvised Rocket Assisted Munitions (IRAM) and identifies force protection and policy
options available to reduce the threat to U.S. forces and the U.S. Embassy-Baghdad. This
paper was subsequently provided to the CENTCOM Commander.
Rick Brennan. July 2011. “Iranian Aggression and Potential U.S. Responses.” A paper provided
to the senior leadership of the United States Forces-Iraq (USF-I) that provides an independent
and objective analysis of Iranian regional goals, IRGC-QF activities in Iraq and throughout the
Levant, and potential U.S. actions that might successfully counter these activities. This paper
was subsequently provided to the CENTCOM Commander, the CJCS, the Under Secretary of
Defense for Policy and the Secretary of Defense.
DRAFT RAND REPORTS AND PROGRAM MEMORANDUMS
David Mosher, Richard Brennan, Stephen Dalzell, David Thaler and Scott McMahon. Protecting
the Force Against CBRNE Attacks: Challenges for Installations. RAND DRR-2817-A, United
States Army, July 2002.
Rick Brennan and Robert Clemence, An Analysis of the U.S. Army 2001 Special Operations
Transformation Wargame. RAND, PM-1316-A, December 2002.
Walter Perry, John Gordon IV, Richard Brennan, et al. The Role of Land Forces in Future
Conflicts. RAND, DRR-2690-A, June 2003.
Rick Brennan, Adam Grissom, Sara Daly, Peter Chalk, William Rosenau, Kalev Sepp and Steve
Dalzel, Future Insurgency Threats. RAND, DRR-3443-OSD SOLIC, February 2005.
REACH-BACK PAPERS PREPARED TO SUPPORT USF-I
The following RAND Program Memorandums (PMs) and Occasional Papers (OC) were
developed as part of the “Virtual Initiatives Group” that supported the senior military leadership
in Iraq. As the Principal Investigator for this project I was responsible for developing and refining
the research questions, assisting the researchers gain information necessary to complete the papers
in a timely manner, and edit and review each paper before being submitted to RAND management
for publication.
F. Stephen Larrabee, Turkish Policy Toward Iraq. RAND, PM-3479/1-USF-I, January 2010.
Benjamin Runkle, Iraqi Electoral Coalitions’ Positions on Critical Issues. RAND, PM-3479/2USF-I, March 2010.
Charles P. Ries, Arab-Kurdish Tension Over Oil Policy: What are the Issues? And, What to
Expect in Government Formation Bargaining. RAND, PM-3479/3-USF-I, April 2010.
Richard R. Brennan, Jr., Page 11
Jeffrey Martini and Alireza Nader, Assessing the Threat of the Sadrist Movement to U.S. Strategic
Interests in Iraq. RAND, PM-3479/4-USF-I, April 2010.
Karla J. Cunningham, Assessing Al-Qaeda in Iraq. RAND, PM-3479/5-USF-I, April 2010.
K. Scott McMahon, Transitioning From Counterinsurgency: Lessons Learned From Current and
Historic Civil Conflicts. RAND, PM-3479/6-USF-I, April 2010.
Audra Grant, The Impact of Historical Factors on the Transition in Contemporary Iraq. RAND,
PM-3479/7-USF-I, May 2010.
Laurel E. Miller, Challenges of Transitions from Authoritarianism. RAND, PM-3479/8-USF-I,
May 2010.
K. Scott McMahon, Durable Peace or Enduring Rivalry? Civil War Termination and Conflict
Resolution in Iraq. RAND, PM-3479/9-USF-I, July 2010.
Larry Hanauer, Jeffrey Martini, and Omar Al-Shahery, Managing Arab-Kurdish Tensions in
Northern Iraq After the Withdrawal of U.S. Troops. RAND, PM-3479/10-USF-I, December 2010.
K. Scott McMahon and Nora Bensahel, The ISF Training Challenge: Options and Approaches
Following the Drawdown of U.S. Forces in 2011. RAND, PM-3479/11-USF-I, January 2011.
Larry Hanauer, Jeffrey Martini, and Omar Al-Shahery, Managing Arab-Kurdish Tensions in
Northern Iraq After the Withdrawal of U.S. Troops. RAND, OP-339-USF-I, 2011.
Larry Hanauer and Laurel E. Miller, Resolving Kirkuk: Lessons Learned from Settlements of
Earlier Ethno-National Conflicts. RAND, PM-3830-USF-I, August 2011.
Laurel E. Miller and Julie Taylor, Options for Reconciliation Programs in Iraq. RAND, PM3479/12-USF-I, Forthcoming.
RECENT GRANTS AND CONTRACTS
Active Projects
Principal Investigator: Iraq Transitions: From War To Strategic Partnership
The purpose of this project is to create a historical record of the planning efforts, processes,
procedures, and actions established by the United States Forces – Iraq (USF-I) and Embassy
Baghdad (Embassy) to transition tasks, programs, projects and relationships that were owned,
performed or managed by any USF-I entity to the either the GoI, Embassy, OSC-I or CENTCOM.
The study will identify lessons learned at the policy, strategic and operational level that would be
useful for any future large scale military operation requiring the transition of functions and
activities to an embassy, unified command, and host nation.
Funding: $950,000
Project No. 2040 (USF-I /11-639-1)
Richard R. Brennan, Jr., Page 12
Principal Investigator: Deployed Analytical Support to the USF-I Director of Operations (J3)
The purpose of this project is to provide on-site support for the Deputy Chief of Staff for
Operations (J3) and the Chief of Staff (CoS) of the United States Forces – Iraq (USF-I). The
primary effort will focus on transition issues associated with FRAGO 11.01, efforts to counter
malign Iranian influence, and operational and strategic options available to address unresolved
challenges that will exist in December 2011 and beyond. This effort will require expertise on a
wide variety of issues to include: security, governance, reconciliation, social and economic policy
as well as Middle East policy and strategy. The Senior Political Scientist deployed in support of
this project will require routine access to Top Secret / Special Compartmentalized Information
(TS-SCI). Deliverables will include policy memoranda, information papers, time-sensitive
research projects and briefings to senior USF-I leaders as directed by the J3, CoS, or their
designated representative.
Funding: $409,677
PD 1990 (USF-I/11-601-1)
Principal Investigator: Reach-Back Analytical Support to the USF-I Director of Operations (J3)
from June through December 2011
The purpose of this project is to provide reach-back analysis in support of the Deputy
Chief of Staff for Operations (J3) and the Chief of Staff (CoS) of the United States Forces – Iraq
(USF-I). The primary effort will focus on transition issues associated with FRAGO 11.01, efforts
to counter malign Iranian influence, and operational and strategic options available to address
unresolved challenges that will exist in December 2011 and beyond. This effort will require
expertise on a wide variety of issues to include: security, governance, reconciliation, social and
economic policy as well as Middle East policy and strategy. RAND will conduct time-sensitive
reach-back analytical support at the request of the J3, Chief of Staff or their designated
representatives. These mini-research projects will be completed within 14 to 30 days of approval
of the project addendum depending on the complexity of the research and product desired.
RAND’s forward deployed analyst, the J3 Senior Advisor, will provide oversight for this research
and will ensure that timelines and budget are met. The concept is to maintain an on-demand
“virtual initiatives group” provided by RAND to support ongoing and future operations conducted
by USF-I.
Funding: $567,666
PD 2040 (USF-I/11-639)
Completed Projects
Principal Investigator: Deployed Analytical Support to the USF-I Director of Operations (J3)
The purpose of this project is to provide on-site support for the Deputy Chief of Staff for
Operations (J3) and the Chief of Staff (CoS) of the United States Forces – Iraq (USF-I). The
primary effort will focus on transition issues associated with FRAGO 11.01, efforts to counter
malign Iranian influence, and operational and strategic options available to address unresolved
challenges that will exist in December 2011 and beyond. This effort will require expertise on a
Richard R. Brennan, Jr., Page 13
wide variety of issues to include: security, governance, reconciliation, social and economic policy
as well as Middle East policy and strategy. The Senior Political Scientist deployed in support of
this project will require routine access to Top Secret / Special Compartmentalized Information
(TS-SCI). Deliverables will include policy memoranda, information papers, time-sensitive
research projects and briefings to senior USF-I leaders as directed by the J3, CoS, or their
designated representative.
Funding: $409,677
PD 1990 (USF-I/11-601)
Principal Investigator: Strategic Framework Agreement Partnership with Iraq: Analytical Support
to MNF-I CJ3 JIATF-I in Baghdad
The purpose of this project is to provide analytical support to Deputy Chief of Staff for
Strategic Operations while providing on-site support to the Regional Threat Team (RTT). The
primary effort will focus on designated regional threats while downsizing and transitioning to
United States Forces-Iraq (USF-I) and the eventual withdrawal of US forces from Iraq. This effort
will require expertise on a wide variety of issues, including security, political, social and
economic policy. RAND will provide one Senior Analyst to deploy to Baghdad to provide on-site
support to MNF-I/USF-I to help bring a multidisciplinary approach and analytical depth to
ongoing efforts in Iraq. The deployed analyst will work at the direction of the Director of
Operations (J3) from January 2010 through January 2011. RAND will also conduct classified and
unclassified time-sensitive reach-back analytical support at the request of the MNF-I/USF-I J3 or
his designated representative consistent with the RAND charter. These mini-research projects
will be completed within 14 to 60 days of approval of the project addendum; depending on the
complexity of the research and product desired. The concept is to provide an on-demand “virtual
initiatives group” to support ongoing and future operations conducted by MNF-I/USF-I. This
project enables the MNF-I/USF-I Director of Operations to have full reach-back analytical
support from RAND on issues of high importance to the command.
Funding: $1,254,243
PD 1877 (MNF-I/10-605)
Principal Investigator: Strategic Framework Agreement Partnership with Iraq: Analytical Support
to MNF-I CJ3 JIATF-I in Baghdad
The purpose of this project is to provide on-site analytical support to Deputy Chief of Staff for
Strategic Operations while providing on-site support to the Joint Inter-Agency Task Force - Iraq
(JIATF-I). The primary effort will focus on anticipating the potential challenges associated with
the emerging partnership with Iraq as a result of the Strategic Framework Agreement (SFA), as
well as identifying the best means to respond to those challenges in a manner that advances U.S.
policy, goals and objectives. RAND will provide a team of analysts to Baghdad to provide direct
support to MNF-I. This team will help bring a multidisciplinary approach to ongoing efforts in
Iraq.
Funding: $750,000
PD 1788 (MNF-I/09-635)
Richard R. Brennan, Jr., Page 14
Principal Investigator: Future Insurgency Threats
Provide analytical support to the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special
Operations and Low Intensity Conflict in support of its efforts to examine future insurgency
threats that could require significant involvement of special operations forces and/or other US
forces. The study will seek to develop a framework that can be used to assist policymakers
determine when and how the United states can best address threats to US interests posed by
individual insurgencies.
Funding: $375,000
ND100 5042 OASD (SOLIC)