The U.S. Counterinsurgency Strategy in Iraq, formalized in the FM 3-24 manual, was notably implemented through the 2007 Iraq Troop Surge Policy, commonly known as the Iraq Troop Surge. Announced by President George W. Bush in January 2007 and developed by General David Petraeus and the Multi-National Force-Iraq, this strategy emphasized population security, local governance, and close coordination with Iraqi security forces to combat escalating insurgency and sectarian violence during the 2003-2011 war. The policy involved a temporary increase in U.S. troop levels from approximately 132,000 to 170,000 soldiers, with the bulk of the additional 20,000-30,000 troops deployed to Baghdad and Anbar Province. It marked a shift from previous counterinsurgency approaches, adapting to urban warfare and counter-terrorism against groups like Al-Qaeda in Iraq through clearing and holding operations, and efforts to support political reconciliation.

Proponents credit the Surge with substantially reducing violence between 2007 and 2008, with casualty rates dropping significantly and sectarian killings plummeting, allowing for some stabilization and eventual drawdown of U.S. forces. However, critics argue that the decline in violence was more attributable to external factors such as the Sunni Awakening (tribal alliances against extremists) and reduced support from Iran and Syria for militias, rather than the troop increase alone. The policy faced intense domestic opposition due to its human and financial costs, with over 1,100 U.S. troops killed during the Surge period and expenditures exceeding $100 billion.

Long-term assessments remain divided. While the Surge facilitated the 2008 U.S.-Iraq Status of Forces Agreement and a partial withdrawal, underlying political divisions in Iraq persisted, contributing to the rise of ISIS after 2011. The policy influenced subsequent U.S. counterinsurgency doctrines and debates on nation-building, but also highlighted tensions between military tactics and diplomatic efforts in foreign policy.