The Future of Iraq provides a primer on the history and political dynamics of this pivotal state divided by ethnic, religious, and political antagonisms, and provocatively argues that the least discussed future of Iraq might be the best: managed partition." "Anderson and Stansfield incisively analyze the dilemmas of American policy. They suggest that even a significant American presence will not stabilize Iraq because it is an artificial state and its people have never shared a common identity. In addition, tyrannical rule and the primacy of political violence have eroded social bonds and entrenched tribal allegiances - fallow ground for democracy. The authors provide the basic information and the provocative analysis crucial to informed debate and decision."--BOOK JACKET.

Ch. 1. Iraq 1920-1958: The Hashemite Monarchy -- Ch. 2. Iraq 1958-1968: Revolution, Republic, and Renaissance -- Ch. 3. Iraq 1968-1988: The BaÜath Regime -- Ch. 4. 1988-2003: The Destruction of Iraq -- Ch. 5. The ShiÜa -- Ch. 6. The Sunnis -- Ch. 7. The Kurds -- Ch. 8. The Democracy Dilemma.