Iraq: Ways to Rebuild Better
Last updated: October 21, 2008
Author
Published by Program in Arms Control, Disarmament, and International Security (ACDIS), University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
ACDIS Research Report series
May 2004
Full text [PDF]Summary
Charles Tripp, author of A History of Iraq, recently detailed the similarities between the British experiences ofrnrebuilding Iraq as compared with the present situation. Tripp asserts that, “understanding the future of anyrncountry is understanding its past.” Speaking about the British occupation in 1919–1920 of Iraq, Tripp explainsrnthat the British entered Iraq because of a referendum by the Iraqi people sent to the British to change the Iraqirnpower structure. There was great controversy in England between the Ministry of War and Ministry of ForeignrnAffairs over the idea of sending troops and how to handle the rebuilding once it began.rnAs the occupation became prolonged, there was a mounting campaign in the press and the Parliament tornremove the troops. Repeated terrorist acts by Shiites and foreign infiltrators plagued the British forces, leadingrnthe British to create an authoritarian security apparatus in Iraq.
The purpose of this paper is to provide a critical analysis of the rebuilding of Iraq. It is based upon newspaperrnand magazine articles, websites, lectures, books, and reports produced by organizations evaluating thernrebuilding process. After providing a synopsis of the current situation, examples will be drawn from pastrncountries that have undergone rebuilding after war. These examples will then be compared to the current Iraqirnsituation. Based on the analysis of the information, recommendations for future actions will be defined. Besidesrnproviding recommendations for rebuilding Iraq, this paper should serve as a blueprint for macrolevel planningrnfor rebuilding nations after war.