This article provides the details of the chronological events surrounding the establishment of a Governing Council in Iraq in July 2003 by the United States, acting as the leader of the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) that administers Iraq. The following topics are discussed in the article: (1) The Composition of the Governing Council; (2) Religious and Secular Orientations; (3) Planning for a Future Government; (4) Iraq at a Glance; and (5) Four Major Problems for the U.S. (Rebellion in the "Sunni Triangle"; Building a New Iraqi Army and Police Force; Establishing a New Political System; and Reviving the Iraqi Economy). The five stage plan announced by the Governing Council in December of 2003 for establishing a new interim government to succeed it in June and to oversee the drafting of a Constitution and the holding of elections is described. A month-by-month 2003 chronology is also provided.