Table of Contents

2005
 

Volume Ten, Number One

Symposium on Examining Iraq's Past, Present, and Future: A Public Policy and Administrative Perspective

Philip M. Nufrio, Editor

1. Introduction
   Philip M. Nufrio

2. Governance and the Shiite Political Movement in Iraq
   Alexander R. Dawoody

   Shortly after the death of prophet Muhammad in 632, the Shiite movement in Islam began and found an encouraging political climate to promote its growth and continuation as an opposition force to the successive political entities in the region of the Middle East. In Iraq, the Shiite political movement gained significance shortly after the creation of the modern state of Iraq in 1920 by the British colonial power. Although it was effective in its impact on the populace, the movement failed to gain a significant role in the making of the Iraqi political dynamics. The importance of the Shiite political movement in Iraq, however, changed after the collapse of the Iraqi Baath Party regime in 2003. This movement has emerged as a viable force in the construction of post-war Iraq and in the contribution to the progress of U.S. policy toward Iraq. This paper presents the historical development of Shiism in Islam as a whole and the trajectory of Shiism in contemporary Iraq as an opposition political movement in particular. In doing so, the paper uncovers several myths surrounding this movement that enabled it to become a sustained phenomenon in Iraqi history and political narrative.

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3. Post War Iraq: Understanding and Shaping the Forces of Positive Change
   Abbas J. Ali and Philip M. Nufrio

   The U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003 has triggered international condemnations and a worldwide fear. The speed at which the regime of Saddam Hussein crumbled has left the people in the Middle East in great astonishment, disbelief, deep suspicions and dismay.  Initially, the Iraqi people displayed intense hope for a better future. Gradually, however, the Iraqis have witnessed increasing violence, chaos and insecurity under a lingering foreign occupation. The paper discusses the role of Iraq in the Arab and Islamic World, the major political players in Iraq, and the policy options for Washington.   Three policy options are identified: exiting Iraq, monopolizing power, and working with moderate Iraqi leaders for building sound institutions and free direct elections. These options are discussed and their strengths and shortcomings are identified.

    

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