Iraq faces several challenges, including overcoming the legacy of Saddam Hussein's oppressive rule and reconciling divisions between its major ethnic and religious groups - the Sunni and Shi'a Arabs, as well as the Kurds. Iraq has been embroiled in conflict for much of the past few decades, including an 8-year war with Iran in the 1980s, the 1990 Gulf War when Saddam invaded Kuwait, and the U.S.-led invasion in 2003 that ousted Saddam but plunged the country into civil war and an insurgency. Rebuilding stability and prosperity in Iraq amid its deep-rooted challenges has been a difficult task.

1. What challenges face Iraq?
Iraq: Past, Present, & Future 1

2. What challenges have they
overcome?
Iraq: Past, Present, & Future 2
Jeff Koterba, Omaha World Herald, NE, 3/9/10

3. Iraq: Past, Present, &
Future*
World Cultures 9

4. A Review of the Region
Iraq: Past, Present, & Future 4

5. Iraqis are…*
Sunni Arab - more liberal, democratic
 Minority - 20%
 Ruled through Hussein’s Ba’ath party
Shi’a Arab (Shiites) – more conservative, likely to tolerate a
theocracy
 Majority – 60%
 Persecuted by Hussein
Iraq: Past, Present, & Future 5

6. Persecuted by Hussein
Iraq: Past, Present, & Future 6

7. The Iraqis are…*
Sunni Arab - more liberal, likely to be democratic
 Minority - 20% of population
 Ruled through Hussein’s Ba’ath party
Shi’a Arab – more conservative, likely to want a theocracy
 Majority – 60%
 Persecuted by Hussein
Kurds – an ethnic minority group
 Not Arab – Turkish; most are Sunni
 Northern Iraq; oil-rich
 Persecuted by Hussein; chemical weapons
used against them (1986-88)
 Desire autonomy, or self rule
Iraq: Past, Present, & Future 7

8. During his Anfal campaign, it is estimated that Saddam ordered the killing of
Over 180,000 Kurds. The reason? Retribution for opposing his rule and support of
Iran during the Iran-Iraq war.
Iraq: Past, Present, & Future 8

9. Saddam Hussein*
President 1979 - 2003
Leader of Ba’ath party
 wanted a more
secular , or non-
religious, country
 Used fear, torture
and murder to
maintain rule
Iraq: Past, Present, & Future 9

10. A Fighting Nation*
Since Hussein came to power in 1979, Iraq has been involved in
3 major conflicts
1. Iran-Iraq War: 1980 - 1988
Reasons
 Borders - Iraq wanted control over waterways
 Resources – Iraq wanted oil-rich region in Iran
 Religion –Iraq feared spread of conservative/religious
Shi’a values (from Iran)
The Conflict
 Iraq attacked Iran
 US supported Iraq
Iraq: Past, Present, & Future 10

11. Taken during the Iran-Iraq War
in the 1980’s
Rumsfield
Iraq: Past, Present, & Future Hussein 11

12. A Fighting Nation*
Since Hussein came to power in 1979, Iraq has been involved in three major
international conflicts
1. Iran-Iraq War: 1980 - 1988
Reasons
 Borders – Iraq wanted control over waterways and ports
 Resources – Iraq wanted oil-rich region in Iran
 Religion –Iraq feared spread of conservative/religious Shi’a values (from
Iran)
The Conflict
 Iraq attacked Iran
 US supported Iraq
Outcome
 UN resolution calls for cease fire
 Both countries in debt; oil infrastructure crippled
Iraq: Past, Present, & Future 12

13. $
Iraq: Past, Present, & Future 13

14. A Fighting Nation*
2. Gulf War: 1991
Reasons
 Money - Iraq owed Kuwait $14 billion from Iran-Iraq War
 Borders - dispute with Kuwait over oil-rich land
Conflict
 Iraq invaded Kuwait
 Bush Sr.’s objective: remove Iraq from Kuwait
 Iraq defeated in 6 weeks by US led coalition called “Operation
Desert Storm”
Outcome
 Iraq out of Kuwait
 Hussein left in power to rebuild
Iraq: Past, Present, & Future 14

15. A Fighting Nation*
3. Iraq War 2003 - ?
Reasons
 Iraq violated UN resolution about weapons of mass destruction
(WMDs)
 Invasion based on belief that Hussein had WMDs
Conflict
 US invades - Short war (?) into a civil war, into rebuilding
Outcomes
 Hussein removed from power, tried and executed
 US is attempting to help rebuild country
 Your thoughts?
Iraq: Past, Present, & Future 15

16. Free Write: Why do you think
Iraq has been involved in so many
conflicts in recent years?
Iraq: Past, Present, & Future 16