Muqtada al-Sadr: How to Demilitarize al-Sadr
Abstract
Muqtada al-Sadr has been one of the most influential individuals in Iraq since the U.S. invasion in March 2003. His Mahdi Army has actively confronted coalition forces and engaged in ethnic cleansing that has resulted in the displacement of thousands of Iraqis. How can the United States deal with this movement and stabilize Iraq? This thesis looks at the history of the Sadrist movement, explains its popularity, and attempts to find ways to integrate it into the political process. A three-pronged -- economic, military, and political -- approach to channeling al-Sadr into the political process is recommended. The economic approach consists of providing services and welfare programs for the poor urban Shia that make up Sadr's constituency. The military approach consists of securing Shia neighborhoods from insurgent activities and bombings, a critical service that until recently has been provided by the Sadrists. Political integration is the final and most important element in the integration process. Sadr has already displayed increasing interest in institutional politics, and he could be enticed to distance himself from criminal and terrorist activity.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2009
- Accession Number
- ADA501456
Entities
People
- Mathew E. Hollinger
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School