Dictatorship, imperialism and chaos
Subtitle: Iraq since 1989
By: Thabit A.J. Abdullah.
Series: Global history of the present
Publisher: Zed Books
Published: 2006
Place of publication: London; New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 136
ISBN-13: 9781842777879; 9781842777862
Subjects: Iraq War, 2003-; Iraq -- Politics and government -- 1979-1991; Iraq -- Politics and government -- 1991-2003; Iraq -- Ethnic relations
Description: 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.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index.
Table of contents: title: Acknowledgments; title: Introduction; title: Rise of the modern state; title: Dictatorship and war; title: Imperialism and the crisis of Kuwait; title: The sanctions regime; title: Occupation and chaos; title: Epilogue; title: Suggestions for further reading; title: Notes; title: Index.