Dictatorship, Imperialism and Chaos: Iraq Since 1989 (Global History of the Present)

Since 1989 the history of Iraq has been one of the world’s most traumatic. In this book, Thabit Abdullah places the Iraqi people at the centre of changes which began with the invasion of Kuwait in 1990, and ended with the current American-led occupation. Battles for control of oil, the vacuum created by Saddam Hussein’s dictatorship and the devastating impact of sanctions have wreaked havoc on Iraqi society over the past two decades. Abdullah argues that current ethnic tensions and religious divisions are a response to this destruction of civil society, rather than a consequence of having ‘artificial’ borders, inherent in Iraq’s very existence. This powerful and often moving account provides a uniquely measured insight into the recent political and social history of Iraq. It is an ideal introduction for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of this important and controversial nation. Contents ......Page 6 Acknowledgments ......Page 7 Map ......Page 9 Introduction......Page 10 1 | The rise of the modern state......Page 14 Arab Islamic rule......Page 15 Transformations under the Ottomans......Page 16 War and the formation of the modern state......Page 20 Rebellion and independence......Page 21 The monarchy......Page 24 Revolution and reform......Page 27 Reaction......Page 30 Ba‘athist totalitarianism......Page 32 2 | Dictatorship and war......Page 41 The regime’s social base......Page 42 The leadership cult......Page 43 The Islamist challenge......Page 44 Saddam’s eight-year war......Page 47 The cost of war......Page 51 Saddam’s “Final Solution”......Page 57 The question of weapons of mass destruction......Page 60 Economic liberalization......Page 61 The question of Kuwait......Page 65 Toward a new war......Page 67 The United States and the Middle East......Page 70 Invasion and defeat......Page 72 Uprising and consolidation......Page 74 Victory for whom?......Page 77 The structure of sanctions......Page 80 The social cost......Page 83 The Kurdish region......Page 88 Survival strategies......Page 90 Society’s means of coping......Page 93 Regime consolidation and social collapse......Page 95 American views on Iraq......Page 97 Invasion......Page 102 Looting......Page 104 Resistance......Page 106 Reconstruction and corporate looting......Page 110 Post-Saddam politics......Page 116 Regional involvement......Page 123 National reconciliation or sectarian civil war?......Page 124 Epilogue......Page 128 2 Dictatorship and war......Page 131 4 The sanctions regime......Page 133 5 Occupation and chaos......Page 134 Epilogue......Page 135 Sources......Page 136 Index......Page 140 "Since 1989 the history of Iraq has been one of the world's most traumatic. In this book, Thabit Abdullah places the Iraqi people at the center of changes which began with the invasion of Kuwait in 1990, and ended with the current American-led occupation." "Battles for control of oil, the vacuum created by Saddam Hussein's dictatorship and the devastating impact of sanctions have wreaked havoc on Iraqi society over the past two decades. Abdullah argues that current ethnic tensions and religious divisions are a response to this destruction of civil society, rather than a consequence of having "artificial" borders, inherent in Iraq's very existence." "This account provides a uniquely measured insight into the recent political and social history of Iraq. It is an ideal introduction for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of this important and controversial nation."--Jacket This book is a concise, readable, yet rigorous narrative of the recent history of Iraq. It focuses on the transformations within the country, placing the people of Iraq at the centre of the changes which began with the invasion of Kuwait in 1990, and ended with the current American occupation. The book tells the story of the country in order, but detours to explore themes such as the role of oil, the nature of Saddam Hussain's state, the social impact of sanctions, the roots of sectarian divisions, and the question of the 'artificiality' of Iraq's borders. Concluding with a critical look at simplistic notions of Iraqi social divisions it argues that there is a basis for national unity which might yet bring the country out of its current crisis.

This is a concise, readable, yet rigorous history of Iraq since the end of the Iran-Iraq War and the Cold War to the present day by a well-regarded and serious Iraqi intellectual. Abdullah takes the reader through a chronological journey, exploring how Hussein came to power, the consequences of the Iran-Iraq war; how Hussein's regime developed; the war in Kuwait; the devastation of Iraqi society under international sanctions; the US and allies' invasion; the future implications for Iraqi society. Abdullah undercuts the widespread view that Iraq as a nation state is an artificial construct. Finally, the book also explores the relationship between Iraq's economy and the 'globalized' economy of the post-1989 period.

With a critical look at simplistic notions of Iraqi social divisions, this work argues that there is a basis for national unity which might bring the country out of its crisis. It tells the story of the country in chronological order, with detours to explore themes such as the role of oil and the nature of Saddam Husayn's state. Acknowledgments -- Introduction -- The Rise Of The Modern State -- Dictatorship And War -- Imperialism And The Crisis Of Kuwait -- The Sanctions Regime -- Occupation And Chaos -- Epilogue -- Notes -- Index. Thabit A.j. Abdullah. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [122]-130) And Index. Acknowledgments Introduction Rise of the modern state Dictatorship and war Imperialism and the crisis of Kuwait The sanctions regime Occupation and chaos Epilogue Suggestions for further reading Notes Index.