Iraq's insurgency and the road to civil conflict / Anthony H. Cordesman ; with assistance from Emma R. Davies.

"Published in cooperation with the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Washington, D.C."

Includes bibliographical references (pages [753]-841).

Saddam Hussein's "powder keg" -- The history of Iraqi Shi'ite tensions with the Hussein regime and the Sunnis -- The Iran-Iraq War -- The Gulf War and its immediate aftermath -- 1991 to the U.S.-led invasion -- America's strategic mistakes in going to war -- Sunni Islamist extremists and neo-Salafi versus "nationalist" insurgents -- Shi'ite militias -- Kurdish parties and the Kurdish militias -- The role of Iraqi political developments in creating the insurgency -- The role of de-Ba'thification and dissolution of the Iraqi Army -- The emergence of Sunni insurgents -- Foreign volunteers and the role of Syria -- The evolution of criminal gangs and militias -- Early Iraqi public opinion -- Early insurgent strategy, and tactics -- Early patterns of attack -- US and coalition strategy after the end of major combat operations -- Initial US efforts to train Iraqi forces -- Initial US aid efforts -- The November 15 agreement and the decision to end the CPA -- Nation building, insurgency, and civil conflict.

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.