The contemporary political history of the Republic of Iraq

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Iraq policy toward the Kurds
Independent poltical forces in Iraq

Time for a Rethink on Iraq?: Editorial of Middle East International, 31 March 1995. If the US were smart, it would change its policy toward Iraq in light of Turkey&s incursion. By justifying the Turkish offensive as a legitimate act of self-defence against the PKK, Washington has endorsed the invasion of one sovereign state's territory by another and made a mockery of the Kurdish safe haven in Northern Iraq.
Iraqi forces put down armored mutiny by elite guard units: News Briefing by US Defense Department, 15 June 1995, to publicize rumored unrest. Iraq's elite Republic Guard put down an apparent June 14 mutiny by a small number of other, armored Republican Guard troops.
Response to food for oil deal: By Kathy Kelly, Voices in the Wilderness, 21 May 1996. The sanctions have been used as a weapon of economic mass destruction, inflicting collective punishment on innocent civilians. The food for oil deal, Resolution 986, is one step along the way toward completely lifting the embargo. While the humanitarian aid is an improvement, it abysmally fails to meet the needs of the Iraqi people. The main beneficiaries are oil cartels, oil companies and defense companies.
Iran joins Turkey in bombing Iraq: From South News, 29 September 1997. Iran joined Turkey in violating Iraq's US imposed no fly zones on Monday in separate bombing missions. Iraq sees them as making use of the air embargo in the south and the north imposed by America and those who cooperate with it to violate Iraq's sovereignty and airspace and commit military aggression.
Iraqis go to polls: South News, 20 August 1999. Iraqis went to the polls on Friday at a local level in the fourth election process held in the country since the 1991 Gulf War. The turnout was average. 4,869 councillors chosen from 5,910 candidates in voting for people's councils. The people's councils have powers over education, health, tourism, housing and economic activities in the provinces. In many districts, several members of the Ba'ath Party are running against each other against in a field containing many independents.
Student Protests across Iraq against new UN resolution: South News, 21 December 1999. Student and worker street protests spread across Iraq over the weekend against a new UN resolution covering sanctions and arms inspections. Resolution 1284 seen as an attempt to perpetuate the embargo in force since 1990. They also voiced their support for the government of President Saddam Hussein, which has been in power for two decades.
Iraq starts training Al Quds volunteers: DAWN, 1 March 2001. The first volunteers for a Jerusalem Liberation Army set up by Iraqi President Saddam Hussein have started training in Baghdad and the provinces. A jihad against the Jewish state. Second brief article on the seizure of a small Emirati oil tanker on suspicion it broke the UN embargo.
BBC Country Profile: Iraq: BBC, 19 February 2002. An overview of Iraq, its leaders, telecommunications. Included is a map.
Rebels ready to topple Saddam: By Mustapha Karkouti, Gulf News (London), 17 July 2002. Defections in the Iraqi army are increasing and it would play an important part in removing Saddam from office. Newly elected Military Council represents all different sectarian factions and ranks in the army. The U.S. discounts.
How Saddam keeps power in Iraq: By Faleh a Jabar, Le Monde diplomatique, October 2002. Saddam's political durability is the outcome of complex and carefully calculated plays for power. His fondness for totalitarianism. Iraq's Ba'ath party had four main pillars: totalitarian ideology, single-party rule, a command economy (nominally socialist), and firm control over the media and the army.
The party in power: By David Baran, Le Monde diplomatique, December 2002. The Ba'ath party's paradoxical nature. How Iraqi citizens can be subjugated so easily. Iraq's control mechanisms are more sophisticated and less brutal than is believed. The Ba'ath party is the central pillar of a system of constraint that relies more on intimidation than force.
President Saddam Hussein' speech on Army Day: Baghdad, 6 January 2003. History. . .is a record of sacrifices made in blood in order for the nation to preserve its qualities and maintain its role, and in order for our people as well to remain as such. A nation of loving, chosen believers, who are confident and obedient to the commands of the Almighty. History is the doctrine of the present that is linked to the spirit and values of the glorious past.