Iraq’s History
Subject: Historic Context for the Current Situation
Reading Level: Adult / High School
Overview
Iraq has a long and rich history and certain themes pervade all periods. Its geographic location and natural resources make the area important to other nations. Diverse and frequently hostile groups are forced to occupy the same land. Unity is artificially and therefore falsely constructed. Authoritarian rule keeps intergroup hostilities to a minimum. Leaders rarely consult the people and various elite groups, both indigenous and foreign, dominate the economic, political and social landscape.