The United States and Iraq's Shi'ite Clergy: Partners or Adversaries?

Abstract

The author addressed the critical need to gain the cooperation or at least the passive tolerance of the Shi'ite clerics and community. Such an effort could become more challenging as time goes on, and one of the recurring themes of this monograph is the declining patience of the Shi'ite clergy with the U.S. presence. By describing the attitudes, actions, and beliefs of major Shi'ite clerics, the author underscores a set of worldviews that are profoundly different from those of the U.S. authorities currently in Iraq and Washington. Some key Shi'ite clerics are deeply suspicious of the United States, exemplified by conspiracy theories. These suggest that Saddam's ouster was merely a convenient excuse, allowing the United States to implement its own agenda. Other clerical leaders are more open-minded but not particularly grateful for the U.S. presence, despite their utter hatred for Saddam and his regime.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 01, 2004
Accession Number
ADA422123

Entities

People

  • W. A. Terrill

Organizations

  • United States Army War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Counter WMD
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Human Systems
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • California
  • Communities
  • Governments
  • Insurgency
  • International Relations
  • International Security
  • Middle East
  • Military Organizations
  • Minority Groups
  • National Politics
  • National Security
  • Political Science
  • Political Systems
  • Students
  • Terrorists
  • United States
  • War Colleges

Readers

  • Military History of the United States in the 20th Century.
  • Political Violence and Terrorism Studies.