The New Iraq: Rebuilding the Country for Its People, the Middle East and the World

I highly recommend The New Iraq by Joseph Braude. The book is well-written, well-researched, fun to read, and visionary. Very few books on the Middle East dare to offer an optimistic vision of "what could be." Mr. Braude, an Iraqi-American, gives the reader an uplifting portrait (with some caveats) of the history and culture of Iraq. In sections entitled Memory, Power, Money, and Truth, he outlines in eleven chapters how religious, civil, cultural, and economic institutions can be revived and harnessed in Iraq to help turn the country into a progressive, pluralistic beacon in the Middle East. From his riveting discussion of the rough-and-tumble business practices of Iraqis during sanctions, to his vision of an ecumenical Iraq where religions and sects co-exist, to his brilliant essay on Iraqi films and the importance of the upcoming Iraqi cultural renaissance, The New Iraq shines. Unlike other authors of Iraq and Middle Eastern books, Braude actually speaks the languages of the region fluently and has a deep knowledge of the literature and culture of Iraq. It shows in The New Iraq. I second other readers who particularly treasure the final section of the book, "Truth," as its chapters contains some of the most interesting and passionate writing about Iraqi society around. Braude's voice is a welcome addition to the dialogue about Iraq and the Middle East. James Woolsey, former director of the CIA, endorses The New Iraq on the back cover as "a superb guide for the rebirth of the great civilization of Iraq by one who knows the country, its history, and its culture intimately. It's all here: how to resuscitate the judicial system, the army, the economy even the cinema. Lucid balanced and wise." I couldn't agree more. And, on the liberal side of the spectrum, Village Voice columnist Nat Hentoff writes in praise of Joseph Braude's The New Iraq, "For all the continuing debate about the dangerous present and indeterminate future of Iraq, there has been no analysis of that nation's history and actual potential for transformation into a just society that comes close to Joseph Braude's crucially illuminating book, The New Iraq. He is a scholar, a humanist, and a realist." Hentoff's remark is right on target. Chapter after chapter, Braude dazzles readers with his humor and insight into the dynamics of Iraqi society through the stories of living, breathing Iraqis. In many ways, this is a book for our time.

Joseph Braude tries - in fewer than 200 pages - to offer a compelling, absorbing, and optimistic vision of Iraq's future. I think he does quite brilliantly.Please understand that these questions of rebuilding Iraq are far deeper and ultimately of greater consequence than your position on this war. In the end, it means little to Iraqis whether you love or hate Bush or Blair. And thankfully Mr. Braude is wise enough to realize that his personal views on the conflict, now that the war is a reality, are not of surpassing importance. What will indeed matter greatly to the destiny of Iraq, its talented, beleaguered people, and the entire Middle East is whether American society and the world mobilize and commit themselves to compassionately rebuilding a thriving New Iraq. And Braude gracefully describes what that New Iraq must look like. It must do justice to the startlingly unique culture of that great land. And it must unleash the marvelous collective talent of Iraqis - a freedom-starved, proud people who have waited - truly voiceless! - for economic and political justice to reach their shattered homeland. The New Iraq offers a vision for success in all areas of the rebuilding - from the reconstituted Iraqi military to the cinema - without losing sight of Iraq's unique cultural, religious, and economic institutions that have (miraculously) survived the Ba'ath nightmare.Saddam Hussein offered the people of Iraq a brutal police state, a fascist ideology, innovations in fear and torture. He almost succeeded in grinding the Arab world's most multiethnic society into dust. But Saddam Hussein is the past. In the near future, many societies from across the globe will be uniting with Iraqis in an historic state building effort of almost unprecedented scope and importance. Joseph Braude's book, in my opinion, is a terrific starting point for their humane and historic discussions. Finally, some optimism and a sense of mission! A vital counterweight to the cynicism and fatalism in the air today. I heartily endorse it.

I wish to dissent with the reviewer who labeled Mr. Braude's book "superficial". There is nothing superficial about it. It provides a thoughtful plan for reconstructing Iraq, given that war is now a reality. (Note that this is not the same as an endorsement of the war.)Accordingly, the book devotes due space to Iraq's economic reconstruction. It seems to me that part of rebuilding a nation shattered by years of strife is ensuring that its economy functions. Mr. Braude suggests-correctly, in my view-that the influx of Western capital will aid Iraq's regrowth.But that is not the point of the book. The vast majority of the text discusses ways to bolster Iraqi civil society-not a series of ways for Westerners to get rich, as Mr. Bremmer suggests. Either we did not read the same book, or he did not read it very carefully.Furthermore, rather ominously, Mr. Bremmer ties Mr. Braude's opinions to his citizenship. That is, Mr. Bremmer says, "Braude, an Israeli-American citizen, who is ancestrially [sic] Iraqi Jewish, claims not to have any opinion about the decision to go to war with Iraq. However...his right-leaning, even neoconservative political opinions, seem to indicate a very different underlying purpose." This statement is misleading for two reasons. First, as I noted, discussion of post-war plans does not make any statement about war other than "it is already happening". Avoiding formulating a map for post-war Iraq is not left-wing; it is stupid, a refusal to engage in reality.Second, Mr. Braude is not Israeli. This is clear if you have read his biography or if-as I have-you have heard him talk about his background on radio or TV. He is an American of Iraqi-Jewish descent, hardly the same thing as an Israeli. If a reviewer wishes to condemn the politics of the book, that is acceptable (although incorrect). To condemn them as the product of an "Israeli" is a manifest lie-one that, to me, carries an edge of racism.Mr. Braude's book is clear, concise, vigorous, and honest. It provides the first optimistic account of what might be done with a damaged society. In this, it is far more forward-thinking-far more progressive-than any other book currently available. Strongly recommended for those interested in seeing a rebuilt, healthy Iraq.

"The New Iraq" is eye-opening, informative, and enjoyable to read. In just a few hours, I made my way through a vivid portrayal of Iraqi history, culture, as well as its current situation-- economic, social, and political. I especially liked Mr. Braude's use of anecdotes and humor to add flavor to the analysis. Obviously, there is a lot more that I, as well as most Americans, need to learn about this country if we hope to help rebuild Iraq and make a positive impact in the Middle East. But Mr. Braude offers a good start, and I urge others to take advantage of it.

I saw Mr. Braude on the Today Show and immediately purchased his new book, which is a true gem. "The New Iraq" is informative, lyrical, and imaginative all at once. We have so little knowledge of Iraq or its people beyond the name "Saddam Hussein" - and this book more than fills in our knowledge gap.The opening section on "Memory" is a succinct account of Iraqi history, told through music, religion, and culture. The section includes unique coverage of Iraqi pop songs and Braude's encounter with an Iraqi spy over dinner in Tehran. The following section, "Power," envisions positive roles for ex-Ba'ath Party members ("The Party's Over" is one chapter's sharp title), the religious establishment, and the Iraqi army. "Money" offers a fascinating view of current industry, commerce, advertising, and social status in Iraq - full of data and vivid vignettes, including profiles of "Cats of the Embargo", smugglers who've hit it big under sanctions.But my favorite section is the last one on "Truth" - how to jumpstart a free press, a fair legal system, a non-fascist education system, and even the Iraqi film industry. Don't miss an incredible account of Iraqi anime movies.Throughout, Braude displays humor, optimism, and imagination, but also a profoundly sober realism about how genuine transformation of Iraq will likely take generations. In all, there is no book like this one, with its balanced political tone, its deft combination of business and culture, and its insight culled from unearthed nuggets of daily life in Iraq.I hope every American soldier, diplomat, reporter -- and TV watcher -- reads this book. With it, we will be better informed and more humane partners in the rebuilding of Iraq.