Iraq's Future: The Aftermath of Regime Change Adelphi Papers

It is hard to over-estimate what is at stake in Iraq today. The removal of Saddam Hussein has proved to be the beginning, not the culmination, of a long and highly uncertain process of occupation and state-building. The lawlessness and looting that greeted the liberation of Baghdad on April 9th 2003 has evolved into a self-sustaining dynamic that combines violence, instability and profound uncertainty.

US troops now face an insurgency that has extended its geographical impact, while increasing the level of violence and the potential for destruction and instability have increased.

Iraq's Future investigates why regime change in Baghdad has been much more difficult and costly than at first anticipated.

It examines the genesis and evolution of the violent campaign to expel United States troops and make Iraq ungovernable. It then goes on to explain the ideological currents that gave birth to the insurgency and how both the United States and new Iraqi government have tried to combatit. The United States and their local allies are now involved in a long-term mission of state-building in Iraq.

The book describes what is involved in building a new government from scratch. It then investigates how the United States has tried to pursue this goal and the tensions inherent in its approach. Finally the book charts the political trends at work in Iraqi society and how they are likely to unfold in the medium to long term.