Iraq and the United Nations, Post-War and Pre-Peace: The Dilemma of the Future

Over the course of a decade, Iraq suffered a dictatorship, the most comprehensive economic andmilitary sanctions regime in the history of the United Nations, and two wars. All these factorscontributed towards a humanitarian crisis in one of the previously most developed and richestcountries in the region, with a well-educated and wealthy population, as well as triggeringeconomic and social setbacks which considerably weakened the country’s infrastructure. Thisarticle will examine the far-reaching and long lasting consequences this sanctions regime had onthe civilian population. It will also examine how certain states thought that such sanctions werenecessary in the name of international peace and security despite their negative humanitarianconsequences. The article goes on to identify the institutional failings which contributed towardssuch a policy, and suggests ways in which alternative approaches could be adopted. Some ideasare presented which could possibly help to avoid similar humanitarian crises in future conflicts.