THE bipartisan Iraq Study Group, led by former Secretary of State James Baker, is considering options to the current US policy in Iraq. The following are alternatives raised in the public debate.

‘STABILITY FIRST’

The military would concentrate on stabilizing Baghdad while the US embassy worked toward political accommodation with insurgents. The New York Sun said this idea was a draft policy option being looked at by the Iraq Study Group.

‘REDEPLOY AND CONTAIN’

This idea, also cited as a possible option in the New York Sun article, calls for the phased withdrawal of American troops to bases outside Iraq. Bush has maintained US troops will not leave until Iraqis are able to take over security.

TALKS WITH SYRIA, IRAN

Media reports have said Mr Baker may recommend opening talks with Syria and Iran to try to enlist their help to stabilize Iraq.

SPLITTING IRAQ

Sen. Joseph Biden, ranking Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has suggesting dividing Iraq into three regions. Shias, Sunnis and Kurds would get their own largely autonomous areas, with a weaker central government in Baghdad. Mr Baker has said this might be unworkable because of the difficulty of drawing lines in cities with mixed populations.

IMMEDIATE WITHDRAWAL

Mr Baker has indicated he is unlikely to recommend an immediate pullout. He told ABC’s “This Week” that an immediate withdrawal from Iraq would lead to “the biggest civil war you’ve ever seen.”—Reuters