(CNN) -- A high-level panel has made its recommendations on Iraq, calling the situation there "grave and dangerous," while adding "prospects can be improved." The Iraq Study Group calls for direct talks between the United States, Iran and Syria and urges moving most U.S. troops from combat to support roles by early 2008.
We asked CNN.com readers for their thoughts on the report. Here is a selection of the responses, some of which have been edited for length and clarity.
Claudia Farrell of Houston, Texas
I have read the Iraq study report in its entirety. I rate it as brilliant. This group understands what's going on in the Iraq region and its bordering countries and is right on point. I believe this report is workable and only requires acceptance. Thank God for James Baker's brilliance as well as others.
Patrick Story of Portland, Oregon
Based on my reading of the report so far, it appears to be the same old self-serving line from our ruling elite. As for our rescue by Syria and Iran, they have every reason to continue to stand aside and let Bush's elective war and occupation run their course to complete U.S. demoralization and impending bankruptcy.
Joe Linares of Feeding Hills, Massachusetts
I took the time to read the document. Well done, well written. Now... Bush needs to take his cowboy boots off, chew a bit on humble pie, roll up his sleeves and get to work. That is what the 2006 elections told him. I have no idea how you are suppose to work with 'your adversaries' if you don't talk to them.
Mark Aoki of Honolulu, Hawaii
The report is dangerous and incompetent in its recommendations. Sectarian violence will not stop until the combatants are separated. Iraq needs to be partitioned into a federation of Iraqi states controlled by a central government... The police forces in such areas would be immediately effective as they would be protecting their own, and it would employ and focus the entire nation.
Chris Lightner of Chapel Hill, North Carolina
I think the plan is well written and provides a very viable path ahead for getting the United States military out of Iraq... We must of course wait and see whether the present Administration will listen to a well-reasoned and planned study on Iraq or whether they will keep their blinders on and stubbornly ignore the opportunity to recover some international respect for the United States as a country.
Joe Phillips of Stevensville, Montana
It seems that the proposed strategy by the Baker Commission is designed as an attempt to make the best of a bad situation. Perhaps their hope is to try and destabilize the region... Why not rely on the regional powers in the Middle East to let us know what THEY think the U.S. could do NOW that would be helpful?
Scott Schrader of Mounds View, Minnesota
At least the Iraq Study Panel is reading the intelligence. The only viable policy the U.S. has is to FINALLY turn to the rest of the international community to patch this mess up.
Stuart Shepherd of Springfield, Missouri
I feel at this point that a support role is about the only thing the U.S can do. We need to accept the fact that there is no winning this war. If we continue on the present course, this will go on and on for years and deplete our resources that could be directed towards defending our own borders and true homeland security.
Marshall Krause of San Geronimo, California
The proposed diplomatic solution will not work because President Bush and his advisors are unwilling to make Iran and Syria real partners in the solution... I applaud the report's strong urging that Bush strongly step our effort to get a negotiated and mutually acceptable solution to the Israel/Palestine dispute. This would stabilize the entire area.
J. David Barkley of Sierra Vista, Arizona
I think a number of the comments you have received sound like instant pontification -- as though everyone is an expert on the Middle East. Talking with Syria and Iran may produce little, EXCEPT showing the U.S. has interest in the views of that region, and it may possibly defuse some of the support to militants in Iraq.
Vivian Murrain of Decatur, Georgia
I believe talks with Iran and Syria will be necessary to try to squelch the escalating situation in Iraq. I think if the U.S. wants to show a renewed sense of diplomacy this will be a necessary first step.
Julio César Perez of Santiago, Chile
The Baker-Hamilton commission cannot change this reality. The only thing that can right our course at this point is an outright rejection of the neoconservative approach that steered us into the quagmire in Iraq in the first place.
Mark Thorne of Virginia Beach, Virginia
Nothing the current administration has done has worked! This panel has experience beyond that of the current analysis scope. Listen to their input! The hard-headed, non-negotiable, arrogant stance of our government has indeed made us less safe. Swallowing a little personal pride and actually talking with the other area governments seems a good start.
Ken Salsman of Pleasanton, California
The Iraq Study Group has done a passable job, but they still leave serious questions unanswered that directly impact the viability of their recommendations. While they suggest improving the justice, oil sector and reconstruction, they fail to address how that is possible with the current situation on the ground... Though I applaud the efforts of the study group, and its non-partisan structure, I am left asking why there are no cultural experts on the panel.
Dean Yorgey of Alexandria, Virginia
Any plan that indicates we should remove our combat troops while we leave others to train the Iraqi Army is an invitation for another disaster. Our remaining troops would be kidnapped and murdered. The statement that, "we will stand down when the Iraqi Army stands up," is wishful thinking at best.
Todd Schuller of Denham Springs, Louisiana
Our politicians don't get it, still. The Iraq report appears to be more of the same smoke and mirrors. The only axis of evil America should be concerned about is the Republican and Democratic politicians. Get all troops out of Iraq now, not in six months or a year.
Wes Bayless of Rio Rancho, New Mexico
I hope that a more decisive, positive, determined, and kinetic response is made to the ISG report than the 9-11 report. The Bush administration wanted neither, and the former was all but impotent regarding its implementing of recommendations. The President needs to become sober to the real problems and the forecast future that we all face with the failed Iraq policy.
Muzaffer Ahmed of Bangalore, India
The report should have listed the bottlenecks and solutions to them, but it just suggests what is to be done, without going into specifics... Without any deadlines we are not going to achieve anything.
Mazin Yousif of New South Wales, Australia
I solely back up Bush's policy. As I have had personal experience as an interpreter in Iraq, I strongly believe that this policy is moving in the right direction. Regarding the recommendations that the report has come up with -- a U.S. pullout would be catastrophic and the U.S. must be tougher with Iran and Syria indeed.
Kay Walsh of Bend, Oregon
The most important thing about this proposal was the spirit of good will and bipartisanship. The country is sick and tired of the vitriolic blame game. Our leadership in Washington has an opportunity to show us that they can work together on this extremely dangerous problem for our own safety and that of the entire Middle East region.
Constance Lathrop Luedtke of Oceanside, California
This study group is only a "save face" for President George W. Bush. No matter what we do in Iraq, the Iraq people will go back to their tribal roots. President Bush and Vice President Cheney should resign.
Marion Titterton of Balclutha, New Zealand
The implications of involving Iran and Syria as partners in a regional plan are grave for both Lebanon and Israel. Iran and Syria are the major sponsors of destabilization in the Middle East and will use this opportunity to demand conditions for their cooperation. There is little doubt that these conditions will be related to serving their own agendas -- total dominance of the region and destruction of Israel.
Casper Vargas of Tampa, Florida
I commend the study group on finding a different and ideal approach on such a sensitive issue. These will not only bring us closer to an end on military fatalities but also build strong relations in an area of the world that is most critical to the future and stable foundation of the United States. These are two of the most powerful and wealthy nations right now and we need them on our side not the terrorists.
Greg Liacos of Boston, Massachusetts
The report certainly provides startling specifics about the lack of competence in our government and in the Iraqi people as a whole. That an entire population has been intentionally abused this way is disgusting. Corruption, incompetence and fiefdoms prevail both in the U.S. and Iraqi groups involved. The only real useful actionable piece I saw was a real need to be united in a solution.
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