By Jefferson Morley

Who is governing Iraq?

The ultimate authority for the U.S. military occupation of Iraq is Army Lt. Gen. David D. McKiernan. The top civilian authority is a former State Department official named L. Paul Bremer III. As head of the Pentagon's Office of Reconstruction and Humanitarian Assistance (ORHA), his mission is to administer the country on an interim basis and to provide humanitarian aid, rebuild damaged infrastructure and help establish a representative government.

How is Bremer organizing the new government?

He rejected arguments from some in the Pentagon that authority should be handed over to former exiles. He also rejected the contention of many regional experts that Iraqis be allowed to choose a transitional administration. Instead, he decided to slowly devolve power through an advisory council of 25 to 30 Iraqis, whom he intends to select.

Bremer envisions the panel grappling with issues such as rewriting textbooks and setting trade policies, instead of deferring those decisions to an elected government. Although he promised to "broadly accept their recommendations," he has warned he will veto any of the council's decisions that "are fundamentally against coalition interests" or not in the "better interests of Iraq."

Who does Bremer report to in Washington?

Bremer reports to Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, and his top aides, Deputy Secretary Paul D. Wolfowitz and Under Secretary for Policy Douglas J. Feith. As The Post reported in early May, "control of the reconstruction agency remains firmly with a tight-knit group of Pentagon officials and handpicked former generals."

What do Iraqi political leaders think of this arrangement?

They're not too happy about Bremer's plans. Even Ahmed Chalabi, leader of the Iraqi National Congress and one of the most pro-American exile leaders, said in mid-June that the decision to limit Iraqi influence could spark increased opposition to the U.S.-led occupation.

What is the role of the U.S. military?

The post-combat force is big and growing. As a result, commanders of the 160,000 U.S. soldiers in the country are playing a leading role in governing the country. In June, the U.S. military began an aggressive campaign against Iraqis mounting sniper shootings, hit-and-run attacks and ambushes against U.S. forces. One part of the campaign targeted the cities of Fallujah and Khaldiyah north and west of Baghdad where armed resistance to the U.S. occupation has been fiercest. In an operation dubbed Desert Scorpion, U.S. troops swarmed over trouble spots, rounded up suspected "subversives" and collected weapons.

Who else is involved?

The city of Baghdad was originally placed under the control of Barbara Bodine, a State Department official, but she was transferred less than a month later and has yet to be replaced. Southern Iraq is administered by Roger "Buck" Walters, a retired U.S. Army officer and Texas businessman. W. Bruce Moore, a career Army officer man who saw combat in Vietnam and Somalia, runs northern Iraq.

Walter B. Slocombe, a Democrat who worked in the Pentagon in the Clinton administration, will oversee the transition of the Iraqi defense ministry. Peter McPherson, former administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development and a friend of Vice President Cheney, is the "financial coordinator" for ORHA. Former U.S. ambassadors Robin Raphel and Timothy Carney are in charge of trade and industry. The foreign affairs portfolio is held by David J. Dunford, a former U.S. ambassador to Oman.

What about the oil?

On May 22, the United States and Great Britain secured a United Nations resolution granting them broad control over the country's oil industry and revenue until a permanent, representative Iraqi government is in place. Philip J. Carroll, a former executive of Shell Oil Co., has been selected to lead the rebuilding of Iraq's petroleum industry.

What do the Iraqi people think of the U.S. occupation?

Among the Iraq people, many say they would like to see the U.S. forces leave the country as soon as possible. This feeling is especially strong in southern Iraq where most of the people are adherents of the Shiite branch of Islam. U.S. officials have expressed fears that the Shiite clerics may support the establishment of an Iranian-style theocracy hostile to U.S. interests. But representatives of the four supreme Shiite leaders in the country have expressed cautious support for a temporary U.S. presence, mixed with distrust of American motives.

How long will the U.S. occupation last?

Unknown. Deputy Defense Secretary Wolfowitz has said it may take longer than six months to hand over power to the Iraqis. Defense Secretary Rumsfeld said recently that "anyone who thinks they know how long it's going to take is fooling themselves."

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