Iraq

Background Created at the end of WWI Treaty of Versailles Combined 3 ethic groups Kurds (North) Sunni’s (Central) Shia (South)

Government British established a Monarchy 1958: The Kings assassination brings a military dictatorship 1968: Ba’ath Party takes control by assassination Secularism: A doctrine that rejects religion and religious considerations Pan-Arabism: movement to establish one great Arab Nation Socialism Saddam Hussein takes power and becomes dictator in 1979 Authoritarian control:

Iran- Iraq War 1980-1988 Results? 1 million people die Saddams power is threatened Low funds threatens economy

Results From Iran Iraq War Leads To: Invasion of Kuwait Results of Invasion of Kuwait? Iraq puts troops on Saudi Arabia’s border - Saudi Arabia asks for US/ UN protection US / UN troops sent to Saudi Arabia Angers Osama Bin Laden

Persian Gulf War Purpose: Remove Iraq from Kuwait Jan. 16th 1991: U.S. begins bombing forces in Kuwait and in Iraq Feb. 23- U.N. forces invade Kuwait March 3 Iraq signs cease fire Iraq agrees to: No biological/ chemical/ nuclear weapons Open to U.N. weapons inspections No fly zones (to protect Kurdish, Shia Iraqi’s)

September 11, 2001 Al-Qaeda – based in Afghanistan – stages terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center and Pentagon Over 3,000 killed President George W. Bush demand the Taliban hand over Osama bin Laden They refuse October 2001: America goes to war in Afghanistan

Bush Doctrine The United States will attack first against any nation that poses a threat to the security of the United States or its allies

Leading Up To War United States identifies Iraq as a threat Broke cease fire agreement 17 times Repeatedly kicked weapons inspectors out of Iraq Police once held inspectors in parking lot for 2 days at gunpoint US points to evidence that Saddam is developing Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD’s) President Bush declares Saddam Hussein a threat to the safety of the United States Why? Issues Feb. 2003 as deadline for Saddam to step down from power Deadline ignored

War in Iraq March 2003: U.S. invades Iraq 78,000 troops Saddam’s government quickly collapses US confident that end of war is near Without clear authority- violence breaks out Looting Ethnic violence Not enough US troops to control the situation Police were disbanded

American Forces 168,000 by 2007 Patrols through cities Attempting to provide stability in order to establish a Democratic government Training a national army/ police force Patrols through cities Leading raids on suspected insurgents

Iraqi Government? Should Iraq be divided up into 3 separate nations? Problem: North (Kurds): Oil. Water resources Sunni (North): No water or oil resources Shia (South): Oil/ water resources. Connection to Iran Dec. 2005: Parliamentary elections successfully held Democracy is established Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki

Guerilla Warfare No uniformed combatants Hit and run tactics Effect: Improvised Explosive Device (IEDS) Ambush Then mix with population Effect: Frustration Who’s the enemy? Increased civilians killed (collateral damage)

First Resistance: Former Soldiers 2003 US takes control of Iraq Disbands Army Unemployed Used to be in power Trained to Fight Goal Political

Resistance Changes: Al-Qaeda Brought to Iraq by Al-Zarqawi Later killed by US Brings international army Recruited former soldiers with money Began to teach them of new goal Goal Religious

What’s the difference? Sunni Shi’ite When Muhammad died believed Islams leader should chosen Blamed for death of Muhammad’s Nephew Calligraphy (quotes from Koran) main decoration 90% of worlds Muslims Shi’ite When Muhammad died  believed Islams leader should be his cousin and follow blood line Portraiture main decoration 10% of worlds Muslims

Sunni’s/ Shi’ites Sunni Shi’ite Southern Iraq Great wealth of oil Central Iraq Little oil or water 20% population Has controlled the area for over 1200 years Lost power with removal of Saddam Hussein Al-Qaeda later joins causes Shi’ite Southern Iraq Great wealth of oil 60% of population Close connection with Iran Iran is a Shi’ite nation Political social vengeance

Kurds Kurds Northern Iraq 17% of population Little Oil Wealth Mostly Sunni Muslims Different ethnic group Different religious traditions Persecuted by Saddam Wants Separate State

Reasons for Sectarian Violence (violence between sects)? Mostly political/ economic control Sunni’s controlled Shi’ites in Iraq area for over 1200 years Although a minority 2003 US invades Sunni’s out of power 2005 First Democratic election Sunni’s protest by no voting Shi’ites in control Sunni’s want it back Most oil wealth in Southern Iraq

Why Are They Fighting? (2) Vengeance Saddam kept order by viciously oppressing Shi’ites Hundreds of thousands killed Attacks on Sunni religious symbols Bombings on Mosques Saddam hung on Sunni religious holiday

Other Groups Al-Qaeda (Sunni) Osama Bin Laden Brought to Iraq by Al-Zarqawi Mission Spread Fundamentalist Islam Remove US from Middle East

Other Groups (2) Shi’ite Militia Al-Sadr (powerful cleric) Father killed by Saddam (Sunni) Connected with Iran Mission Establish Fundamentalist Shi’ite Control over Iraq Remove US from Iraq

Other Groups (3) Iran Spread power of Shi’ite Islam Gain control of great oil supply Become a powerful leader in the Middle East

President Obama Changes Policy 2008 troops levels of 142,000 troops will be reduced to 25-30,000 by end of 2010. Iraqi Army / police will take on more responsibility US troops will be based outside of cities For support of Iraqi troops US troops will leave Iraq by end of 2011

Iraq So Far 48,000 troops currently in Iraq Saddam Hussein captured For support Saddam Hussein captured Tried and executed Democracy established 4,436US troops killed Over 32,000 US troops wounded $900 Billion so far