The Mujahedin-e Khalq in Iraq : a policy conundrum / Jeremiah Goulka ... [et al.].

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Goulka, Jeremiah E.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Terrorism--Government policy--United States.

Terrorism.

War on Terrorism, 2001-2009--Moral and ethical aspects.

War on Terrorism, 2001-2009.

Terrorists--Iran.

Terrorists.

Terrorists--Iraq.

Sāzmān-i Mujāhidīn-i Khalq (Iran).

Physical Description:

1 online resource (133 p.)

Place of Publication:

Santa Monica, CA : RAND, 2009.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

The U.S. government classified members of the Mujahedin-e Khalq (MeK), a cult and designated foreign terrorist organization that was listed as an enemy force in Iraq, as civilian protected persons rather than combatant prisoners of war under the Geneva Conventions. A RAND study of this controversial decision recommends that MeK members be repatriated to Iran, which has promised amnesty to the group and appears to have upheld its commitment.

Contents:

Cover; Preface; Contents; Figure; Summary; Acknowledgments; Abbreviations; Chapter 1 - The Mujahedin-e Khalq: A U.S. Policy Conundrum; Who Are the MeK?; The MeK During Operation Iraqi Freedom; The Complicated Situation at Camp Ashraf; Research Questions; Research Approach; Organization of This Monograph; Chapter 2 - The MeK During Operation Iraqi Freedom; A MeK Cease-Fire but Not a Surrender; Consolidation of the MeK at Camp Ashraf; The Iraqi Governing Council's Resolution to Expel theMeK from Iraq; The MeK as Protected Persons; Chapter 3 - Options for Relocating the MeK

Option 1: Reestablishing the MeK in IraqOption 2: Resettling the MeK in Third Countries; Option 3: Repatriating the MeK to Iran; Chapter 4- Unexpected Challenges, UnintendedConsequences, and Lessons Learned; OIF Planners Did Not Adequately Define a Military Mission Regarding the MeK; Coalition Forces Were Not Prepared to Deal with anUnfamiliar Culture or the MeK's Atypical Characteristics; The MeK Has Not Been Treated as a TerroristOrganization; Coalition Forces Did Not Establish a Dominant Role atCamp Ashraf; The Coalition Did Not Actively Encourage MeK Members to Leave the Group

Ultimately, the Only Coalition Policy Toward theMeK Was a Half-Hearted Measure Called "GracefulDegradation"What Lessons Have Been Learned from the MeKExperience?; Findings and Recommendations; Appendix A - A Brief History of the MeK Prior to Operation Iraqi Freedom; Appendix B - Cultic Characteristics of the MeK; Appendix C - Timeline of MeK Activities; Appendix D - What Is a Foreign Terrorist Organization?; Bibliography

Notes:

"MG-871-OSD"--P. [4] of cover.

Includes bibliographical references.

ISBN:

0-8330-4797-3

OCLC:

428956161