Constructing a Democratic Iraq: Challenges and Opportunities

Daniel Byman of Georgetown University tackles the increasingly salient issue of establishing democracy in Iraq following the U.S. ouster of Saddam Hussein. Byman explores some of the daunting challenges ahead, among them: creating the conditions necessary for the transition from dictatorship to democracy, addressing the deep divisions among Iraq's various ethnic and religious communities, and preventing countries such as Iran and Turkey from meddling in Iraq's internal affairs. Byman is hopeful about the prospects for introducing democracy to the Iraqi people, provided the United States and other occupying powers are able to stabilize the country and guarantee its security— tasks that will require the continued presence of approximately 100,000 high-quality U.S. and coalition troops in the country for years to come.