Iraq Improvement Continues

Here is our latest monthly highly abbreviated version of the Iraq Index, published and updated twice a week by Michael O'Hanlon of the Brookings Institution:



Americans Killed in Action, Iraq (monthly average)
2003: 32
2004: 59
2005: 56
2006: 58
2007: 63
2008: 29
June: 19

Americans Killed in Action, Vietnam (monthly average)
1965: 128*
1966: 420
1967: 767
1968: 1140
1969: 785
1970: 413
____
* = First U.S. combat troops arrived in Vietnam, 5.3.65
Vietnam table compiled by Galen Fox using Defense Department sources.

Crude Oil Production (m. bbls./day)

Prewar Peak: 2.50
Goal: 2.20 (Revised upward, 1/08)
actual: 2.51 (6/08)

Electricity (megawatts)

Prewar: 3,958
Goal: 6,000
actual: 4,470 (6/08)

Since our last monthly report, the monthly American KIA total rose slightly from 15 in May to 19, still low enough to drop the monthly average for 2008 down to 29, the lowest monthly average for any Iraq war year. Since September 2007, a period of 10 months, the KIA total for any month has stayed below 50, averaging just 26. The longest previous stretch for such low KIA totals was 6 months in 2003. [Please note: the number of KIA is almost always lower than the media-reported total of American deaths, which covers all causes, including non-hostile. Our Iraq and Vietnam figures are KIA only.] In the most important measure for Americans, statistics show continued improvement.

In June, oil output rose from 2.50 to 2.51 million barrels a day, equaling the highest monthly total ever. Revenue from oil exports continues to hit all-time highs, with May's total the highest on record by $1 billion (June's total will grow with later sales figures added). As with oil, output for electricity increased, growing from 4,130 megawatts in May to 4,470 megawatts in June, the highest for any June since the war began and the third highest monthly total ever. Electricity output in the 4,000-4,500 megawatt range is significant because Iraq needs 8,500 megawatts to meet its demand, and gets up to 4,500 megawatts from privately-owned generators.

On the political front, the White House reported--responding to a congressional request--that the Iraqi government has made "satisfactory progress" on 15 of the 18 benchmarks laid out for the Maliki government in March 2007.