Jacobin Radio Long Reads: Dina Khoury on the US Destruction of Iraq (Part 2)
Aug 13, 2022
Dina Khoury, a historian specializing in the Middle East and author of 'Iraq in Wartime,' returns to discuss Iraq's tumultuous landscape post-US occupation. She delves into how instability paved the way for ISIS, critically examining the government's mishandling of Sunni grievances. Khoury highlights the 2019 youth protests demanding reform and the pandemic's toll on mobilization, healthcare, and education. Her insights shed light on Iraq's complex societal dynamics and the ongoing fight for change amid chaos.
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Neglect Fuels ISIS Rise
- ISIS's rise stemmed from neglected Sunni areas with little state investment or control.
- Sunni youth radicalized by repression migrated to Syria and joined ISIS due to Baghdad's failure to address grievances.
Sectarian Fears Spark Militias
- After ISIS took Mosul, Shiite leaders feared sectarian massacres resembling historic tragedies.
- This led to a fatwa calling Shiites to arms and the creation of Popular Mobilization Forces to combat ISIS.
Mosul Resident Critiques Airstrikes
- A Mosul resident criticized the Iraqi army's heavy reliance on airstrikes that devastated the city.
- He claimed soldiers lied about their strength and destroyed the city instead of saving civilians.
