Law of Nationbuilding Joel Roberson Fall 2006 TOPIC: TOPIC: A Critical Analysis of US Efforts to Build Democracy in the Iraqi Political Environment

GOALS OF THE PAPER Critically evaluate the following three themes… Iraqi Political Environment: Develop a historically accurate description of the interplay between political, cultural, and religious influences in Iraq Iraqi Political Environment: Develop a historically accurate description of the interplay between political, cultural, and religious influences in Iraq US Political Invention: Analyze the effectiveness of the first three years of US military and civilian rebuilding of Iraq US Political Invention: Analyze the effectiveness of the first three years of US military and civilian rebuilding of Iraq Obstacles to Success: Describe the obstacles that stand in the way of the creation of a liberal democracy in Iraq Obstacles to Success: Describe the obstacles that stand in the way of the creation of a liberal democracy in Iraq

POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT Political Leadership: Saddam Hussein and the Baath party controlled all political leadership. Political Leadership: Saddam Hussein and the Baath party controlled all political leadership. Prevented the development of a political successor to Saddam. Prevented the development of a political successor to Saddam. Created a culture of fear and stifled political dissent. Created a culture of fear and stifled political dissent. Political Exiles: The only alternative leaders had been outside Iraq for over ten years and were highly motivated to see regime change in Iraq. Political Exiles: The only alternative leaders had been outside Iraq for over ten years and were highly motivated to see regime change in Iraq.

CULTURAL ENVIRONMENT Iraq consists of approximately: Iraq consists of approximately: 75% Arabs 75% Arabs 20% Kurds 20% Kurds 5% Other (Turkoman, Assyrian, etc) 5% Other (Turkoman, Assyrian, etc) In 1988, Saddam reportedly used chemical weapons to subdue the Kurdish north. In 1988, Saddam reportedly used chemical weapons to subdue the Kurdish north. In 1992, Saddam eventually withdrew his military from Kurdish territory and allowed the Kurds a degree of self-rule. In 1992, Saddam eventually withdrew his military from Kurdish territory and allowed the Kurds a degree of self-rule.

RELIGIOUS ENVIRONMENT Iraq consists of approximately: Iraq consists of approximately: 97% Muslim 97% Muslim 60% Shi’a 60% Shi’a 37% Sunni 37% Sunni 3% Other (Christian, etc) 3% Other (Christian, etc) Saddam’s Baath party helped elevate Sunnis to positions of power in Iraq Saddam’s Baath party helped elevate Sunnis to positions of power in Iraq Under a federal democracy, Shiites stand to gain more political power. Under a federal democracy, Shiites stand to gain more political power.

MILITARY REBUILDING After a brief formal ground offensive, the military initiated the infrastructure and political rebuilding efforts out of necessity. After a brief formal ground offensive, the military initiated the infrastructure and political rebuilding efforts out of necessity. Rebuilt bridges, roads, and airports so they could continue operations. Rebuilt bridges, roads, and airports so they could continue operations. Dissolved the Baathist party. Dissolved the Baathist party. Installed local leaders to replace Baathists. Installed local leaders to replace Baathists. Due to sustained instability on the ground, the military was forced to implement nationbuilding policies without having any role in creating the policy behind it. Due to sustained instability on the ground, the military was forced to implement nationbuilding policies without having any role in creating the policy behind it.

CIVILIAN REBUILDING The Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) was established to orchestrate nationbuilding in Iraq during the occupation. The Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) was established to orchestrate nationbuilding in Iraq during the occupation. Security concerns forced the CPA policy makers to remain within the safety of the Green Zone while directing policy for the entire nation. Security concerns forced the CPA policy makers to remain within the safety of the Green Zone while directing policy for the entire nation. A number of the policies adopted by the CPA – particularly disbanding the Iraqi military and “de-Baathification” – have been heavily criticized. A number of the policies adopted by the CPA – particularly disbanding the Iraqi military and “de-Baathification” – have been heavily criticized.

ONGOING OBSTACLES Salve sectarian differences or split into three separate nations. Salve sectarian differences or split into three separate nations. Overcome the Insurgency or create a weak nation state susceptible to terror. Overcome the Insurgency or create a weak nation state susceptible to terror. Avoid excessive Iranian meddling or risk the development of an authoritarian regime. Avoid excessive Iranian meddling or risk the development of an authoritarian regime. Maintain the viability of US imposed institutions or start over from scratch. Maintain the viability of US imposed institutions or start over from scratch.

RESOURCES Noah Feldman, What We Owe Iraq Noah Feldman, What We Owe Iraq Peter Galbraith, End of Iraq Peter Galbraith, End of Iraq George Packer, Assassin’s Gate George Packer, Assassin’s Gate Rory Stewart, Prince of Marshes Rory Stewart, Prince of Marshes Wealth of articles, law reviews, and position papers… Wealth of articles, law reviews, and position papers…

REQUEST FOR HELP Good resources on the Iraq political structure under Saddam? Good resources on the Iraq political structure under Saddam? Constitutional experts evaluating the viability of the new Iraqi constitution? Constitutional experts evaluating the viability of the new Iraqi constitution? Contacts in the DOD or State Department with first-hand knowledge? Contacts in the DOD or State Department with first-hand knowledge? Any missing angles from the proposed goals of my paper? Any missing angles from the proposed goals of my paper?