Saving Iraq [antikvár]

Introduction This is a very personal book about an old Iraq and a new Iraq. The old Iraq is but a sweet and inspiring memory from my days as a child and young man. It was a country that was on the path to unity and prosperity under moderate, wise and patriotic leaders until a violent coup d'état in July 1958 set it on a course of dictatorship, oppression and denial of the population's rights and potential. The new Iraq is a country I believe can still emerge from the broken Iraq of today. It is an Iraq of my dreams, and the dreams of many other Iraqis. This Iraq of tomorrow can be the country it was always meant to be if its leaders and people reassert the cherished values and principles of their country's promising early years: national pride, good governance, tolerance, openness and economic freedom. Before I present my vision for a new Iraq, I feel it is necessary to dispel a number of myths and misconceptions that stand in the way of properly assessing the current situation and realizing the potential that is waiting to be unleashed in the country's rebirth. The most recent myths revolve around the claimed success of the US occupation's 'surge' policy and the outiook for future democracy and prosperity under current political xiu