The Future of the Iraqi Sunni Arabs

Abstract

This chapter looks into the dilemma of Iraqi Sunnis from 2003 until the end of ISIS’ phase of territorial control in October 2017. As the weakest link in today’s Iraq, the Sunnis remain an integral part of the troubled country, despite becoming a marginalised section politically and socially. Since 2003, they have faced, and continue to face, accusations that they are loyal to the Ba’ath party and terrorist groups such as al-Qaeda and its successor ISIS. This chapter investigates the circumstances in which Sunnis have had to make decisions, and the choices and political actions they have taken in the post-Ba’ath regime era. This chapter mainly investigates more than a decade of crucial events (2003–2013) that shaped the fate and future of the Sunni Arabs in Iraq. It answers questions such as: Where are the Iraqi Sunnis on the map politically? What is their fate after ISIS? What must they do to avoid exclusion and marginalisation? What will the future hold for the Sunnis in Iraq? Based on a reflection of personal experience, this chapter presents an analysis of the relationship among Sunnis themselves and the roles key Sunni Arab politicians have played since 2003.