Situation In Iraq Research Articles

Off Course? A Career in Archaeology Outside of the Academy

Off Course? A Career in Archaeology Outside of the Academy

Transit Migration

As a result of the expanding human mobilization in the today’s world due to wars, workforce markets, etc., the scope of migration and diaspora studies has increased in many areas. This is also true for musical studies, where a growing body of literature has been produced about these issues. However, by focusing mainly on settled communities and their musical productions, such as hybrid genres and forms created in the destination land, this literature does not adequately cover “transit migration”. Transit migration, being a particular type of human mobility, refers to the migration that includes at least three or more steps. This means that transit migrants do not permanently inhabit the land they firstly enter as migrants, but are supposed to stay in this transit country for a while and then continue their journey in order to reach a final destination point. In this article, I deal with this specific type of migration based on my intense field study on the Chaldean-Iraqi migrant community in Istanbul. The Chaldean community in Iraq, as a religious minority, is one of the most affected groups in the ongoing situation in Iraq, especially after the US invasion in 2003. Turkey functions as a transit country on their way to their prospective destination points, mainly including the US, Canada, and Australia. While dealing with the role of music during the indefinite time period that the participants are in the process of being temporary inhabitants in a foreign land, the applicability of the theoretical concepts of permanent migration to temporary migration is also discussed.

Presenting the Glossy Look of Warfare in Cyberspace – The Islamic State's Magazine Dabiq

AbstractSince Ramadān 1435 (June/July 2014), the so-called ‘Islamic State’ (dawlat al-islāmiyya, IS), the ‘State of the Caliphate’ (dawlat al-khilāfa), publishes a periodic magazine entitled Dabiq. This glossy outlet, produced and distributed by al-Hayāt, one of the movement's media organizations, is widely disseminated on the Internet and forms part of IS's advancement in the field of the media. Published in English and other European languages, it allows the movement to spread its messages to an international audience. This article analyzes and evaluates four issues of Dabiq published in English between June and October 2014.It argues that three aspects are crucial for framing the ideological justification of the movement's warfare and help to rally support for their state-building project: the development and establishment of images of the enemy, the notion of ‘strangeness,’ and the call for emigration. Within this framework, the magazine intertwines textual and visual accounts of the movement's physical and virtual battlefields and mediates these to a non-Arab speaking public. Thus, Dabiq is – chronologically, technologically, and ideologically – the most recent and very well elaborated attempt of the Islamic State at winning support among the broadest public possible on a global level. The article concludes that the magazine at large and the abovementioned aspects reflect both the ideological structure of the movement and its current situation in Iraq and Syria. Utilizing derogative images of their enemies helps the Islamic State both to maintain its claim for legitimacy and to position their adherents and opponents within a dichotomous ideological framework. On this basis, it calls its followers to immigrate to the land of the two rivers and the Levant in order to support the establishment of an Islamic State and eradicate nation state borders.

The Origins of the Second Gulf War

leading up to the Second Gulf War. Using declassified and historical documents, this paper examines the influential role of those neo-conservatives and war lobbyists who strongly influenced George W. Bush in the planning, strategizing, and later launching of “Operation Iraqi Freedom.” The paper highlights the author’s perspective on the Second Persian Gulf War. It is based on the research conducted through analysis and discussion of existing political documents and various standpoint theories of some historians. The objective is to create a vivid picture of the US Government Plans towards Iraq and the involvementof war lobbyists and major decision-makers in this process during the Presidency of George W. Bush. The sole aim of the article is to describe and analyze US Foreign policy in connection with Iraq before the Second Gulf War, as the topic has not been explored in depth yet and is still open for discussion due to present day situation in Iraq.

Where is the Crude Oil Price Headed?

Crude oil is one of the hardest markets to predict because there are so many conflicting crosscurrents that affect its price including supply and demand, the health of the global economy, geopolitics and the global monetary and regulatory environment. Whenever a conflict occurs in an oil-producing country, oil prices rise. It's one of the most predictable patterns in the markets. In the short term, two major geopolitical developments could impact immediately and very adversely on the oil price: one is a deterioration of the situation in Iraq affecting its oil infrastructure and production and the second is an escalation of the Russia-Ukraine conflict causing a disruption in Russian oil and gas supplies to the European Union (EU). In the long term, however, the real threat to global oil supplies and the price of oil comes from the steeply-rising domestic oil consumption in the Arab Gulf countries and a lack of diversification of their economies. This paper will argue that a disruption of Iraq’s oil production could push oil prices to more than $140/barrel whilst any disruption of Russian oil supplies to the EU could easily add $20-$30 to the price of oil. It will also argue that failure by the Arab Gulf countries to curb their domestic oil consumption drastically or replace oil by nuclear power and solar energy in electricity generation and water desalination, would probably result in the complete collapse of their oil exports by 2032. This could send oil prices rocketing to $200-$250/barrel.

Psychiatry and efforts to build community in Iraq.

Psychiatry and efforts to build community in Iraq.

An Honest Presidential Address on the Iraq Situation

This essay is a mock Presidential address designed to highlight the long-term consequences of the US occupation of Iraq.

Assessment of Psychosocial Disturbance of Immigrants in AL Najaf Refugee camp

Abstract: Most of immigrants suffer of severe types of psychological disturbances, such as depression and anxiety as a result of the exposure to markedly stressful life events. The present study was conducted in April 2nd, 2008 through October 2nd, 2008. Objectives: This study aims to assess the psychosocial disturbances of immigrants in AL-Najaf refugee camp. Methodology: A non probability sampling of 100 immigrants who were living in AL-Najaf refugee camp in 2006-2008, because of the security situation in Iraq. A questionnaire was constructed to achieve the study objectives; it consists of three major parts with 40 items. These parts are the demographic characteristics, psychological aspects (depression and anxiety), and social aspects. To determine the reliability and the validity of the questionnaire, the pilot study was done and the questionnaire was reviewed by group of experts. Data were collected through interview as a mean of data collection. Data were analyzed through a descriptive statistical analysis (percentage and frequencies) and inferential statistical analysis. Results: The findings of the study indicated that there was a severe psychological distress and poor social aspects among immigrants; In addition, there was a significant relationship between the psychological aspects (depression and anxiety) and social aspects. Moreover, there is a significant relationship between the psychological aspects with age, occupation, and family member. Conclusion: The study concluded that immigrants were inflicted with psychological disturbances at different levels; most of them are at a poor level of social aspects. Recommendations: The study recommends that early attention of social institutions and the Mistry of Health to address immigrants' to prevent psychological illnesses among immigrants. Also, create a mental health team to continuously visiting the immigrants in the refugee camp to evaluate their psychological health and reinforce their adaptive abilities during the migration period.

Human Rights Situation in Iraq and Kurdistan Region: Constitutional and Political Prospects

This study, which deals with Human Rights situation in Iraq and Kurdistan Region during the last three decades, aims to discuss and analyze certain Human Rights issues, including civil, political and cultural rights as stipulated in the current Iraqi Constitution and reflected under the present political circumstances, making specific short references to Human Rights Education. As a descriptive analytical study, clear integrated legal and political materials are used to draw particular realistic conclusions about violations of Human Rights, as well as the contradictions between the content of the Constitution and what is happening within political developments’ process on the ground. In this regard, it seems that severe difficulties and serious challenges have reduced the capacity of Iraq and Kurdistan Region from building an efficient system for Human Rights which is able to enhance Human Rights issues and support Human Rights Education.

Mobilizacja polityczna irackich jezydów po roku 2003

Political Mobilization of the Iraqi Yezidis in the post‑Saddam Iraq
 Iraqi Yezidis living in the mountainous areas of northern Iraq have been for centuries struggling to survive and preserve their identity. Once mistakenly recognized as worshipers of Satan, they had been sentenced to constant harassment by the Muslim majority. Stubbornly declaring their ethnic and not only religious individuality, they fell into conflict with the majority of the Kurds, with whom they shared the misery of the worst repression during the Baghdad regime. The overthrow of Saddam Hussein in 2003 significantly activated the Yezidi community. The new political situation in Iraq opened the way for the revival of their culture and sociopolitical integration of their whole community. Since 2005, they have had their representatives not only in local institutions of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region, but also in the Iraqi parliament. The purpose of this paper is to draw attention to the changes in the socio‑political situation of the Iraqi Yezidis in the post‑Saddam Iraq.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among Male Adolescents in Baghdad

violent conflicts and war zones. Iraq is consistently exposed to large-scale traumatic events such as successive wars, economic sanction, sustainable organized violence, and terrorism. This unsafe situation negatively impacts on the psychosocial status of the whole Iraqi community, especially children and adolescents. Objective: To assess the prevalence of PTSD in a sample of adolescents in Baghdad, and to figure out the probable association between some socio-demographic characteristics and PTSD symptoms. Methods: A sample of 1858 male students, aged 13 to 19 years, was selected from 18 secondary schools for boys in Baghdad. The Arabic version of the International Neuropsychiatric Interview PTSD module ‘I’ (M.I.N.I) was adopted to assess the presence of PTSD symptoms. Results: Trauma experiences were reported by more than 55% of the sample surveyed and 17.1% reported symptoms of PTSD. Higher rates of PTSD occurred among adolescents aged l7-19 years (24.7%) and among those whose fathers were deceased and those who living with non-biological caregivers. Conclusion: The unsafe situation in Iraq has led to high trauma exposure and a high prevalence rate of PTSD among Male Adolescents in Baghdad. The study explored a number of factors that are associated with this increased rate. The data generated from this study may be of use to policy makers, people work in mental health care as well as practitioners in the field.

Factors Affecting Teachers’ Adoption of ICT into Teaching and Learning in Iraq Education System

The importance of teachers’ roles in education is an undeniable fact either for developed or developing countries. The emergence of Internet Technology and the deployment of ICT into the education systems have created a new demand in expanding the teachers’ skills especially in the developing countries like Iraq. This study aims to investigate the factors affecting teachers’ adoption of ICT into teaching and learning in Iraqi secondary schools. ICT in this research context is considered as teaching or learning aid tools that could help to improvise the Iraq education system particularly at the secondary level. The political situation in Iraq has contributed to the difficulties in improving Iraq education system thus this research also aims to provide insights and possible solution to overcome or minimize the barriers with regards to utilizing ICT in teaching and learning process. This research used a quantitative approach using a survey method to gauge the factors that may influence ICT adoption at Iraq secondary schools. This includes personal preference, infrastructure, knowledge and skills, etc. The outcome from this research is a proposed framework that could assist the school management and teachers in implementing ICT into the teaching and learning processes. This paper discusses the literature review and early findings of this research.

Administrative and governmental buildings in the city of Mosul during the Ottoman era

The student of the civilization of Iraq and its Arab-Islamic heritage since the fall of the Abbasid Caliphate at the hands of the Mongols in the year 656 AH until the beginning of the Ottoman rule in the year 941 AH will find that the situation in Iraq in general and Mosul in particular was characterized by chaos and instability, and many invading foreign governments began to rule, starting with the Mongols and the Ilkhanids. Then the Jalayiris, then the Turkmen, and finally the Safavid Persians, who went too far in violating the cities of Iraq, one after the other, until the Ottomans came and took control of the country.

Malnutrition among 3 to 5 Years Old Children in Baghdad City, Iraq: A Cross-sectional Study

The unstable geopolitical situation in Iraq since 2003 still affects the health of people, especially children. Several factors may indirectly affect a child's nutritional status. The main aim of this study was to identify factors contributing to malnutrition among 3 to 5 years old children in Baghdad city, Iraq. Two hundred twenty children aged 3 to 5 years were chosen randomly from four kindergartens in Baghdad city according to the cross-sectional design. The nutritional status of the children was assessed using a weight-for-age z-score based on the World Health Organization 2007 cutoff points, in which any child with a z-score of <-2 is considered to be malnourished. The overall prevalence rate of underweight children was 18.2%. There was no significant difference in the prevalence rate between males and females (p=0.797). However, the percentage of underweight children was slightly higher among females (18.9%) compared to males (17.6%). There was no association between parents' educational level or employment status and childhood malnutrition. There was no association between a family's movement from their house and childhood malnutrition (p=0.322). Living in an unsafe neighbourhood and having a family member killed during the past five years were significantly associated with childhood malnutrition (p=0.016 and 0.018 respectively). Childhood malnutrition is still a public-health concern in Baghdad city, especially after the war of 2003. Malnutrition is significantly associated with living in unsafe neighbourhoods and at least one family member having been killed during the past five years.

The 2003 Iraq War and Avoidable Death Toll

Salman Rawaf discusses the implications of the most recent estimate of excess deaths associated with the Iraq war and subsequent occupation in the context of the current situation in Iraq. Please see later in the article for the Editors' Summary.

Clinical and Demographic Profile of Attendees at Baghdad's Walk-in Psychiatric Clinic.

Few studies have examined clinical and demographic profile of attendees of a walk-in psychiatric clinic in countries ravaged by wars. The aim of this study is to quantify the characteristics of attendees of an open walk-in psychiatric clinic in a general hospital in Baghdad and the suburb towns of Iraq in the year 2010. As part of a retrospective survey, information on specific variables (socio-demographic background, clinical characteristics and attendance rate) were sought from medical records in the year 2010 (January to December). Despite the shortcomings expected from a country coming out of the ravage of war, the survey included 2,979 attendees (1,864 [63%] males and 1,115 [37%] females) of a walk-in psychiatric clinic who fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The profile of attendees indicated that a majority of the cohort was self-referred with a predominance of employed males, aged 19 to 49 years, residing in Baghdad City. Depression and psychosis were the most common diagnosis given. The observed patterns are discussed within the available literature relevant to consultation liaison psychiatry, and specific to situations in Iraq and Arab/Islamic cultural patterning.

Decommissioning Challenge of Destroyed Nuclear Facilities and Sites in Iraq

The radioactive waste resulting from the former nuclear activities in Iraq has the potential to cause significant radiological issues to the environment and to the public living in the neighborhood of these nuclear sites. There are ten nuclear sites in Iraq which have been used for nuclear activities which contain significant amounts of radioactive waste. The destruction of these nuclear facilities during the 1991 Gulf war and the looting of the sites and facilities during the 2003 events aggravated the problem. As a result of these events, many of these nuclear facilities have lost their containment of the radioactive material and it now has an increased potential to be dispersed into the environment. All sites and facilities require decommissioning in order to ensure both radiological and non-radiological safety. However, it is not possible to undertake the decommissioning of all sites and facilities at the same time, therefore a risk-based prioritization methodology [1] has been developed in order to aid the decision-making process. This initial risk-based order of priority is changed when modifying factors are taken into account like Iraq’s isolation from the international nuclear community over the last two decades and the lack of experienced personnel, the lack of radioactive waste treatment and storage and the security situation in Iraq. A master decommissioning plan has been developed to decommissioning all nuclear facilities and sites in Iraq started from July 2008 till December 2025. The plan consists of three phases [2]: the first phase (2008-2010) to decommission three low radiological risk facilities, the intent of this phase being to build the staff capacity and their decommissioning capabilities and experience, the second phase (2011-2015) to decommission five high radiological risk facilities using the experience gained in phase one and third phase (2016-2025) to decommission the remaining nuclear facilities and sites based on radiological risk prioritization scheme. The radioactive waste resulting from decommissioning of phase one were stored in cargo container placed at Al-Tuwaitha site as a temporary solution until rehabilitation of the damaged waste treatment facility and building of a waste disposal facility similar to ANDRA France. The Lessons Learned from the work in the early part of the Iraqi decommissioning programme will be applied to the later phases of the programme.

Reforming Iraqi Journalism and Mass Communication Higher Education

Journalism and mass communication higher education in Iraq is well established but largely isolated from global developments since the 1970s. In the post–Iraq war period, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) implemented a multiyear project to work with the leadership of Iraqi higher education to help update the curriculum in journalism and mass communication in that country. This project adapted the UNESCO Model Curricula for Journalism Education to the evolving higher education environment in Iraq. The authors were funded by UNESCO to help facilitate the adoption and adaptation of the model curriculum to the unique situation in Iraq.

A synopsis of recent influential papers published in psychiatric journals (2010–2011) from the Arab World

Six recent and influential papers that have appeared in the three leading psychiatry journals from the Arab region are summarized in this review. The first paper examined the prevalence of eating disorders (EDs) in rural and urban secondary school girls in Sharkia; more EDs were found among urban than rural population. The second study reported the high prevalence of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in primary school children in Iraq in context of the present situation in Iraq dominated by violence creating a traumatizing atmosphere for the population, especially children. The third paper reported that substance dependent patients manifest elevated traits of impulsivity; emotionally driven impulsivity in particular predicted substance related problems. The fourth study reported significant cognitive impairments at illness onset in a large sample of patients with a first psychotic episode. The fifth paper, investigated the cultural imprint on symptom profile of mood disorders. Culture effect on mood disorder was more prominent in depression than in mania. The last article examined the relations between social circumstances, medical morbidity, locus of control and depression in elderly patients suffering from medical conditions. Overall, the papers describe a wide spectrum of research initiatives in the Arab World that are likely to have implications for global mental health.

Nutritional Status, Nutritional Habit and Breakfast Intake in Relation to IQ among Primary School Children in Baghdad City, Iraq

2 Abstract: Nutrition for children especially during the development stage is crucial. A lot of studies have been done to observe the effects of nutrition on child cognition development but the situation in Iraq is absolutely different. A cross-sectional study was carried out in Baghdad city, Iraq to assess the nutritional status and nutritional habit of primary school children and to relate it with their Intelligence Quotient (IQ) score using standardized tools. The prevalence of malnutrition was 12.1% among Iraqi children. Nutritional status, nutritional habit and breakfast intake were significantly associated with children intelligence (p = <0.001, <0.001, <0.001) respectively. Malnutrition among children is still to be a public health issue in Iraq and it is affecting the child cognitive function and academic performance at school.