Iraq

Iraq has suffered extensively from political turmoil during most of its modern days. Having been under Ottoman rule for nearly four centuries, Iraq failed to establish itself as a sovereign state when the Ottoman Empire collapsed in the early 20th century and ultimately came under British control during World War I. Britain installed Faisal as king, much due to the fact that his family cooperated with them during their struggles with the Turks.

Officially, Iraq became an independent state in 1932, but remained under British influence during World War II. Domestic disputes between various fractions in the country resulted in the abolishment of the monarchy and the creation of a republic in 1958. The 1960s witnessed continuing political turmoil, with many short-lived regimes overthrown in military coups. A major challenge for Iraq has been to accommodate tensions between Shia and Sunni Muslims. Despite being one of the few states in the Middle East with a Shia majority, Iraq was ruled for decades by the Sunni minority under Saddam Hussein. 

Hussein ruled the country from 1979 until the US-led coalition toppled his regime in 2003, but he played a key role when the Baath Party took control over Iraqi politics in 1968. Ironically, Iraqi-US relations were good under most of the 1980s, and a number of Western powers assisted Iraq during its war with Iran. The US also became the largest buyer of Iraqi oil. The good relations cooled off significantly, however, when Iraq invaded Kuwait in 1990. The US-led response quickly defeated Saddam Hussein’s troops, forcing them back into Iraq.

The US invasion in 2003 has severely damaged Iraq’s ability to function as a sovereign state. The US army remains in place, and continues to educate Iraqi military and police. The economy has shown some signs of recovery. Oil exports are now back to the same levels as before the US intervention, making Iraq an oil-dependent country. The oil sector accounts for over 90% of government revenues.

Politically, the country is still scattered, with tensions between various groupings. However, Iraq successfully held its first parliamentary elections in 50 years in 2005, and was able to come through months of political deadlock leading to the establishment of a new government in late 2010.