The Iraqi Refugees: The New Crisis in the Middle-East (International Library of Migration Studies)

Since 2003, over 4 million Iraqis have been forced to flee their homes, in what amounts to one of the largest people movements in modern times, far exceeding the Palestinian outflow after 1948. Despite media reports of an improved security situation in Iraq, the majority of refugees are still afraid to return. The social, economic, political and security consequences of such an event are huge. In this rigorous and timely book, Joseph Sassoon explores the underlying trends of Iraq’s refugee flow: which class, ethnic and sectarian groups are going where and how. Based on extensive original research, he examines the economic impact of this exodus on Iraq itself, and on the host countries of the region: Jordan, Syria and Lebanon. He analyzes international policy on the refugee issue, and assesses the options for return and resettlement. The Iraqi Refugees is the first definitive guide to what will come to be seen as one of the most significant issues affecting the Middle East. In the years since the US-led invasion of Iraq, over 4 million Iraqis have been forced to flee their homes, in what amounts to one of the largest people movements in modern times, far exceeding the Palestinian outflow after 1948. Despite media reports of an improved security situation in Iraq, the majority of refugees are still not prepared to return. The social, economic, political and security consequences of the Iraq refugee crisis are huge. In this rigorous and timely book, Joseph Sassoon explores the underlying trends of Iraq's refugee flow: which class, ethnic and sectarian groups have gone - and are continuing to go - where and how. Based on extensive original research, he examines the economic impact of this exodus on Iraq itself, and on the host countries of the region: Jordan, Syria and Lebanon. He analyses international policy on the refugee issue, and assesses the options for return and resettlement. The Iraqi Refugees is both the first and the definitive guide to what will come to be seen as one of the most significant issues affecting the entire Middle East. Since 2003, over 4 million Iraqis have been forced to flee their homes, in what amounts to one of the largest people movements in modern times, far exceeding the Palestinian outflow after 1948. Despite media reports of an improved security situation in Iraq, the majority of refugees are still afraid to return. The social, economic, political and security consequences of such an event are huge. In this rigorous and timely book, Joseph Sassoon explores the underlying trends of Iraq's refugee which class, ethnic and sectarian groups are going where and how. Based on extensive original research, he examines the economic impact of this exodus on Iraq itself, and on the host countries of the Jordan, Syria and Lebanon. He analyzes international policy on the refugee issue, and assesses the options for return and resettlement. "Exodus Iraq" is both the first and the definitive guide to what will come to be seen as one of the most significant issues affecting the Middle East. Since 2003, over 4 million Iraquis have been forced to flee their homes, in what amounts to one of the largest people movements in modern times, far exceeding the Palestinian outflow after 1948. Despite media reports of an improved security situation in Iraq, the majority of refugees are still afraid to return. The social, economic, political and security consequences of such an event are huge. In this rigorous and timely book, Joseph Sassoon explores the underlying trends of Iraq's refugee flow: which class, ethnic and sectarian groups are going where and how. Based on extensive original research, he examines the economic impact of this exodus not only on Iraq but on the two main host countries of the region: Jordan and Syria. In addition he reviews in detail the situation of Iraqui refugees in other countries such as Egypt, Lebanon and Sweden. He analyzes international policy on the refugee issue, and asseses the options for return and resettlement--Cover "With new talks in the Middle East Peace Process about to begin, the shadows of previous negotiations fall heavily across all involved. In this powerful and absorbing testimony, one of leading figures of the Oslo talks, former Prime Minister Ahmed Qurie ('Abu Ala') takes us behind closed doors and inside the negotiating rooms of Wye River, Stockholm and Camp David, where the terms of peace and a Palestinian state were sketched out, argued over, and eventually lost. Larger than life figures emerge from the minutes of these dramatic meetings - released here for the first time. Qurei recounts both the Israelis' intractability and the dynamic inside the Palestinian camp with candour and insight. This indispensable first-hand account provides a completely new perspective on the history, issues and personalities that will determine the future of the Middle East."--Bloomsbury publishing Contents......Page 8 Preface......Page 10 Acknowledgements......Page 12 List of abbreviations......Page 14 Introduction......Page 18 1. Internal displacement......Page 26 2. Iraqi refugees in Jordan......Page 50 3. Iraqi refugees in Syria......Page 78 4. Iraqi refugees in the rest of the World......Page 104 5. The role of humanitarian organizations......Page 132 6. Iraq's economy and its brain drain......Page 146 7. Return and returnees......Page 170 Conclusion......Page 182 Appendix: Iraq and the host countries - a comparative table......Page 188 Notes......Page 190 Bibliography......Page 230 Index......Page 256 Joseph Sassoon. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [173]-238) And Index.