Struggles for Independence and Economic Development in the Arab World

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The chapter explores the historical context of Kuwait's independence movement, Iraq's claim on Kuwait, and the economic policies of Qasem's Iraq and the U.A.R. It analyzes the impact of Arab socialist developmentalist models on living standards and nationalizations, highlighting the conflicts between national capital and socialist governments. Additionally, it delves into the complexities of oil resources, relationships between imperialist powers, and the rich history of Iraq with a focus on class dynamics and societal complexities.

Featuring Abdel Razzaq Takriti, this is the TENTH episode of Thawra (Revolution), our rolling mini-series on Arab radicalism in the 20th century. Today’s installment tells the story of Iraq’s 1958 July Revolution: a Free Officers’ coup overthrew the imperialist-aligned Hashemite monarchy and brought nationalist Abdul-Karim Qasim to power alongside a surging Communist Party. Revolutionary currents soon turned against one another, however, as did Qasim and Nasser. Conflict stemmed from serious political and strategic differences, but also petty rivalries and bitter feuds. And in Iraq, class conflict often appeared dressed up in the sectarian and ethnic modalities through which class was lived. Support The Dig at Patreon.com/TheDig Check out our newsletter and vast archives at thedigradio.com Subscribe to a year of Jacobin for only $15— a special offer for Dig listeners! bit.ly/digjacobin Buy The Black Antifascist Tradition at haymarketbooks.org