A Case Study in Cultural Heritage Protection in a Time of War

Abstract

This chapter addresses, through a case study, some of the specific issues of rebuilding entrepreneurial activities that are tied to the preservation of cultural resources at the lowest levels of implementation. Additionally, it provides a summary of activities going on to support the rebuilding of Iraqi micro-businesses that are dependent upon cultural heritage protection and cultural resource preservation, with an emphasis on the successes of the U.S. Army's Commander's Emergency Response Program (CERP) funds. As the overwhelmingly successful CERP initiative has shown, U.S. forces contribute to the growth of local economies and protect cultural heritage resources at a lower level. While conducting the research for the chapter, the author was disappointed to find that there is a serious lack of literature on the subject, and that some of the items referenced in the chapter are from magazine and newspaper articles. Keywords:Commander's Emergency Response Program (CERP); cultural heritage protection; cultural resources; Iraqi micro-businesses; U.S. Army