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Iraqi Nationalism. The Ups and Downs of a Tortured People. Welcome to the World!!!. Though promised independence for aiding UK in WWI, England occupied Iraq in 1917 (Sykes-Picot Treaty) 1920,Iraq organizes armed resistance UK losing ground. Self Rule and Unity… or not.
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Iraqi Nationalism The Ups and Downs of a Tortured People
Welcome to the World!!! • Though promised independence for aiding UK in WWI, England occupied Iraq in 1917 (Sykes-Picot Treaty) • 1920,Iraq organizes armed resistance • UK losing ground
Self Rule and Unity… or not • Sunni prince Faisal elected king of multi-ethnic Iraq- 1921 • Immediately, Kurds in the North and Shiites in the south revolt • Churchill & Mustard Gas
Hey UK, Let’s be friends!!! • To help stabilize from Kurds & Shiites, Faisal invited UK back • Gives UK oil concessions in 1925 to entice • Peace!!!
New Instability • Faisal died in 1933, his son Ghazi in 1939 • During this period, a movement starts for “Pan-Arabism” • A “USA” of the Middle East
WWII interrupts • UK needs Iraq to fight the Axis in North Africa. • UK leads coup and installs pro-English government
The Post War Period • Kurds revolt again for independence • From 1948, joins Arab world in unsuccessfully trying to kill Israel • Political upheaval, little stability… Religion and Politics mingled during several wars against the new Israeli state
A series of Coups • 1958- military coup by General Karim Kassem. - overthrows 8 year old king. Kills all associated with monarchy • Claims Kuwait & militarizes Iraq
The Ba’ath Party Ba’athists want a Sunni, pan-Arab world & strong Muslim world voice. • Abdul Salem Arif leads Ba’athist coup in 1963. • Becomes Anti-Western • Tries to reign in Iran supported Kurds • Nationalize Oil
Enter Saddam Hussein • 1979- coup. Smiles while condemning 400 fellow Ba’athists to death. • Living prove loyalty by shooting the 400. • Kurds revolt at this • Iran helping Kurds • Uh oh…
The Iran Iraq War – 80-88 • Causes • Shiite vs. Sunni • Iran’s support of the Kurds • Territorial control of the Straights of Hormuz (from Persian Gulf)
Hussein Earns his Reputation • Used poison gas on whole separatist-leaning Kurdish towns • Children used to clear mine fields Dead Kurds at Halabja from poison gas
The USA’s involvement • In the war, USA is Pro-Iraqi • Iran had taken US embassy workers hostage in 1979 and was still holding them • Iraq secular Donald Rumsfeld meeting with Saddam Hussein in the 1980’s
Expansionist Ba’athist on the Move • Ba’athist Iraqis considered Kuwait naturally theirs • After US support in the 1980’s, thinks he can take Kuwait without problems
Operation Desert Storm • Aug 1990 –Iraq occupies Kuwait • UN says leave • Feb. 1991 – US led coalition frees Kuwait • Highway of Death Media images of destroyed Iraqi retreat turn Western stomachs, prevent West from marching into Iraq… oops!!!
The 1990’s and Iraq • Weapon inspectors from UN to police • Oil For Food Program • 1997- Inspectors kicked out • Corruption at UN in Iraqi programs
Gulf War II • Post 9/11, Bush vows to stop rogue nations and terrorism • Hussein told to open to inspectors
The Ultimatum • UN resolution 1441 • France, Germany and Russia back down from Resolution • Corruption????? Secret economic deals for Iraqi oil US Secretary of State Colin Powell at the UN trying to sway Europe to war
The War . April 23, 2006, Iraqi factions agree to PM Jawad al-Maliki • March, 2003, US and UK invade Iraq. 28 days long • June 2004, interim govn’t created • Jan, 2005 – full elected govn’t • 2006-new constitution
The Insurgency • Immediately after fall of Saddam • US not greeted by flowers • NO WMD’s FOUND!!! • Ex-Ba’athists & “Al-Qaeda in Iraq” under Zarqawi
The Dictator Gone… what now? • Hanged 12/29/06 • Over 3,000 dead US soldiers as of Jan. ’07 • Intense Shiite-Sunni Violence with torture and ethnic cleansing
A New Plan – Dealing with Militias • After US midterm 2006 elections, Bush forced towards new plan. • Bump in US troop presence with focus on controlling sectarian militias Shiite Cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, leader of Sadr Militia
The Future • Can the Sunni triangle join in the democracy? • Can the three Iraqs (Sunnis, Shiites & Kurds) unite into one people • Can we stop theocracy and Civil War? KURD SHIITE