Four crucial points of convergence often cited as important to the success of those occupations inestablishing democracies,raise questions concerning the applicability of these models to a U.S. occupation of Iraq. Populations' Acceptance of U.S. Homogeneity of Occupied Populations. Ability to Manage Their Own Affairs Largely Using Existing Institutions. International Legitimacy and Support. The U.S. occupations in Japan andGermany were viewed by other countries as morally and legally legitimate, and there was widespread support forthem.
This report provides background on the U.S. occupation experiences in Japan andGermany after World War II, and discusses four sets of factors from this period that could be relevant to a U.S.occupation of Iraq. These are: (1) acceptance of U.S. goals, (2) homogeneity of the occupied populations, (3) ability to manage theirown affairs, and (4)international legitimacy and support. This report will not be updated