US plans for Iraq are not succeeding – and are likely to fail disastrously – if the present occupation course is followed, including promotion of a unitary, secular state. Taking into consideration socio-political, institutional, and cultural factors, we explain several paradoxes about Iraq: the strongly nationalistic and powerful “anticolonial” sentiments among many Iraqi; the Sunni-Shi’i cleavage and its power implications; the issue of the Kurds, the history of outside interference in Iraqi affairs and the imposition of inappropriate models of “democratic government”; the historic key role of the Iraqi military; and the problems of the governability of a region with deep divisions. These and related dimensions have implications for establishing a viable future government. The paper goes on to propose a few guidelines for accomplishing stable, peaceful order(s) – in particular, it proposes a transition process with multi-lateral negotiations among major Iraqi groups, the involvement of the EU and the EU candidate state Turkey as well as Iran in mediating roles; and it stresses the importance of considering alternative institutional designs for a future “state of Iraq” and dealing effectively with the substantial issues of minority rights and equitable distribution of oil revenues and other key resources.
US plans for Iraq are not succeeding – and are likely to fail disastrously – if the present occupation course is followed, including promotion of a unitary, secular state. Taking into consideration socio-political, institutional, and cultural factors, we explain several paradoxes about Iraq: the strongly nationalistic and powerful “anticolonial” sentiments among many Iraqi; the Sunni-Shi’i cleavage and its power implications; the issue of the Kurds, the history of outside interference in Iraqi affairs and the imposition of inappropriate models of “democratic government”; the historic key role of the Iraqi military; and the problems of the governability of a region with deep divisions. These and related dimensions have implications for establishing a viable future government. The paper goes on to propose a few guidelines for accomplishing stable, peaceful order(s) – in particular, it proposes a transition process with multi-lateral negotiations among major Iraqi groups, the involvement of the EU and the EU candidate state Turkey as well as Iran in mediating roles; and it stresses the importance of considering alternative institutional designs for a future “state of Iraq” and dealing effectively with the substantial issues of minority rights and equitable distribution of oil revenues and other key resources.
Birincil Dil | İngilizce |
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Bölüm | Makaleler |
Yazarlar | |
Yayımlanma Tarihi | 22 Aralık 2011 |
Yayımlandığı Sayı | Yıl 2005 Sayı: 33 |