The history of Iraq is characterized by both prosperity and violence and dates back to the ancient civilizations of Mesopotamia. Although dominated by a variety of civilizations, the region enjoyed a relatively stable society. Since the birth of Islam, the religion has been the region's dominant cultural belief and has made its way into the region's laws and governance. (InDepth Info, 2010) At the end of World War I, the British Empire took control of the territory and imposed a monarchy over the region. However, in 1932, the British mandate ended and the Iraqi people assumed control of the newly independent country. Led by a series of kings, the country remained stable enough and prospered due to the discovery of oil in the country. However, due to growing political oppression, a group known as the “Free Officers” overthrew the monarchy and established a republican government in the territory. (Iraq Foreign Policy, Brittanica, 2010) Pre-invasion Iraq reflected the views and policies of its leader, Saddam Hussein, who made his first political appearance as a supporter of the Ba'ath Party. For this he was imprisoned in 1967 and after his escape he quickly rose to power within the faction. (Biography of Saddam Hussein, 2008) Saddam became known for his political talent and progress, and soon became a popular politician. After working on extensive unification and expansion efforts for the Baathists, the man became vice president of the Revolutionary Command Council. Faced with an enormous amount of religious, racial, social and economic divisions, Saddam launched a campaign of total control to bring stability. Ever the astute leader, Hussein realized that the main way to ensure stability was to raise living standards. The first... half of the document......om/2001/WORLD/asiapcf/central/09/30/ret.taliban.binladen/index.htmlThe cost of war. (n.d.). National Priorities Project. Retrieved February 18, 2010, from http://www.costofwar.com/Tripp, C. (2002). A history of Iraq (2 ed.). New York: Cambridge University Press. United States fires cruise missiles at Saddam. (2003, March 20). CNN.com. Retrieved February 18, 2010, from http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/meast/03/19/sprj.irq.main/UN Headquarters Bombing, Baghdad, Iraq. (n.d.). GlobalSecurity.org - Trusted security information. Retrieved February 18, 2010, from http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/iraq/un-hq-baghdad-bombing.htmWright, R., & Knickmeyer, E. (2005, August 14). The United States lowers its vision of what can be achieved in Iraq. The Washington Post. Retrieved February 18, 2010, from http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/13/AR2005081300853.html