Table of Contents
Map of Iraq xi
A Note on Transliteration xiii
Abbreviations xv
Glossary xix
List of Illustrations xxiii
Preface xxv
1 Conceiving Iraq 1
Ottoman Birthpangs 2
British Belligerence 15
Custodian State 27
2 State of Militancy 51
Enforcing Modernity 51
The Army Enters Politics 66
A British Reconquista 82
3 Critical Mass 99
Revolting Repression 100
Cold War Fever 117
Nasser Looms Large 132
4 Republican Rhapsody 151
Qasim al-&lhookipa;Iraq 152
A Ba&lhookipa;thist Cacophony 175
The Reign of the Two $$$Arefs 197
5 Ba&lhookipa;thism of Fire 207
Carrots and Sticks 208
War and Peace (and Underhand Dealings) 224
Calm Before the Storm 241
6 Liberating Arabistan 251
The Road to War 252
Human Waves, Cannon Fodder, and Attrition 261
CWs, Dodgy Deals, and Conflict Resolution 272
7 A Rupturing Gulf 287
Kuwaiti Shaykhdown 288
Pride Before Fall 304
War, Sanctions, and Regime Survival 321
8 The End Game 337
Weapons of Mass Deception 338
The Fall of Nebuchadnezzar 361
"Democracy" At Last 377
Conclusion 397
Notes 409
Bibliography 483
Index 497