Iraq
Iraq Map of 19th Century Middle East
Iraq Chronology
Link to syllabus
Link to WDI
Link to Encyclopedia of the Orient
Iraq: cities and roads
Iraq: Topographical map
Family Lines: History, Faisal, elimination of family.
Ba‟ath and Saddam Hussein.
Wars. 1980-88 Iraq; 1990-91 Kuwait; 2003 US
Shiite Leaders/Hizbullah.
Current Situation: ending of war. Polls.
Marsh people
____________________________________________________________________________
Chronology
Ancient Mesopotamia
Part of Arab conquest 7th century A.D.
1258 Baghdad falls to the Mongols. Much of the city is destroyed, citizens killed, and
the Caliph executed. The Caliphate is ended, and the economy of Iraq is ruined for
centuries.
Part of Ottoman Empire 16th century; control fluctuates between Ottomans, Safavids,
Mamlukes
1920 League of Nations mandate to British (terminated in1932). Iraq formed from three
previous provinces, with capitals in Mosul, Baghdad and Basra.
1921 Kingdom under Faisal I of the Hashemites
1920s First oil discoveries
1925 League of Nations decides that Mosul should remain part of Iraq
1933 King Faisal dies, is succeeded by King Ghazi
1939 King Ghazi dies in an auto accident; succession goes to his infant son Faisal II,
under the regency of Prince Abd al-Ilah
1941 Military coup establishes „Government of National Defence,‟ and regent flees
Baghdad; British troops march on the city and regent returns
1948 Iraq participates in war against Israel; token participation in 1967 war, as also 1973
1953 King Faisal II enthroned; regency ends
1958 Miliary coup, Iraq becomes republic under General Karim Kassem. Recent
Federation between Iraq and Jordan is dissolved. Agrarian Reform Law
2
1959 Mustafa Barzani asserts control of Kurdistan Democratic Party
1965 Conflicts between Kurds and Iraqi army escalate to full-scale war
1968 Military coup brings Ba‟ath party to power. Some tilting towards USSR
1969 Saddam Hussein appointed to ruling Revolutionary Council, becomes vice-
chairman
1970 Limited autonomy to Kurdistan. Strengthened land reform
1972 Nationalization of oil industry
1974 Fights between government and Kurds
1975 Algiers Agreement between Hussein and Shah ends Iran‟s assistance to KDP;
Kurdish movement split into KDP (Barzani) and PUK (Talabani)
1978 Expulsion of Ayatollah Khomeini from Iraq. Baghdad Summit (following Camp
David) marks (basically unsuccessful) Iraqi bid for Arab leadership.
1979 Saddam Hussein becomes president
1980-88 War with Iran. Over 40,000 Shi‟a expelled to Iran. Iraq‟s attack is initially
successful, but is reversed by Iranian counteroffensive in 1982. Iraq rebuilds with
aid from Europe and US. Gassing of Kurds inside Iraq.
1981 Israeli jets bomb a nuclear reactor under construction outside Baghdad
1990 Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait
1991 Gulf War. Leads to demands for Iraqi reparations payments of US$50-$100 billion.
Sanctions imposed
1996 “Oil for food” program started
2003 US led attack
2006 Saddam Hussein executed
2007 Facing domestic criticism of the War, President Bush orders Surge of troops
________________________________________________
Iraq: Population by Religion & Ethnicity ~2000. (millions, and %)
Number Percent
Iraq: Population by Religion &
Moslem
Shi‟a
23.2
14.0
93
56
Ethnicity (millions)
Sunni
Christians
9.2
1.3
37
5
Moslems 23 million. Shi 14m; Sunni 9
Chaldeans
Yazidis
0.4
0.5
2
2
m. Christians 1.3 m., 18 m Arabs, 6m
Arabs 18.0 71 Source:
Encyclopedia
Kurds, 1.3 m Assyrians.
Kurds 6.0 24 of the
Orient
Assyrians 1.3 5
Iraq by Provinces
Iraq by
Provinces
Source: Juan Cole‟s blog
Iraq has 18 provinces. The three Kurdistan provinces and Kirkuk
will not be participating in Jan. elections. That leaves 14, four of
them largely Sunni Arab and 10 with Shiite majorities.
3
Arabian Family
Family Trees
Trees
King Faisal I King Faisal I
1885-1933
1885-1933
King 1921-33 King 1921-33
Born in Mecca, worked
with British and T.E.
Lawrence against
Ottomans. Rivalry with
his brother Abdullah.
Born in Mecca, worked with British
Unsuccessful at gaining
control of Syria. (and T.E. Lawrence) against Ottomans
Gertrude Bell, 1868-1927
Gertrude Bell, 1868-1927.
Born into one of the wealthiest families
of England. Received History degree from
Oxford, in two years. Soon after she
Born into one of the wealthiest families
visited uncle, who was mayor of Tehran.
Knew seven languages, including Arabic, of England. Received History degree
Turkish, Persian. Traveled widely. Archeologist.
Worked in intelligence for British government.
from Oxford, in two years. Soon after
Was central influence in drawing map of
Iraq, keeping control from Kurds and Shi’as.
Supported Faisal as its first leader.
she visited her uncle, who was mayor
Active suffragette. Never married. of Tehran. Knew seven languages,
including Arabic,
Turkish, Persian. Traveled widely. Archeologist. Worked in
intelligence for British government.
Was central influence in drawing map of Iraq. Supported Faisal as
its first leader. Never married
King Ghazi I.
King Ghazi I
1912- 39
1912-1939 Ruled 1933-39
King 1933-39
Born in Mecca. Becomes
Born in Mecca. Becomes
King on death of his father
Faisal.
Dies in an auto crash, under
King on death of his father Faisal. Died
unusual circumstances.
Was popular among Iraqis for in an auto crash, under unusual
his anti-British nationalism.
Upon his death, Iraq is ruled
by a regent until Faisal II
circumstances.
comes of age.
Was popular among Iraqis for his anti-British nationalism. Upon
his death, Iraq is ruled by a regent until Faisal II comes of age
4
King Faisal 2
King Faisal 2
1935-1958
1935-1958 King 1953-58
King 1953-58
Kingdom was ruled in his
name by his Uncle, the Regent.
Family eliminated in a coup.
Died in a military coup.
Abd al-Karim Qasim 1914-1963.
Abd al-Karim Qasim
Went to Military College Leader of
1914-1963. Went to Military College
Leader of the 1958 coup against Faisal II and
the 1958 coup against Faisal II and
the Hashemite regime. Was himself overthrown
and killed in a 1963 coup, led by Baathists.
His premiership marks an important transition
the Hashemite regime. Was himself
in Iraqi politics. He was said to be close to the
poorer sections of Iraqi society, and instituted
an agrarian reform. People inside and outside
overthrown and killed in a 1963 coup.
(US, UK) the country felt he was too close to
the Communist Party. This period also marked
the high point of Nasserist influence in Iraq.
His premiership marks an important
transition in Iraqi politics, as he began
reversing the monarchy's pro-western policies. Recent Federation
between Iraq and Jordan annulled. Agrarian Reform. led by
Baathists. He was said to be close to the poorer sections of Iraqi
society, and instituted an agrarian reform. People inside (clerics)
and outside (US, UK) the country felt he was too close to
the Communist Party. This period also marked the high point of
Nasserist influence in Iraq.
1963 Ba‟ath Party comes to power in a coup.
1965 Conflicts between Kurds and Iraqi army escalate to full-scale
war.
1968 Coup brings Ba‟ath to power. Some tilting towards USSR
1972 Nationalization of Oil Industry
Saddam
Saddam Hussein
Hussein
Born 1937 (or ‟39) to a modest
Born 1937 (or ‟39) to
a modest family in a family in a village near Tirkit, 100
village near Tirkit,
100 miles to the north
of Baghdad. Entered
miles to the north of Baghdad.
the military.
Entered the military, while in exile
he studied law in Egypt. Becomes
leader in 1979. Invades Iran
Poor, raised by stepfather. Exiled to Egypt in early 1960s. Head of
Intelligence. Used chemical weapons.
5
Iran Iraq War
Iran-Iraq War
Indicates minimal territorial expansion
during war, by either side.
Why invasion of Iran? 1) Fear of spread of Islamic idealism; 2)
Take advantage of weakness of Iran; 3) border conflict.
An agreement in 1975 had Iraq cede 518 km2 of borderland to
Iran, in exchange for Iran agreeing to stop supporting Kurdish
rebels. Sadam Hussein, recently come to power, invaded Iran in
1980 over Shatt al-Arab. Perhaps 500,000-1 million died; 40%
Iraqis and 60% Iranians. During the war over 40,000 Shi‟a were
expelled from Iraq to Iran. Iraq‟s initial offensive was reversed by
a counter-offensive of Iran in 1982.
Ultimately, not much territory was occupied by either country. US
and USSR supported Iraq, as did most centrist Moslem states such
as Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan.
Hussein and Rumsfeld. 1983
Saddam Hussein and
Donald Rumsfeld
When Rumsfeld visited
Iraq in 1980s to strengthen
that country in its war
against Iran.
Juan Cole on the background of this visit
http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/hussein_trial/
Video of the handshake (National Security Archives).
http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB82/
Juan Cole‟s version of Rumsfeld‟s visit: “The turning point came
in 1983, as the Reagan administration reevaluated its policy toward
the Middle East. Note that it does not appear to have been deterred
by a small matter such as Hussein‟s propensity to massacre
townspeople like those at Dujail. The threat that Khomeinism
posed to U.S. interests in the region had been underlined by the
rise of Shiite radicalism in Lebanon. The U.S. suspected extremist
Shiites of blowing up the U.S. embassy and killing 63 persons in
6
Beirut on April 18, 1983. Hussein‟s invasion of Iran had been
stopped dead in its tracks by Iranian military and irregular forces,
and by 1982 Iran was beginning an effective counterattack.
Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini desperately wanted Baghdad.
Ronald Reagan‟s special envoy to the Middle East, Donald
Rumsfeld (then also CEO of G.D. Searle & Co.), began worrying
about the implications if the Iranians succeeded in taking it, as did
the director of the Central Intelligence Agency, William Casey.
Nevertheless, Reagan sent Rumsfeld to Baghdad in December
1983. The National Security Archive has posted a brief video of
his meeting with Hussein and the latter‟s vice president and foreign
minister, Tariq Aziz. Rumsfeld was to stress his close relationship
with the U.S. president. The State Department summary [PDF] of
Rumsfeld‟s meeting with Tariq Aziz stated that “the two agreed
the U.S. and Iraq shared many common interests: peace in the
Gulf, keeping Syria and Iran off balance and less influential, and
promoting Egypt‟s reintegration into the Arab world.” Aziz asked
Rumsfeld to intervene with Washington‟s friends to get them to
stop selling arms to Iran. Increasing Iraq‟s oil exports and a
possible pipeline through Saudi Arabia occupied a portion of their
conversation. “
1990 Iraq invades Kuwait.
Why? Blockage of outlet to the Gulf; Kuwait‟s over-drilling of a
reservoir under both countries‟ land. Note that Syria, Saudis
supported US, while Jordan, Palestinians supported Iraq.
US forces under Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf easily retake country
next year. (Death estimated between 10,000 and 100,000 Iraqis;
<200 Americans). After-the-fact criticism of not attacking
Baghdad. President George Bush (father) promised Kurds and
Shiites support if they rebelled, and did not fulfill promise,
leading to massacres of Shiias (~40,000) in 1991/92.
“No-fly zones” are designated to hem in Iraqi air force.
1994 Iraq drains water from southern marshlands, inhabited by
Shi‟a, in retaliation for the Shiites' long-standing opposition to
Saddam Hussein's government.
7
1996 Oil for food. Some scandals.
2003 US Attack. End of major combat by May. US supported by
UK, „new Europe‟, Jordan, while opposed by France, Germany,
Turkey, Palestinians. Situation seen deteriorating with growing
sectarian violence in 2004, and then bombing of mosque of Al-
Askari (Samarra) in February 2006. Hussein executed Dec., „06
Post US Invasion (2003)
Post US Invasion
• Coalition Provisional Authority
• Interim Iraqi Government 2004
• Elections 2005: President Jalal Talabani,
Prime Minister is Ibrahim Jaafari
Link to mt‟s Intro Description of Iraq War Link to Iraq War.doc, and to
Link Iraq War.doc
Iraq War Positions.doc.
Total cost to US ~$700 billion; currently $10 billion/month
US Troops have been ~150,000. Surge involved 30,000.
Total cost to US ~$700 billion;
From other countries; initially was ~25,000, now zero.
currently $10 billion/month.
US troop deaths ~4,300.
US Troops have been ~150,000. Surge
Link to summary of other countries‟ positions on the Iraq War
Link to Brookings Institution‟s Iraq Index http://www.brookings.edu/iraqindex
(numerous statistical measures relating to the war in Iraq and its consequences)
involved 30,000. From other countries;
Cost of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars (costofwar.com)
initially was ~25,000, now zero.
US troop deaths ~4,300. Estimates of Iraqi deaths 100,000 to one
million.
Appropriations for Operation Freedom
Source: Brookings Institution, “Iraq
Appropriations for Operation Freedom
Index.” Downloaded November, 2009
Source: Brookings Institution, “Iraq Index.” Downloaded November, 2009
8
Displaced Iraqis Displace
Iraqi Refugees, [BBC, Feb., 2007]
d Iraqis
NYT &
BBC
Source: New York Times December 8, 2006
Ethnic Cleansing in
Ethnic Ethnic Cleansing in
Baghdad
Baghdad.
Cleansin
g in
Baghda
d
Ultimate source is, I believe, New York Times
Shi‟a Shrines in Iraq & Iran
Shi‟a Shrines in Iraq & Iran
US invasion
January, 2002: Bush includes Iraq in “Axis of evil”
2003 March US attacks
May. US declares end of major operations
May Paul Bremer becomes head of US operations
July. Interim governing council is appointed
July. Saddam Hussein‟s two sons are killed in a firefight
August. Suicide bomber destroys UN headquarters,
including the top UN envoy
August. Ayatollah Muhammad Bakr al-Hakim killed by
bomb
December Saddam Hussein captured near Tikrit
2004 January Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani states that the interim
government must be selected by direct vote. His followers
9
organize major street demonstrations (peaceful) to pressure
US, which agrees
April US forces assault Falluja. Counter-attacks by Shiites in
Kufa, Karbala, Najaf, al-Kut, as well as Sadr City; said to be
led by Moktada al-Sadr
April scandal of Abu Ghraib prison comes to light.
May. Truce in Najaf. Fighting again in August, stopped when
Al-Sistani negotiates settlement between US and al-Sadr.
November US initiates all-out attack
2005 January 30. Election.
Total, long-term Iraqi reconstruction costs could run to $100
billion or higher, with an October 2003 donors conference in
Madrid resulting in pledges of $33 billion (channeled partly
through the International Reconstruction Facility Fund for Iraq -
- IRFFI). In mid-October 2004, donor countries meeting in
Tokyo agreed on the need to speed up the disbursement or
promised assistance to Iraq. To date, only a small fraction of the
money pledged in Madrid has been disbursed. In late November
2005, the World Bank approved a $100 million loan (for
education projects) to Iraq, the first such loan in 30 years.
Shi‟a shrines in Iraq and Iran.
Shi‟a Shrines in Iraq & Iran
Useful as indication of crossing of
borders of religious.
Nouri al-Maliki, 1950 - Al Maliki 1950-
Educated in Baghdad, has an MA
in Arabic Literature. His
predominantly Shia. As Prime
grandfather was Minister of Educ.
under King Faisal I. Minister, he has exceeded
Prime Minister since 2006,
replacing Ibrahim al-Jaafari.
Had long opposed Saddam
most observers‟ expectations.
Hussein. Leader of the Islamic
Dawa Party, which is part of the
is part of the United Iraqi
Alliance, predominantly Shia. As Prime Minister, he has exceeded
most observers‟ expectations.
10
Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Al-Sistani. 1930 -
Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Al-Sistani.
1930 – Born in Mashhad, Iran into
Born in Mashhad, Iran into a family of
religious scholars. He came to Iraq to
study in Najabf under Ayatollah Abul- a family of religious scholars. He
Qassim Khoei. He was accorded the
senior rank of ijtehad in 1961, and was
recognized as the pre-eminent Shi‟a
came to Iraq to study in Najaf
cleric in Iraq in 1992.
His office oversees the spending of
under Ayatollah Abul-Qassim
hundreds of millions of dollars for
education and charities. Khoei. He was accorded the senior
rank of ijtehad in 1961, and was
recognized as the pre-eminent Shi‟a cleric in Iraq in 1992.
His office oversees the spending of hundreds of millions of dollars
for education and charities.
Abdul Aziz al-Hakim 1950 -
Abdul Aziz al-Hakim 1950 -
Born and raised in NajafIraq into a
Born and raised in NajafIraq into a family of
prominent Shi‟a religious figures. family of prominent Shi‟a religious
Seven of his brothers have been killed, six of
Them by order of Saddam Hussein. figures.
While in exile in Iran in 1980, he helped
establish SIIC, whose military wing is Badr Seven of his brothers have been
Organization.
Is the leader of the United Iraqi Alliance.
killed, six of them by order of
Visited W. in December, 2006.
Saddam Hussein.
While in exile in Iran in 1980, he helped establish SIIC, whose
military wing is Badr Organization.
Is the leader of the United Iraqi Alliance. Visited George W. in
December, 2006.
Moqtada al-Sadr 1973 -
Moqtada al-Sadr 1973 -
Born in Baghdad into a prominent
Born in Baghdad into a prominent family
of Shi‟a religious figures, some of whom
are Lebanese. He himself lacks the
family of religious figures, some of
religious training to be considered as
senior religious scholar (mujtahid). whom are Lebanese. He himself
The leader of the Sadrist movement
lacks the religious training to be
considered as senior religious
scholar (mujtahid).
The leader of the Sadrist movement
11
Polls: Has security situation
Polls: Has security situation improved?
improved?
Source: Brookings Institution, “Iraq
Index.” Downloaded November,
2009
Source: Brookings Institution,
“Iraq Index.” Downloaded
November, 2009
Availability of Essential Services
Source: Brookings Institution, “Iraq
Availability of Essential Services
Index.” Downloaded November,
2009
Source: Brookings Institution, “Iraq Index.” Downloaded November, 2009
Polls: Are things getting better?
Source: Brookings Institution, “Iraq
Polls: Are things getting better?
Index.” Downloaded November,
2009
Source: Brookings Institution, “Iraq Index.” Downloaded November, 2009
Poll: Approval rating for Al-Maliki
Source: Brookings Institution, “Iraq
Poll: Approval rating for Al-Maliki
Index.” Downloaded November,
2009
Total: 43% 33% 40% 55%
Source: Brookings Institution, “Iraq Index.” Downloaded November, 2009
Iraq GDP/capita Iraq: GDP/Capita
Iraq
8,000
7,000
6,000
Real GDP/capita
5,000
4,000
3,000
2,000
1,000
0
1950 1955 1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000
Year
12
Estimated GDP
Source: Brookings Institution, “Iraq
Estimated GDP
Index.” Downloaded November, 2009
Source: Brookings Institution, “Iraq Index.” Downloaded November, 2009
Exports and Imports, 2000-07
Source: Brookings Institution, “Iraq
Exports and Imports, 2000-07
Index.” Downloaded November, 2009
Source: Brookings Institution, “Iraq Index.” Downloaded November, 2009
Debt owed by Iraq: 2003-2009
Source: Brookings Institution, “Iraq
Debt owed by Iraq: 2003-2009
Index.” Downloaded November, 2009
Source: Brookings Institution, “Iraq Index.” Downloaded November, 2009
Gov‟t Budget, 2005-09
Gov‟t Budget, 2005-09
Source: Brookings Institution, “Iraq
Index.” Downloaded November, 2009
Source: Brookings Institution, “Iraq Index.” Downloaded November, 2009
13
Gov‟t Spending
Source: Brookings Institution, “Iraq
Gov‟t Spending
Index.” Downloaded November, 2009
Marketing Marsh girls. Near Baghdad, 1931
Marketing Melons in
Baghdad, 1932
Melons in
Baghdad, 1932
Marsh Girls
Source: The
Photography of
Source: The Photography of
Kamil Chadirji,
Kamil Chadirji p 77. AAL: TR
114 C43 1991 Source: The Photography of Kamil Chadirji
Iraqi Marshes,
Iraqi Marshes, 1940s 1940s Cobbler. Baghdad, 1928
Cobbler.
Baghdad, 1928
Source: The
Photography of
Kamil Chadirji,.
AAL: TR 114
C43 1991 Source: The Photography of Kamil Chadirji
Iraq marshes map
Iraq marshes map Bringing the marshes back
Bringing the
marshes back
Source: NYT March 8, 2005
Struggling to Reclaim the Wetlands
Struggling to Reclaim the Wetlands Followed by 6 Pictures from NYT
Source: NYT March 8, 2005