Dictatorship, Imperialism and Chaos : Iraq Since 1989

This book is a concise, readable, yet rigorous narrative of the recent history of Iraq.

It describes the transformations within the country, placing the people of Iraq at the centre of the changes which began with the invasion of Kuwait in 1990, and ended with the current American occupation.

It tells the story of the country in chronological order, with detours to explore themes such as the role of oil, the nature of Saddam Husayn's state, the social impact of sanctions, the roots of sectarian divisions, and the question of the 'artificiality' of Iraq's borders.

Concluding with a critical look at simplistic notions of Iraqi social divisions, it argues that there is a basis for national unity which might yet bring the country out of its current crisis.