Patriotic Ayatollahs explores the contributions of senior clerics in state and nation-building after the 2003 Iraq war. Caroleen Sayej suggests that the four so-called Grand Ayatollahs, the highest-ranking clerics of Iraqi Shiism, took on a new and unexpected political role after the fall of Saddam Hussein. Drawing on previously unexamined Arabic-language fatwas, speeches, and communiqués of Iraq’s four grand ayatollahs, this book analyzes how their new pronouncements and narratives shaped public debates after 2003. Sayej argues that, contrary to standard narratives about religious actors, the Grand Ayatollahs were among the most progressive voices in the new Iraqi nation. She traces the transformative position of Ayatollah Sistani as the "guardian of democracy" after 2003. Sistani was, in particular, instrumental in derailing American plans that would have excluded Iraqis from the state-building process—a remarkable story in which an octogenarian cleric takes on the United States over the meaning of democracy. Patriotic Ayatollahs’ counter-conventional argument about the ayatollahs’ vision of a nonsectarian nation is neatly realized. Through her deep knowledge and long-term engagement with Iraqi politics, Sayej advances our understanding of how the post-Saddam Iraqi nation was built.

Overall frequency of violence in Iraq is down to levels not seen since 2003, yet insurgents are still able to conduct high profile attacks in several major cities. These attacks have not caused a modification of the announcement by Pres. Obama that all U.S. combat brigades would be withdrawn by 8/31/10. Contents of this report: (1) Policy in the 1990s Emphasized Containment; (2) Post-9/11: Regime Change and War; (3) Post-Saddam Transition and Governance; (4) Econ. Reconstruction and U.S. Assistance; (5) Security Challenges and Responses; (6) Iraq Study Group Report, Legis. Proposals, and Options for the Obama Admin.; (7) Stepped Up Internat. and Regional Diplomacy; (8) Reorg. the Political Structure, and ¿Federalism; (9) Econ. Measures. Map.

This monograph examines prewar planning efforts for the reconstruction of postwar Iraq. It then examines the role of U.S. military forces after major combat officially ended on May 1, 2003, through June 2004. Finally, it examines civilian efforts at reconstruction, focusing on the activities of the Coalition Provisional Authority and its efforts to rebuild structures of governance, security forces, economic policy, and essential services.

This book is a systematic analysis of the intractable challenges posed by terrorism, sectarianism, corruption and the transition to democracy in the post-Saddam Hussein era in Iraq, and details how they can be overcome. This book is particularly unique because while there are many books on Iraq, most of them are historical accounts and travelogues. The authors of these works, the overwhelming majority of whom are non-Iraqi, agree that Iraq is in a crisis, albeit their explanations for and analyses of the crisis and prescriptions vary and are of variegated qualities.

Describes and analyses the major developments in Iraq from the US-led invasion until 2010. This title provides an important external, international dimension to Iraq's post-war development through discussion of the central role played by the Iranian regime and its deep and multi-faceted involvement in the Iraqi internal scene.

This book presents a broad history of Iraq, from the earliest times to the present, with particular attention to the emergence of modern Iraq in the twentieth century, the power struggles that led to the rise of Saddam Hussein, and recent events such as the Iran-Iraq war, the 1990-91 Gulf crisis, and the continuing depiction of Iraq as a 'pariah' nation. Detailed information is included, much of it unsympathetic to western propaganda, to encourage a deeper understanding and a deeper ethical perception of the 'Iraq Question'.

Post-Saddam Iraq comprehensively describes and analyzes the major developments in Iraq, from the US-led invasion up to 2010. The internal political scene - developing along ethnic-sectarian and religious lines (Shi'is and Sunnis, Kurds and Arabs) - is discussed in the context of a re-emerging Iraqi national identity. Findings and analyses are based on a systematic study of the Iraqi and Middle Eastern local media, which provides the perspective as to what is taking place in the internal political and social dialogue. Other major developments are also addressed, including women's rights and economic trends. Post-Saddam Iraq offers an important, international dimension to Iraq's post-war development through discussion of: a) the central role played by the Iranian regime and its deep and multi-faceted involvement in the Iraqi internal scene; b) the ambivalent relations with Turkey, which concurrently serves as the main terrestrial channel of trade and economic ties with the world (oil, financial investments); and c) Iraq's marginal position in the affairs of the Arab world. The political and constitutional developments within Iraq are discussed up to the most recent events in late 2010. Nine months after the general elections, a political tug-of-war between the major protagonists has not reached a conclusion, with the intensive involvement of the US behind the scenes attempting to reach an "inclusive" solution. It remains to be seen whether the former centralist policies of the prime minister-to-be will prevail in a state which is gradually disposing of the US military presence, assuming command over its unsolved problems of security and daily life, as well as of its future stability.

Identified as a member of the "axis of evil" by President George W. Bush, Saddam Hussein's Iraq continues to pose a major threat to the region and to Western society. Saddam has doggedly pursued the development of weapons of mass destruction, despite U.N. sanctions imposed at the conclusion of the Gulf crisis. To deal effectively with Saddam Hussein requires a clear understanding of his motivations, perceptions, and decision-making. To provide a framework for this complex political leader, a comprehensive political psychology profile has been developed, and his actions since the crisis analyzed in the context of this political psychology assessment.