
Iraq's Armed Forces
An Analytical History
Routledge (Publisher)
1st Edition
Published on 26. June 2009
Book
Paperback/Softback
268 pages
978-0-415-56023-8 (ISBN)
Description
This book provides the first comprehensive study of the evolution of the Iraqi military from the British mandate era to post-Baathist Iraq.
Ethnic and sectarian turmoil is endemic to Iraq, and its armed forces have been intertwined with its political affairs since their creation. This study illustrates how the relationship between the military and the political centre in Iraq has evolved, with the military bringing about three regime changes in Iraq's history before being brought under control by Saddam Hussein, up until the 2003 war. The instability that followed was partly due to the failure to create a new military that does not threaten the government, yet is still strong enough to deter rival factions from armed conflict. The reconstitution of the armed forces will be a prerequisite for an American withdrawal from Iraq, but this book argues that immense challenges lie ahead, despite the praise from the Bush administration for the progress of the new Iraqi army.
Ethnic and sectarian turmoil is endemic to Iraq, and its armed forces have been intertwined with its political affairs since their creation. This study illustrates how the relationship between the military and the political centre in Iraq has evolved, with the military bringing about three regime changes in Iraq's history before being brought under control by Saddam Hussein, up until the 2003 war. The instability that followed was partly due to the failure to create a new military that does not threaten the government, yet is still strong enough to deter rival factions from armed conflict. The reconstitution of the armed forces will be a prerequisite for an American withdrawal from Iraq, but this book argues that immense challenges lie ahead, despite the praise from the Bush administration for the progress of the new Iraqi army.
Reviews / Votes
"A must addition to the collection of any academic library." -- C. C. Lovett, Emporia State UniversityMore details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Illustrations
3 s/w Abbildungen, 7 s/w Tabellen
7 Tables, black and white; 3 Illustrations, black and white
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
Thickness: 15 mm
Weight
412 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-415-56023-8 (9780415560238)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Book
04/2008
1st Edition
Routledge
€231.90
Shipment within 15-20 days

E-Book
04/2008
Routledge
€76.49
Available for download

E-Book
04/2008
Routledge
€76.49
Available for download
Persons
Ibrahim Al-Marashi is an adjunct faculty member at the Department of History at Bogazici University in Istanbul, Turkey.
Sammy Salama is a Middle East expert with the Monterey Institute of International Studies, California.
Sammy Salama is a Middle East expert with the Monterey Institute of International Studies, California.
Content
1. Introduction Section 1: The Mandate Army 2. Creation, Conscription, and Cohesion 1921-1936 Section 2: Praetorian Iraq 3. The Military Moderator Regimes 1936-1941 4. Dismantling the Military Moderator Regime 1941-1958 5. Military Coups and the Ruler Regimes 1958-1968 Section 3: The Totalitarian Military 6. The Baathification of the Military 1968-1980 7. The Totalitarian Military and the Iran-Iraq War 1980-1984 8. The Reassertion of the Iraqi Officers 1984-1988 9. Wars, Coups, Sanctions, and Collapse 1988-2003 Section 4: The Mandate Army Redux 10. The US and the Iraqi Army 11. Conclusion