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A History of Iraq
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A History of Iraq |
This book looks at events in Iraq from the end of the Ottoman era to just before the country's invasion. Among the recurring (and very relevant) themes of the book are the causes and consequences of the historical Sunni dominance of Iraq as a whole and the officer corps of the army in particular, the vertical cleavages between Sunnis, Shias, and Kurds, the importance of tribal affiliations, the role of the Shia clerics in leading opposition to the government, and Shia and Kurdish demands for autonomy. The book also has some explanations for why Saddam's regime turned out to be the way it was. It's well-written and worth a read for anyone interested in Iraq. It also serves as a reminder that there can be no quick fixes in the country.
Posted by dubaiwalla at March 9, 2006 05:21 PM
Filed Under: Iraq
, Ottoman Empire
, Political Islam
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