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In March,
2003, the United States declared war on Iraq
and successfully dismantled the government
of one of the longest reigning dictators in
the Middle East, Saddam Hussein. Today the
U.S. is working to help rebuild the nation
amid a sea of controversy surrounding the
absence of weapons of mass destruction,
local uprisings and Shiite relations with
Iran.
In her
presentation, Amanda Roraback analyzes U.S.
complications in post-war Iraq by reviewing
the country’s history, examining Iraq’s
political, economic and cultural background
and assessing East-West relations.
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SOME TOPICS:
- Why
did the U.S. go to war in Iraq?:
The official reason: to prevent Iraq from
developing weapons of mass destruction (WMDs).
- Why
didn't the U.S. have international support?
- Who
are the insurgents?
- Who
are the Shi'as, Sunnis and Kurds?
Why were the Sunnis in
power?
- The
role of Islam then and now
- The
politics of oil
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Iran's involvement in Iraq.
Is Iran supporting the insurgents?
What does Iran have to gain with the fall of
Saddam Hussein? Should the U.S. be
concerned? Will Iran be next?
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Possible consequences of a civil war?:
After World War I, Iraq was formed from the
Ottoman Vilayets of Basra (mostly Shi'a),
Baghdad (mostly Sunni), and Mosul (mostly
Kurdish).
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Lessons from the Gulf War:
Why didn't George H. Bush (Bush Sr.) arrest
Saddam Hussein after the Gulf War in 1991?
Why didn't the U.S. support post-Gulf War
rebellions?
- Why
the conflict has continued?
Politics? Oil? Power? Why did the United
States go to war in the Middle East? Why has
the conflict continued? Why didn't George H.
Bush get rid of Saddam Hussein in 1991? Who
are the insurgents? What role does Iran
play? What if there is a civil war in Iraq?
Will Iran be next?
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