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Published: 2004

Total Pages: 124

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The United States is committed to on-going involvement with Iraq to rebuild the country. Marines, who deploy to Iraq or are involved with Iraqis, need a basic knowledge of the country, its culture, history, and present-day state of affairs. This handbook explains a number of basic issues that should be in the knowledge toolbox of a Marine working with Iraqis or deployed to the region. There are three important factors that have shaped Iraqi culture and society: Islam -- particularly, the division between Sunnis and Shias (Shi'ites); Oil -- which supplies Iraq with its life blood; and Saddam Hussein -- former leader of the country. The handbook addresses the following topics: Iraqi Culture, History, and Religion; Culture and Peoples; Kurds; Iraqi Economy and Livelihood; Religious Divisions; Iraqi Nationalism; Secular vs. Religious; Tribes and Villages; Iraqi History; Islam; British Influence; Rise of Saddam Hussein -- Background and Baath Party; Saddam Hussein -- Former Leader of Iraq; Saddam Hussein's Policies; Kurdish Oppression; International Response to Saddam Hussein's Oppression; Iran-Iraq War; Persian Gulf War; Defiance of United Nations and 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; The War Begins; Top Priority -- Baghdad; War in the South; War in the North; War in the West; The Turkish Card; OIF Statistics; After Operation Iraqi Freedom; Important Political Events in Post-Saddam Iraq; the New Iraqi Government; Guerilla-Style War; Operation Iron Hammer; and Reconstructing Iraq -- Nation Building. Appendixes include a primer on Islam, including basic concepts, Arabs and Islam, Mohammed, Five Pillars of Islam, the Koran and Sunnah, jihad, Islamic schools, and Osama bin Laden; quick facts on Iraq; and a chronology of events from August 1990-August 2002.