Saddam Husayn and Islam, 1968–2003: Baʿthi Iraq from Secularism to Faith

This fascinating book explores state-religion relations in Iraq from the Baʿth party takeover of the state in 1968 until the country was invaded and occupied by the United States in 2003, ending the Saddam Husayn and Baʿth era in Iraq. The religious and ethnic divisions between Iraq's Sunni minority and the Shiʿi majority have played a crucial role in the development of the modern state of Iraq, and this book addresses these issues during this period of Iraqi history. Amatzia Baram offers an excellent analysis of the Baʿthi regime, its changing ideology and its relations with society, Saddam Husayn's leadership style and personality, the social and religious makeup of the country and Iraq's foreign relation and the two Gulf Wars.