Situation in Iraq and Syria: call for evidence

The Committee is looking to take evidence to address the following questions:

• What are the threats represented by ISIL, other militant groups and the Assad regime, politically, ideologically and militarily in Iraq and Syria? How might they evolve?
• What are the objectives which form the basis for the UK's participation in the international coalition’s strategy in a) Iraq, b) Syria, and c) the region?
• What should the UK Government's goals be for domestic and regional security, humanitarian assistance and political stability in Iraq and Syria?
• What alternatives are there to the UK Government's current responses and the declared strategy of the international coalition in Iraq and Syria?
• Is the UK able to deploy sufficient, sustainable military, diplomatic and other resources to carry out its declared objectives?
• What are the implications of long term involvement in Iraq, Syria and the region for the next NSS and SDSR?

The Committee intends to consider a number of questions during its inquiry These questions include:

• What is Government and international coalition strategy in Iraq and/or Syria?
• What are the objectives, why and how is the UK planning to achieve them?
• What would be the case for extending UK military operations to Syria?
• What are the different political, humanitarian and military options available?
• The Government has emphasised that military action is dependent on an internal political solution and a regional solution involving other states. What are the components of this solution, how can the Government work to achieve them and what is the likelihood of success?
• How would the absence of a political or regional solution affect the case for military action?
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of deploying ground troops?
• Are current UK force structures and resources suitable for this type of undertaking and what are the implications for the next NSS and SDSR and the timing of these reviews?
• Are the current military operations sustainable in the long term and how could an expanded military operation be sustained if it was required?
• Who exactly will the UK train and equip in Iraq and Syria, to do what and against what enemy? What long-term consequences might this have for regional stability?
• How will operations against ISIL affect UK objectives in the region in regards to improving the political and humanitarian situation?
• How will current military operations affect UK strategy for basing, co-ordination with other Government Departments and defence engagement?

Written submissions

The Committee would welcome written evidence to this inquiry. The deadline for submissions is Wednesday 19 November 2014.

Where to submit your written evidence

Written submissions for this inquiry should be submitted via the inquiry page on the Defence Committee website.

As a guideline submissions should state clearly who the submission is from e.g. ‘Written evidence submitted by xxxx’ and be no longer than 3000 words, please contact the Committee staff if you wish to discuss this.

Submissions must be a self-contained memorandum in Word or Rich Text Format (not PDFs). Paragraphs should be numbered for ease of reference and the document should, if possible, include an executive summary.

Submissions should be original work, not previously published or circulated elsewhere. Once submitted, your submission becomes the property of the Committee and no public use should be made of it unless you have first obtained permission from the Clerk of the Committee. Please bear in mind that Committees are not able to investigate individual cases.

Publication of written evidence

The Committee normally, though not always, chooses to publish the written evidence it receives. If there is any information you believe to be sensitive you should highlight it and explain what harm you believe would result from its disclosure; the Committee will take this into account in deciding whether to publish or further disclose the evidence.

The personal information you supply will be processed in accordance with the provisions of the Data Protection Act 1998 for the purposes of attributing the evidence you submit and contacting you as necessary in connection with its processing. The Clerk of the House of Commons is the data controller for the purposes of the Act.