Iraq: Politics, Governance, and Human Rights
Abstract
Relations among major political factions have worsened substantially since late 2011, threatening Iraq s stability and the perception of the achievements of the long U.S. intervention in Iraq. Sunni Arabs, always fearful that Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki would seek unchallenged power for Shiite factions allied with him, accuse him of an outright power grab as he seeks to purge the highest-ranking Sunni Arabs from government and to cripple attempts by Sunni-inhabited provinces to achieve greater autonomy. Iraq s Kurds have also become increasingly distrustful of Maliki over territorial, political, and economic issues, and have begun to similarly accuse him of authoritarian practices. The political crisis threatens to undo the relatively peaceful political competition and formation of cross-sectarian alliances that had emerged since 2007 after several years of sectarian conflict. Some Sunni insurgent groups apparently seek to undermine Maliki by conducting high-profile attacks intended to reignite sectarian conflict.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 19, 2012
- Accession Number
- ADA584303
Entities
People
- Kenneth Katzman
Organizations
- Library of Congress