Having occupied Iraq, what are the options and the obligations under international law for the U.S. in Iraq?
A7. As the occupying power, the U.S. is obliged to provide or see to provision of those necessary public services to all Iraqis that would normally be provided by an Iraqi government: food, clean water, sanitation and waste removal, electricity, clothing, adequate shelter and heat in winter, education of children, employment, physical security, and a functioning and impartial justice system. Thus far, the U.S. has not met its responsibilities to ensure physical security and provide basic services and has actively altered Iraqs economic and political systems. As a general guideline, the occupying power cannot arbitrarily change the social, economic, religious or political systems, and it must respect all culturally significant locations. About the only significant option an occupying power possesses under international law is when it ceases to be an occupying power by returning full sovereignty to those residing in the country.
