The Reckoning: Iraq and the Legacy of Saddam Hussein

The book explores the complexities of Iraq's identity and governance under Saddam Hussein, highlighting the historical, religious, ethnic, and political forces that shaped his dictatorship. It argues that the absence of Hussein could lead to greater instability, potentially resulting in conflict reminiscent of the Balkan wars. The narrative emphasizes Iraq's lack of a cohesive national identity, cultivated through Hussein's oppressive regime that exploited divisions among various groups, ultimately dismantling the country's middle class and civil society.