America's record on reconstructing a state and society. Three case studies and their implications for Iraq

Abstract

The United States of America and its main ally, the United Kingdom, are currently deeply committed to reconstruct two Middle Eastern countries, Iraq and Afghanistan, after their invasion and successful defeat of the reigning powers in these two countries. Since the termination of both military campaigns the Americans have had a very mixed record of success in achieving their lofty ideal of reconstructing these societies and states to turn them into modern, stable and developing democratic states acceptable to the United States. Efforts to break the power base of Al-Queda leader Osama Bin Laden and the world's constant fear of new Al-Queda attacks on targets in a number of countries, indicate the seriousness of the current 'war on terrorism'. The capture of Saddam Hussein represents the only significant success of the Americans in their endless efforts to take control of the situation in Iraq. A large number of American soldiers died since the official end to the war and guerrilla attacks on allied targets continue unabatedly. Internal divisions in Iraq, the revenge of suppressed groups against the previous administration and especially against members of the Baath Party and deep religious and ethnic divisions do not augur well for American efforts. The failure to establish a trustworthy Iraqi police force and to raise a new army or to achieve a united preliminary governing council, are all indications of how seriously divided the country is over the issue of reconstruction. These internal divisions are strengthened by the inability of America to achieve the co-operation of major international role players like Germany, France, Russia and China. Unstable relations  with the Arab world and with Pakistan imply that the entire Middle East is directly involved in the process of rebuilding the region. This raises the question whether America really has the experience and capability to reconstruct two societies so  entirely different from its own.