Post-Saddam Iraq New Realities, Old Identities, Changing Patterns

This is the first comprehensive attempt to describe and analyse the major developments in Iraq from the US-led invasion until 2010. It is the product of specialists in the history of Iraq, the Arab and Muslim world, with a wide range of views of Iraq's past and present. The main focus is the internal political scene -- increasingly developing along ethnic-sectarian and religious lines (Shi'is and Sunnis, Kurds and Arabs) -- discussed in the context of re-emerging Iraqi national identity. Other major developments, not unrelated to politics, are also addressed: women's rights and economic trends. The book 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; the ambivalent relations with Turkey, which concurrently serves as the main terrestrial channel of trade and economic ties with the world; and Iraq's persisting marginal position in the affairs of the Arab world. The political developments within Iraq are discussed up to the most recent events (December 2010), when a new government was set up. It remains to be seen whether the former centralist policies of the prime minister will prevail in a state which is gradually disposing of the American military presence, assuming command over its unsolved problems of security and daily life as well as of its future stability.

Amnon Cohen is Eliahu Elath Professor(emeritus) of the History of the Muslim Peoples at the Hebrew university of Jerusalem, Israel. Noga Efrati is a Research Fellow at the Harry S.Truman Research Institute for the Advancement of Peace at the Hebrew University of Jersalem.