As Coalition forces in Iraq transition from a combat role to an overwatch role, Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) has taken on an increasingly important role in the provision of security for the Iraqi people.

There are three principal components of the ISF: the Iraqi Army (IA), the Iraqi Police (IP), and the National Police (NP). The Iraqi Army and the National Police are both national-level assets, with the IA under the command of the Ministry of Defense and the NP under the command of the Interior respectively. Conversely, the IP are recruited and deployed within local communities. 

With time, the Iraqi Security Forces have increased in tactical and operational capabilities. Performance his been mixed overall, with some units performing quite well and others (usually new units) not showing the same capabilities. Major issues that Coalition Forces continue to help the IA address are related to developing logistics and sustainment capabilities.

The Iraqi Security Forces have had significant problems with militia infiltration of their ranks (especially the National Police, which has had a large element of Shi'a militia members). This has particularly been the case with Shi'a and Kurdish militias. Conversely, the ISF has under-represented the country's Sunni Arab population.

The Government of Iraq has taken pains to remove members with alternate loyalties, but there some issues remain regarding sectarian influences within the ISF. With the incorporation of the mostly-Sunni Arab Tribal Awakening and Sons of Iraq groups into the ISF, that population's representation should increase in the ISF, which would go a long way in promoting ethno-sectarian reconciliation in Iraq. This integration has been slow to come, however.