Iraq's Insurgency and the Road to Civil Conflict

[2 volumes]

Anthony H. Cordesman, Emma R. Davies

• Publisher: Praeger
• Year: 2007
• Print ISBN:
  9780313349973
• eBook ISBN:
  9780313349980
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Storia
• Subtopic: Storia militare e marittima

The war in Iraq has expanded from a struggle between Coalition forces and the remnants of former regime loyalists to a multi-faceted conflict involving numerous Sunni groups, Shi'ite militias, Kurdish nationals, and foreign jihadists. Iraq's Insurgency and the Road to Civil Conflict is Anthony Cordesman's latest assessment of the Iraqi conflict and documents its entire evolution, from the history of ethnic tensions through the current U.S. surge. He identifies each actor in the arena, analyzes their motivations, and presents a detailed record of their actions, tactics, and capabilities. Cordesman's exhaustive study, based on meticulous research, is the most thorough account of the war to date.

Beginning with the consequences of imperial colonialism and touching upon the ethnic tensions throughout Saddam's regime, Cordesman examines and details the confluence of forces and events that have paved the way toward Iraq's current civil conflict. He analyzes major turning points, including elections, economic developments, and key incidents of violence that continue to shape the war. Finally, he outlines the lessons learned from this history and what can and cannot be done to stabilize the nation.

Table of contents

• CONTENTS
• FIGURES
• CHRONOLOGY OF MAJOR EVENTS IN IRAQ: May 1, 2003–June 2007
• CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
• CHAPTER 2: DEFINING THE PLAYERS
• CHAPTER 3: POSTCONFLICT TO INITIAL INSURGENCY: MAY 1, 2003–END 2003
• CHAPTER 4: SERIOUS FIGHTING IN THE PRE-TRANSFER OF POWER PERIOD: JANUARY–JUNE 28, 2004
• CHAPTER 5: THE RETURN OF IRAQI SOVEREIGNTY AND SHIFTS IN THE NATURE OF THE INSURGENCY: JUNE 29, 2004–JANUARY 29, 2005
• CHAPTER 6: THE JANUARY 30, 2005, ELECTION AND GROWING CIVIL CONFLICT: JANUARY 30–DECEMBER 14, 2005
• CHAPTER 7: THE IMPACT OF THE DECEMBER 15, 2005, ELECTIONS: DECEMBER 15, 2005–FEBRUARY 21, 2006
• CHAPTER 8: THE ATTACK ON THE ASKARIYA SHRINE AND THE INCREASE IN LOW-LEVEL CIVILWAR: FEBRUARY 22–MAY 20, 2006
• CHAPTER 9: THE FOURTH IRAQI GOVERNMENT AND CIVIL CONFLICTS: SUMMER 2006
• CHAPTER 10: THE SECTARIAN AND ETHNIC WAR FOR CONTROL OF SPACE: FALL 2006–JANUARY 9, 2007
• CHAPTER 11: THE DYNAMICS OF THE INSURGENCY AND CIVIL CONFLICT IN 2007—THE "SURGE," THE "BATTLE FOR BAGHDAD," THE "TRIBAL AWAKENING," AND POLITICAL ACCOMMODATION
• CHAPTER 12: CHANGES IN THE INSURGENCY AND FORCES SHAPING CIVIL CONFLICTS IN 2007
• CHAPTER 13: EVOLVING INSURGENT AND MILITIA TACTICS
• CHAPTER 14: MEASURING THE COST IN BLOOD: OVERALL PATTERNS IN CASUALTIES
• CHAPTER 15: THE LESSONS OF COMPLEXITY, UNCERTAINTY, AND RISK
• NOTES
• ABOUT THE AUTHORS