More On The Iraq Study Group

The United States faces a "grave and deteriorating" situation after nearly four years of war in Iraq, the Iraq Study Group warned, prodding President Bush to launch a diplomatic offensive to stabilize the country and allow withdrawal of most combat troops by early 2008. "There is no magic formula to solve the problems of Iraq," the Iraq Study Group's co-chairman James A. Baker III said.

How was the Iraq Study Group created?

The Iraq Study Group (ISG) was launched on March 15, 2006 at a meeting on Capitol Hill. It was created at the direction of a bipartisan group of members of the U.S. Congress. Representative Frank Wolf, R-VA, was the leading supporter of the group's creation. Wolf had been calling for a "fresh eyes" assessment of the situation in Iraq since the summer of 2005. From its inception, the ISG was designed to be bipartisan, and the initiative has attracted broad, bipartisan support among members of the House and Senate.

Was the Bush administration involved in creating the ISG?

The Bush administration was not involved in creating the ISG, but the White House welcomed it and has provided access to people, documents and travel to Iraq. President Bush met with the ISG members on June 14, 2006 and has met further with the two co-chairs. The White House respects the independence of the group.

How was the membership chosen?

Co-chairs former Secretary of State James A. Baker, III (R) and former chairman of the House International Relations Committee Lee Hamilton (D). were chosen by mutual agreement among the Congressional organizers, USIP, and the other supporting organizations. After being named co-chairs, Baker and Hamilton selected the remaining group members in consultation with USIP and the other supporting organizations.

What actions will be taken after the report is issued?

To learn more about Iraq:

• You can read the Iraq Study Group's report here.

• You can read more about the Iraq Study Group on the Institute of Peace's website.

• Click here to read about forming a government, the insurgency, key players, background and photos from CBSNews.com.

• Click here for profiles of U.S. soldiers who've died in Iraq, a look at the war's toll and pictures of mourning.