American Prestige
E190 - 20th Century Iraq and the Rise of Ba'athism, Ep. 1 w/ Brandon Wolf-Hunnicutt
Dec 24, 2024
Brandon Wolf-Hunnicutt, an associate professor of history and author, delves into the complex history of 20th century Iraq and its relationship with Western powers. He explores the Hashemite monarchy and the rise of anti-colonial sentiments. The discussion highlights the origins of Iraq's communist movement and the 1920 uprising against British rule, while also examining how oil politics shaped national identity. Wolf-Hunnicutt underscores the diverse roles of ethno-sectarian communities and critiques misconceptions about U.S. interventions in Iraq.
52:03
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Quick takeaways
- The podcast challenges the perception of the US as a stabilizing force in Iraq, revealing that Western interventions often exacerbate sectarian violence.
- It discusses the historical context of the Hashemite monarchy's legitimacy issues, highlighting the struggle for Iraqi sovereignty against colonial imposition and political movements.
Deep dives
Misunderstandings in US-Iraq Relations
The podcast highlights the common misconceptions surrounding the United States' relationship with Iraq, particularly in the context of the Iraq War. The speaker emphasizes that many people attribute the sectarian violence in Iraq to historical and cultural reasons, overlooking the significant role of Western interventions, especially those by the US and the UK. It is argued that American interventions often exacerbate the very issues they aim to resolve, thereby contributing to the instability and sectarian strife in the region. This perspective challenges the narrative that portrays the US as a stabilizing force, suggesting instead that its actions have historically created the conditions for conflict.
