具体描述
Involved for over thirty years in the politics of Iraq, Ali A. Allawi was a longtime opposition leader against the Baathist regime. In the post-Saddam years he has held important government positions and participated in crucial national decisions and events. In this book, the former Minister of Defence and Finance draws on his unique personal experience, extensive relationships with members of the main political groups and parties in Iraq, and deep understanding of the history and society of his country to answer the baffling questions that persist about its current crises. What really led the United States to invade Iraq, and why have events failed to unfold as planned?"The Occupation of Iraq" examines what the U.S. did and didn't know at the time of the invasion, the reasons for the confused and contradictory policies that were enacted, and the emergence of the Iraqi political class during the difficult transition process. The book tracks the growth of the insurgency and illuminates the complex relationships among Sunnis, Shia, and Kurds. Bringing the discussion forward to the reconfiguration of political forces in 2006, Allawi provides in these pages the clearest view to date of the modern history of Iraq and the invasion that changed its course in unpredicted ways.
《伊拉克：一段错综复杂的历史》 本书深入剖析了伊拉克这片土地上跌宕起伏的千年历史，聚焦于其作为战略要地和文化熔炉的独特地位，以及塑造其今日面貌的诸多复杂力量。我们并非聚焦于某个特定时期或事件，而是力求呈现一个更为宏大、多维度的伊拉克叙事。 古代的辉煌与征服：美索不达米亚的遗产 伊拉克，这片被底格里斯河和幼发拉底河滋养的土地，是人类文明的摇篮之一。本书将追溯苏美尔、阿卡德、巴比伦和亚述等古代文明的兴衰。我们将探讨它们在法律、天文学、数学、文学和建筑等领域的杰出成就，理解这些奠基性的贡献如何影响了后世。从吉尔伽美什史诗的深刻洞见，到汉谟拉比法典的严谨条文，再到宏伟的空中花园和宏伟的金字塔式神庙，古代美索不达米亚留下了辉煌的印记。同时，本书也将审视这些文明内部的权力斗争、对外扩张以及它们如何被后来的帝国所征服和吸收，如波斯、希腊和罗马，理解“占领”和“统治”在这些早期历史中的复杂含义。 伊斯兰世界的中心：黄金时代与文化繁荣 随着伊斯兰教的兴起，伊拉克迅速成为新的宗教和文化中心。本书将详细描述倭马亚王朝和阿拔斯王朝时期巴格达的黄金时代。我们将描绘这座“千塔之城”作为学术、艺术和科学中心的繁荣景象，探讨智慧屋（Bayt al-Hikmah）在知识传播中的作用，以及诸如花拉子密、伊本·西那等伟大学者如何推动了代数、医学、哲学和天文学的发展。本书也将审视这一时期宗教思想的演变、法学派的形成，以及苏菲主义的兴起，这些都深深地塑造了伊拉克的精神面貌。同时，我们也会触及阿拉伯语作为通用语言的地位，以及波斯、土耳其和亚美尼亚等文化元素如何在伊拉克土壤上交融共生，形成一种多元而独特的文化景观。 奥斯曼帝国的统治与近代化的开端 本书将考察伊拉克在奥斯曼帝国统治下的漫长岁月。我们将分析帝国如何管理这片多样化的疆域，地方长官的权力如何运作，以及部落和宗教社群在地方自治中的作用。本书将探讨奥斯曼帝国在19世纪推行的坦志麦特改革如何试图引入现代化，例如教育、行政和军事领域的改革，以及这些改革在伊拉克落地时所遇到的阻力和适应性。同时，我们将考察欧洲列强对奥斯曼帝国衰落的觊觎，以及它们在伊拉克地区日益增长的经济和政治影响，为后来的变化埋下伏笔。 20世纪的变迁：民族主义的兴起与独立之路 20世纪是伊拉克历史上的一个关键转折点。本书将详述第一次世界大战后，奥斯曼帝国瓦解，以及大英帝国介入伊拉克事务的背景。我们将深入分析英国托管时期在塑造伊拉克国家认同、边界划分、行政体系以及资源开发（特别是石油）方面所扮演的角色。本书将探讨伊拉克民族主义思潮的兴起，以及其争取独立的斗争历程。我们将审视1932年伊拉克王国成立后的政治动荡，包括政变、君主制与共和制的交替，以及不同政治派别（如民族主义者、共产主义者、泛阿拉伯主义者）之间的权力博弈。 石油时代的复杂性：财富、冲突与社会变迁 石油资源的发现和开采，彻底改变了伊拉克的命运。本书将深入探讨石油如何成为伊拉克经济的支柱，但同时也带来了巨大的挑战。我们将分析石油财富分配不均所导致的社会不平等，以及国家对石油收入的过度依赖所造成的经济脆弱性。本书也将审视石油利益如何成为地区和国际力量介入伊拉克的关键因素，并探讨其在冷战时期国际政治格局中的位置。我们将考察石油部门国有化过程中的复杂性，以及其对伊拉克社会结构、城市化进程和民众生活方式的深远影响。 多元文化与民族认同：库尔德、什叶派与逊尼派的张力 伊拉克是一个拥有复杂民族和宗教构成 Thus, a historical overview focusing on the broader tapestry of Iraq's past, from its ancient Mesopotamian roots through the Islamic Golden Age, Ottoman rule, and the turbulent 20th century leading up to the modern era, provides a comprehensive understanding of this nation's enduring complexities. This book aims to illuminate the rich and multifaceted history of Iraq. It delves into the land's millennia-old narrative, exploring its unique position as a strategic crossroads and a vibrant cultural mosaic. The aim is to present a broad, multidimensional account of Iraq's journey, rather than focusing narrowly on specific periods or events. Our exploration begins with the dawn of civilization in Mesopotamia, examining the rise and fall of Sumerian, Akkadian, Babylonian, and Assyrian empires. We will uncover their groundbreaking contributions to law, astronomy, mathematics, literature, and architecture, understanding how these foundational achievements resonated through subsequent eras. From the profound insights of the Epic of Gilgamesh and the rigorous principles of Hammurabi's Code to the awe-inspiring Hanging Gardens and majestic ziggurats, ancient Mesopotamia left an indelible legacy. Concurrently, the book will analyze the internal power struggles and external conquests that shaped these civilizations, including their absorption by empires such as the Persian, Greek, and Roman, thereby comprehending the intricate meanings of "occupation" and "rule" within these early historical contexts. With the advent of Islam, Iraq rapidly transformed into a new religious and cultural epicenter. The book will detail the golden age of Baghdad under the Umayyad and Abbasid caliphates. We will depict the city's flourishing as a hub of scholarship, art, and science, examining the role of the House of Wisdom (Bayt al-Hikmah) in disseminating knowledge, and how scholars like al-Khwarizmi and Ibn Sina advanced fields such as algebra, medicine, philosophy, and astronomy. The evolution of religious thought, the formation of legal schools, and the emergence of Sufism during this period, all of which deeply shaped Iraq's spiritual landscape, will also be considered. Furthermore, we will touch upon the dominance of Arabic as a lingua franca and how Persian, Turkish, and Armenian cultural elements intermingled on Iraqi soil, forging a diverse and distinctive cultural milieu. The book then transitions to examine Iraq's protracted period under Ottoman rule. We will analyze how the empire administered this diverse territory, the operational dynamics of local governors, and the role of tribes and religious communities in local autonomy. The book will explore the Tanzimat reforms of the 19th century, which sought to introduce modernization in areas like education, administration, and military affairs, and the resistance and adaptations these reforms encountered in Iraq. Simultaneously, we will consider the growing ambitions of European powers towards the declining Ottoman Empire and their increasing economic and political influence in the Iraqi region, laying the groundwork for subsequent transformations. The 20th century marked a pivotal turning point in Iraq's history. The book will meticulously detail the period following World War I, the disintegration of the Ottoman Empire, and the intervention of the British Empire in Iraqi affairs. We will conduct a thorough analysis of the role played by the British Mandate in shaping Iraqi national identity, border demarcations, administrative structures, and resource development, particularly oil. The book will examine the rise of Iraqi nationalist sentiment and its struggle for independence. We will scrutinize the political turmoil after the establishment of the Kingdom of Iraq in 1932, including coups, the alternation between monarchy and republic, and the power struggles among various political factions, such as nationalists, communists, and pan-Arabists. The discovery and exploitation of oil resources fundamentally altered Iraq's destiny. The book will delve into how oil became the backbone of Iraq's economy, but also brought immense challenges. We will analyze the social inequalities stemming from the uneven distribution of oil wealth and the economic vulnerability caused by the nation's over-reliance on oil revenues. The book will also examine how oil interests became a key factor in the involvement of regional and international powers in Iraq, and explore its position within the geopolitical landscape of the Cold War. We will investigate the complexities of the oil sector's nationalization process and its profound impact on Iraq's social fabric, urbanization, and the lives of its people. Finally, the book will address Iraq's intricate ethnic and religious composition, which is essential for understanding its contemporary dynamics. We will explore the historical experiences and aspirations of the Kurdish population, their long-standing quest for self-determination, and the complex relationship between Kurdish regions and the central government. Concurrently, the book will analyze the historical roles and evolving political significance of Iraq's Shi'a and Sunni Muslim communities, examining their interactions, societal structures, and their respective positions within the national narrative. Understanding these internal dynamics – the interplay of tribal loyalties, sectarian identities, and the broader search for a cohesive national identity amidst historical grievances and external influences – is crucial for grasping the enduring challenges and resilience of the Iraqi people. This historical journey seeks to provide a nuanced and comprehensive perspective on Iraq's past, offering context for its present and illuminating the forces that continue to shape its future.
