Iraq: Past, Present, & Future 1

What challenges face Iraq?

Iraq: Past, Present, & Future 2Jeff Koterba, Omaha World Herald, NE, 3/9/10

What challenges have they overcome?

Iraq: Past, Present, & Future*

World Cultures 9

Iraq: Past, Present, & Future 4

A Review of the Region

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Iraqis are…*Sunni Arab - more liberal, democratic Minority - 20% Ruled through Hussein’s Ba’ath party

Shi’a Arab (Shiites) – more conservative, likely to tolerate a theocracy

Majority – 60% Persecuted by Hussein

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Persecuted by Hussein

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The Iraqis are…*

Sunni Arab - more liberal, likely to be democratic Minority - 20% of population Ruled through Hussein’s Ba’ath partyShi’a Arab – more conservative, likely to want a theocracy Majority – 60% Persecuted by HusseinKurds – an ethnic minority group Not Arab – Turkish; most are Sunni Northern Iraq; oil-rich Persecuted by Hussein; chemical weapons used against them (1986-88) Desire autonomy, or self rule

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During his Anfal campaign, it is estimated that Saddam ordered the killing of Over 180,000 Kurds. The reason? Retribution for opposing his rule and support ofIran during the Iran-Iraq war.

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Saddam Hussein*

President 1979 - 2003Leader of Ba’ath party wanted a more

secular , or non-religious, country

Used fear, torture and murder to maintain rule

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A Fighting Nation*

Since Hussein came to power in 1979, Iraq has been involved in 3 major conflicts

1. Iran-Iraq War: 1980 - 1988Reasons Borders - Iraq wanted control over waterways Resources – Iraq wanted oil-rich region in Iran Religion –Iraq feared spread of conservative/religious

Shi’a values (from Iran) The Conflict Iraq attacked Iran US supported Iraq

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Rumsfield

Hussein

Taken during the Iran-Iraq Warin the 1980’s

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A Fighting Nation*Since Hussein came to power in 1979, Iraq has been involved in three major

international conflicts1. Iran-Iraq War: 1980 - 1988Reasons Borders – Iraq wanted control over waterways and ports Resources – Iraq wanted oil-rich region in Iran Religion –Iraq feared spread of conservative/religious Shi’a values (from

Iran) The Conflict Iraq attacked Iran US supported IraqOutcome UN resolution calls for cease fire Both countries in debt; oil infrastructure crippled

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A Fighting Nation*2. Gulf War: 1991Reasons Money - Iraq owed Kuwait $14 billion from Iran-Iraq War Borders - dispute with Kuwait over oil-rich landConflict Iraq invaded Kuwait Bush Sr.’s objective: remove Iraq from Kuwait Iraq defeated in 6 weeks by US led coalition called “Operation

Desert Storm”Outcome Iraq out of Kuwait Hussein left in power to rebuild

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A Fighting Nation*3. Iraq War 2003 - ?Reasons Iraq violated UN resolution about weapons of mass destruction

(WMDs) Invasion based on belief that Hussein had WMDsConflict US invades - Short war (?) into a civil war, into rebuildingOutcomes Hussein removed from power, tried and executed US is attempting to help rebuild country Your thoughts?

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Free Write: Why do you think Iraq has been involved in so many conflicts in recent years?