This handbook provides a basic knowledge of the country, its culture, history and present-day state of affairs.

Iraqi culture, history, and religion. Culture and peoples -- Kurds -- Iraqi economy and livelihood -- Religious division or Iraqi nationalism? -- Another "division" : secular vice religious -- Tribes and villages -- Iraqi history : a rich and ancient past -- Islam : the crown and thorn in Iraq's history -- British influence -- Rise of Saddam Hussein : background -- Rise of Saddam Hussein : Baath Party -- Saddam Hussein, former leader of Iraq. Saddam Hussein's policies. Kurdish oppression -- Internal control -- International response to Saddam Hussein's oppression -- Iran-Iraq War, external domination -- Persian Gulf War -- Defiance of United Nations : restrictions on Iraq -- Arms inspections and disarmament -- Inspections, 1991-1998 -- Important post-1998 events -- Iraq's weapons declaration -- A new coalition -- Possible options for invading Iraq. Operation Iraqi Freedom. Preparation for war -- Operation Iraqi Freedom : the war begins -- Top priority : Baghdad -- War in the South -- Operation Iraqi Freedom : war in the North -- War in the West -- The Turkish "card" -- Statistics : Operation Iraqi Freedom. After Operation Iraqi Freedom. Important political events in post-Saddam Hussein Iraq -- "New" Iraq, old neighbors -- New Iraqi government -- Guerilla-style war -- Operation Iron Hammer -- Reconstructing Iraq : nation building.