U.S. Government Research & Oversight
Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction
The Office of the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction (SIGIR) was created in October 2004 to oversee Iraq reconstruction programs and operations. The Special Inspector General reports directly to Congress, the Secretary of State, and the Secretary of Defense. SIGIR provides these agencies and the public with audits and investigations into Iraq reconstruction efforts; works to prevent and detect fraud, waste, and abuse; and provides recommendations on policies designed to promote economy, efficiency, and effectiveness in the management of Iraq reconstruction programs. SIGIR completes its mission by submitting regular reports (Quarterly and Semiannual) to Congress, conducting independent audits and investigations, and testifying about its findings before Congressional committees.
In 2013, SIGIR finished its mission in Iraq and released its final report on the lessons learned from Iraq reconstruction efforts. The report reviewed the flow of money into Iraq since 2003, the problems of weak oversight, and the amount of U.S. funds lost to fraud and waste. Read the final report. Also, below is a video that portrays the work done by SIGIR from 2004 to 2013. The video focuses on the trip taken by IG Stuart Bowen Jr. to Baghdad in March, 2013 for meetings with top Iraqi and U.S. officials.