Want to Save Iraq? Invest.

As security has improved, multinational companies have begun establishing operations—and not just in Iraq's oil sector. U.S. efforts since the summer of 2006 have led to the restoration of 100,000 jobs, and it's estimated that hundreds of thousands more have been created as a secondary and tertiary result. This is a good start. But in a country of 29 million people with 6 million potential workers, much remains to be done.

The value of Western investment in Iraq is hard to overstate. Commercial ties break down cultural barriers and knit societies together, benefiting both the Middle East and the West. As Iraq's security improves, these ties should grow. So will the fact that Iraq's leaders are performing more basic tasks of government.

The next U.S. administration will face fiscal pressures at home and may be tempted to reduce nonmilitary activities in Iraq. But economic disengagement would leave a void other nations, like Iran and Russia, would fill. It would be tragically shortsighted to have spent billions of dollars and the blood of U.S. troops to liberate Iraq only to leave its economic interests in the hands of nations that don't share Western values and ideals.

Now is the time to encourage America's business community to engage in a long-term partnership with Iraq, to invest and develop Iraq's resources and create cultural and educational ties. These will directly benefit the U.S. economy: Iraqis are eager to gain access to U.S. goods and services, as recent contracts for Boeing aircraft, GE turbines and Case farm tractors show.

It's time to open the economic doors for the Iraqi people through approaches such as tax incentives or favored trade status. Iraqis have seen U.S. troops help protect them and restore security, but now more nonmilitary help should be extended as well. The future of America's relationship with a young and vital Iraq hangs in the balance. Despite the domestic turmoil at home, Americans must rise to this challenge. U.S. security, now and in the future, depends on it.

Brinkley is deputy undersecretary of defense for business transformation. Since the spring of 2006, he has led a team of business people and engineers embedded with U.S. military forces working to restore economic opportunities to the people of Iraq.

© 2008