Changes

With the fall of Saddam Hussein and the Ba'ath regime, Iraq has taken steps toward re-engagement on the international stage. Iraq currently has diplomatic representation in 54 countries around the world, including 3 permanent Missions to the United Nations in New York, the United Nations Commission on Human Rights in Geneva and the Arab League in Cairo. 48 countries have diplomatic representation in Iraq,  

With the fall of Saddam Hussein and the Ba'ath regime, Iraq has taken steps toward re-engagement on the international stage. Iraq currently has diplomatic representation in 54 countries around the world, including 3 permanent Missions to the United Nations in New York, the United Nations Commission on Human Rights in Geneva and the Arab League in Cairo. 48 countries have diplomatic representation in Iraq,  

The Republic of Iraq belongs to the following international organizations: United Nations (UN); Arab League (AL); World Bank (WB); International Monetary Fund (IMF); International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); Nonaligned Movement (NAM); Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC); Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC); Interpol; World Health Organization (WHO); G-19; G-77; Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (ABEDA); Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development (AFESD); Arab Monetary Fund (AMF); Council of Arab Economic Unity (CAEU); Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO); International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD); International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO); International Community for Radionuclide Metrology (ICRM); International Development Association (IDA); International Development Bank (IDB); International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD); International Finance Corporation (IFC); International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRCS); International Labor Organization (ILO); International Maritime Organization (IMO); Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC); International Organization for Standardization (ISO); International Telecommunication Union (ITU); Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC); United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD); United Nations Education, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO); United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO); Universal Postal Union (UPU); World Customs Organization (WCO); World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU); World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO); World Meteorological Organization (WMO); World Trade Organization (WTO) observer.  

The Republic of Iraq belongs to the following international organizations: [[United Nations]] (UN); [[Arab League]] (AL); [[World Bank]] (WB); [[International Monetary Fund]] (IMF); [[International Atomic Energy Agency]] (IAEA); [[Nonaligned Movement]] (NAM); Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC); [[Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries]] (OPEC); Interpol; [[World Health Organization]] (WHO); G-19; G-77; Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (ABEDA); Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development (AFESD); Arab Monetary Fund (AMF); Council of Arab Economic Unity (CAEU); Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO); International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD); International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO); International Community for Radionuclide Metrology (ICRM); International Development Association (IDA); International Development Bank (IDB); International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD); International Finance Corporation (IFC); International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRCS); International Labor Organization (ILO); International Maritime Organization (IMO); Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC); International Organization for Standardization (ISO); International Telecommunication Union (ITU); Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC); United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD); United Nations Education, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO); United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO); Universal Postal Union (UPU); World Customs Organization (WCO); World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU); World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO); World Meteorological Organization (WMO); [[World Trade Organization]] (WTO) observer.

===Relations with the United States===

===Relations with the United States===

Iraq has a had a long history of Christianity in its nation dating back before the conquest of Islam in the 7th century.  The Chaldean Christians have come under increasing persecution since the recent [[Iraq War]] as the insurgency after the war has targeted Christian churches and communities on more than one occasion.  Many Christians have been forced to flee the country.  Approximately three-quarters of a million remain.  The United States will not recognize them as political refugees since they consider the country to have been 'liberated'.  Many of these Christians have fled to Syria, where Christians account for more than 10% of the population.

Iraq has a had a long history of Christianity in its nation dating back before the conquest of Islam in the 7th century.  The Chaldean Christians have come under increasing persecution since the recent [[Iraq War]] as the insurgency after the war has targeted Christian churches and communities on more than one occasion.  Many Christians have been forced to flee the country.  Approximately three-quarters of a million remain.  The United States will not recognize them as political refugees since they consider the country to have been 'liberated'.  Many of these Christians have fled to Syria, where Christians account for more than 10% of the population.

The U.S. government set up a proposal that 12 of Iraq's 440 government seats be set aside for Christians.  The Iraqi government decided to half this to 6, far underrepresenting the percentage of the Christian community by population.<ref>The San Diego Union-Tribune Newspaper, Nov. 9th, 2008</ref>  While it is possible for Christians to win seats on their own, Iraq's strongly sectarian voting based upon religion makes this a virtual impossibility.

The U.S. government set up a proposal that 12 of Iraq's 440 government seats be set aside for Christians.  The Iraqi government decided to half this to 6, far underrepresenting the percentage of the Christian community by population.<ref>The San Diego Union-Tribune Newspaper, Nov. 9th, 2008</ref>  While it is possible for Christians to win seats on their own, Iraq's strongly sectarian voting based upon religion makes this a virtual impossibility.<br>

 

==History==

==History==

Once known as Mesopotamia, Iraq was the site of flourishing ancient civilizations, including the Sumerian, Babylonian, and Parthian cultures.

Once known as Mesopotamia, Iraq was the site of flourishing ancient civilizations, including the Sumerian, Babylonian, and Parthian cultures.

In the 16th Century Mesopotamia, literally "middle of two rivers" in [[Greek]], became part of the [[Ottoman Empire]].  

In the 16th Century Mesopotamia, literally "middle of two rivers" in [[Greek]], became part of the [[Ottoman Empire]].  

====20th century====

====World War I====

[[Image:Basra Iraq.jpg|right|thumb|Basra, Iraq]]

[[Image:Basra Iraq.jpg|right|thumb|Basra, Iraq]]

In the early 20th Century Arab nationalists including Iraqis began rebelling against their Turkish rulers. With the outbreak of the [[First World War]] they fought alongside the Allies against the Turks in the hope of gaining their independence. France and Britain would control the Arab lands and Iraq came under the British mandate. When Iraqi tribesmen rebelled against British rule, the rebellion was put down using aerial bombardment - the first time air power had been used in such a way. In 1932 Iraq was granted independence although Britain still exercised considerable control over the country and had retained Kuwait for its oil.  

In the early 20th Century Arab nationalists including Iraqis began rebelling against their Turkish rulers. With the outbreak of the [[First World War]] they fought alongside the Allies against the Turks in the hope of gaining their independence. France and Britain would control the Arab lands and Iraq came under the British mandate. When Iraqi tribesmen rebelled against British rule, the rebellion was put down using aerial bombardment - the first time air power had been used in such a way. In 1932 Iraq was granted independence although Britain still exercised considerable control over the country and had retained Kuwait for its oil.  

In 1933<ref>James. Barrie G. (2012). Hitler's Gulf War: The Fight for Iraq 1941. United Kingdom:Grub Street Publishers, [https://books.google.com/books?id=h8SIDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT29]</ref>

[[Fritz Grobba]] purchased a Christian-owned newspaper, "The Arab World" (al-'Alam al-'Arabi - العالم العربي). He serialised an Arabic version of Adolf Hitler's ''Mein Kampf'', and soon, Radio Berlin began to broadcast in Arabic by [[Younes Bahri]].<ref>[https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13537121.2024.2318157 Iraq and its Jewish minority: from the establishment of the state to the great Jewish immigration 1921-1951].

 

 

 

 

In 1933<ref>James. Barrie G. (2012). Hitler's Gulf War: The Fight for Iraq 1941. United Kingdom:Grub Street Publishers, [https://books.google.com/books?id=h8SIDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT29]</ref><ref name=gesher2003/> [[Fritz Grobba]] purchased a Christian-owned newspaper, "The Arab World" (al-'Alam al-'Arabi - العالم العربي). He serialised an Arabic version of Adolf Hitler's ''Mein Kampf'', and soon, Radio Berlin began to broadcast in Arabic by [[Younes Bahri]].<ref>[https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13537121.2024.2318157 Iraq and its Jewish minority: from the establishment of the state to the great Jewish immigration 1921-1951].

Moshe Gat]</ref><ref>

Moshe Gat]</ref><ref>

Sabar, A. (2009). My Father's Paradise: A Son's Search for His Family's Past. United States: Algonquin Books.

Sabar, A. (2009). My Father's Paradise: A Son's Search for His Family's Past. United States: Algonquin Books.

<blockquote>

<blockquote>

Hundreds of Jews were cut down by sword and rifle, some decapitated. Babies were sliced in half and thrown into the Tigris river. Girls were raped in front of their parents. Parents were mercilessly killed in front of their children. Hundreds of Jewish homes and businesses were looted, then burned.</blockquote></ref> Some estimate Jewish fatalities victims to be up to a 1,000.<ref>Carole Basri, [https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/the-farhud-the-2-stage-ethnic-cleansing-of-iraqi-jewry/ First came the Farhud: The 2-stage ethnic cleansing of Iraqi Jewry], ''TOI'', June 2, 2021.</ref> With [[Yunis al-Sabawi]] planning a greater massacre, foiled.  

Hundreds of Jews were cut down by sword and rifle, some decapitated. Babies were sliced in half and thrown into the Tigris river. Girls were raped in front of their parents. Parents were mercilessly killed in front of their children. Hundreds of Jewish homes and businesses were looted, then burned.</blockquote></ref> Some estimate Jewish fatalities victims to be up to a 1,000.<ref>Carole Basri, [https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/the-farhud-the-2-stage-ethnic-cleansing-of-iraqi-jewry/ First came the Farhud: The 2-stage ethnic cleansing of Iraqi Jewry], ''TOI'', June 2, 2021.</ref> With [[Yunis al-Sabawi]] planning a greater massacre, foiled.  

During [[WW2]], senior officials in the Iraqi Ministry of Education, like Sami Shawkat and Fadhil al-Jamali, sustained firm ties with Fritz Grobba and "frustrated an initiative by the Iraqi security services to deport German teachers who were spreading Nazi propaganda in Baghdadi high schools. They also maintained a pro-Nazi nationalist organization."<ref>Yehuda, Zvi. The New Babylonian Diaspora: The Rise and Fall of the Jewish Community in Iraq, 16th-20th Centuries C.E.. Netherlands: Brill, 2017, [https://books.google.com/books?id=NSQzDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA253 p. 253].

During [[WW2]], senior officials in the Iraqi Ministry of Education, like Sami Shawkat and Fadhil al-Jamali, sustained firm ties with Fritz Grobba and "frustrated an initiative by the Iraqi security services to deport German teachers who were spreading Nazi propaganda in Baghdadi high schools. They also maintained a pro-Nazi nationalist organization."<ref>Yehuda, Zvi. The New Babylonian Diaspora: The Rise and Fall of the Jewish Community in Iraq, 16th-20th Centuries C.E.. Netherlands: Brill, 2017, [https://books.google.com/books?id=NSQzDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA253 p. 253].

<blockquote><small>

<blockquote><small>

Nuri al-Sa'id, according to Grobba, agreed on the eve of the war to send a delegation from the al-Futuwwa youth organization to Germany in order to participate in a conference of the German Nazi Party. Senior officials in the Iraqi Ministry of Education, such as <b>Sami Shawkat and Fadhil al-Jamali, sustained firm ties with Grobba and frustrated an initiative by the Iraqi security services to deport German teachers who were spreading Nazi propaganda in Baghdadi high schools. They also maintained a pro-Nazi nationalist organization.</small></blockquote></ref>

Nuri al-Sa'id, according to Grobba, agreed on the eve of the war to send a delegation from the al-Futuwwa youth organization to Germany in order to participate in a conference of the German Nazi Party. Senior officials in the Iraqi Ministry of Education, such as Sami Shawkat and Fadhil al-Jamali, sustained firm ties with Grobba and frustrated an initiative by the Iraqi security services to deport German teachers who were spreading Nazi propaganda in Baghdadi high schools. They also maintained a pro-Nazi nationalist organization.</small></blockquote></ref>

 

See also ''[[Fadhel al-Jamali]]''.

See also ''[[Fadhel al-Jamali]]''.

In the years following the [[Second World War]] Iraq was allied to Britain, the United States and Turkey, and Britain continued to exert considerable influence over the country. In 1958 an "anti-imperialists" military coup overthrew and executed the British-installed royal family. The coup leader Abd al-Quassim banned all political parties and declared that Kuwait was part of Iraq. The [[Arab League]] then asked Britain to send troops to Kuwait to prevent an Iraqi invasion of one of its member states. The troop deployment prevented a war but al-Quassim responded by allying Iraq with the Soviet Union and communist China. Quassim used money taken from the western owned Iraq Petroleum Company to carry out economic reforms in Iraq. Western governments were becoming concerned Iraq could become the "new Cuba" and in 1963 they supported a pro-western coup that overthrew Quassim. Between 1963 and 1968 there was a period of political instability with several failed governments and attempted coups.  

In the years following the [[Second World War]] Iraq was allied to Britain, the United States and Turkey, and Britain continued to exert considerable influence over the country. In 1958 an "anti-imperialists" military coup overthrew and executed the British-installed royal family. The coup leader Abd al-Quassim banned all political parties and declared that Kuwait was part of Iraq. The [[Arab League]] then asked Britain to send troops to Kuwait to prevent an Iraqi invasion of one of its member states. The troop deployment prevented a war but al-Quassim responded by allying Iraq with the Soviet Union and communist China. Quassim used money taken from the western owned Iraq Petroleum Company to carry out economic reforms in Iraq. Western governments were becoming concerned Iraq could become the "new Cuba" and in 1963 they supported a pro-western coup that overthrew Quassim. Between 1963 and 1968 there was a period of political instability with several failed governments and attempted coups.  

In 1968 the [[Ba'athist|Ba'ath Party]] seized power in a coup lead by General Bakr. The Ba'ath Party believes in the creation of a single, socialist pan-Arab state that would replace all existing Arab countries. During the cold war it was strongly aligned with the [[Soviet Union]]. In 1970 all foreign businesses including the Iraq Petroleum Company were seized and Iraq declared oil would be used as "a political weapon in the struggle against imperialism and Zionism". In 1979 Saddam Hussein replaced Bakr as president of Iraq. Saddam was a particularly brutal ruthless man, he attempted to assassinate Qassim in 1959, played a major role in 1968 coup and under Bakr he had led the much feared Ba'athist secret police. One of his first acts as President was to call a Ba'ath Party assembly where he declared his main political rivals to be traitors and spies; they were led from the assembly one by one to be tried and executed.

In 1968 the [[Ba'athist|Ba'ath Party]] seized power in a coup lead by General Bakr. The Ba'ath Party believes in the creation of a single, socialist pan-Arab state that would replace all existing Arab countries. During the cold war it was strongly aligned with the [[Soviet Union]]. In 1970 all foreign businesses including the Iraq Petroleum Company were seized and Iraq declared oil would be used as "a political weapon in the struggle against imperialism and Zionism". In 1979 Saddam Hussein replaced Bakr as president of Iraq. Saddam was a particularly brutal ruthless man, he attempted to assassinate Qassim in 1959, played a major role in 1968 coup and under Bakr he had led the much feared Ba'athist secret police. One of his first acts as President was to call a Ba'ath Party assembly where he declared his main political rivals to be traitors and spies; they were led from the assembly one by one to be tried and executed.

*Today, many television commercials and billboards in Baghdad make reference to Iraq's ancient heritage. But modern Iraqi culture is also marked by [[tribalism]] and violence. [http://www.meforum.org/article/1707]

*Today, many television commercials and billboards in Baghdad make reference to Iraq's ancient heritage. But modern Iraqi culture is also marked by [[tribalism]] and violence. [http://www.meforum.org/article/1707]

====Oil for Food Scandal====

====Oil for Food Scandal====

In 2003 Ba'athist party dictator Saddam Hussein, accused of hiding weapons of mass destruction, was removed from power by a US-led coalition of forces.  Saddam had effectively stopped previous attempts at enforcement of UN resolutions by essentially bribing <ref>[http://www.globalpolicy.org/security/sanction/iraq1/oilforfood/2004/0125almadalist.htm The Saddam Oil Bribes: The Complete al-Mada List], ''al-Mada'', January 25, 2004.</ref> several Security Council members, namely the Russian Federation and France <ref>Duelfer Report, [http://www.lib.umich.edu/govdocs/pdf/duelfer1_da.pdf Regime Finance and Procurement], Vol. 1, p. 55-56.</ref> through the corrupt [[Oil for food]] (OFF) program managed by UN General Secretary [[Kofi Annan]]'s son.<ref>[https://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/meast/11/29/oil.for.food.kojo.annan/index.html Annan 'disappointed' son didn't tell all], CNN, November 30, 2004.</ref>

In 2003 Ba'athist party dictator Saddam Hussein, accused of hiding weapons of mass destruction, was removed from power by a US-led coalition of forces.  Saddam had effectively stopped previous attempts at enforcement of UN resolutions by essentially bribing <ref>[http://www.globalpolicy.org/security/sanction/iraq1/oilforfood/2004/0125almadalist.htm The Saddam Oil Bribes: The Complete al-Mada List], ''al-Mada'', January 25, 2004.</ref> several Security Council members, namely the Russian Federation and France <ref>Duelfer Report, [http://www.lib.umich.edu/govdocs/pdf/duelfer1_da.pdf Regime Finance and Procurement], Vol. 1, p. 55-56.</ref> through the corrupt [[Oil For Food]] (OFF) program managed by UN General Secretary [[Kofi Annan]]'s son.<ref>[https://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/meast/11/29/oil.for.food.kojo.annan/index.html Annan 'disappointed' son didn't tell all], CNN, November 30, 2004.</ref>

The Duelfer Report found,  

The Duelfer Report found,  

:''Main article: [[Iraq insurgency 2004-2008]]

:''Main article: [[Iraq insurgency 2004-2008]]

[[File:Civil engineer.jpg|thumb|Construction of a water treatment plant.]]

[[File:Civil engineer.jpg|thumb|Construction of a water treatment plant.]]

In late 2006 President Bush removed Defense Secretary [[Donald Rumsfeld]] and tried the warfighting strategy proposed by General [[David Petraeus]], who was given additional forces.  Petraeus sent in 30,000 additional combat troops under Lt. Gen. Ray Odierno, who contained the insurgency and cleared the enemy out of the belts surrounding Baghdad.  Sunni leaders and tribal chiefs, fed up with al Qaeda atrocities, set up militias in tactical alliance with coalition and Iraqi government forces, The long ceasefire of Moqtada al Sadr's Shia extremists helped to reduce sectarian tension. Within a few months, Baghdad had been transformed: attacks were down by 60%, civilian deaths had dropped 70% and sectarian attacks of one sort and other had fallen by a staggering 90%. The succwess of "The Surge" strategy made possible the achievement of Bush's timetable for the withdrawal of American troops from Iraq's major cities in summer 2009.<ref>Kimberly Kagan, ''The Surge: A Military History'' (2009)</ref>

In late 2006 President Bush removed Defense Secretary [[Donald Rumsfeld]] and tried the warfighting strategy proposed by General [[David Petraeus]], who was given additional forces.  Petraeus sent in 30,000 additional combat troops under Lt. Gen. Ray Odierno, who contained the insurgency and cleared the enemy out of the belts surrounding Baghdad.  Sunni leaders and tribal chiefs, fed up with al Qaeda atrocities, set up militias in tactical alliance with coalition and Iraqi government forces, The long [[ceasefire]] of Moqtada al Sadr's Shia extremists helped to reduce sectarian tension. Within a few months, Baghdad had been transformed: attacks were down by 60%, civilian deaths had dropped 70% and sectarian attacks of one sort and other had fallen by a staggering 90%. The succwess of "The Surge" strategy made possible the achievement of Bush's timetable for the withdrawal of American troops from Iraq's major cities in summer 2009.<ref>Kimberly Kagan, ''The Surge: A Military History'' (2009)</ref>

====Islamist Terrorism====

====Islamist Terrorism====

== See also ==

== See also ==

*[[Arab American]]

*[[Arab American]]

==Further reading==

==Further reading==